Becoming a breeder?
Reflections on Cat Breeding — Selkirk Rex & Devon Rex
Cat breeding often attracts people through the heartwarming image of kittens or the illusion of easy income. The reality is very different: it is a demanding, costly, and sometimes emotionally challenging commitment. Below is an overview of the essential responsibilities involved in breeding Selkirk Rex cats.
🐾 Health and risks
An intact female with no planned breeding project is exposed to serious risks, including pyometra (uterine infection), which is often fatal if not detected quickly. Heat cycles are also accompanied by intense vocalization, urine marking, and behaviors that may persist afterward—frequent causes of abandonment.
🐾 Genetic testing and screening
All Rex breeding cats must be tested for:
PKD (polycystic kidney disease) – once in a lifetime
HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) – annual echocardiogram
FIV / FeLV – prior to any breeding
Full DNA panel to screen for hereditary diseases associated with the breed
Approximate costs: $575+, not including the annual cardiology exam.
Cost of acquiring an intact Rex: $4,000 to $7,000, plus transport and customs fees if applicable.
🐾 Hygiene and prevention
A responsible breeder regularly performs PCR analyses (approximately $250 per litter) to rule out protozoa, bacteria, and parasites (Giardia, Tritrichomonas, coccidia, etc.). Any positive result requires treatment and repeat testing before kittens can leave, resulting in additional costs.
🐾 Birth and kitten care
You must be prepared to manage:
Difficult or breech deliveries
Cesarean section ($2,000 to $4,000)
A female with no milk production or absent maternal behavior
Bottle-feeding every 2–3 hours, day and night, during the first weeks
🐾 Spaying/neutering and identification
Out of ethical responsibility, all kittens must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption ($400 to $500 depending on the clinic).
🐾 Summary of basic costs
$575+ : breeder testing and vaccinations
$250 : PCR analyses per litter
$2,000 to $4,000 : cesarean section
$450 : spay/neuter + microchip per kitten
$50 : vaccinations per kitten
Food, litter, disinfection, toys, maintenance, etc.
🐾 Questions to ask before breeding
Do you have several thousand dollars set aside?
Can you provide 24/7 care in case of emergency?
Do your facilities allow for impeccable hygiene?
Does the pairing contribute to improving the breed?
Have you studied breed standards and participated in cat shows?
Lack of knowledge, profit-driven motives, and naivety are the enemies of ethical breeding. Without the proper tools, experience, and resources, choosing sterilization is preferable to prevent overpopulation, disease, and animal suffering.
🐾 Useful resources (Canada)
TICA
CFA
CCA
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Royal Canin – training programs
Anima-Québec