AboutDr Ray Wigley Expertise I can answer questions on inbreeding of pedigree cats. Also when to inbreed and when not to inbreed. Also when to consider out crossing cats to help diversify the gene pool. I can also answer questions on how to get the best out of your cat at a show.
Experience I have bred animals for over 30 years. I am actively engaged on research into FIP and other feline diseases also investigating litter size variation as a consequence of breed.
Expert: Dr Ray Wigley Date: 6/29/2008 Subject: How often can I let my Persian queens go pregnant?
Question QUESTION: Dear Dr Ray
I'm breeding Pedigree-Persians professionally , and I though it'd be great to ask you , how often should I let my girls mate and become pregnant , and up to which age do you think a pedigree-Persian can be allowed to mother ? I don't want to harm my girls , and they comes in to hear pretty much soon , seemingly few months after the previous pregnancy .
Thank you
Soheil
ANSWER: Hi Soheil
In my opinion I would say it is OK for a cat to have up to four litters during their life time. The fifth litter would be a bonus just in case you suffer some tragedy with an earlier litter.
Some suggest that the litters be spread over 5 years so first litter at about one year old then every 12 to 18 months another litter.
At 7 she is about reaching the end of her ability to produce healthy kittens
The cat will come onto heat about three months after having a litter so in order to protect the cat's health and ensure the kittens are attended to I would suggets you wait until they are ready to be rehomed before you consider letting her have another litter
Ray
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QUESTION: Thanks Doctor .so , only 5 litters during the entire life ? I was just wondering how come some queens give birth even till their 10th and 12th year and still be healthy ? I mean , does that has any thing to do with the way they eat , what they eat or something ? this Persian queen of my aunt is 12 and has give birth at least twice each year ! that means more than 24 litters , and she's totally healthy even now (at least seemingly) . Just wondering how can it be possible then ?
Thanks
Soheil
Answer Hi Soheil
http://www.catsinfo.com/catages.html
This shows the comparison of human to feline age
As you can see it shows that a cat aged about 10 to 12 is between 56 to 64 relative to humans.
I would say it is a high risk to allow a cata to have alitter at this age. It is not unknown for a male stud to be used beyond this age but a queen could risk interia, high still births etc.
Breeding 2 litters per year is also symptomatic of a back yard breeder, it is not giving the cat a chance to recover from its pregnancy before becominbg pregnant again.
I am sorry to be blunt but I would be very angry if I knew someone breeding a cat to that extent. It is not acceptable anywhere. Even in feral colonies cats do not breed at that rate
