Setting Up A Cattery

A cattery is the feline equivalent of a dog kennel. The cattery is where multiple felines are kept on the same site for the purpose of breeding and improving the line of a specific breed. One of the biggest challenges for the cattery owner is maintaining the houseful of cats. Cats are not "pack" animals like dogs are. Felines have no hierarchy, and males usually won't bother with a female unless she's in heat.

Forcing a lot of cats to live in one place can be pretty stressful at times. You want to keep them happy and healthy to the best of your ability. After all, your cats are more than dollar signs, they're your pets above all, and they depend on you.

The main thing to remember when starting a cattery is that, ultimately, you are the one responsible for the welfare of your felines. You are the one that must ensure the cats have proper shelter, clean cages, ventilation, food, and water. With so many cats in one household, daily care and maintenances is a top priority.

Make the rounds and visit other catteries in your area. Visiting a cattery in person will offer you the opportunity to see the layout of an existing cattery and ask questions of the owner. A cattery can be set up anywhere, including an apartment if you have a big enough room. Each cat will require at least 30 cubic feet. This is only the minimum space you'll require, and if you can afford more space, all the better.

Proper ventilation is important too. Everyone needs fresh, clean air and your felines are no exception. Fresh-flowing air will help decrease the spread of airborne diseases and germs harmful to you and your cats. If there are no windows available in the space, you will have to look at having ventilation installed. The easiest solution is installing a ventilation system like the one you would find in a kitchen or bathroom.

If you're lucky enough to have a sun porch or a room with a lot of windows, lighting isn't difficult. If you don't have a bright, sunny room, you will have to install some form of artificial lighting. A lack of sufficient light might have an adverse affect on the coats of the cats, as too little light can cause the cat to shed. You need to maintain a natural cycle of light so the feline biological triggers respond accordingly.

Water is probably the most important thing you can provide for your cats. You could have the best food and vitamins in the world, but without fresh water readily available, all of your other efforts will have been in vain. The best way to keep water fresh is to use water bottles. Leaving water to sit in open bowls makes the water susceptible to bacteria. Even your cat's saliva can affect the water. You can use the same water bottles used for small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs.

When it comes to food, your best bet is to talk to your veterinarian about your options. Breeding cats have different nutritional requirements than an average house cat. You want your cats to be in optimal health to produce healthy litters. Also, a nursing mother might need a different diet than a female cat who isn't nursing.

Sanitation, simply put, is keeping your cattery as clean as possible. If you allow for waste to build up, you will be creating a lush breeding ground for disease, bacteria and viruses. If you've already provided enough light and ventilation, there shouldn't be any dark, damp places for problems to incubate. Make a habit of washing and airing out the rooms, and clean out litter boxes on a daily basis.