Every year at this time, I look forward to the Santa Paws cat show in the Baltimore area. My cat show friends do too. It’s a competitive show that brings in some of the best cats in CFA. It’s also, for us, the start of the holiday season. This year was no different. Last
I am both a veterinarian and a breeder. I have been both a long time. I have been a licensed veterinarian for almost forty years. I bred a few horses many years ago, then bred Labrador Retrievers for almost 25 years. Now, I have been breeding RagaMuffins for more than eight years. Sometimes the
Putting together and developing a RagaMuffin breeding program is much more than buying a male and a female and allowing them to mate. There are a number of different factors to consider. First is always health. Starting with vigorous individuals with clear health testing (Health Clearances), current vaccinations and regular parasite control is vital.
What is a coefficient of inbreeding (COI) and why is it important? The COI is a measurement of the amount of inbreeding in a specific population. In my case, the population of concern is the RagaMuffin breed of cats. According to COI FAQS: Understanding the Coefficient of Inbreeding by Carol Beauchat PhD, “The coefficient
The first of the month is a big day here at iCandy. Every month for years. It’s the day I treat all animals to prevent parasites. The dog gets her heartworm pill along with her flea and tick medicine. The cats are on a program to meet their needs. The RagaMuffin males and neutered pets
I was recently scanning a RagaMuffin cat page on Facebook. A poster posed a question concerning how to evaluate a breeder. I think that is a valid question. After all, so much is done on line these days. RagaMuffin kittens may be placed on the other side of the country or even on another