Designing a Cattery – Things to Consider

Once you have decided you’d like to enjoy your pedigreed cats more by becoming a qualified cat breeder, you will want to start making plans to build a safe and comfortable cattery. A cattery will be the special place where your cats will be free to roam around socially and give birth to litters of adorable kittens. Your cattery will also be a place where visitors will come to pick out their new pet. You will want to make sure it is perfect for both cats and visitors alike, so some careful planning is in order.

The Cat Fancy Association (CFA) recommends that a cattery be at least 30 cubic feet for each contained cat, plus adequate space for playing and grooming. It’s probably not a good idea to build a cattery into a very small house or outside area – rather it should be built into an existing large room or basement area of a larger home or commercial space where cats will have plenty of interaction with people and other pets. Remember, these cats will eventually become someone’s pet, so careful attention to their social and physical needs is important.

A cattery design can be as simple as a large tiered cage set in the corner of a quiet room, with space between breeding males and females in heat. Floors should be of a material that’s comfortable for resting cats and easy to keep clean – carpet or concrete is not a good choice for flooring in a cattery. A separate birthing area can be provided away from the rest of the population as momma cats generally like safe private places to give birth away from other cats. A large crate or box with a water bottle attached can be used for this purpose, as long as it’s kept very sterile and a nice clean cover is used to give privacy during labor. Be sure to monitor any cats that are showing signs of labor and keep all other cats away during this time to reduce any stress on your breeding cats.

Your cattery should be kept very clean at all times. Keep plenty of old towels and non-toxic cleaning products on hand, and include at least one clean litter box for every two adult cats. Make sure that cats are provided with fresh clean water and high quality food every day. When kittens are nursing and learning to potty train, its especially vital to make sure that the mother cat’s diet is supported and that kitten messes are cleaned up continually to reduce any chance of illness.

Breeding cats should be allowed to wander around the house or the cattery area to interact with each other and develop their personalities freely. Any spatting cats should be kept separated to reduce injury or behavioral issues. For all cats, toys can be left out to keep them busy. Add plenty of climbing and scratching opportunities for your felines by purchasing or crafting wooden cat “trees”, scratching posts or pads and carpet covered items for keeping claws clean. Add in some furniture like an old couch or chair so that cats can learn what they are not allowed to scratch and have a place to rest outside of cages.

Another important component to add to a cattery is a wellness or medical care area where cats can be bathed, cleaned and any health matters can be managed properly. Vet care is a vital aspect to operating a cattery; however minor cat care such as flea prevention, bathing, trimming nails and treating eye or ear irritations can be treated at home. Keep medical and cat healthcare items on hand to treat any problems that come up and get prompt vet care whenever needed.

Other Resources:
CFA Cattery Design http://www.cfainc.org/articles/cattery-design.html

Basic Cattery Design Requirements – http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/cattery_design

Ragdoll Fanciers Design Tips – http://www.rfwclub.org/FtipC.htm

Showcats Online Design Tours – http://www.showcatsonline.com/gen/subject_index.php?s=cattery%20tours

Cattery Design: The Essential Guide to Creating Your Perfect Cattery