How to Breed Persians

Take your Persian mother-to-be to her vet. Explain to the vet that you would like to breed her. The owner of the stud cat will likely ask for a recent health certificate. Ask for a FeLV test, or a test for the feline leukemia virus. Additionally, have your Persian examined for parasites. Make sure she has up-to-date vaccinations. If she does need shots, these should be given no closer than three weeks to the breeding date, according to The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc.

Select a stud cat. Look for other breeders through a Persian cat enthusiasts' association, breed club, magazines devoted to cats or ask your vet for recommendations. When you find a stud cat, ask his owner for proof of a recent FeLV test.

Send your Persian to the owner of the stud cat after you've worked out the arrangements with him. Some of the questions you may consider with the other breeder include whether you will automatically get another chance with the stud if the kittens are stillborn, or the cats fail to mate. You should also determine who will be responsible for veterinary bills if your Persian becomes sick in his care, or if your cat injures his cat (or vice versa).

Confirm the pregnancy once your Persian is back home. According to The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., your cat's nipples should become enlarged and pinker approximately three weeks following mating. Take her to her vet to confirm the pregnancy.

Place your cat in a comfortable, enclosed area about two weeks before the probable delivery date. Cats tend to deliver about 61 to 69 days after the mating. Some breeders like to cage their Persians at night close to the delivery date. This will prevent the mother from hiding her kittens, or moving them obsessively. Provide a cardboard carton and towels in the area for the mother to nest in.

Clip the hair around your Persian's bottom about a week before delivery. You may also clip the hair around her nipples. If her nipples look crusty, rub Vaseline on them.

Prepare for the delivery by collecting supplies in the delivery area. Have plenty of clean cloths on hand, a hemostat, an aspirator, a heating pad and white iodine. You may also ask your vet for Dopram-V drops, which is a medicine that may revive a non-breathing kitten. Ask your vet for an emergency number to call if your Persian has trouble delivering, or if you cannot revive the kittens.

Observe your cat carefully. You may notice signs of delivery (such as a mucus discharge or unusual behavior). Wait for her to deliver the first kitten and expel the afterbirth. If the new mom does not expel the placenta, break it with the hemostat. Remove the sac from the kitten's face and rub him gently with a cloth. Prevent infection by placing the kitten's navel cord in a bottle of white iodine and inverting the bottle. Place the kittens on a warm (not hot) heating pad. Repeat these steps with the other kittens.

Use the aspirator to remove fluid from the kitten's mouth and nose, if he seems to have trouble breathing or if he seems lethargic. Rub him briskly and continue to aspirate. If this does not appear to help him, place a drop of Dopram-V under his tongue with a syringe. Continue to massage him and remove fluid from the mouth and nose. Place him on the heating pad once he has revived.