A vet has unveiled the five cat breeds he would never own due to their susceptibility to health conditions.
Pets can transform a house into a home, whether it’s a cat, dog, guinea pig, rabbit or another creature entirely. However, choosing the right pet for your lifestyle and needs can be challenging. Even after deciding on a type of pet, like a cat or a dog, there are still numerous breeds to consider.
Vet Amir Anwary shared his expert opinion in a popular TikTok video, listing the five cat breeds he would avoid owning as a veterinarian. He started with the Persian breed. Speaking directly to the camera, he explained: “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.”
He explained this leads to breathing and dental problems, and often results in a build-up of discharge at the corners of their eyes.
Anwary also highlighted their long coat which requires daily brushing to prevent painful matting, and their predisposition to Polycystic Kidney Disease, labelling them a “high maintenance breed”.
The Bengal was next on his list, a breed he described as one of the most “beautiful breeds that exists”. However, they are unfortunately prone to “several health issues” such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a genetic disease causing the retina to degenerate, leading to blindness.
Bengals can also develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease making it harder for the heart to pump blood. The third breed he would avoid is the Exotic Shorthair, which he likened to a “different version of a Persian”, meaning it comes with all the same issues minus the matting due to its short coat.
The fourth breed he would avoid is the Ragdoll. The vet continued: “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. Lastly, he mentioned the Scottish Fold.
Due to a human-caused genetic mutation, 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”.
One Ragdoll owner jokingly hit back at the expert’s claim, sharing: “My soon-to-be-14 year old Ragdoll just gave you this look: [three quizzical, eyebrow arched face emojis]”. Another social media user quipped: “So the Persian cat is just the pug of the cat world.”
Many also spoke out against breeding certain breeds of cat, with one saying: “Nobody could ever convince me breeding Scottish Folds is ethical”.
This view was echoed by another commenter, who revealed: “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.”
