do you really think cats like this happen by accident? hairless cats have a mutation that prevents them from growing a coat. you have to admit it's a special kind of sick mind that breeds hairless cats in canada lol (where these breeds were started). they're also more likely to have skin cancer issues and early life respiratory issues.
I look at it like pugs and frenchies - victims of animal abuse by breeders who don't care about the actual quality of life the animal has, only about profiting on their sale.
I wouldn’t blame anyone who thought this happened by accident.
ok. you do you. hairlessness is pretty rare in the animal kingdom - hair confers so many advantages, from reducing uv exposure to insulation and style baby, er, camouflage. the people who bred these cats to be this way took generations of selective breeding, and probably in-breeding, to get this specific look.
I think treating animals this way is fucking sick, and cruel. Like I said - you do you.
man I wish I could save money on shampoo and barbers but 'hairless ape' is only hairless by comparison. think they meant completely hairless, like alopecia? or is it just a figure of speech?
hmmmm..... I'll let you figure it out on your own time.
I think what OC was getting at was how some animal breeds are bred with very limited groups to maintain desired bloodlines/genes. This leads to health issues due to inbreeding.
Pug dogs are a somewhat common example; same with a lot of 'pure bred' dog breeds.
I'm not sure how much that applies to sphinx cats.
It can be done ethically, with a sufficient gene pool. It can also be done cruelly; especially when profit is involved. I can't say I have much faith in it being done ethically... But I'm sure there are some alright groups out there.
something else to consider is the breeders chasing certain characteristics - in this case, the very wrinkly skin, akin to the traits seen in Shar-pei and other wrinkly dogs. It rarely results in an animal that's overall healthy and often introduces new issues.
I have an adopted hound who's ears - I'm convinced - could never exist in a viable dog without intense supervision and cleaning, we've tried alternative diets, flushes, allergy meds, and at the end of the day... loads of ear flap mean a big ear canal and not enough discharge to keep them clean. Left to her own devices she'll scratch them up in a few days. I love the dog, but damn... breeding for these characteristics didn't do her any favors.
My adopted 'mostly'Staffy, conversely, is a paragon of excellent diverse genetics, and physically issue free. And thick headed enough that she can stagger the 20lb heavier hound with a well timed head butt.
We're lucky to have animals in our lives, I just hate to see so many examples of abusing our privilege.
While I agree over-breeding of pets is a very messed up practice, they already exist in the here and now. Might as well be their friends and tell them they are cute since they are here.
they're already here because breeders create a demand for them; I wouldn't kick this cat out of the shelter, but ffs, there need to be consequences for this kind of shit somewhere or we're going to see more animals suffering for their entire lives because someone thought 'it looks cute'
I can hear you with certain breeds if it comes with health concerns. Like the French bulldog. But all pets are cute to their owners. What's the problem if we find them cute and they suit what we consider cute? Like we feed them and take care of them. It's far worse to treat em like crap. It's a mutual benefit. They have a secure life with us.
