Breeding Records for Cat Catteries: How to Track Matings, Pregnancies, Births and Litters

Responsible breeding involves far more than selecting two attractive pedigree cats. Every breeding decision creates information that may become valuable months or even years later: why a particular pair was chosen, how the pregnancy progressed, what happened during delivery, how the kittens developed and whether the original goal of the mating was achieved.

Memories fade. Messages disappear inside long conversations. Photographs remain on old phones, and important dates are reconstructed only when a registration form has to be completed.

A structured breeding record solves this problem. It creates a clear history of the cattery and helps the breeder make future decisions using evidence rather than recollection.

A private breeding journal does not replace official registration, pedigree documents or veterinary records. It connects these sources and keeps the practical history of every mating and litter in one organized system.

Why breeding records matter

Even a small cattery benefits from consistent documentation.

Good records help a breeder:

• preserve the dates and details of every mating;
• compare repeated or related combinations;
• track pregnancy and delivery history;
• organize information about every kitten;
• prepare accurate data for litter registration;
• identify patterns across several litters;
• review whether a breeding goal was achieved;
• avoid repeating an unsuccessful combination;
• maintain continuity when planning future generations.

A breeder with only one breeding queen may assume that every detail will be remembered. Several years later, however, the exact timing, birth weights, observations and differences between litters can become difficult to reconstruct.

Choosing a record format

There is no single compulsory format for an internal breeding journal. The best system is one that the breeder understands and updates consistently.

Possible formats include:

• a paper notebook;
• an Excel or Google Sheets file;
• a separate digital record for every breeding cat;
• a cloud folder for each litter;
• specialized cattery management software;
• a combination of a spreadsheet and document folders.

A spreadsheet is often the easiest starting point. Each row may represent one mating or litter, while links lead to pedigrees, photographs, veterinary documents and kitten records.

A backup copy should be stored separately. A journal that exists only on one phone or computer can be lost together with the device.

Create a permanent profile for each breeding cat

Every queen and stud should have an individual profile.

Useful fields include:

• full registered name;
• everyday call name;
• breed;
• sex;
• date of birth;
• color and color code;
• pedigree number;
• registered cattery name;
• owner information;
• parents and lineage;
• show results and titles;
• relevant health screening records;
• individual strengths and characteristics;
• previous matings and litters.

A useful record should not list only positive qualities. Any feature that must be considered when selecting a partner should also be documented.

The purpose is not to judge the animal unfairly. It is to plan combinations thoughtfully and avoid reinforcing the same weakness in both parents.

Record the breeding plan before the mating

The journal should begin at the planning stage, not after the kittens are born.

The breeder may record:

• the goal of the combination;
• why this particular partner was selected;
• qualities expected to be preserved or improved;
• traits that should not be reinforced;
• the relationship between the cats;
• pedigree compatibility;
• possible kitten colors;
• the documents of both cats;
• relevant test results;
• the beginning of the queen’s heat;
• mating dates;
• location of the mating;
• agreements between the owners.

“Both cats are beautiful” is not a sufficiently clear breeding objective.

A more useful note might state that the combination is intended to improve profile, preserve coat quality, strengthen body structure, increase genetic diversity or evaluate a new line combination.

Tracking the pregnancy

Once mating has taken place, the estimated delivery period can be entered and the record updated as the pregnancy progresses.

The breeder may note:

• changes in appetite or behavior;
• weight development when monitored;
• dates of veterinary examinations;
• professional recommendations received;
• prescribed medication or supplements;
• date of pregnancy confirmation;
• estimated number of fetuses when examined;
• any unusual observations;
• preparation of the birthing area.

A breeding journal should not become a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions belong to a qualified veterinary professional. The breeder’s role is to preserve documents, follow instructions and record important events accurately.

Recording the birth

Delivery details are easily forgotten, especially when the breeder is focused on the queen and newborn kittens.

The birth record should include:

• date and time labor began;
• birth time of every kitten;
• birth order;
• sex;
• preliminary color description;
• birth weight;
• identifying marks;
• condition of each kitten;
• condition of the queen;
• intervals between births;
• number of placentas;
• whether veterinary help was required;
• total number of kittens born.

Temporary numbers or colored identifiers can help distinguish newborn kittens and prevent confusion between weights, photographs and later observations.

Create an individual record for every kitten

After birth, each kitten should receive a separate record or spreadsheet row.

It may contain:

• temporary and registered name;
• date and time of birth;
• sex;
• breed;
• confirmed color and EMS code;
• birth weight;
• later weight checks;
• photographs at different ages;
• developmental observations;
• litter inspection information;
• registration number;
• metric or pedigree number;
• future owner information;
• date of transfer;
• agreed transfer conditions;
• follow-up information from the owner.

The journal does not need to become a daily diary. The goal is to preserve important developmental milestones and any observation that may help evaluate the breeding combination.

Evaluate the entire litter

Collecting information is only the first stage. The journal becomes truly useful when the breeder returns to the records and evaluates the outcome.

Questions to consider include:

• Did the litter achieve the original breeding goal?
• Which parental qualities appeared most consistently?
• How uniform was the litter?
• Did the same feature appear in several kittens?
• How did the kittens develop during the first months?
• Did owners report any important later observations?
• Should the combination be repeated?
• What should be changed in the next breeding plan?

One exceptional kitten does not always represent the whole result of a mating. The complete litter should be considered whenever possible.

Maintaining respectful contact with new owners may provide valuable information about adult development, temperament and long-term type.

Common record-keeping mistakes

The first mistake is postponing documentation. Details recorded several weeks later are less reliable.

The second is keeping the entire history inside messenger conversations. Messages are difficult to search and may eventually be deleted.

The third is storing photographs without names or dates. A folder full of unlabelled kitten photographs soon becomes confusing.

The fourth is documenting only successful matings. An unsuccessful combination may provide some of the most important information for future planning.

The fifth is failing to create backups. Losing a device should not mean losing years of cattery history.

Connecting private records with WCA documents

Accurate internal records make official procedures easier. When a litter is registered, the breeder already has the parents’ details, birth date, number of kittens, sexes, colors and photographs organized in one place.

Private records do not replace official registration. The litter must still be registered through the appropriate service, and official documents must be based on verified information. WCA provides online services for litter registration, pedigree ordering and pedigree verification.

A simple starter table

A beginner can create a practical breeding table using these columns:

1. Mating date.
2. Queen.
3. Stud.
4. Goal of the combination.
5. Estimated delivery date.
6. Actual delivery date.
7. Number of kittens.
8. Sexes and colors.
9. Pregnancy and delivery notes.
10. Link to photographs and documents.
11. Litter registration date.
12. Document numbers.
13. Final evaluation.
14. Decision on whether to repeat the combination.

This structure is sufficient for a new cattery. Additional fields can be introduced as the breeding program develops.

Record-keeping supports responsible breeding

A breeding journal cannot select the correct partner or guarantee the outcome of a mating. It gives the breeder something equally important: a reliable basis for comparison.

Responsible breeding requires observation, continuity and the ability to learn from previous results. Organized records help breeders understand their lines, evaluate combinations and maintain accurate documentation.

Every cat and every litter becomes part of the cattery’s history. Preserving that history carefully is one of the practical foundations of professional breeding.