Have you ever seen a Persian cat that is having difficulty breathing or is constantly fighting with its eyes? These unfortunate symptoms are often the direct result of cruel breeding, a breeding practice that causes serious health problems.
Persian cats that suffer from extreme breeding conditions such as brachycephaly struggle with respiratory distress, chronic eye infections and birth problems.
In this blog post, we explore what cruel breeding traits are in cats, the health consequences of these practices, the legal aspects, and how to act as a responsible animal lover.
What are signs of cruel breeding in cats?

Cruel breeding traits in cats are hereditary body parts or characteristics that affect the animal's health and well-being. These traits can arise through targeted breeding when emphasis is placed on certain external characteristics that, however, limit the animal's quality of life. Examples of this are:
- Short nose (brachycephaly) , which causes breathing problems in many Persian cats.
- Shortened limbs , which can cause problems with movement.
- Excessive skin folds that can lead to skin inflammation.
These traits are considered cruel breeding because they cause the animal unnecessary suffering. They are not just an aesthetic problem, but pose real health risks. Breeding such traits is often done for commercial reasons or out of a misguided ideal of beauty. It is important to understand that such traits are not natural, but are the result of human intervention. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to such cruel breeding traits when buying or breeding cats and to avoid them in order to ensure the welfare of the animals.
Health Consequences of Cruel Breeding in Cats
The health consequences of cruel breeding in cats are varied and often painful for the animals affected. In Persian cats, which are known for their short noses and flat faces, these characteristics lead to chronic breathing problems. The narrowed nasal passages make breathing difficult, which can lead to severe shortness of breath, especially during physical exertion or stress. These breathing problems can in turn lead to other health problems such as heart strain. In addition, these cats often suffer from malocclusion because their short jaws do not provide enough space for all of their teeth, which can lead to pain and difficulty eating.
In addition to respiratory and dental problems, Persian cats are also prone to eye diseases due to their large and protruding eyes. The narrow tear ducts often cause tearing and chronic eye inflammation because the eyes are not adequately protected and cleaned. Chronic eye inflammation can significantly affect the cat's quality of life and often require regular veterinary treatment. Other common health problems caused by cruel breeding include:
- Polycystic kidney disease , which can lead to kidney failure.
- Difficulties in childbirth, often requiring surgical interventions such as caesarean sections
These problems show how important it is to pay attention to and avoid cruel breeding traits when buying or breeding cats.
List of cat breeds that suffer from cruel breeding
In the world of cat breeding, there are some breeds that are classified as cruelly bred due to their physical characteristics. These include the Persian , the Exotic Shorthair and the Scottish Fold , among others. These breeds often suffer from health problems that are a direct result of the breeding goals, which are aimed at certain aesthetic characteristics. For example, brachycephaly, or breeding for a short nose, causes respiratory problems and eye diseases in Persian cats.
In addition to the Persian cat, there are other breeds that suffer from cruel breeding traits. These include:
- Munchkin cats , who may have mobility problems due to their very short legs.
- Sphynx cats , which often develop skin problems due to a lack of fur.
- Manx cats , which have a genetic mutation that results in a missing or shortened tail and is often associated with serious spinal problems.
These examples show how important it is to pay attention to the welfare of the animals when buying or breeding cats and to avoid cruel breeding practices.
Brachycephaly in cats: A cruel breeding trait?

Brachycephaly is a term that describes short-headedness in cats and is often associated with cruel breeding practices. Cats such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs are particularly affected. This anatomical peculiarity leads to a number of health problems, such as breathing difficulties, misaligned teeth and chronic eye inflammation. Breeding for this trait is therefore often criticized because it significantly impairs the well-being and quality of life of cats.
Legal aspects and prohibitions of cruel breeding of cats
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, cruel breeding of cats is prohibited by specific laws. The German Animal Welfare Act, for example, contains Section 11b, which explicitly prohibits cruel breeding. This paragraph ensures that breeding that causes suffering to animals can be punished legally. In Austria, similar provisions in the Animal Welfare Act regulate the protection of animals from cruel breeding. Swiss legislation also takes strict action against cruel breeding and prohibits any breeding practices that impair the well-being of animals. Despite these regulations, however, there are often challenges in concrete implementation, as the definition of cruel breeding sometimes leaves room for interpretation and is not always clear.
At an international level, laws prohibiting cruel breeding vary considerably. While some countries such as Finland, Ireland and Sweden have similarly strict regulations as the DA-CH region, other countries, such as France, have no specific animal welfare laws that directly relate to the breeding of pets. Instead, animal welfare provisions can be found in other legal codes such as the criminal code. This shows how important international cooperation and uniform guidelines would be to protect the welfare of cats and other animals globally. Despite the laws in place, it is crucial that they are also consistently enforced and that animal rights activists continue to push for precise and clear legislation to minimize animal suffering.
Protect your home and your cat with Flappie
Do you have problems with your cat repeatedly bringing home prey such as mice or birds? Not only can this be unpleasant, but it can also pose health risks for both you and your cat. This is where the Flappie smart cat flap comes in. It is designed to scan your cat as it enters and automatically detects if it is bringing prey. If so, it will deny it entry. This protects your home from unwanted guests and keeps it hygienic and safe. The benefits of the Flappie cat flap include:
- Selective access control that only allows your cat without prey to enter.
- Prey detection through AI-supported camera , which ensures that no prey gets into the house.
- Notifications and remote control via the Flappie app so you are always informed and in control, even when you are not at home.
Installing a Flappie cat flap is a simple step that will have big long-term benefits for living with your cat. Not only will your home be cleaner and safer, it will also reduce stress - for both you and your cat. Imagine not having to worry about your cat being outside, knowing that they won't bring unwanted 'gifts' with them. If you're ready to improve your home and your cat's life, visit Flappie and learn more about the innovative solution Flappie offers. It's time to make a decision for a clean, safe and prey-free home. Protect your home and your cat - with Flappie .
Frequently Asked Questions
What cat cruelty breedings are there?
Cat breeds that suffer from cruel breeding traits include the Persian, Exotic Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Munchkin cats, Sphynx cats and Manx cats. These breeds often suffer from health problems that are a direct result of breeding goals aimed at specific aesthetic traits.
Are Persian cats prone to diseases?
Yes, Persian cats are particularly susceptible to disease due to their cruel breeding characteristics. They often suffer from chronic respiratory problems, misaligned teeth, chronic eye infections and polycystic kidney disease. These health problems are often painful for the animals and can significantly affect their quality of life.
Which cat breed is forbidden to breed?
The blog post does not name any specific breeds that are explicitly banned, but explains that in countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, cruel breeding of cats is prohibited by specific laws. This refers to all breeding that causes suffering to the animals, regardless of the specific breed.
Are cats with short legs a cruel breed?
Yes, Munchkin cats, known for their very short legs, are considered cruelly bred. The short legs can lead to mobility problems and are an example of a cruelly bred trait that affects the cats' well-being.
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