Cataristocrat

11/04/2026

11/03/2026

He may look completely white, but he is actually a red point, possibly with silver!

10/29/2026

Ever since DNA testing became available to breeders, we’ve been using Optimal Selection, occasionally sending samples to PetGeno in China for specific tests not included in their panel.

Now we’re giving Felome Analytics, a French genetic testing laboratory, a try!

Their more extensive genetic testing panel is particularly interesting to me as a breeder.

Our first two kits have arrived, and I’m excited to see how the process goes. If we’re happy with the experience, Felome may become our preferred choice for genetic testing in the future!

10/27/2026

10/24/2026

A few days ago, my article, “Blue eyes in Felis catus: genetics and health impacts,” was published in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics.

It took two years from the first draft to publication. Although I am now pursuing a master’s degree in Veterinary Science and have a university affiliation, I was an independent researcher both when I began writing this article and when it was submitted to the journal.

Along the way, I found co-authors who brought their expertise to the manuscript. Together, we faced several rejections. Editors sent our paper for peer review, but some reviewers offered little meaningful feedback on the article itself. Instead, their main objection seemed to be that a breeder should not be publishing scientific work.

That was discouraging, but we kept going. After two years of work, revisions, and persistence, I’m proud to finally share our published article.

Thank you to my co-authors and everyone who supported me throughout this process.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40575-026-00159-0

10/03/2026

On October 2, 2026, Clean Label Project released a report on contaminants in 100 cat food products across 62 brands. I’ll put the link in the first comment.

Lead was detected in 99% of the products, cadmium in 96%, and arsenic in 94%. Fish-based foods generally contained more mercury and cadmium. Detection alone does not prove that a food is unsafe or caused an illness, but these findings raise questions about what our cats consume every day, often for years.

People spend months searching for a healthy kitten and asking breeders about genetic testing. But what that kitten eats after coming home deserves just as much attention.

Once a kitten leaves the breeder, a new chapter of its health history begins. Its daily diet becomes the owner’s responsibility. Choosing a healthy kitten is only the beginning. The food in its bowl matters throughout its life.

If a cat becomes ill years later, we need to look at the whole picture before assuming the breeder sold an unhealthy kitten. What has the cat been eating? Is its diet complete and balanced? Does the manufacturer regularly test finished products for contaminants?

Some inherited conditions do appear later in life. But genetics should not automatically receive all the blame while years of feeding are left out of the conversation. Diet needs to be investigated too.

We expect breeders to make informed, responsible decisions. That same care needs to continue in the cat’s new home, including what goes into its bowl every day.