LONDON — Animal welfare experts are warning potential pet owners not to buy a new hybrid cat breed being dubbed the feline equivalent of XL bully dogs. The breed, created by mixing hairless sphynx cats with short-legged munchkin cats, is gaining attention on social media and beginning to appear for sale in the UK.
The cats are being bred to mimic the exaggerated look of XL bully dogs. However, researchers say the result is a breed likely to suffer from major health problems and a much shorter life span—up to six years less than that of an average cat.
In a recent article for The Conversation, Dr. Grace Carroll, an expert in animal behavior and welfare at Queen’s University Belfast, urged consumers to be cautious. “Prospective pet owners need to be aware of the risks associated with owning mutant and experimental breeds,” she wrote. “Consumers hold purchasing power. By avoiding cats with extreme traits, we can discourage breeders from putting appearance above animal health.”
The breed, sometimes called “XL bully cats,” lacks whiskers and fur—like the sphynx breed—which can cause serious issues. Without whiskers, cats struggle with communication and navigation. Hairlessness also limits a kitten’s ability to control body temperature, making them more vulnerable to respiratory infections. It also increases the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Short legs, a trait inherited from munchkin cats, are also a cause for concern. “Their short legs are a genetic defect which can lead to painful arthritis and problems with mobility,” said a spokesperson for Cats Protection, a UK-based feline welfare charity.
The NatureWatch Foundation, which campaigns against unethical animal breeding, condemned the trend. “It’s shocking to see that these poor cats are starting to appear in the UK,” the group said. “We’ve already seen extreme breeding in the dog world, and now unethical breeders are turning to cats to chase profit and online popularity.”
Experts are calling for more awareness and a shift toward ethical breeding. “A fashion toward ethical breeding could ensure future cats are healthier, happier, and able to enjoy natural feline behavior like climbing, jumping, and lounging in the sun,” Dr. Carroll added. “We should let cats be cats.”
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