UK EXPERTS WARN AGAINST BUYING ‘XL BULLY CATS’
Source: The Guardian (Extract)
Posted: October 19, 2024
People are being urged to avoid purchasing the feline equivalent of XL bully dogs, which have been bred in the U.S.
This hybrid breed is reportedly spreading to the UK after being created to resemble XL bully dogs by combining the gene responsible for hairlessness in sphynx cats with the gene that causes the short legs of munchkin cats.
Experts have warned in a research paper that this breed is likely to have a life expectancy at least six years shorter than that of an average cat, due to serious health issues, according to the Telegraph.
Dr. Grace Carroll, a specialist in animal behavior and welfare at Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology, emphasized in the Conversation: “Prospective pet owners need to understand the risks associated with owning mutant and experimental breeds.
“Consumers have the power to influence the market. By refusing to buy breeds with extreme traits, we can discourage breeders from prioritizing appearance over the health and welfare of the animals.”
“A shift towards ethical breeding could lead to healthier, happier cats that can freely engage in natural feline behaviors like climbing, jumping, and basking in the sun. We should allow cats to be their true selves.”
The cat breed is gaining popularity on social media, with breeders already selling them in the UK, despite concerns about serious health defects.
Like sphynx cats, XL bully cats lack whiskers, which can hinder their communication and navigation skills.
Carroll noted, “Kittens already struggle to regulate their body temperature, and being hairless exacerbates this issue, making them more vulnerable to respiratory infections. Additionally, the absence of fur can lead to sunburn and skin cancer in hairless cats.”
Experts have warned that short legs can lead to various health issues. “Their short legs are a genetic defect that can result in painful arthritis and affect their overall mobility,” said a spokesperson for Cats Protection.
The NatureWatch Foundation, which advocates for animal welfare and investigates illegal animal trade, expressed concern: “It’s alarming to see these poor cats starting to appear in the UK.
“We’ve witnessed increasingly extreme breeding practices in the dog world in recent years, and it seems that unscrupulous individuals are now focusing on exploiting cats in the same way, driven by greed and the desire for social media attention.”
