Cats with a flattened face: breed

According to various feline organizations, there are between 35 and 74 officially recognized cat breeds worldwide, of which cats with a flattened muzzle are few. The non-standard skull type (scientifically known as brachycephalic) was artificially developed by breeders by crossing individuals with a pronounced expression of this trait until it became firmly established.

Content

1 Persian
2 Exotic Shorthair
3 Himalayan
4 Pallas's cat
5 Care Features

Persian

Long, silky fur (any color), round green or yellow eyes, a flattened muzzle with an upturned nose—these are the characteristic features of a purebred Persian. Their character can range from capricious to docile and calm.

Thanks to the long, thick fur, the size Persian cat visually enlarge, but after bathing you can be very surprised by the size of your pet, because they will be much smaller than they seem.

Among the representatives of this cat breed there are also certain types:

Classic (nose slightly below eye line).
European (the edge of the nose is level with the lower eyelid).
Extreme (nose in line with the inner corners of the eyes).

Exotic Shorthair

In short, this breed of cats with a flattened muzzle and large eyes is called exoticIt was created by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs. Exotics closely resemble the Extreme Persian in appearance, but unlike the latter, they have short, soft fur, which eliminates the need for owners to spend a lot of time on regular grooming. Characteristic features include strong, short legs, a broad chest, and a large size (some animals weigh over 8 kg). Their colors range from white and black to a rich blue.

The Exotic cat's sweet, plush appearance perfectly matches its personality. These pets differ from their Persian ancestors in their more affectionate, playful nature, without excessive aggression, making them ideal for families with children. They rarely vocalize, are very affectionate with their owners, and coexist easily with other animals.

Himalayan

Another breed of cat with a short nose is Himalayan, a cross between Persians and Siamese. It is recognized only by TICA and CFF. Other associations consider it a subspecies of the Persian and register it as such.

Besides their snub nose, other distinctive features of the Himalayan include bright blue eyes, a large body with shortened legs, and increased fluffiness. Their coat is colorpoint, grading from beige on the body to dark brown on the nose, ears, tail, and limbs.

Himalayan cats are known for their calm, even lazy, nature: they rarely play and prefer to sleep more than other cats. This apathetic nature makes them ideal pets for cuddles.

British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds can also be considered, with some stretch, to be breeds with a flattened nose. Their brachycephalic skull type is not as pronounced as in the Persians, Exotics, and Himalayans mentioned above.

Pallas's cat

Although flat-faced breeds are artificially bred, there is also a naturally occurring cat with this characteristic. This is the Pallas's cat, native to Central Asia. It is roughly the same size as its domesticated relatives, but has a more predatory appearance: a squat, massive body on short legs, a flat skull with a powerful jaw, and very thick, long fur. A small head with small, rounded ears and yellow eyes completes this appearance.

Thanks to its brachycephalic skull, the Pallas's cat has two advantages. First, it has a strong jaw, which allows it to hold its prey firmly. Second, it is a mouth breather, allowing it to maintain its iron grip. The color combination light gray Its yellow-brown coloring provides reliable camouflage in the wild, which is especially important when hunting. The Pallas's cat is a rare species and is listed in the Red Book of Endangered Species. Despite this, some people want to domesticate it, but this is practically impossible.

Care Features

Many people admire cats with flattened faces for their innocent expression and unusual appearance. However, if you're considering owning one, consider the potential challenges of caring for them:

Breathing problems. Due to their narrow, shortened airways, flat-faced cats often snore and wheeze while sleeping and even while feeding. They are particularly susceptible to nasal congestion due to colds, so when choosing a Persian or Exotic cat as a pet, it's especially important to regularly monitor the indoor temperature and prevent hypothermia.
Excessive tear production. Shortened tear ducts increase the risk of developing infection and pus under the eyelids. To prevent complications and as a preventative measure, watery eyes should be wiped with a cloth or paper towel soaked in a special solution.
Feeding considerations. First, the food bowl must be wide enough. Second, not all pets are neat eaters. Despite cats' natural cleanliness and regular grooming, the fur around their neck and mouth may need to be periodically wiped with a damp sponge. Some animals are completely unable to eat on their own, so owners must spoon-feed them.

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