Ben has shared his thoughts on cat breeds (stock) (Image: Getty)
Bringing a cat to become part of the family is a pretty huge deal. Not only do you have to weigh out the options of how it’ll work with your lifestyle, but it’s picking the breed too.
Now one vet has revealed the five cat breeds he’d never own as pets – and the reason behind his decision sparked plenty of debate among animal lovers.
Ben, known online as Ben the Vet, shared his honest take after years of working with cats and seeing the health issues some breeds face.
In a TikTok post with his 217,500 followers, he explained: “This is just my opinion from seeing a lot of cats and their health problems.
“It’s not about judging anyone, but sometimes you have to say it as it is.”
Read more: Rescue shelter staff heartbroken after scanning stray dog’s microchip
Sphynx cat
Known for its lack of fur, the vet pointed out why he’d never own this breed.
He said: “The way I see it, we’ve removed the essence of being a cat. If you were dressing up as a cat, the first thing you’d do is draw on whiskers – but these cats either don’t have them or have very short, ineffective ones.”
The expert added whiskers are vital for navigation and communication, while the lack of fur means they often struggle to stay warm.
On top of that, he pointed to a higher risk of heart disease and a shorter life expectancy.
Munchkin cat
Next up is the Munchkin cat, known for its short legs.
“Let’s not make life hard for them by giving them short limbs,” he said, explaining the breed can struggle with mobility and may develop arthritis at a young age.
Scottish Fold
This is a breed that’s become increasingly popular, partly thanks to celebrities like Taylor Swift.
While their folded ears might look cute, Ben warned: “They all have the same genetic disorder, which also means they develop painful arthritis at a young age.”
He said the rise in popularity is concerning, adding many people either don’t research the breed or choose to ignore the risks.
Savannah cat
The fourth breed on his list is the Savannah cat – a hybrid between a domestic cat and wild serval.
“I’ve seen a few in practice and I have to say I was quite scared of them,” he said.
Describing them as bigger, stronger and more instinct-driven than typical house cats, he said they can be extremely difficult to manage in a home environment.
Persian cats
Finally, he highlighted Persian cats – particularly the flat-faced variety.
“I feel really sad for these cats,” he said, explaining their facial structure can lead to breathing difficulties, eye problems and frequent infections, as well as issues with grooming.
While each of these breeds has its fans, Ben’s overall message is simple – when choosing a pet, health and quality of life should come first.
He added: “If you want a happy, healthy companion, buying a kitten that looks like this is not a good choice.”
Commenting on his Instagram post, the RSPCA’s official account said: “Well said, Ben. We shouldn’t be breeding animals for looks over welfare. They deserve better.”
Another user added: “Cannot recommend the rare and exotic, domestic shorthair cat enough! 10/10 breed.”
One more user said: “There are good reasons why Sphynx and Scottish Fold are banned in the Netherlands.”
