Here are seven pictures of ugly cats and it is very sad. It is not fun or even interesting. I am publishing them here for a serious reason but I don’t expect anyone to agree with my philosophical argument. They are all products of human intervention. Breeding failures. We don’t hear about the kittens that are killed at birth because they don’t fit the breed standard. I know that there is an argument that says that ugly can be fun but we have to think about the cats and their health. Some of these cats have undershot or overshot jaws caused by poor breeding practices. These are the Persians and Exotic SHs. Their faces are heavily distorted. It is bound to cause health problems as the antomy is bent and the incorrect shape. I have added some comments in the cations.
Ugliness is interesting. The uglier the better because it is more interesting. I’m reminded of the Victorian freak shows attracting voyeurs looking for cheap thrills. There is an inherent curiosity in humans to look at freaky, unusual and ugly creatures. I’m not sure where this comes from. It may be that when people look at something ugly it makes them feel better because they are not as ugly. If they look at an ugly person they think ‘There but for the grace of God go I’ meaning that they didn’t end up like that and thank God for it.
Creating interesting breeds so that they are attractive to buyers can lead down a path of creating ugly breeds. The very well known Sphynx is a famous example. Some people find them ugly while others find them attractive. Everyone finds them interesting. But this interestingness is brought about by a genetic mutation which caused a defect in the way the embryo grew in the womb leaving the cat without a coat. Philosophically that’s a bad idea. It’s not good to enjoy a defect in a creature. Defects should be corrected and removed, not enhanced. People shouldn’t make money out of defects. It’s almost like a criminal making money out of their crime.
History is littered with cat breeds created from genetic mutations causing defects. Other examples are the Manx (no tail or a short tail), the Scottish Fold (ear flaps which flop down flat to the head due to a cartilage problem), the American Curl (ear flaps which curl backwards) etc.. These genetically created defects lead to an appearance which distinguishes the cat from other breeds. And that is why they become breeds. In a crowded cat breed market breeders have to create a cat which can be distinguished clearly from other cats otherwise you can’t make a success of it. So they rely on genetic mutations which are discovered and word gets back to a breeder who starts the breed. It’s a long journey but they get there eventually provided the cat association accepts the breed. Some cat associations have rejected the idea of creating a cat breed from a genetic mutation which causes potential health problems (e.g. the Dwarf cats).
I have mentioned it before but I’ll briefly mention it here: the Germans call it torture breeding. It’s not quite torture because the cat is not being tortured but the cat is not whole. For example, the tail of a cat serves a purpose. It helps with signalling i.e. communication, and helps with balance. The ear flaps of a cat help to capture sound and they also provide signalling to others. The purpose of a coat is obvious but without it they can’t really live outside for fear of being sunburnt or getting too cold. And the sebaceous glands depositing oil onto the skin which should go on to the coat remains on the skin which makes the skin dirty. These cats have to be cleaned regularly. Little niggly problems. I’m a purist. I like the purity and the beauty of the original nature-created feline. They are always beautiful. They are never ugly like these human created versions.
Is there really such a thing as an ugly cat?? I adopt rescue cats as a rule. They need me more, maybe as much as I need them. They are beautiful as per the taste of more finicky cat parents. Some are simply gorgeous and tend to live much longer. The genetic varience give them more select traits.My husband and sister bought me a non breedable pedigreed Maine Coon and we adored each other. But Brendy didn’t want anyone or any other kitty to be near me other than him. Which was difficult because I had grandbabies to babysit! But he left a huge hole in my heart when he died. To breed or not to breed? I say don’t breed for the kitties’ sake. Breed only if the results will be a healthy, natural, nondeformed kitten. Breed with love!
Good point about ugly cats not being ugly. I get the point. They are all sentient beings with emotions and deserving of our respect. I guess the point I am making is that the public considers them ugly and breeders make them ugly, often. Thanks for commenting, Mendy. Nice story by the way.
It is such a shame that “ugly” is trending. People have no clue, nor do they care, about the consequences of their actions, including animal breeding. These “ugly” cats are very sad creatures who didn’t ask to be born. The breeders should face heavy penalties for doing this deliberately. A nasty jab at the purse should curb most of this behavior.
The cat associations have got it wrong basically. The phrases they use in the breed standards are badly formulated which opens the door to a bad human habit which is to play God with animals and create something which they think improves on nature. I guess we can blame the cat associations for not doing their job well enough. For me, in an ideal world there would be no cat breeds at all until we have resolved the unwanted cat population problem. I guess you know that.