Last Updated: 10/06/2026
Understanding Breed-Specific Health Risks in Cats
From flat-faced Persians to hairless Sphynx, our vets break down breed-specific health risks in cats and how to set your cat up for a long, healthy life.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Bringing a cat into your life is one of the best things you can do - ask any cat owner and they will agree! Picking a breed - the look, the personality, the temperament - is a big part of the fun. But it also comes with a level of responsibility that's worth understanding before you commit.
The breed you welcome home will shape your daily life for the next 10 to 20 years. And every breed comes with its own genetic makeup - the inherited traits that give us the looks and personalities we love. A Persian's luxurious flat face. A Maine Coon's impressive frame. A Sphynx's striking hairless skin.
But those same genetics can come with hidden health trade-offs. This guide is here to help you understand them, so you can make a genuinely informed choice and set your cat up for the longest, healthiest life possible.
Why breed-specific health risks exist in cats
Selective breeding over generations has given us the remarkable variety of cats we see today, from the compact Persian to the long-limbed Siamese. But those same selective processes mean certain breeds carry a higher predisposition to specific health conditions.
Just because a breed has a known predisposition doesn't mean your individual cat will develop that condition. Many cats live long, healthy lives without ever encountering the issues their breed is prone to. But understanding the risks means you can:
- Choose a breed that fits your lifestyle and budget for potential veterinary care
- Ask the right questions when selecting a kitten from a breeder
- Recognise early warning signs and act quickly
- Work proactively with your vet on screening and preventative care
Common health predispositions by breed type
Below we've broken down some of the most common health considerations across some of Australia's most popular cat breeds. This is a general guide - always speak with your vet about the specific breed line and individual cat you are considering.
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds
Includes: Persian, Exotic Shorthair, British Shorthair, Himalayan
Flat-faced cats are among the most popular breeds in Australia, and it's easy to understand why - their round faces and oversized eyes are adorable and almost ‘baby-like’ in appearance. But that same facial structure means the airways, skull, and jaw are working within a much more compact space than nature originally intended.
Vet tip: If you have your heart set on a brachycephalic breed, choose a cat breeder who health tests for PKD and is open about the breathing health of their breeding cats. Budget for potential surgical intervention early in life, be prepared to actively protect your cat against heat stress, and book regular dental checks from a young age- don't wait until there's a visible problem.
Large breeds
Includes: Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Siberian, Norwegian Forest Cat
Large breeds are some of the most affectionate and social cats. They tend to be dog-like in their attachment to their owners, and their size makes them genuinely impressive companions. But that impressive frame comes with a few health considerations worth knowing about.
Vet tip: Ask breeders for cardiac screening results for both parents and enquire about HCM genetic testing before choosing a kitten. Regular cardiac check-ups are worthwhile for large breed cats throughout their life, even when they appear perfectly well. Given the potential cost of managing cardiac conditions, pet insurance from day one is strongly worth considering
Folded and curled ear breeds
Includes: Scottish Fold, Scottish Shorthair, American Curl, Ukrainian Levkoy
Folded and curled ear breeds are instantly recognisable and have become increasingly popular in Australia in recent years. But not all ear mutations carry the same health implications, and understanding the difference is important before choosing one of these breeds.
Vet tip: The welfare concerns around Scottish Folds are well recognised within the veterinary community, and there is ongoing debate about the ethics of breeding cats with this mutation. If you already have a Scottish Fold, regular orthopaedic assessments are important - subtle changes in how your cat moves, jumps, or rests can be early signs worth investigating. If you're considering this breed, have an honest conversation with your vet first, and look into the Scottish Shorthair as an alternative that carries far fewer health risks.
Slender and fine-boned breeds
Includes: Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Burmese
Slender breeds are vocal, intelligent, and deeply people-oriented, and they have some of the most distinctive health profiles of any cat group. Much of it isn't about their physical structure, but about the genetic lines that produce those elegant, elongated features.
Vet tip: Respiratory symptoms in a Siamese are worth a vet visit sooner rather than later - early attention makes a real difference. Ensure your kitten has a full health check including cardiac assessment before coming home, and keep up with regular eye checks as they age. For Burmese cats, weight management and regular blood monitoring as they get older are important preventative steps.
Hairless breeds
Includes: Sphynx, Peterbald
Hairless breeds look unlike any other cat, and their health needs are just as distinctive. Without a coat to regulate temperature and protect the skin, Hairless cat breeds lose body heat quickly, are more vulnerable to skin irritation, and need regular bathing to remove the oils that a coat would normally absorb. Most new owners of these breeds are surprised by how much ongoing care is involved.
Vet tip: Sphynx cats require more active health management than most breeds. Cardiac screening, regular dental checks, and consistent skin care should all be part of your routine from day one. If you're considering a Sphynx, factor the ongoing care requirements into your decision alongside their wonderful personality - they're not a low-maintenance cat.
Not just purebreds: health conditions every cat owner should know about
Some conditions are worth knowing about regardless of which breed you have — and that includes the many cats who don't fit neatly into a breed category at all. Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Mediumhair, and Domestic Longhair are the names we give to mixed-breed cats, and they make up the majority of cats in Australian homes. While they don't carry the same breed-specific predispositions covered above, they're just as vulnerable to the conditions below.
Steps for success: genetic testing and responsible breeding
Understanding the risks is only useful if you act on that knowledge — whether you have a purebred kitten or a Domestic Shorthair from a shelter. A few practical steps make a real difference:
- Choose a reputable cat breeder who health tests their breeding cats and is transparent about results. A good breeder will welcome these questions, be cautious of any who don't.
- Ensure any kitten has had a full health check before you bring them home. Congenital conditions are often detectable early and much easier to manage when caught before symptoms appear.
- Consider pet insurance early. Breed-specific conditions can be costly to manage, and insuring before any issues develop means you won't be caught out by exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This applies equally to domestic cats, who are just as likely to need unexpected veterinary care.
- Pay attention to subtle changes. Cats are exceptionally good at masking discomfort. Changes in breathing, movement, eating, or behaviour are always worth raising with your vet sooner rather than later.
Looking for more information? Read our veterinary written article: How to find a good cat breeder in Australia.
Every cat comes with its own genetic makeup — and part of understanding that means knowing what your cat may be more vulnerable to. For purebred cats that means knowing your breed. For Domestic Shorthairs, Mediumhairs, and Longhairs it means staying on top of the conditions that affect all cats as they age.
Knowing this doesn't make owning any cat less rewarding. It makes you a better owner.
The cats that do best are the ones whose owners are paying attention. With the right knowledge, the right breeder or rescue, and the right vet relationship, most conditions are either preventable, manageable, or at least caught early enough to make a real difference.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Jun 9 2026
Written by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
