Do Cat Breeds Have Health Issues?

Yes, cat breeds do have health issues, with purebred cats facing significantly higher disease risks compared to mixed-breed cats. Research shows that nearly 65% of Persian cats have at least one documented health disorder, and purebred cats overall are more likely to develop genetic conditions across most disease categories.

The relationship between breeding and health isn’t uniform. Some breeds face unavoidable structural problems while others have manageable genetic predispositions. Understanding where specific breeds fall on this health risk spectrum can help you make informed decisions about cat ownership.

The Science Behind Breed-Specific Health Problems

Purebred cats come from limited gene pools. When breeders select for specific traits—distinctive ears, flat faces, unique coat patterns—they inadvertently concentrate genetic mutations within the breed population. This process, especially when it involves inbreeding to maintain “breed purity,” increases the likelihood that harmful recessive genes will be expressed.

A 2022 study analyzing over 11,000 cats found that purebred cats carry higher frequencies of disease-associated genetic variants compared to mixed-breed cats. The research identified 13 disease variants in 47 breeds where they hadn’t been previously documented, revealing that genetic screening remains inadequate across many breeding programs.

The mathematics work against purebreds. When cats from the same bloodline mate repeatedly, genetic diversity shrinks. Mixed-breed cats benefit from what geneticists call “hybrid vigor”—a broader gene pool that dilutes harmful mutations and provides multiple genetic pathways for healthy development.

The Health Risk Spectrum: Not All Breeds Are Equal

Cat breeds don’t simply divide into “healthy” and “unhealthy” categories. They exist along a continuum of risk, with some facing unavoidable suffering while others maintain reasonably robust health.

Extreme Risk: Breeds With Structural Problems

Some breeds are built in ways that guarantee health issues. Scottish Fold cats exemplify this problem. The genetic mutation that folds their ears also disrupts cartilage development throughout their bodies. Every Scottish Fold develops osteochondrodysplasia—a painful degenerative joint disease that causes arthritis, fused joints, and mobility problems. There is no cure. Many cats require euthanasia at young ages to end their suffering.

Brachycephalic breeds face similar inevitability. Extreme flat-faced Persians and Exotic Shorthairs have compressed airways that make breathing difficult. Their skull shape also leads to dental crowding, chronic eye discharge, and tear duct abnormalities. A 2019 study by the Royal Veterinary College found that 65% of Persian cats had at least one disorder, with haircoat problems affecting 12.7%, dental disease 11.3%, overgrown nails 7.2%, and eye discharge 5.8%.

Munchkin cats, bred for dwarfism, experience spinal problems and reduced mobility. The Manx breed’s characteristic taillessness comes from a gene that also causes spinal defects, leading to “Manx Syndrome”—a constellation of problems including urinary and fecal incontinence.

High Risk: Breeds With Serious Genetic Conditions

Certain breeds carry genes for specific serious diseases, though not every individual develops them. Maine Coons and Ragdolls have a mutation linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats. This condition thickens the heart muscle, sometimes causing sudden death or early heart failure.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) plagued Persian cats for decades, with up to 50% affected in some populations. Cysts gradually destroy kidney function, leading to premature death. DNA testing now allows breeders to identify carriers, dramatically reducing PKD frequency in countries where testing is standard practice.

Bengal cats show predisposition to progressive retinal atrophy, which causes blindness, alongside their HCM risk. Birmans face kidney disease at higher rates than other breeds. These conditions aren’t guaranteed, but they occur frequently enough to constitute major welfare concerns.

Moderate Risk: Standard Purebreds

Most established purebred cats fall here. British Shorthairs, Siamese, Birmans, and similar breeds have some genetic vulnerabilities but aren’t defined by devastating conditions. British Shorthairs can develop hemophilia B and have mild brachycephalic features. Siamese cats may experience dental issues, asthma, and amyloidosis.

These breeds require awareness rather than alarm. Regular veterinary care and knowledge of breed-specific risks helps catch problems early. The diseases aren’t inevitable—many individual cats live long, healthy lives.

