09/03/2026
✨🐾Let’s talk about something that isn’t talked about enough in the breeding community. It’s kept silent. A secret. Like it doesn’t exist. CAT VIRUSES.🦠
I’ve been following this story regarding Sin City Sphynx out of Nevada. If you are interested in the Sphynx breed or really any pedigree cat, this is a story you want to listen too. But why?
Not all breeders operate their catteries to the same degree. You’ve likely heard many advocate for “Cage Free Cattery.” Sounds good on paper doesn’t it? This is a marketing fluff term used to pull in adopters emotionally. But what does this ideology actually mean for feline welfare? Sure, they make cute videos of all their cats and kittens running around and playing together and social media LOVES it! I mean 5 or more cats all sharing the same space, toys, bedding, food and water bowls and litter areas. What these cute videos don’t show you is the possible infectious pathogens these cats are carrying or how infectious they are really are. Cat viruses are extremely contagious. Some more than others. The most common ways these pathogens are spread are through direct contact with infected cats (shared spaces and litter boxes.) This model of cat breeding is extremely dangerous in any multicat environment including shelters, boarding, vet offices etc. There is a reason why you don’t see this occurring in shelters or veterinary clinics.
There’s a huge misconception about cats that if they aren’t visibly sick- they don’t have any infections agents. This cannot be farther from the truth. I have seen first hand sooo many cats come here with absolutely no symptoms (asymptomatic) and it would be easy to assume “this is a healthy cat.” WRONG. I am not saying just because a cat has a known virus that it is unhealthy in a sense of longevity- I am saying this cat has a high potential of spread to the other cats in the cattery and a direct impact on neonatal kittens that don’t have the immune system to fight it. These cats have to be handled accordingly and yes it requires “cages” it requires “quarantine” and treatment. Because that is truly the responsible thing to do to prevent and stop further spread. This approach directly supports feline welfare and the health of a breeding program. Maybe it doesn’t look “cute,” it might not be as appealing to social media, but the kittens produced will not be suffering like the ones from Sin City Sphynx did. Many died. Many will have lifelong health issues and extra veterinary expenses. It’s important to know that these viruses can be detected from the start by a responsible breeder and can be stopped and prevented by the breeder with the right protocols, the right set up, and appropriate testing.
PCR TESTING- what is it? Why is it important? PCR stands for poly chain reaction. This is testing used to identify both respiratory and f***l infectious bacteria’s/ pathogens. When should it be performed? Testing should occur BEFORE cats are introduced to other cats. All new cats are quarantined awaiting the PCR results. Who do you test? EVERY. SINGLE. CAT. Even when there is no obvious symptoms. Based on these results I know exactly what I’m dealing with and if I can treat it or not. I’m a strong advocate for small group housing- 4 cats or less. Why? Because if something does show up later (infectious pathogen) I know I only have at most 4 cats exposed and not the entire cattery. This makes quarantine and treatment much more manageable than having a free roam cage free cattery. Cats are NOT pack animals like dogs. Research continues to support small group housing for cats to minimize stress. Stressed cats equals sick cats.
The reality is, cats can carry sooo many infectious diseases. And adopters need to be aware of them as many can spread to other cats within your home. You need to ask questions about how their cats are housed, what testing is performed. Not just generic “vet checked.” Ask to see PCR results. Ask how infectious diseases are handled in their cattery? What protocols do they use to minimize risk?
It’s not about having a perfect cattery. There is no such thing as a perfect cattery. They are living animals and things can be picked up anywhere. But there’s a difference in disease mitigation and overall neglect for feline welfare. Practicing animal husbandry isn’t done to be mean. It’s to protect a breed we love and to provide healthy kittens across the US to those that put their trust in me. If you made it to the end thanks for listening to today’s TED talk!🤗🐾✨
Please note this post is solely about breeding environments and not pet homes. These are two completely different environments and pet homes do not have kittens or are responsible for another’s future kitten.
