1. What are Flat-Faced Cats?
Flat-faced cats, also known as brachycephalic cats, are a breed with a distinct facial structure characterized by a flat face, short nose, and squished muzzle. Popular for their expressive eyes and cartoon-like appearance, common breeds of flat-faced cats include the Persian, Exotic Shorthair, and Himalayan. Similar facial structures are also seen in brachycephalic dog breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs.
To meet the demand of the market, selective breeding methods have been employed over the past decade to create cats with even flatter faces. Unfortunately, these distinctive features that contribute to their popularity also lead to significant health issues.
2. Health Issues of Flat-Faced Cats
a. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome
Difficulty breathing is one of the respiratory issues that flat-faced cats commonly encounter. This symptom can range from mild to severe, with the severity directly related to the shortness of their skull. Flat-faced cats often struggle to breathe due to:
- Narrow or small nostrils, limiting the airflow into their respiratory system.
- Elongated soft palate (the group of muscles behind the roof of the mouth): If the soft palate is too long compared to the length of the mouth, it obstructs part of the airway at the back of the throat. This restricts the amount of air that can flow into the respiratory system. In extreme cases, an extended soft palate can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs of a Persian cat.
- Underdeveloped windpipe with a smaller diameter than normal.
- Everted laryngeal saccules (small pouches or sacs located inside the larynx) that protrude or get sucked into the airway. This can impede the airflow into the respiratory system.
Flat-faced cats with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome are at risk of:
- Sleep apnea
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Fungal lung infections
Their compromised breathing passages make it difficult for them to receive adequate oxygen in their lungs and other organs. As a result, some flat-faced cats may faint or collapse due to oxygen deprivation, especially during exercise, excitement, or when exposed to heat. These cats often suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and may be forced to sleep while sitting or standing due to their respiratory issues. They also tend to snore loudly while sleeping.
While snoring in cats can have other causes, it is important to consider these factors when evaluating a snoring flat-faced cat.
Flat-faced cats are also more prone to overheating and heat stroke, which can be fatal. Even in hot weather conditions, a short walk can pose risks to brachycephalic breeds. Both breathing difficulties and excessive skin folds contribute to their heightened susceptibility to overheating.
b. Eye Issues
The eyes of flat-faced cats are larger and more protruding than normal. This is due to the lack of space within their shortened skull. When flat-faced cats blink, their eyelids often fail to fully close, resulting in increased exposure of the cornea. This can lead to conjunctivitis and a condition called corneal ulcers, where black pigmentation develops on the cornea. Reduced sensitivity in their corneas has also been observed in flat-faced cats due to their significantly lower density of nerve fibers. Therefore, flat-faced cats exhibit less obvious signs of eye problems caused by corneal damage.
Constant tearing is a common issue in flat-faced cats. Normally, tear ducts drain tears from the eyes into the nasal cavity. In flat-faced cats, the path of the tear ducts is abnormal due to changes in the skull structure, preventing tears from draining properly. As a result, their eyes constantly tear up, leading to chronic tear staining and an increased risk of eye infections.
c. Dental Issues
Flat-faced cats are prone to dental and oral problems. While they have the same number of teeth as normal cats, their shortened skull results in less space in the mouth. Consequently, all 30 teeth must squeeze into a smaller mouth. This often leads to crowded teeth that may become misaligned or overlap. The misalignment of their jaws, with the lower jaw longer than the upper jaw, causes difficulties in biting and chewing, resulting in oral health issues. Oral tumors can also develop around their canine teeth.
In severe cases, recurring dental issues in flat-faced cats can lead to internal nystagmus (a severe eye infection that can cause blindness).
d. Skin
Flat-faced cats often exhibit deep and excessive skin folds on their faces. The depth of these folds impedes proper hygiene, making them more susceptible to bacterial and/or fungal skin infections.
Severe facial dermatitis, also known as “dirty face syndrome,” requires meticulous cleaning and antibiotic treatment. In severe cases, surgical correction of excessive skin folds may be necessary.
3. The Cost of Owning a Flat-Faced Cat
Many people choose to own flat-faced cats because they find their face more relatable to human features than that of dogs or other cats (which have more protruding muzzles). Humans are naturally attracted to pets that resemble them more closely. For breeders, altering anything about an animal’s body structure to meet consumer demand is a normal practice.