Low Risk: Hardy Purebreds and Mixed Breeds

Some purebred cats demonstrate robust health. Russian Blues rarely carry common genetic disorders. American Shorthairs developed from hardy working cats that interbred freely, giving them a broader genetic base. Ragamuffins, Bombays (aside from HCM), and naturally-evolved breeds like Siberians show fewer genetic problems.

Mixed-breed domestic cats occupy the lowest risk tier. With vast genetic diversity and no selective pressures for extreme traits, they avoid most inherited conditions. Insurance data from Sweden showed that mixed-breeds visit veterinarians less frequently than purebreds. When indoor mixed-breeds do develop health problems, these typically relate to environment or care rather than genetics—obesity, dental disease from diet, injuries.

Why This Keeps Happening

The purebred cat industry operates on aesthetics. Breed standards established by cat fancier organizations specify precise physical requirements for competition. Breeders pursuing these standards select for appearance over health, and the market rewards them. A Persian with an extremely flat face sells for more than one with moderate features, even though the flat face guarantees breathing problems.

Financial incentives drive problematic breeding. Kitten mills and commercial breeders maximize profit by breeding high volumes with minimal health screening. Even “responsible” breeders face structural problems—maintaining breed characteristics requires a limited gene pool, which inherently increases disease risk.

Public demand perpetuates the cycle. People want specific appearances: folded ears, no tail, silky coats. Without understanding the suffering behind these traits, buyers create market demand that encourages continued breeding.

The Mixed-Breed Advantage

Research consistently demonstrates that mixed-breed cats outlive purebreds. A Morris Animal Foundation study analyzing Swedish insurance data found that purebred cats showed higher disease risk across most categories. The specific advantages include respiratory health (no brachycephaly), musculoskeletal health (no dwarfism or cartilage defects), cardiovascular health (lower HCM rates), and organ function (reduced kidney disease risk).

Mixed-breed cats also cost less to care for over their lifetimes. Lower disease incidence means fewer veterinary visits, less medication, and reduced emergency care. The rescue adoption fee typically runs $50-200 versus $500-2000+ for purebreds.

Personality-wise, mixed-breeds offer delightful unpredictability. You might get a cuddly lap cat, an independent observer, or an energetic troublemaker. This variety appeals to many cat lovers who prioritize individual personality over breed standards.

Making Informed Decisions

If you’re considering a purebred cat, research the specific breed thoroughly. Understand not just what diseases are possible, but how likely they are and how severely they affect quality of life. A breed with 5% HCM risk differs dramatically from one where 100% develop joint disease.

Ask breeders direct questions about health testing. Reputable breeders test breeding stock for known genetic conditions, provide health guarantees, and share medical histories of parents and grandparents. They should welcome questions and provide documentation. Be suspicious of breeders who dismiss health concerns or can’t provide testing records.

Avoid breeds with unavoidable structural problems. No amount of responsible breeding can eliminate the suffering built into Scottish Folds, extreme brachycephalic cats, or Munchkins. The most ethical choice is simply not to purchase these breeds, which would eliminate market demand.

Consider adoption from shelters and rescues. They’re filled with wonderful cats—including purebreds—who need homes. Shelter cats cost less, come spayed/neutered and vaccinated, and you help address pet overpopulation. Many rescues can assess adult cats’ personalities, removing the guesswork of kitten adoption.

The Ethical Question

The existence of breeds with inevitable suffering raises moral questions. Is it acceptable to breed cats knowing they’ll experience pain? Organizations like the Cats Protection charity and British Veterinary Association argue no—they actively campaign against extreme breeding practices.

Some countries are responding. Norway banned Scottish Fold breeding in 2024, recognizing that the breed’s characteristic trait guarantees suffering. Other nations are considering similar bans on breeds with structural defects.

Individual choices matter. Every purchase signals market demand. Buying from breeders who prioritize appearance over welfare perpetuates suffering. Adopting mixed-breed cats or choosing genuinely healthy breeds sends different market signals.

