How to Choose Cat Breeding Software in 2026
Cat breeding is fundamentally different from dog breeding. Your software needs to understand induced ovulation, blood type compatibility, and feline-specific health concerns. This page explains what to look for—whether you choose BreederHQ or another platform.
What to look for in cat breeding software
Induced ovulation tracking
Cats don't ovulate on a schedule like dogs. They're induced ovulators—ovulation happens after mating. Your software needs to understand this and track breeding timing differently than it would for dogs.
Blood type compatibility
Neonatal isoerythrolysis kills kittens. Your software should track blood types for all breeding cats and warn you about incompatible pairings before you breed. If it doesn't do this, you're risking kitten lives.
HCM, PKD, and PRA screening
Heart disease, kidney disease, and progressive retinal atrophy are critical in many breeds. Track test results, link them to individual cats, and show them on pedigrees. Responsible breeding requires this.
Queen cycling patterns
Queens can cycle frequently during breeding season or year-round depending on breed and environment. Your software should track individual patterns and predict when queens will come into heat.
Multiple mating tracking
Cat breeders often do multiple matings over several days to ensure pregnancy. The software should track each mating separately and calculate dates from the first successful breeding.
Color genetics
Cat color genetics are complex. Silver, smoke, points, dilutes—breeding for specific colors requires tracking genetic markers and predicting outcomes. Your software should help with this.
TICA and CFA registry support
Registration numbers, titles, and show records matter. Your software should track these and generate the information you need for litter registrations.
Litter management
Track individual kittens from birth through placement. Weights, colors, patterns, markings. Link kittens to buyers. Generate documentation. If the software treats a litter as one record, it's not built for breeding.
Red flags in cat breeding software
Dog-focused breeding software
Software built for dogs doesn't understand induced ovulation, blood type incompatibility, or feline reproductive patterns. If it treats cats like small dogs, it will work against you.
No blood type tracking
This is critical in cat breeding. If the software doesn't track blood types and warn about incompatible pairings, you're managing this risk manually. That's unacceptable.
Assumes spontaneous ovulation
Cat breeding software that assumes ovulation happens on a cycle (like dogs) doesn't understand feline reproduction. The date calculations will be wrong.
No color genetics support
Cat color inheritance is complex and breed-specific. If the software can't track genetic markers or help predict color outcomes, you're missing a key breeding tool.
Limited health test tracking
HCM, PKD, PRA, FeLV, FIV—these tests are essential. If you can't track results and link them to cats and pedigrees, you're keeping separate records. That defeats the purpose.
No distinction between breeds
Persian health concerns differ from Bengal concerns. Maine Coon breeding is different from Siamese. If the software treats all cats the same, it's not breed-aware.
What BreederHQ offers cat breeders
BreederHQ understands feline reproduction. Induced ovulation tracking with proper date calculations. Blood type compatibility checking that warns you about risky pairings. Health test tracking for HCM, PKD, PRA, and breed-specific concerns.
Queen cycling patterns that handle both seasonal and year-round heat cycles. Color genetics tracking for complex inheritance patterns. Litter management that treats each kitten as an individual.
Buyer portals where clients can see their kitten's information, pedigree, and photos. TICA and CFA registry support. Works for one breed or multiple breeds in your cattery.
$39/month for most catteries. 14-day free trial with full access to test with your actual breeding program.
Questions to ask any cat breeding software vendor
Does it understand induced ovulation?
How does it calculate due dates? Does it account for the fact that ovulation happens after breeding, not before? If it uses dog breeding logic, the dates will be wrong.
How does it handle blood type compatibility?
Can you track blood types for all cats? Does it warn you before you breed incompatible pairs? This is life-or-death for kittens. The software needs to help you avoid this risk.
What health tests can you track?
HCM, PKD, PRA, FeLV, FIV, and breed-specific tests. Can you store results? Do they show on pedigrees? Can you filter breeding stock by health clearances?
How does color genetics work?
Can it track color genes? Does it predict kitten colors? Does it understand breed-specific color inheritance patterns? This matters for breeding planning.
Can it track multiple matings?
Cat breeders often breed queens multiple times over 2-3 days. Can the software track each mating and calculate dates appropriately?
How does litter management work?
Are kittens individual records? Can you track colors, patterns, markings for each? Can you link each kitten to a buyer and generate documentation?
Does it handle show records?
TICA and CFA titles, show results, grand champion records. If you show your cats, you need to track this. Does the software make it easy?
Can buyers access information directly?
A buyer portal where clients can see their kitten's information, pedigree, and photos saves you time. If the software doesn't have this, you're manually managing every question.
How to make your decision
1. Test with your actual cattery
Enter your cats. Enter blood types. Try a breeding. See if the workflow makes sense for how you actually work with cats, not dogs.
2. Check breed-specific features
Different breeds have different health concerns and color genetics. Make sure the software can handle what matters for your breed.
3. Verify blood type compatibility checking
This is non-negotiable. Test that the software actually warns you about incompatible pairings. If it doesn't, keep looking.
4. Ask other cat breeders in your breed
What do successful breeders in your breed use? Their experience matters. But also test yourself—what works for them might not work for you.
5. Consider long-term value
You're building a database of your breeding program. Choose software that will be around in 5 years and can grow with your cattery.
The bottom line
Cat breeding software needs to understand feline reproduction. Induced ovulation, blood type compatibility, queen cycling patterns—these aren't optional features.
Dog breeding software won't work. Neither will generic pet software or systems that treat all species the same. You need software built specifically for cat breeding.
Use free trials. Test with your actual cattery data. Choose software that makes your work easier and your breeding program safer.