However, these cats pay a high price for our preferences. They struggle to breathe and have reduced abilities to run, jump, and climb (essential behaviors for cats) without experiencing difficulties, suffer from protruding eyes that can be easily injured, and have skin that is prone to infections and even impairs their ability to eat.
Many of these cats require corrective surgery to improve their quality of life. Procedures may involve removing excess skin at the back of the throat or around the eyes, reducing elongated palates, and widening narrow openings to improve breathing. Unfortunately, many owners are unaware of these realities. They choose flat-faced cats for their cuteness or because they prefer owning unique and exotic pets.
The cost of owning a flat-faced cat can be financially burdensome. A flat-faced cat can cost up to $4,000 in their first two years of life and may require over $10,000 in surgical expenses. This not only incurs financial strain but also places significant stress on the animals. Furthermore, the success rate of these procedures varies, with some animals requiring multiple surgeries and others experiencing lifelong pain even after surgery.
4. Caring for Flat-Faced Cats
We do not encourage the purchase of flat-faced cats. Owning flat-faced dogs or cats has been proven to have serious implications for animal health and welfare. In Germany, there is even a term for extreme breeding of animals with these characteristics – “Qualzucht,” which translates to “torture breeding.” While this may seem extreme, in some cases, no words could describe it more accurately.
However, if you already own a flat-faced cat, it is essential to care for them properly and ensure they receive the best possible quality of life.
– Eye Care:
Thorough eye care reduces the risk of infections and discomfort. To clean a flat-faced cat’s eyes, gently wipe away any discharge with a damp cloth. You can soak a soft cloth in specialized eye-cleaning solutions or warm water, making sure not to make direct contact with the eyes. Avoid using cotton or soft materials that may leave fibers behind, which can irritate the cat’s eyes.
– Coat Maintenance:
Breeds like the Himalayan and Persian have thick and beautiful fur that requires daily grooming. Long-haired cats must be brushed every day to keep their coats healthy and prevent painful matting. Each type of cat fur requires different grooming techniques. You can read our article on how to groom long-haired cats for further guidance.
If the fur becomes tangled or clumped, it can cause immense pain and discomfort. Matting can be very uncomfortable, and the tangled fur can pull on the skin, leading to the development of harmful skin infections in the future.
– Breathing Issues:
Due to their shortened skull and nasal passages, brachycephalic cats must contend with respiratory issues. The nose should be kept clean to prevent upper respiratory tract infections. Use a moist cloth or pad to wipe the nose daily to maintain clear nasal passages. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial. Vaccinate your cat to help prevent the development of respiratory diseases.
5. Conclusion
The allure of flat-faced cats is undeniable. The Persian with its flattened face is particularly captivating. However, the considerable health issues these cats face are a cause for concern. Nearly two-thirds of Persian cats currently receive veterinary care for at least one disorder. Coat disorders, overgrown nails, kidney diseases, and cancer often accompany the adverse effects of having a short skull.
Without demand, there would be fewer imports, breeders, and sellers of flat-faced cats. What’s the appeal of a flat-faced cat if it has to endure a miserable quality of life and cost you tens of thousands in veterinary bills?
Studies examining 45 extremely flat-faced and 47 less flat-faced Persian cats found serious skull bone deformities. These cats lacked a box-shaped skull for proper jaw muscle attachment, resulting in some jaws protruding. Abnormalities in the bone structures, such as “osseous defects,” were most evident in the skulls of young kittens (two bottom right images). Abnormalities in the nasal cavity lead to blockage of the nasal passage, causing breathing difficulties.
Flat-faced cats with extremely flat faces also exhibited abnormal skull vaults. The reduced intracranial space led to brain compression, and in some cases, fluid accumulation within the brain, known as hydrocephalus. One-third of these extremely flat-faced Persian cats exhibited clear signs of hydrocephalus, a condition marked by fluid accumulation inside the brain. This condition contributes to various issues in cats, including seizures and blindness.
In most Persian cats with extremely flat faces, the back of the brain even bulges out of the skull into the spinal canal (also observed in some less flat-faced Persians). In extreme cases, the brains of these kittens were significantly compressed, with parts of the brain protruding into the spinal cord.
