Everted laryngeal saccules (tissue in front of the vocal cords is pulled into the windpipe, blocking airflow to the lungs).Stenotic nares (very narrow, small nostrils which make breathing through the nose difficult.Elongated soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth), which can block air going into the lungs.Some flat-faced breeds of cat may be born with one or more the following disorders: In some flat-faced cats, the shape and size of the face, nose, trachea and soft palate can be formed in such a way that they obstruct or reduce air flow. In particular, brachycephalic breeds are prone to something called brachycephalic airway syndrome (also called congenital obstructive upper airway disease), which refers to a group of related issues commonly seen in flat-faced breeds that can cause difficulty breathing. Many flat-faced cats live comfortably without any health issues, but the structure of the face, throat, and nose can cause breathing problems in some cats. Selkirk Rex even have curly whiskers! This breed is loving, tolerant and very patient. Rare among cat breeds, the Selkirk Rex has a naturally curly coat, which may be long or short. The Selkirk Rex has Persian cat blood in its background, so it’s no surprise it inherited a flat face, although it’s less extreme than that of the Persian. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others. Get to know seven cat breeds that are known for their adorable, smooshed faces: Of all the cat breeds, only a handful have flat faces. Which Cat Breeds Have Flat Faces?įlat-faced cat breeds are among the cutest of all cats. Some other cat breeds are considered brachycephalic, but the flatness is more moderate (though just as cute). The scientific term for a flat face is called brachycephalic, which means “shortened head.” Some people say brachycephalic cats have smooshed faces or pushed-in faces.Īmong the various brachycephalic cat breeds you will find varying degrees of face “flatness.” Persian cats, Himalayan cats, and Exotic Shorthair cats have some of the most extreme flat faces this is not surprising since these three breeds are related. The short nose, short muzzle, round face, and large eyes give flat-faced felines a very human expression, which cat lovers often find irresistible.Ī flat face is a genetically inherited trait seen in a handful of cat breeds (as well as some dog breed, such as the Pug). Even still, if you plan on adding one of these flat-faced breeds to your family, you should do your research and take care to find a competent and reputable breeder to ensure that there aren’t any complications with your cat.No doubt about it, flat-faced cat breeds are adorable. Thankfully, many smushed face cats don’t experience too many negative health effects as a result of their condition. These popular pets are wanted for their facial deformities, which many people view as attractive even adorable. Some of these cats will live long, healthy, happy lives with no adverse effects, even though you can visually see the flat face that’s associated with this condition.ĭespite the fact that these breeds have flat faces due to a medical condition, flat-faced felines are in high demand. Of course, it’s completely possible for cats of a brachycephalic breed to display no major health concerns related to their condition. Affected cats could experience none, one, or several of these issues. Other common abnormalities caused by brachycephalic syndrome include everted laryngeal saccules, elongated soft palates, stenotic nares, and hypoplastic trachea. Most often, these issues will affect the cat’s breathing. This changes the relationship between the bones of the face and other soft tissues.īecause of the altered bone structure that brachycephalic breeds face, physical problems are common in these cats.
So, essentially, brachycephalic cats have heads and faces with shorter bones than normal. So, what is brachycephalic syndrome? Well, cephalic means of or relating to the head, and brachy means short.
How this condition affects different breeds and individuals can vary, but flat-faced felines all have this syndrome. Cats with flat faces have a condition called brachycephalic syndrome. You might be surprised to find out that those smushed face cat on your favorite feline breeds are actually a deformity of sorts.
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