Ragdoll Cat Forums

We are in talks with a breeder in regards to buying a show/breed quality female. They know our situation and our desire to test the water a little before going full steam ahead, so they have offered to mate her with one of their boys and fly her down (interstate) pregnant. Now, they havent actually said this was a fantastic idea, in fact they had concerns about it, but it was just offered.

Immediately, I thought of a few concerns of my own, namely:

- It will be her first litter
- Stresses of travelling (and only God knows how they are treated during transit)
- Being pregnant in a new environment
- She will have to go through the acceptance stage with our existing cats
- She would have to develop trust for Jo and I

I would like to hear others opinions on this. Am we just being paranoid?

We have no trust issues with this particular breeder and as such, we are more than confident the money spent will result in exactly what we are after. I have a strong feeling this isnt the usual practice for them, but if we are just overdoing it with the worrying, this could be a VERY good opportunity for a strong start with our cattery.

Thoughts?

You are adding the major stress of a move to the stress of a litter, particularly a first one. However, these are the kinds of stresses queens undergo in some situations based on using stud service at all. I suppose early, but not too early in the pregnancy, would be safer. I would be very much inclined at least to pick her up and bring her back in the cabin with you. (Keep in mind that one may not be sure a queen is pregnant, particularly a first litter. Do you plan to have her scanned to know for sure?)

So, if I understand correctly, you dont recommend it but it happens all the time and GENERALLY there is no hitch?

Then again, the first time she meets us, she will be pregnant. I suppose it would be like a young teen mum running away from home to put a slight dramatic spin on it

As with ensuring she is pregnant, we havent discussed that far yet, but if it is decided to go ahead then we will hold off on bringing her over until far enough into the "pregnancy" so that it can be verified. Would that time be safest for transportation in your opinion?

No. I would say it is very uncommon - although not unique. I do not know about the track record. In terms of timing, I do not know when it would be safest. I would think that early and late would be more dangerous, but I am not sure. Early, I would be concerned about stimulating gestational defects and/or abortion/reabsorption. Later, I would be worried about abortion. Certainly, cats have kittens in circumstances more stressful than this - feral cats can be at risk of being eaten.

"feral cats can be at risk of being eaten"

Ive heard of this happening but wasnt sure if there was any truth in it. We rescued an abandoned kitten that has a slight demonic side but we got to her before her feral roots set in. She has adapted quite well and currently living happily at my in-laws house. Hate to think that could have happened to her ..

Back to the import carrier, this is one of two opportunities that presented itself to us. Both of which involve this same kitten nearing 1 year old, but we can have a choice of possible outcomes where the kittens are concerned if we choose to have her bred before arriving to the other choice we have in a cattery 10 minutes drive from our house.

I guess it would be best for everyone, especially the cat, if we take the slightly longer road to our own breeding pair.

The danger is why queens often want to move the kittens. To move them away from the scents of the birth - and predators.