That’s caused by intentionally breeding cartilage deficiency genes that cause arthritis and joint pain as the gene effects more cartilage than just in the ears.

Selective breeding for variants like stunted legs will also cause a whole bunch of joint pain and arthritis. Especially with legs, which are taking the entire force of a regularly leaping creature on a small surface area, unlike other body parts which have the full impact cushioned by the lower body muscles and joints.

Skeletons just aren't made to be fucked with by anything except evolution and maybe a skilled surgeon. Even then there are no guarantees it's a good mutation or a good surgery.

[–] Barbarian@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Which is why I said mostly FUD. Dwarfism can cause arthritis depending on the line, but it isn't guaranteed like the Scottish Fold. Maine Coons actually get arthritis far more often than Munchkins. Good breeders have outcrossed Munchkins with a wide variety of other breeds to get a huge amount of genetic diversity, more than most other modern breeds.

I've seen a lot of the stuff that happens with cat breeding first-hand. Overall, I hope people rescue cats from shelters instead of buying from breeders. All I'm saying here is that Munchkins are nowhere near the worst offenders and it sounds more and more like EU legislators want to ban certain breeds and call it a day rather than actually understanding the core issues and making more thoughtful legislation.