5 Cat Breeds That Have A Lot Of Health Problems

When you start making plans to bring a new cat home, you will probably first do some research on the breed you have chosen, because you want to learn as much as possible about it in order to keep it healthy and happy in the new environment. While cats are generally considered to be healthier than dogs and to have less medical issues, the truth is that some breeds might have more problems than the others, and that’s something to be aware of. So, the idea of doing research before bringing a new pet home is definitely a good one, because you want to learn as much as you can about those cat breeds with health problems, not so that you can avoid them, but so that you can learn how to care for them properly.

Of course, some people will certainly want to avoid felines that have a lot of health issues and I can understand that to a certain extent. Yet, I believe that these animals should be given a proper home as well and that they deserve a chance too, which is why I would advise you not to immediately dismiss a certain cat if you discover that it has health problems. After all, you can help the animal by improving its quality of life and you can keep it as healthy as possible, and I am sure that it will be grateful for that.

I understand your necessity, though, to learn about those breeds that have a lot of health problems in advance, so that you can get properly prepared for what might be coming. This is actually quite a wise and a responsible move and it is a much better option than the option of dealing with those issues as they come, while knowing nothing about them previously. Plus, when you become aware of the possible health problems in advance, you will have higher chances of preventing those from developing, which is certainly a big plus.

So, if you are ready to learn about certain cat breeds that have a lot of health problems that you might have to deal with if you get them, then you have found your way to the right place. I will talk about those breeds and their medical problems in the rest of the article and thus help you get properly informed about everything. That will further help you learn how to take proper care of your cat if you find that it has made this particular list.

Here’s some info on how to generally keep your feline healthy: https://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/keeping-indoor-cat-happy

1. Persian

The flat faced appearance of a Persian cat is one of those traits that we all find quite appealing, simply because it looks so darn cute. Yet, due to that specific feature, these cats can have breathing problems and they can be prone to upper respiratory infections. In addition to that, overproduction of tears can be an issue, although it isn’t nearly as serious as those respiratory issues that I’ve mentioned. It simply leads to tear stains on the fur. Cardiac, renal and kidney diseases, as well as neurological and skin disorders were found to be hereditary in this breed.

• Siamese

Some studies show that the Siamese cat has a higher mortality rate than other feline breeds. This is most likely because this particular breed is prone to mammary tumors, as well as other types of cancer. Additionally, it can also develop certain gastrointestinal issues that might be less serious, but that can still cause a lot of troubles to both the animal and the owner. On top of that, progressive retinal atrophy is also common among the Siamese cats, which is an eye disease that actually leads to blindness.

• Himalayan

Given that the Himalayan feline was created through the process of breeding Persian cats, you can expect them to be at risk of the same hereditary diseases as the Persian ones. They are at a high risk of polycystic kidney disease, which is rather dangerous and which can, unfortunately, be fatal. This specific disease can also affect the liver and the pancreas. In any case, it should be taken rather seriously when discovered, because it is certainly life threatening. Read more about popular felines and their health issues.

• Sphynx

Sphynx breeders usually keep these kittens longer than it is normally necessary, meaning that you might need to wait for a bit longer in order to actually take your Sphynx home. There is actually a medical explanation for why they do this. In simple words, the Sphynx is at a much higher risk of developing upper respiratory infections than practically any other breed. Apart from that, their lack of fur makes them susceptible to sun burns and various different skin infections, and they are also at risk of developing a life-threatening heart disease that has no cure and that is called mitral valve dysplasia.

• Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair is another breed that has been created from the Persian cat. I suppose you understand what this means. Basically, it is at risk of developing all of those diseases that the Persian can suffer from, including the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) that we have already mentioned above and that can be fatal. Studies show that around 50% of Exotic Shorthairs develop this disease, but genetic tests can help rule PKD, as well as some other diseases, out.