When breeding becomes cruel: The problem with designer cats

Hello, this is Dr. Karin. Read my bio, learn more about me, and meet my five cheerful cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

I recently saw something that made my blood boil. It was the emergence of a new “designer” cat breed called the “Bully” or “Dwelf” cat. Named for their elf-like features and genetic dwarfism, these pathetic creatures have the hairless mutation of a Sphynx, the malformed limbs of a Munchkin cat, and the upright ears of an American curl. Other than ignorance, cruelty, and greed, I simply cannot understand why someone would intentionally create such an unhealthy combination.

Cruelty takes many forms, none more obvious than inflicting pain and suffering directly on individual animals. It would be irresponsible to deliberately create a cat born from two breeds with the most extreme appearance of a cat. And it is cruel to continue such practices even after knowing the health problems these cats will suffer.

While most cat lovers out there would wholeheartedly agree with this, there are clearly some who are unaware of the health issues and suffering that cats are suffering from. Many people trust breeders, sometimes more than veterinarians, and do not believe that they intentionally breed unhealthy animals, but in some cases that is true. But similar to the psychology behind animal poachers, if someone buys them, someone will sell them.

Breeding and mutation

Please imagine a cat. A simple (but wonderful) tabby cat like Cyril. If allowed to reproduce without human intervention, most feline populations would eventually look a lot like him. Since his traits represent dominant genes, it is statistically certain that these genes will become dominant over time.

Changes from standard genetics are caused by mutations, whether it’s a lack of fur, extra toes, or abnormal coat color. If we don’t intervene, those mutations tend to dilute back into the population and are unlikely to be seen again.

What happens in selective breeding is that we observe those mutations and breed those individuals with other individuals that have the same or similar mutations to produce a population of cats with a high incidence of that trait. is. Unfortunately, when humans first started doing this, those physical characteristics could be associated with other genetic abnormalities and defects, such as heart disease, kidney problems, and bone deformities. I wasn’t necessarily aware of it.

People didn’t know that the combination of white fur and blue eyes often caused hearing loss, or that the mutation that gives Scottish Folds their trademark ears also causes cartilage defects that can be painful and debilitating. . But now I do. However, there are also breed combinations that are of concern, such as Scottish Fold x Munchkin and this time Dwelf. And there is no doubt in my mind that the people who breed these cats desperately want people to keep quiet about their health.

Dwell problem

Although they are generally fairly hardy cats, the genes that give Sphynx cats their hairless appearance predispose them to skin diseases, heart disease, hereditary myopathies (neuromuscular disorders), and poor thermoregulation. is also given.

Being short in height is munchkin cat This is the result of a genetic mutation that prevents bones from growing normally. This mutation is so severe that a fetus that inherits two copies of the Munchkin gene will die in utero.

I know not everyone has a solid understanding of genetics, but how on earth could it be a good idea to combine two breeds with such obvious genetic mutations? Can you think?

I have seen breeders of dwelf and bully cats claim that their kittens are happy and healthy. They may be happy, but by definition they are not healthy. Cats born with three legs or missing eyes may be “happy,” but does that mean we should intentionally start breeding cats without three legs or eyes? Of course not. But if people pay for something, people will provide it.

Become a cat advocate

I’d like to ask for your help here, but I’m just one voice, and I want to express the cruelty inherent in creating “designer” breeds like dwelfs without any thought or awareness of the consequences of their actions. Because I really want to show it to people. Tell your family, friends, and followers. These cats are intentionally bred to have genetic defects, but if no one buys them, breeders will stop exploiting them.