Cat Breeder Guide

FAQs

Do cat breeders need a licence?

You don't need to get a licence if your cat simply gets pregnant and you want to sell the litter. However, if you are breeding cats and selling the kittens as a business, you are likely to need a licence. This can be requested via the local council, who will carry out an inspection before deciding to grant a licence. To be a licenced breeder, you must be able to show that cats and kittens are:

• Kept in suitable accomodation
• Given access to adequate food and fresh water
• Interacted with and exercised on a regular basis
• Protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
• Protected in case of emergency
• Looked after by people who are trained in animal care
• Bred by yourself – third party selling of animals is illegal under Lucy's Law

You will need to keep records of register of animals for asle and details of veterinary treatment ready for inspection and following licensing, will need to display your licence number on your premises and on any advertising.

How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?

A tell-tale sign your queen is pregnant is what's known as "pinking-up" where her teats will enlarge and turn pink or red, usually around 3 weeks after mating. Early in the pregnancy, she may also experience morning sickness. If you've been recording heat cycles, you may notice a missed oestrous cycle too. Pregnancy can affect different queens in different ways, but you may also notice her become more affectionate and attention-seeking or more withdrawn than usual. If you think your cat might be pregnant it's advisable to take her for a check up where the vet can check for kittens via papation or an ultrasound.

How long are cats pregnant?

The cat gestation period is between 58 and 70 days, during which time it's best to keep the queen indoors to keep other cats away.

How to become a cat breeder

The first step to becoming a cat breeder is to ensure you’re ready. You should ask yourself:

1. Do I have the time and knowledge to be able to care for my cat and her kittens before, during and after pregnancy
2. Can I afford the added expense for equipment, vet bills, food and stud fees?
3. Will I be able to sell my kittens when they’re born? Is there demand for them in my area?

If you've answered yes to these questions, and you have a healthy female, it's time to find a stud cat and start the process! If you're planning to breed and sell cats as a business, you'll need to ensure you're properly licensed with your local authority. If you are breeding and advertising pedigree cats, you may also want to register as a breeder with the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy).

Rewards & Bonuses

At Petplan, we offer our breeders reward credits every time you activate cover for a new owner. These creditcs can be exchanged for vouchers for a number of high street brands to provide a welcome boost to your shopping budget! You can start earning credits with us as soon as you register as a breeder.