These kittens could not stand or walk normally, were not conscious, had head tremors, lacked eye movement control, and had strabismus. These kittens were euthanized. The short and painful lives of these kittens were the result of our desire for a certain look in cats.
Research also found that owners of Persian cats with extremely flat faces reported instances of their cats bumping into objects or falling from windows. These cats were less inclined to play and exhibited reduced social interactions with both other cats and owners. These observations suggest that these cats may have neurological issues.
Research has shown that the shape of a flat-faced cat’s skull directly correlates with the number of health issues they will experience throughout their life. A study examined 45 Persian cats with moderately flat faces and 47 extremely flat-faced Persian cats. The results indicated severe jaw misalignment, with some cats lacking a box-shaped skull necessary for proper jaw muscle attachment. This misalignment affects the lower jaw and can result in dental abnormalities, making eating difficult.
Other abnormalities include “osseous defects” in the skull, visible in the images below. These defects are most pronounced in the skulls of young kittens, as seen in the bottom right images. The abnormalities in the nasal bone structure lead to nasal blockages and breathing difficulties.
These who own these extremely flat-faced Persian cats reported instances of their cats bumping into objects or falling out of windows. These cats often dislike playing and show reduced social interactions with other cats and owners. These behavioral changes highlight the potential neurological problems these cats may suffer from.
Flat-faced cats pay a heavy price for their physical appearance. As responsible owners, we should prioritize the well-being and health of our pets over aesthetic preferences. By refraining from purchasing flat-faced cats, we can reduce the demand and ultimately discourage breeders and sellers from prioritizing aesthetics at the expense of these animals’ quality of life.
Table Title: The Impact of Flat-Faced Skull Shape on Cats
Table Content:
Research has examined 45 moderately flat-faced Persian cats and 47 extremely flat-faced Persian cats, finding severe jaw misalignment. These cats lack a box-shaped skull for proper jaw muscle attachment, resulting in protruding jaws. Their lower jaws and some upper jaws also exhibited dental abnormalities that can cause eating difficulties.
Other abnormalities include “osseous defects” visible in the skull openings, as shown in the image below. These abnormalities are most pronounced in the skulls of young kittens (two bottom right images). Abnormalities in the nasal bone structure result in nasal obstructions, leading to difficulties in breathing.
The images obtained from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of cat skulls. The two bottom right images depict extremely flat-faced Persian kittens. The flat-faced cat (extremely flat-faced) (image on the right column) has an abnormally vaulted skull compared to both the Domestic Shorthair cat (left image) and the less flat-faced Persian cat (image in the middle).
The flat-faced Persian cats with extremely flat faces also exhibit abnormal skull vaults. The reduced intracranial space leads to brain compression, resulting in brain herniation. In one-third of these flat-faced Persian cats, hydrocephalus, a condition marked by fluid accumulation inside the brain, was observed. Flat-faced cats suffer from a range of issues due to these structural abnormalities, including seizures and blindness.
In most extremely flat-faced Persian cats, the back of the brain even bulges out of the skull into the spinal canal (also observed in some less flat-faced Persians). In kittens, this brain compression is so severe that parts of the brain protrude into the spinal cord.
These kittens cannot stand or move normally, are unconscious, have tremors, lack control over eye movement, and exhibit strabismus. These kittens required euthanasia. The short and painful lives of these kittens were the result of our desire for a certain look in cats.
Many Persian cats with extremely flat faces exhibit abnormal skull vaults. The reduced intracranial space leads to brain compression, and in some cases, fluid accumulation within the brain, known as hydrocephalus. One-third of these extremely flat-faced Persian cats exhibit clear signs of hydrocephalus, a condition marked by fluid accumulation inside the brain. This condition contributes to various issues in cats, including seizures and blindness.
In most Persian cats with extremely flat faces, the back of the brain even bulges out of the skull into the spinal canal (also observed in some less flat-faced Persians). In extreme cases, the brains of these kittens were significantly compressed, with parts of the brain protruding into the spinal cord.
These kittens cannot stand or move normally, are unconscious, have tremors, lack control over eye movement, and exhibit strabismus. These kittens required euthanasia. The short and painful lives of these kittens were the result of our desire for a certain look in cats.