It's not advisable to breed an 8-month-old Exotic Shorthair cat. At this age, their bodies are still developing, and premature breeding can lead to serious complications, particularly difficult labor (dystocia). It's best to wait until they are around 1.5 years old before considering breeding.
An 8-month-old Exotic Shorthair is not physically ready for breeding. While they might reach sexual maturity around seven months, their bodies, especially their pelvic area, haven't fully developed to support a safe pregnancy and delivery. Breeding too early, despite potentially increasing the chances of conception, significantly elevates the risk of complications like dystocia in the mother cat. The skeletal, muscular, and organ systems of a young cat are still maturing. If a pregnancy occurs too soon, it may stunt the cat’s own growth, leading to a smaller size, weakened constitution, shortened lifespan, and potentially causing the kittens to be underdeveloped, have a low survival rate, and be prone to illness and degeneration. Therefore, breeding an 8-month-old Exotic Shorthair is highly discouraged. Instead, it is recommended to wait until they are about 1.5 years old, usually around their second heat cycle. By this time, the cat’s body is fully mature, making it the ideal period for breeding.