Overbred Cat Breeds: An In-Depth Look

Have you ever heard of overbred cat breeds?
Many of these breeds suffer from serious health problems caused by extreme breeding standards.

Overbreeding in cats means that selective breeding enhances certain aesthetic characteristics, which often leads to serious health problems.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the issue of overbreeding, explore affected breeds, and discuss how these animals suffer from their physical characteristics.

What does cruel breeding mean for cats?

Cruel breeding in cats is a serious issue that is often misunderstood. It is not about how the cats are kept or treated, but about the characteristics that are induced through breeding. When a cat or its kittens have genetically determined characteristics that result in pain, suffering or disabilities, it is said to be cruel breeding. This can include, for example, missing body parts, deformed body structures or genetic defects that affect the cat's life.

The animal protection law is very clear in this area and prohibits breeding that compromises the well-being of the animals. However, there is still breeding that aims at aesthetic characteristics that can compromise the health of the animals. Breeders and cat lovers should therefore be aware that even attractive external characteristics can cause serious health problems that significantly affect the lives of cats.

Characteristics of Cruel Breeding in Cats

Overbred cat breeds often have specific characteristics that are considered signs of cruel breeding. These include, for example, deformed ears such as the folded ears of the Scottish Fold or the lack of whiskers in certain hairless cats. These characteristics can lead to the cats being severely limited in their perception and everyday behavior.

Other common breeding traits include:

• Short legs , like the Munchkin cat, which limit freedom of movement
• Brachycephaly , which can cause breathing problems in Persian cats and Exotic Shorthairs
• Polydactyly , the presence of supernumerary toes, which is promoted in some breeds such as the Maine Coon

These characteristics can significantly reduce the quality of life of cats and lead to chronic health problems.

List of overbred cat breeds

There are numerous cat breeds that are particularly affected by cruel breeding practices. The most well-known are the Scottish Fold, which is characterized by its folded ears, and the Persian cat, known for its short nose and the associated breathing problems.

Other breeds frequently affected by cruel breeding are:

• Exotic Shorthair , similar to the Persian cat with similar health problems
• Sphynx and other hairless cats, which often have sensitive skin and require special care
• Devon Rex and other Rex cats who are prone to skin problems due to their coat abnormalities

These breeds require special attention and care in order to live as healthy and pain-free a life as possible.

The Suffering of Overbred Cat Breeds

The suffering of overbred cat breeds is a serious issue that is often underestimated. Breeding for certain aesthetic characteristics, such as extremely short legs or a very flat nose, creates physical problems that seriously affect the animals' well-being. These cats often suffer from chronic pain, have difficulty breathing or are unable to move normally. What is particularly tragic is that many of these characteristics are perceived by people as "cute" without considering the health consequences. The following points illustrate the suffering:

• Chronic respiratory problems in short-headed breeds such as Persian cats
• Movement restrictions in breeds with shortened limbs, such as Munchkin cats
• Skin and coat problems in hairless breeds such as the Sphynx

The responsibility for the welfare of these animals lies with the breeders, the future pet owners and, to some extent, the media that promote such breeds. It is important that prospective cat owners educate themselves about the specific needs and potential health problems of the breeds before deciding to adopt an animal. Education and conscious choices can help minimize the suffering of these animals. Every cat lover should ask themselves whether the aesthetic characteristics of a breed justify the potential suffering of the animals. By advocating for healthier breeding standards and making informed choices, one can make a difference and reduce the suffering of the cats involved.

Chondrodysplasia in overbred cat breeds

Chondrodysplasia, also known as disproportionate dwarfism, is a genetic disorder that occurs primarily in certain breeds of cats. This disease affects the cartilage tissue and leads to a shortening of the long bones, leaving the affected cats with noticeably shortened legs. Such cats look like "cat dachshunds" and have great difficulty performing normal feline activities such as jumping and fast running. The most noticeable features of chondrodysplasia are:

• Severely shortened legs
• Often a misalignment of bones and joints
• tendency to herniated discs and osteoarthritis

Chondrodysplasia not only causes physical impairments, but also affects the general well-being of cats. The animals often suffer from pain caused by the misalignment and the associated arthritic changes. This can lead to a significant reduction in their quality of life. What is particularly tragic is that when two cats with this genetic mutation are mated, the offspring are often not viable and most often die in the womb. Breeding such traits, although rare, represents a serious ethical and health issue that must be addressed by responsible breeders and cat lovers.

Polydactyly in cats: A genetic trait

Polydactyly in cats, also known as multi-fingeredness, is a genetic trait in which cats have more toes than usual. This trait most often appears on the front paws, but can also occur on the hind paws. It is important to understand that polydactyly in cats is not a sign of illness or poor health. In fact, it is simply a variation in the number of toes that is inherited through a dominant genetic pattern. The breeds affected include the Maine Coon and certain lines of the American "Superscratcher" breed, where this trait is even deliberately bred.

