'I'm a vet and there's 5 cat breeds I'd never own - they're prone to health conditions'

A vet has weighed in on the five cat breeds he would never own due to them being more prone to health conditions.

Bringing a pet into the house can be the big difference that makes it feel more like a home. Whether you opt for a cat, a dog, guinea pigs, rabbits or another creature entirely, pets quickly establish themselves as integral parts of the family.

Deciding on which animal most suits your lifestyle and needs can be a tricky decision and even if you settle on the type, like a dog or a cat, there’s still a host of breeds to choose from.

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Veterinarian Amir Anwary has weighed in with his expert opinion in a popular video on TikTok. In the recent clip, the vet shared the five cat breeds he would never own as a veterinarian.

Speaking directly to the camera, he began: “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 pointed out their long coat which needs daily brushing to prevent serious matting which can become “very painful”, as well as their being prone to Polycystic Kidney Disease. He dubbed them a “high maintenance breed”.

Next up on his list was the Bengal, which he branded 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 keen 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”.

Another, who owns a Ragdoll, humorously disagreed with the vet’s view: “My soon-to-be-14 year old Ragdoll just gave you this look: [three quizzical, eyebrow arched face emojis]”.

A third quipped: “So the Persian cat is just the pug of the cat world”, while a fourth commented: “Nobody could ever convince me breeding Scottish Folds is ethical”. Agreeing, another person said: “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.”