Chinchilla Cat

    Cats are not only natural enemies of rats but also beloved pets in many urban families, and they have considerable medicinal and edible value. In recent years, the cat market has been booming across regions, and prices have been steadily rising. The following is a brief introduction to cat breeding and management techniques:

　　1. Mating and Breeding

　　Under normal circumstances, cats reach sexual maturity at 7–10 months of age and can breed at 12 months. Unlike many animals, female cats can mate with two males in succession during estrus, allowing repeated fertilization. Cats dislike being observed during mating and do not like bright light; therefore, it is best to keep the mating area dark and quiet, preferably mating at night. To improve fertilization rates and increase litter size, one male cat mates first. After 24 hours, another male mates again, which can increase the average litter size from 3–5 to 6–8 kittens. The pregnancy period is 63–65 days, with a nursing period of 50–55 days. To improve breeding efficiency, mating time can be scheduled artificially: if breeding twice a year, the mating should be in March–April and September–October; for three litters, schedule in March, July, and November. The general principle is to avoid the hot summer season for giving birth to increase kitten survival rates.

　　2. Pregnancy Management

　　After 30 days of pregnancy, the abdomen of the female cat begins to enlarge and sag, and the kittens inside can be felt by hand. To prevent miscarriage, the pregnant cat’s environment should be kept as quiet and dimly lit as possible. The pregnant cat’s diet should mainly consist of rice porridge with moderate amounts of small fish or meat broth, fed twice daily at 350–400 grams per feeding, ensuring sufficient nutrition. Ten days before delivery, prepare a separate nursing room or birthing box with clean soft bedding like cotton and cloth; avoid using rough grass, sawdust, or wood chips, as kittens can crawl into the grass and be crushed. After the mother gives birth, provide ample warm salted water and abundant protein feeds such as meat, fish, liver, and milk, along with appropriate vitamins and mineral supplements. Feed 3–4 times a day, about 400 grams each time, to ensure sufficient milk supply.

　　3. Kitten Raising

　　During early to mid breastfeeding, the mother cat generally stays in the birthing box except for eating and excreting. If disturbed, she may carry the kittens away by mouth. Kittens open their eyes at 10 days, crawl at 20 days, walk and forage at 30 days, wean to eat small mice at 40 days, and can be sold in the market at 50 days. Newly weaned kittens should be fed mainly dairy products or thin porridge, with appropriate amounts of liver, fish, meat, and other animal-based feeds. Also, adding fishbone powder rich in vitamins A and D is necessary. Prepared cat food should be around 38°C; food that is too cold or too hot is unfavorable to kitten growth. During kitten rearing, training should be conducted to have them use a fixed place for urination and defecation and to prevent climbing on tables, beds, or sleeping with humans to develop good habits.

　　4. Cat Disease Prevention

　　Cats are very clean animals and need regular brushing, wiping their bodies with warm water to reduce bacterial load. Weekly treatment with 0.3% DDT aqueous solution or rubbing with camphor powder or peach leaf juice can eliminate fleas and lice. Cats kept in cages require regular cleaning and disinfection of cages and feeding ware, with timely feces removal to maintain a clean environment. Feed small amounts multiple times daily to avoid overfeeding at once, never feed leftover food, diseased animal meat, or spoiled and toxic food.