Unlike dogs, cats have never been purposefully bred to fulfil a function considered ‘useful’ to their human owners. They became domesticated around 9000 years ago, welcomed into farming communities around areas of Western Asia and the Nile Valley for their pest control skills. Cats were already so well adapted to the task of rodent killing that selective breeding was not considered necessary. 

It is only in the last 150 years that cat fanciers have been selectively breeding cats with particular traits to create specific breeds. This move towards the selective breeding of cats was driven not necessarily by a desire for cats to be fit for any particular purpose other than for their physical appearance and for their willingness to act as a human companion. 

Table of contents

There are a few health and welfare problems that are particular to cats, whether they be moggie or pedigree. Cats of all varieties seem predisposed to dental disease and kidney disease for example. But pedigree cats may also encounter two other negative influences on their health and welfare: 

  1. A lack of genetic variation within certain pedigree breed types.
  2. Extreme conformational changes affecting their physical function.

Lack of genetic variation within certain pedigree cat breeds.

Generally, breeds are established by crossbreeding a very small pool of ‘founding’ cats. Many breeds of cat can be traced back to single individuals with unusual genetic mutations. For example, the Cornish Rex breed can be traced back to a single parent animal with an unusual genetic mutation producing a curly coat. Related cats are closely bred, especially in the early days of developing a breed. And the desire to use only the most popular sires adds to the lack of genetic variation in many pedigree cat lines. The indirect effect of this means that the incidence of inherited disease is much higher in the pedigree cat population versus our common-all-garden moggies. 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one such condition that has been identified in Ragdoll and Maine Coon breeds because of an inherited genetic mutation. And the gene for polycystic kidney disease has been found in up to 49% of Persian cats. It’s worth noting here that many of these known inherited diseases can now be tested for, using a blood or saliva sample. Responsible breeders have been working hard to ensure their pedigree cats have been tested. And that only animals that are not able to pass on these harmful genetic defects continue to be bred from.  

Extreme conformational changes that affect health and welfare of pedigree cats

Exaggerated physical characteristics can affect health and welfare. Breeders strive to produce specimens that represent the ‘ideal’ of the breed; the cats that come closest to fitting the breed standard. Cats have subsequently been bred with characteristics of the breed standard that are more obvious and pronounced. Over time the standard for certain breeds has changed quite dramatically because of this. Take the Siamese and Persian, for example. ‘Old style’ Siamese cats have a much more rounded facial structure. And they have a stockier build compared to the more recent grand champions. The Persian has likewise changed dramatically in recent years, with a trend towards an increasingly flat facial profile. It’s not necessarily a breed as whole that should be written off as unhealthy; it’s been the development of certain exaggerated types within a breed that have given rise to welfare concerns.

Worryingly in recent years there has been an increase in the popularity of certain very extreme conformational changes. Often these physical characteristics have been brought about by exploiting genetic mutations that lead to dwarfism, hairlessness, or spina bifida in order to produce a particular look. Affected cats may be unable to exhibit normal cat behaviours; such as proper grooming, climbing, or jumping because of their inherited physical characteristics. These are breeds that are not recognised by The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, GCCF (the cat equivalent of the Kennel Club in the UK). But this hasn’t deterred breeders from registering with other breed registration bodies instead. 

Some of physical characteristics that bring specific welfare concerns include:

Extremely flat-faced (brachycephalic) cat health issues

They may experience breathing difficulties due to a short muzzle and small nostrils, tear duct abnormalities and tear overflow, eye problems, skin problems due to skin folds on the face, dental problems, difficulty eating and difficulty grooming. Breeds affected may include Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, British Longhair, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, and the Himalayan.

Short limbs, dwarfism cat breed health issues

Cats affected may suffer from abnormal joints and limb deformities, reduced mobility and difficulty jumping, increased risk of spinal problems, and difficulty grooming. Breeds affected may include the Munchkin and Bambino. Munchkin and Bambino cats are recently developed breeds. The genetic defect that produces shortened legs is potentially lethal and kittens may die at birth. Abnormalities of the legs, spine and ribs mean that these cats are more likely to suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis and musculoskeletal discomfort. 