The genetic basis of polydactyly is quite interesting. It is a mutation that affects the number of toes. This trait is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning that only one parent needs to carry the gene for it to appear in the kittens. However, the expression can vary, meaning that not all offspring will have the same number of extra toes. Important points about polydactyly in cats are:

• The mutation can occur in all cat breeds, but is more common in some breeds.
• It is a naturally occurring feature and not caused by human intervention.
• Polydactyly usually does not affect the health or well-being of the cat.

Brachycephaly in cats and its effects

Brachycephaly, or the presence of a flat face, affects many breeds of cats and leads to serious health problems. Breeds such as the Persian and the Exotic Shorthair, which are characterized by their short noses and flat faces, are particularly affected. This anatomical peculiarity can lead to breathing problems, frequent skin inflammations in the facial area and difficulty in eating. The constant shortness of breath and the resulting anxiety and restlessness significantly affect the well-being of the animals.

The effects of brachycephaly are not only physically but also psychologically stressful for the affected cats. The most common problems include:

• Chronic breathing problems , which can increase the risk of other health problems such as heart disease.
• Dermatitis in the folds of the face caused by the accumulation of moisture and bacteria.
• Tooth and jaw misalignments that make eating difficult and often painful. These problems require careful care and frequent veterinary check-ups to minimize animal suffering and improve their quality of life.

Anomalies of the External Ear in Cats

Abnormalities of the external ear in cats are a common problem in overbred breeds. A well-known example is the folded ears of Scottish Fold cats. This ear shape is caused by a genetic mutation that causes the ear cartilage to be softer than usual. This can not only change the appearance of the ears, but can also lead to health problems. Affected cats can suffer from chronic ear pain and inflammation because the abnormal shape of the ears hinders natural cleaning and ventilation. Other problems include:

• Limited ability to communicate body signals through the ears
• Increased susceptibility to ear infections
• Possible hearing impairment

Breeding such traits, despite the known risks, raises ethical questions. Experts therefore often recommend a breeding ban for lines that can pass on such genetic abnormalities. It is important that potential cat owners educate themselves about these issues and make a responsible decision about whether they want to support an animal with such traits. The health and well-being of the cat should always take priority over aesthetic considerations. In addition to the Scottish Fold, other breeds such as the Highland Fold and the Poodle are particularly affected by ear abnormalities. These breeds require special attention and care in order to live as healthy a life as possible.

Coat anomalies in overbred cat breeds

In overbred cat breeds, coat abnormalities and hairlessness are common occurrences that are the result of deliberate breeding decisions. A striking example is hairless cats, in which a genetic defect disrupts keratin formation. This means that the hair breaks off at an early stage of development and no fur can form. The affected areas include not only the body fur, but also the whiskers, which are essential for the cat's orientation and communication. The loss of these important sensory organs can severely impair the cats' natural function.

Other breeds such as Rex cats, Peterbald cats and Lykoi cats are also bred for restricted or abnormal hair growth, resulting in thin or curly coats. These abnormalities often also include:

• Shortened or curled whiskers
• Missing or sparse body fur

These features can cause similar problems to those seen in hairless cats, but in a milder form. The lack of or abnormal fur makes these cats more prone to skin problems and requires special care to ensure their well-being.

Lightening of fur and eyes in cat breeds

The lightening of coat and eyes in cats can be influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet and environmental conditions. Especially in white cats or those with very light coats, it is possible for coat colour to change over time. These changes are not always harmful to health, but in some cases can indicate nutritional deficiencies or medical problems. For example, a deficiency in certain nutrients such as copper or zinc can cause a cat's originally dark coat to become lighter. Eye colour can also change, which is often seen in older cats whose bright blue or green eyes gradually fade.

It is important that cat owners pay attention to such changes and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying health problems. Eye health and coat color can be indicators of several conditions:

• Dietary changes : An unbalanced diet can lead to a deficiency in essential nutrients necessary to maintain coat colors.
• Genetic factors : Some breeds are genetically more susceptible to changes in coat color, which may be enhanced by breeding.
• Environmental influences : For example, strong sunlight can change the coat from darker to lighter tones, similar to humans whose hair lightens in the summer.

Regular health checks and a balanced diet are crucial to ensure the cat's well-being and avoid serious health problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What cat cruelty breedings are there?

The blog post describes various characteristics and breeds that are considered cruel breeding in cats. These include the Scottish Fold with deformed ears, the Munchkin cat with short legs, the Persian cat and the Exotic Shorthair with brachycephaly (short headedness) which can lead to breathing problems, and the Sphynx and other hairless cats that have sensitive skin and require special care.

Is the Maine Coon cat a cruel breed?

The blog post mentions the Maine Coon cat in relation to the trait of polydactyly (extra toes), but it is not explicitly classified as a cruel breed. Polydactyly in cats is described as a genetic trait that does not affect the health or well-being of the cat.