'I'm a vet – there's certain cat breeds that I'd personally never own'

While most pet owners know that there's a big different between different breeds of dogs, people may not realise that the same thing goes for different cat breeds.

Knowing what breed of cat would best fit into your life needs a lot of research in order to make sure you make the best decision for both you and your prospective new family member.

A vet named Amir Anwary has taken to TikTok to share his personal opinions, listing five cat breeds he wouldn't choose to have.

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"These are five cat breeds that I would not own as a veterinarian," he begins in the video clip.

Check out his recommendations below, which may help if you're planning to get a cat yourself.

1. Persian cats

"Number one is Persian. Now I’ve never seen the appeal of these cats personally, but a lot of people love them which is perfectly fine," he remarks before delving into his reasons against owning one.

Highlighting that Persians are a Brachycephalic breed with flat faces, Amir notes this causes them breathing and dental issues, alongside the unpleasant 'goo' often found in their eye corners. He adds that their long fur requires daily grooming to prevent painful matting.

Amir emphasised: "So it’s a very very high maintenance breed. They are also prone to a condition called polycystic kidney disease which is basically where these fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys and in long term that can actually cause organ failure," also prone to polycystic kidney disease, leading to potentially fatal organ failure over time.

2. Bengal cats

For Bengals, Amir said: "I think this is one of the most beautiful breeds that exists, and I think they have one of the most amazing, amazing energies. But they do have several health issues."

Amir provided an insightful explanation on the health risks associated with Bengal cats, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness as they get older, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a condition that causes heart muscles become thicker.

"That can cause them to become lethargic, it can cause breathing problems, and in the long term will cause congestive heart failure," Amir detailed.

3. Exotic Shorthair

He also discussed the Exotic Shorthair breed, likening it to a short-haired Persian.

"So this is basically like a different version of a Persian, like it’s a Persian with short hair. So you’re not gonna have the issues with the long coat, but you’re gonna have all the other issues."

He cautioned about brachycephalic breeds such as the Exotic Shorthair facing various health problems like dental issues, breathing difficulties, eye conditions, polycystic kidney disease, and heart problems.

"So it is a Brachycephalic breed, you’re gonna have the dental problems, the breathing issues, the eye issues. You’re gonna have the polycystic kidney disease, and you’re gonna potentially have the heart issues as well."

4. Ragdoll

"Next is a Ragdoll," he announced. "I think all around, this is one of the best cat breeds that would exist if it didn’t have medical issues because it is beautiful. they have such a lovely lovely temperament, but they have so many medical issues."

Alongside polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Ragdolls are susceptible to bladder problems and obesity. Amir concluded, stressing the financial implications for pet owners:

"There are so many medical issues associated with this breed - your vet bill is going to be huge," he warned.

5. Scottish Fold

He then discussed the Scottish Fold cat breed, stating: "Now the reason it is called a Scottish Fold is because of the way that the ears fold in. Now this happens because of a lack of cartilage due to a genetic mutation that was caused by us humans."

He went on to explain, "But this genetic mutation doesn’t only affect the ears, no no, it affects all the joints."

He detailed that the cats' predisposition to osteochondrodysplasia leads to degenerative joint disease and arthritis, causing them severe pain.

"And the worst part about this is that it is a dominant gene, meaning even the cats that don't necessarily have the fold will be affected by the joint pain, and the joint disease," he explained.

"I think from an ethical standpoint this is the cat breed that should not be bred anymore."