High Cat Prices Despite Fast Reproduction: Why?

It's quite astonishing to learn that a kitten reaches sexual maturity in just 6 to 7 months. Once mature, a female cat can produce 2 to 3 litters a year, each containing 4 to 6 kittens. The rapid breeding pace is truly remarkable.

However, it's worth noting that purebred cats often reach sexual maturity later than stray cats. Even focusing on the matter of a female cat having three litters in a year...

What does it mean to have three litters in a year? With 12 months in a year, the cat is pregnant for 2 months, then lactating for another 2 months. That means a litter of kittens needs at least 4 months before they can leave their mother and venture out on their own.

This means that with three litters a year, the mother cat would go through: pregnancy, lactation, pregnancy, lactation, pregnancy, and lactation. By the end of the year, she's likely to be worn out, and for weaker cats, this could be fatal! Moreover, the kittens born in each litter tend to be weaker, with fewer in each litter, and a higher mortality rate.

Any reputable cat breeder wouldn't allow a mother cat to continuously breed, as it's a loselose situation. In cat shelters, a female cat typically reaches sexual maturity at one year, then has three litters over two years, or two litters in a year if the frequency is increased. Assuming a litter size of 4 kittens, a mature female cat can produce a maximum of 8 offspring in a year. And since the kittens are usually sold, there's no endless, unordered breeding cycle.

Costs of Breeding

Those who haven't truly entered the industry might think cat breeding is a lucrative business. In reality, like any industry, only a small percentage of people make a profit, following the pyramid model where the top is a tiny peak, with most earning a hardearned living. Many enter the industry with high hopes only to end up losing money and forced to quit.

Is breeding just about buying two breeding cats and waiting for profits to roll in? Let's break down the costs involved:

① Fixed costs include rent, utilities, renovation, and the cost of catrelated supplies.

② The cost of purchasing breeding cats can be substantial. Topquality breeding cats can cost tens of thousands of dollars, while even midrange ones can be several thousand. For more affordable options, the cost is still a few thousand.

③ Feeding costs: Cat food, litter, canned food, homemade meat, kitten formula, and more are ongoing expenses that cannot be cut. Highquality nutrition is crucial for the health and quality of the cats, making this a significant portion of the costs.

④ Medical costs: Cats, like humans, can fall ill. While most shelters have experience treating common ailments like stomach issues, colds, diarrhea, and vomiting, an outbreak of serious diseases like cat flu can be devastating, leading to significant financial losses.

⑤ Pregnancy care costs: The costs of prenatal care, including ultrasounds, difficult births, and postpartum recovery, are not considered medical expenses but are part of the care for pregnant cats.

⑥ Health check costs: Highend shelters often conduct regular health checks and genetic testing to ensure the absence of hereditary diseases and other conditions, which can be quite costly.

⑦ Sterilization costs: Responsible breeders typically retire female cats after a few years and have them sterilized for new homes or retirement. The same applies to male cats. Unscrupulous breeders may retire cats when their quality and quantity of production decline, leading to further losses.

⑧ Time costs: Many outsiders overlook this. Selling a kitten for $1000 might seem like a $1000 profit, but from embryo to kitten, it takes 4 months, meaning the seller only earns $250 a month, or just $8 a day.

⑨ Labor costs: To encourage someone to open a cat breeding business, you'd have to tell them: 'If you want someone to be diligent, just open a cat breeding business.' Someone who used to be too lazy to wash a bowl would now dream of cleaning all day. Maintaining a clean and hygienic cattery requires constant effort, including cleaning up after the cats, maintaining the cleanliness of the food and litter, and ensuring the health of the cats through regular checks and socialization. Additional care is needed if the cats require special attention.

Risks and Troubles of Breeding

Many people are unaware of the risks and troubles involved in breeding:

① Cat illnesses are a given and are included in the costs.

② Rapid changes in market aesthetics: I know a friend who bred cats. One year, a particular breed was very popular, and any cat of that breed could be sold for thousands. Following the trend, they bought several breeding cats, raising them from birth. But by the time they were grown, the trend had changed, and another breed became popular. The result? They had to sell at a loss.

③ Services and aftersales support: After years of breeding, one's patience can wear thin. Dealing with different people daily, answering questions from cat owners, and dealing with unreasonable and overly demanding customers can be stressful.

④ Uncontrollable risks: Economic crises, pandemics, and other unforeseen events can impact people's income, reducing the number of customers willing to spend money on cats. This can lead to losses for cat breeders.

⑤ Risk of no customers: This can be due to insufficient marketing, a narrow circle, lack of a customer base, or lack of competitive advantages in terms of price, quality, service, and aftersales support.

This might seem like a discouraging article, aimed at deterring beginners from opening a cat breeding business. But the main point is to explain why purebred cats are so expensive.

Because the costs are there, and they have to be. And so are the costs of services and aftersales support.

Why are some cat shelters' cats so expensive, while others' cats are sold at rockbottom prices? It often boils down to lower costs, less attractive appearance, potentially less docile temperament, poorer health, and even the presence of hereditary diseases. Or, they might already be sick and are sold at a low price.

And there's also the important issue of aftersales service. What if you get a cat with cat flu, rhinotracheitis, or ascites? Don't ask; just block the person. What if the cat dies suddenly a few days after you get it? It's your fault for not taking care of it. And if you keep asking, you'll be blocked.

If you're looking for a lowcost cat, be prepared for the risks and be mentally ready to accept them. If you want to buy and complain, who's going to suffer but you?

In summary: The market has a price tag, even in the shadows.