What About My Current Cat?

If you already have a purebred cat from a high-risk breed, focus on what you can control. Schedule regular veterinary checkups to catch problems early. Learn the specific warning signs for your breed’s common conditions. Maintain healthy weight through proper diet and exercise—obesity compounds many genetic problems.

Build a relationship with a veterinarian familiar with your breed. Specialists understand breed-specific issues and can implement preventive strategies. Some conditions, like PKD, progress slowly but inevitably; early detection allows better management.

Purchase pet insurance while your cat is young and healthy. Purebred cats’ higher disease risk makes insurance valuable—plans can cover expensive treatments, diagnostics, and long-term care that might otherwise be unaffordable.

The Path Forward

The purebred cat world faces a choice. Continue pursuing extreme aesthetics at the expense of feline welfare, or reform breeding practices to prioritize health. Some breeders already work toward healthier lines, outcrossing to introduce genetic diversity and selecting against extreme features.

DNA testing offers tools to reduce specific genetic diseases. When breeders test for PKD, HCM mutations, and other identifiable conditions, they can avoid breeding carriers. Over time, disease frequency drops in breeds where testing becomes standard.

Consumer awareness drives change. As more people understand the link between breed characteristics and suffering, demand may shift toward healthier cats. Education about what makes cats thrive—genetic diversity, moderate physical features, robust health—can reshape the market.

The healthiest cat is often the one that wasn’t bred for human preferences. Mixed-breed cats from shelters, developed by nature rather than human selection, typically offer the longest lives with fewest health problems. That’s not a guarantee—any cat can develop illness. But when choosing a feline companion, the odds matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are some purebred cats actually healthy?

Yes, several purebred breeds maintain good health. Russian Blues, American Shorthairs, Ragamuffins, and certain naturally-evolved breeds like Siberians show low rates of genetic disease. These breeds either developed with minimal human intervention or have responsible breeding programs that prioritize health over extreme appearance. They won’t have the same robust health as mixed-breeds with maximum genetic diversity, but they face considerably lower risk than breeds with structural problems or concentrated genetic conditions.

How can I tell if a breeder is responsible?

Responsible breeders conduct genetic testing on breeding stock for known conditions in their breed and provide documentation of test results. They limit breeding frequency to ensure maternal health, socialize kittens extensively, provide health guarantees, and remain available for guidance throughout the cat’s life. They ask you questions about your lifestyle and living situation to ensure good matches. Warning signs include breeders who always have kittens available, breed multiple breeds, won’t show you where cats are raised, or pressure you to purchase quickly.

Is it too late if I already bought a high-risk breed?

No, focus on what you can control now. Establish care with a veterinarian experienced with your breed, learn the warning signs of common conditions, maintain healthy weight through diet and exercise, and consider pet insurance if your cat is still young. Many cats from high-risk breeds live comfortable lives with attentive care and early intervention when problems develop. Your choice now is to provide the best possible care for your current cat while making different choices in the future.

Do mixed-breed cats ever have genetic problems?

Yes, though at much lower rates than purebreds. Mixed-breeds can inherit specific problems from their parents, but broad genetic diversity makes this less likely. They face the same non-genetic risks all cats encounter—dental disease, obesity from poor diet, injuries, and age-related conditions. The key difference is that mixed-breeds rarely suffer from the concentrated genetic mutations that plague purebred lines.

Sources:

1. O’Neill, D. G., et al. (2019). Persian cats under first opinion veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 12952.

2. Anderson, H., et al. (2022). Genetic epidemiology of blood type, disease and trait variants, and genome-wide genetic diversity in over 11,000 domestic cats. PLOS Genetics, 18(6), e1009804.

3. Morris Animal Foundation. (2025). Publications Highlight Disease Risk Differences Between Purebred and Mixed-Breed Cats.

4. International Cat Care. (2024). Inherited disorders in cats.

5. Cats Protection. Cat breed traits to avoid.