BREEDING  CATS

Choosing a Bengal kitten

1. Make sure the kitten has clean eyes, nose and back end, that they are a good size and sturdy this is important if you hope to breed or show as a number of Bengal kittens don't get placement at cat shows because they are too small.  Don't just chose a pretty kitten.  Always see the whole of the litter with the mother.

2. Make sure the kitten is registered with the GCCF or TICA.

3. Ask if the kitten is litter trained.  Obtain details of their diet and vaccinations.  Kittens should not leave their breeder until 13 weeks of age, 7 days after the last vaccination and should have been wormed.

4. It is important that you see the outside cattery (if there is one) check out that the premises are clean.  If pens are not cleaned properly each day streptococci and enteric infections could cause your kitten problems in the future.  Make sure that the runs the cats are in are big enough for them to have a run round.  If the breeder makes excuses why you should not see the cattery INSIST if the breeder still says no, don't buy the kitten.  There are over 1000 Bengal breeders out there, you can be choosey.  If the cattery is unclean, don't buy.  If its really bad report the matter for the welfare of the cats.  Check each time you visit the kitten that the cattery is clean, and the cats are well cared for.

5. Be sure the kittens are not over shy and timid.

6. If you are intending to breed or show the kitten take the 'Standard of Points' for the breed with you and check the pedigree.

WHAT IS A BREEDER? A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment. A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting ! She gives up the dreams of a long, luxurious cruise in favour of turning that all important Show into this years "vacation". The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee!) in hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry. The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams. A Breeders lap is a marvellous place where generations of proud and noble champions once snoozed. A Breeders hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a kits wet nose. A Breeders back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending, and sitting in the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the breeder to Show the next choice kitten to a Grand Championship. A Breeders shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse from competitors, but they're wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations. A Breeders arms are always able to wield a mop, support an armful of kittens, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer. A Breeders ears are wondrous things, sometimes red (from being talked about) or strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver), often deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the whimper of a sick kitten. A Breeders eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind to her own cats faults, but they are ever so keen to the competitions faults and are always searching for the perfect specimen. A Breeders brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse: it catalogues thousands of good bonings, fine ears, and perfect heads... and buries in the soul the failures and the ones that didn't turn out. A Breeders heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting... and it's always in the right place ! Oh, yes, there are breeders, and then, there are BREEDERS !!   www.ayshazencats.co.uk  (a great and informative web site). (c) Aysha-Zen (permission to reproduce on my web has been obtained). BACK