Did you know that cats can have health issues just like humans?
If you’re a cat lover, you should know that your precious pet can suffer from a lot of health issues. You sure like to take care of your cat, pet them all day long, hear their sweet mows in the morning, and cuddle them while watching TV.
The way you treat your cat has a major impact on their overall health, and according to experts, some breeds are just more likely to develop health issues compared to others.
Disclaimer: these health problems are just what the majority of owners reported; it doesn’t mean that if you adopt a cat of any of these breeds, it will get sick and have all or even any of these health issues. Now that everything’s clear, let’s talk about the unhealthiest cat breeds, as experts say.
A cat with health issues still deserves your love, right?
1. The Ragdoll
Just as with children who play along with ragdolls and hang them as much as they want, you can play in the same way with a ragdoll cat.
They’re relaxed, easy-going, very chilled out, and don’t have a problem staying in their owners’ arms. These gorgeous cats go limp in your arms each time you want to pick them up.
There’s a legend that many cat lovers know about, and it says that the mother of the first Ragdoll had an accident before she was used for breeding, and she often went limp when people picked her up.
Unfortunately, as cute and fluffy as Ragdoll cats are, they can develop some serious health conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM, bladder stones, and different urinary tract problems.
If you decide to adopt a ragdoll cat and make them part of the family, make sure you take them often to the vet so they can keep their health issues in check.
2. The Persian
Persian cats are beautiful and fluffy, known for their long and shiny coats as well as their short noses and muzzles. These friendly cats are loved by many people for their quiet, gentle, and docile nature.
They’re typically very sweet but only show off their love and attention to people they trust, so don’t expect to see a Persian showering you with love unless they like you.
Unfortunately, Persian cats can suffer from many health issues, including breathing and eye problems due to their short noses and flat faces, polycystic kidney disease, and feline lower urinary tract diseases, which include bladder stones and other infections.
3. The Exotic Shorthair
We can make a joke and say that the exotic shorthair cat is the long-lost relative of the Persian breed because this cat is the short-haired version of the fluffy Persian.
These cats, which are both cute, have body shapes that look similar and are popular for their flattened faces. One of the things that make people want them in their homes is that they’re very gentle, like to play with their owners, and also enjoy showering their favorite humans with love. And if you like to cuddle with your pet, this cat is for you, because they’re all about snuggles.
Given the fact that they’re similar to Persians, they also have some health issues in common. Did you know that these cats were born in the 1950s when breeders crossed American Shorthairs with Persians?
If you decide to welcome a cat like this into your family, you should know that it can develop eye problems, including progressive retinal atrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and breathing issues due to their squared skulls and flat faces, as well as polycystic kidney disease.
4. The Bengal
If you’ve always wanted to have a leopard in your home but never could due to obvious reasons, you’ll be happy to discover that you can indeed have a tiny leopard to share your home with, known as the Bengal cat.
This small and cute animal is known for its curious and playful nature. They’re very funny and loving, and they’ll love to snuggle with you every day. These gorgeous cats are the result of breeding a domestic, regular cat with an Asian leopard cat. What can I say? I found them fascinating and very beautiful!
This cat will surely put a smile on your face when you notice how much they love to climb, explore their surroundings, and sometimes even have fun with water.
Sadly, they suffer from many health issues, including knee dislocation and hip dysplasia, eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts, and heart issues that are known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Another thing about the Bengal cats that you should know is that vets discovered that PRA is a hereditary issue that can’t be treated and leads to progressive blindness.
5. The Birman
Who doesn’t find a Birman cat cute and lovely? I sure do. I find it impossible not to like them when I see their blue eyes and snow-white feet, which are known as socks or gloves.
Experts tried to discover the origin of these precious cats, but they didn’t find much information. However, they discovered that they arrived in the Western world around the 20th century, somewhere in 1919.
The Birman cats are affectionate, smart, and friendly, and if they like you, they’ll amaze you with their love and attention every single day. If there are any children in your household, they’ll get along very well with this cat because it’s considered to be one of the greatest family pets.
However, they require regular visits to the vet, as they can suffer from different health issues, such as polycystic kidney disease. Scientists discovered that a small percentage of these cats have an inherited short life span of roughly 8 months, but there are a lot of tests available so you can detect it before it’s too late.
6. The Siamese
The Siamese cat looks a tiny bit like the Birman, but they don’t have those precious white gloves. If you’re an active person who likes to have fun and makes every single day feel special, your life will never be boring with a Siamese cat in your home.
Besides being beautiful and adorable, these cats are smart, playful, and love to receive a lot of attention from their favorite people. They have triangular heads and eyes that are almond-shaped, which make them look like movie stars, don’t you think?
These cats like to have fun and to put a smile on their owners’ faces, so if you want to return the favor, make sure you take them to the vet for regular check-ups because they can be the victims of many health issues, including hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness, lung cancer, and systemic amyloidosis, which is a build-up of protein in organs and is responsible for not allowing them to do their job.
7. The Sphynx
If you want a pet but don’t want to find hair in every single room of your home, a Sphynx cat might be exactly what you need. This cat breed originated from a natural mutation in a regular cat that was somehow born without hair.
What not many people know is that Sphynx cats aren’t exactly bald; they actually have a fine down coat. They’re very smart and curious, and they love to explore everything around the house or around the yard if you live in a big house.
If you’d like to welcome a cat like this into your household, you should know that they need regular check-ups with the vet because they might suffer from the following health issues: skin problems, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and periodontal disease, which is a gum infection led by bacteria that can cause severe tooth pain and even tooth loss in the worst cases.
If you were happy that adopting a Sphynx cat means that you won’t have to brush your pet, you’re right, but they need regular baths so they can get rid of the buildup of the skin oil, so you still have to pay attention to their grooming regimen.
How would you deal with a cat that suffers from health issues? If you have a pet that is in pain due to health issues, this book might help you know what you can do. If you want to read something else about health issues and pets, here’s an article for you: 10 Health Problems Your Dog May Experience At Some Point Too!