No tail or short, bobbed tail cats breed health issues

This can signify spinal deformities or spina bifida, resulting in incontinence, mobility problems due to weakness or paralysis, arthritis, and problems with displaying normal cat body language due to the lack of a tail. Breeds affected include the Manx, Pixie Bob, American Bobtail, Japanese Bobtail and Kurilian Bobtail. 

Curled or folded ear cat breed health issues

The cartilage defect that produces the folded ear appearance causes cats to suffer from a cartilage deformity throughout the body. This results in joint and mobility problems, arthritis, and chronic pain.  Breeds affected include the Scottish Fold and American Curl. The Scottish Fold in particular has attracted celebrity owners including Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, and they have been promoted widely on social media platforms. The Scottish Fold has been bred for the appearance of its uniquely folded ears and cute, rounded face. Unfortunately, the genetic abnormality affects not only the ear cartilage but also cartilage in the joints as well, leading to crippling arthritis and chronic pain.

Hairless cat health issues

Cats have no coat to groom and develop skin problems due to excessive skin oils or damage from grooming hairless skin. They have reduced insulation and may suffer from sunburn. Breeds affected include the Sphynx and the Peterbald.

Are cat breeds going down the same path as dog breeds?

The effect of bred-related health problems has received widespread publicity in the dog world; and led to the BBC pulling out of Crufts dog show in 2009. But many cat lovers remain largely unaware of similar problems in feline breeds.  Flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breeds are known to suffer from breathing difficulties and their bulging eyes are prone to weeping and irritation. Research from the University of Edinburgh in 2016 concluded that flat-faced cats also suffer the same persistent health problems. A 2017 survey of companion animal vets found that 86% had treated conformation-related health problems in brachycephalic, flat-faced cats which included Persian and exotic shorthair breeds. 

Hybrid cat health issues

Hybrid cats are produced by crossing domestic cats with an African or South American wildcat parent. And hybrid cat ownership has been on the rise. Despite price tags of up to £6000 for new kittens, breeders report waiting lists of up to six months. Wildcat hybrid breeds include the Bengal as well as newer breeds such as the Chausie and Savannah, a hybrid of the wild Serval cat. Wildcat parents being smuggled to the UK from overseas is a serious concern connected to the breeding of hybrid cats. The mating process is very dangerous for the domestic cat parent, risking injury or even death.

In the UK, first generation hybrid cats can only be kept under licence and in outdoor cages, in accordance with the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Subsequent generations, however, can legally be kept as pets in a domestic setting. Hybrid cats, especially those closely related to their wildcat parent, often do not cope well as pets. They are likely to exhibit temperamental characteristics akin to their wild relatives. They are territorial and are often large and powerful, risking harm to owners, to other pets, and to local wildlife populations. Again, these breeds are not recognised by the GCCF, but this has not diminished their popularity.

Cat breeding is currently unregulated in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This raises a number of potential concerns for pedigree cats, with poor breeding practices going unchecked, such as female cats in ill health being overbred, inadequate housing, and kittens produced that are sick and diseased. It can also mean cats being born to suffer from inherited disease and experiencing poor welfare due to extreme physical characteristics. These health issues can leave owners with expensive veterinary bills and cats with complex needs and a poor quality of life.

If cat breeding were to be more widely regulated, as is already the case for dog breeding and for cat breeding in Scotland, this would require regular inspections of licensed breeders. Regulations would set a limit to the number of litters a female cat can have and a maximum age after which breeding should cease. Within the regulations, it would also be possible to ban the commercial breeding of certain extreme breeds such as the Scottish Fold, Munchkin, and ultra-flat-faced cats, and introduce compulsory testing for known inherited diseases. 

Ultimately, the most power to exert a change rests in the hands of the kitten-buying public. More awareness is needed about welfare issues associated with cat breeding, and about the potential perils of the cat marketplace, so that future cat owners can easily recognise what is good welfare and can choose their kitten accordingly.