Behind the Cute Facade: The Hidden Suffering of the World’s Most Beloved Cat Breed
The breeding of a large dog, the Alaskan Malamute, and a small Pomeranian, which caused a debate on social media. In the first part, we talked about the problems faced by dogs that are hybrids of different breeds, which are increasingly being called “mixed dogs,” “half dogs,” “hybrid dogs,” and “designer dogs.” But this problem isn’t just limited to dogs. A similar problem occurs with cats. Cats are becoming more hybridized than dogs, but depending on the breed of cat, “forced crossbreeding” can cause health problems.
In particular, it is widely accepted overseas that breeding with the popular Scottish Fold cat should be done with caution. However, it continues to be extremely popular in Japan, and many people still don’t know about the Scottish Fold problem. What exactly does that mean?Continuing from the first part, “Blasphemy!? Mixed dogs of large dogs and small dogs…the reality of sinful breeding” created by humans, we will continue to discuss the story of Eva, an actor and public interest incorporated foundation, Animal Environment and Welfare Association. We spoke with Aya Sugimoto, the chairperson of the board and an animal rights activist, and Aki Tanaka, a veterinarian and specially appointed professor at Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University.
161 year in a rowHealth problems faced by the most popular cat breeds
The Scottish Fold is characterized by its folded ears. They are an extremely popular breed (*1), having won the first place 16 times in a row in the popularity ranking of cat breeds by Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd., a company known for their pet insurance, and many celebrities own them.
However, it is not a cat breed with a long history. It is said that the characteristic “small, crooked ears” originated from an accidental ear malformation. Born in Scotland in 1961, a bred cat named “Susie” had erect ears, and her offspring also had erect ears, so they were bred and bred. progressed.
However, in the 1970s, a British geneticist noticed that bone lesions were frequently seen in Scottish Folds. In the UK, registration of the Scottish Fold has been banned since the 1970s, and it remains so. In addition to the UK, breeding of folded-eared Scottish Folds has been banned in the Netherlands, and breeding and sale of the folded-eared Scottish Fold is also banned in Belgium’s Flanders region.
Scottish Fold with folded ears and a round face. They are popular due to their cute appearance, but breeding is prohibited in some parts of the world due to the many genetic diseases they suffer from. photo／iStock
Additionally, the UFAW (University Federation for Animal Welfare) has cited “hereditary osteochondral dysplasia in the Scottish Fold” as a genetic animal welfare issue. It states that all cats with folded ears from both parents develop osteochondrodysplasia, and often have to be euthanized (*2).
The limbs are short and broad, and the tail is short and inflexible, and can be severely deformed. They may have a limp, swollen joints in their wrists (carpals) and ankles (tarsus), have an abnormal gait, and may be reluctant to move or jump. If the symptoms worsen, the patient may become lame and unable to walk. Moreover, because “hereditary osteochondral dysplasia” is not a disease that can be cured, Scottish Fold cats who develop the disease must continue to take painkillers for the rest of their lives to alleviate the symptoms and put stress on their organs. Treatments such as radiation therapy and surgery may be used, but currently no fundamental cure has been found.
The wrist (carpal) and ankle (tarsal) joints may swell, causing problems such as being unable to jump, walking strangely, or being unable to walk due to pain. photo/iStock
In addition, the characteristic sitting posture, which appears to be too relaxed, with the hind legs thrown out in front of the dog, called “suko-sitting,” has become a painful solution as it hurts when putting weight on the legs. That’s the attitude.
The Scottish Fold is synonymous with its folded ears and the way it sits, but this sitting style often has hidden physical problems. photo/iStock