06/03/2026
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As breeders, we should be thoroughly testing our breeding cats for health conditions to ensure that we produce the healthiest kittens possible. I say "should be" because MANY people "breeding" cats are not testing appropriately and offering kittens at low prices. These breeders are not educated, responsible or looking out for the long term health of your kitten. If you are one of those people that look for the cheapest kitten, you will sadly deal with more money in vet bills after you get your kitten. We test our breeding cats extensively because pedigree cats are known to be predisposed to certain conditions, one of which is heart disease. A reputable breeder at minimum will screen their breeding cats for genetic diseases(we use Wisdom Panel which screens for 50 different things). A breeder should also do echocardiograms on each breeding cat as genetic testing alone is not sufficient. An echocardiogram can visualize the heart, its chambers, its walls, its arteries and its valves. A board certified Cardiologist can see if the valve is thickened which happens with HCM. The echocardiogram shows if a valve is leaking, if the cat was born with a heart defect and more. I know many breeders who still do not perform echocardiograms on their breeding cats. I also know many breeders who have had their adult breeding cats collapse and die suddenly. This is sad and preventable. There is a treatment now for HCM but screenings must be done to monitor your cats.
Once you adopt a kitten, it now becomes your responsibility to ensure that your kitten's heart is healthy. You cannot blame your breeder if you do not follow his/her advice. You need to feed your kitten wet and dry high quality foods. You need to ensure that your cat is not overweight. You need to add taurine or a supplement like kitty bloom to wet food daily to give your kitten the taurine that they need. Most commercial cat foods are formulated for the average house cat(6-10 pounds). Maine c***s can top the scale at 31 pounds(as one of the kittens i produced has shown me). You the buyer must do annual echocardiograms on your new investment and member of your family. Early detection can save your cats life.
🐾 Never be the buyer looking for the cheapest kitten 🐾
If you can't budget for a pedigree kitten, save your money until you can or go to the local shelter and adopt. You must be able to afford good quality food, supplements, vet care, annual echocardiograms etc. Kittens are living, breathing animals who depend on you to take care of them and keep them alive. This is a lifetime investment of about 15 years. Look for a breeder who openly posts health testing, shares copies when asked and doesn't give you the lowest price. These breeders invest in their kittens health and offer a guarantee. These breeders will be with you through the life of your new baby and guide you if you follow their advice and maintain open communication. The absolute worst feeling in the world is when a breeder hears that a kitten he/she birthed and raised has died(for any reason). This guts us like you could never understand. We literally help these babies take their 1st breath. We raise their parents from kittens. We are so invested in each and every one of your future kittens, so we need to educate families and work together to keep your kittens safe and healthy. 🫶
