Many breeders who advertise on the Internet boast that they are cageless catteries, however, there are times when caging is the necessary and responsible option.
When you begin your search for a cat breeder, there are many questions on your mind about how your future feline family member will be raised before coming home to you. One of those questions is, “Do you cage your cats and kittens?” In a perfect world, no animal would ever need to be placed in a cage, but there are times when a cat might need to be caged if they are in a breeding situation.
On the other extreme, there are large breeders who have so many cats they are breeding that they have rooms and rows of cages full of cats and kittens. There are breeders who allow breeding cats to roam free outdoors and breed at will, as well. That’s just irresponsible! Then there are breeders who only crate when absolutely necessary and still raise their kittens underfoot, or as part of their family.
When you choose your breeder, you will want to be informed about all the pros and cons and when’s and why’s of caging cats. Here are some things to consider:
- A responsible breeder may need to crate their stud male to keep him from breeding at will or from harming younger cats and kittens, especially male kittens.
- A responsible breeder may crate their females who are in heat so that they can plan their breedings and not over-breed their girls.
- A responsible breeder may need to crate a sick cat or kitten to keep illness from spreading.
- A responsible breeder may need to crate a kitten who is being brought in from another cattery for an incubation period to make sure they are healthy before introducing them to their cats.
So there are situations where a loving, caring, responsible breeder might have to crate a kitty. Usually, these are not extended periods of time, and crates should be large enough to hold litter, food, bedding, and toys. There needs to be enough room where litter won’t be scattered into food and water and the cat can move around and play. Don’t be afraid to ask your breeder when and why they cage their cats. Most breeders will let you come visit and inspect their facilities, even if their cattery is just a spare room in their home.
There are also breeders who abuse their cages and crates. If it is important to you that your kitten has been raised underfoot and is well socialized, there are things you can look for to help you know if the breeder is over-caging and, consequently, over-breeding. How many breeding cats does the breeder have? Large breeders simply HAVE to cage their cats, and many litters are raised in cages. If they didn’t cage, fights would break out, disease and illness would spread, and kittens could get killed.
The best situation to look for is a breeder who only has enough cats for the amount of room they have. It is possible to keep a cat that is in heat in a bedroom away from the male. It is possible to set up a spare bedroom as a kitten nursery where mom can have her kittens in privacy and raise them in safety, without having to put them in a cage. Perhaps the stud male can live in the home office where he would still get lots of love and attention. When these simple things become impossible, it is because the breeder has gotten too many cats and doesn’t have enough room to keep everyone safe without caging. That’s the fine line.
Why is it so important for cats to not be caged? Because cats and kittens are more emotionally healthy when they have not been caged and have had lots of human interaction. Cats need proper socialization in order to be a well-balanced pet, and that starts from the moment they are born. Kittens need to be held and loved and allowed to be part of the family so that they adjust well to their forever home and family. Choose your breeder well, and you will be rewarded with a wonderful, well socialized addition to your family!
