A vet has shared his thoughts on the five cat breeds he would avoid owning due to their susceptibility to health issues.
Bringing a pet into your home can transform it into a more welcoming and lively space. Whether you choose a cat, dog, guinea pigs, rabbits, or another animal, pets quickly become beloved members of the family.
Choosing the right pet that fits your lifestyle and needs can be challenging, and even after deciding on a type, such as a dog or cat, there are many breeds to consider.
Veterinarian Amir Anwary has offered his professional insight in a widely viewed TikTok video. In the clip, he lists the five cat breeds he would never own as a vet.
Addressing viewers, he said: “Number one is the Persian. Now, I’ve never seen the appeal of these cats personally but a lot of people love them which is perfectly fine but they are a brachycephalic breed, meaning that their face is basically squished in.
“This causes breathing problems, it causes dental problems, and it’s also why they often have so much goop at the corners of their eyes.”
Anwary then highlights their long fur, which requires daily grooming to prevent painful matting, and their predisposition to Polycystic Kidney Disease, labelling them a “high maintenance breed”.
Next on his list was the Bengal, which he labelled as one of the most “beautiful breeds that exists” but unfortunately they do have “several health issues” such as being prone to cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a genetic disease which causes the retina to degenerate, eventually leading to blindness. According to Anwary, Bengals can also develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.
The third breed the vet would never own is the Exotic Shorthair, which he described as a “different version of a Persian”, meaning it comes with all the same issues minus the matting because it doesn’t have a long coat. The fourth breed is the Ragdoll.
He explained: “I think, all round, this is one of the best cat breeds that would exist if it didn’t have medical issues.”
He listed conditions such as Polycystic Kidney Disease, HCM, bladder problems, and more. Finally, the veterinarian mentioned the Scottish Fold.
Due to a genetic mutation caused by humans, he said their joints can become severely affected and prone to arthritis, degenerative joint disease, pain and more. He added: “I think from an ethical standpoint, this is a cat breed that should not be bred anymore.”
TikTok users were quick to share their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: “Will never understand designer cats. My cat’s breed is orange. He’s the best thing ever”.
Conversely, a Ragdoll owner expressed an opposing view in a lighthearted manner, writing: “My soon-to-be-14 year old Ragdoll just gave you this look – [three quizzical, eyebrow arched face emojis]”. Adding to the humorous tone, another user joked: “So the Persian cat is just the pug of the cat world”, whereas a fellow cat owner strongly stated: “Nobody could ever convince me breeding Scottish Folds is ethical”.
A Scottish Fold owner concurred, based on personal experience, writing: “I have a Scottish Fold (rescued) and let me tell you, it is HEARTWRENCHING living with her and having to manage her issues. And she’s only young. It’s a breed that needs to finish.”