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Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome in to our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
Sadly some cat breeds are either born with pre-existing medical conditions, often due to selective breeding, or are predisposed to certain health issues.
Here are the 11 cat breeds most likely to need a trip to the vet.
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1. Scottish Fold
These cats are known for their folded ears and ‘round’ appearance. All breed individuals carry a genetic defect leading to generalised osteochondrodysplasia, an abnormality of cartilage and bone that leads to severe joint deformity and early onset osteoarthritis. Scottish Folds are not recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) for pedigree registration due to these welfare concerns. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Bully
The Bully, also known as the Dwelf cat or Bambina, is the latest example of a breed with characteristics which impact welfare. A cross between a sphynx and a munchkin cat they suffer from physical deformities, including hairlessness and distorted limbs. These defects, particularly limb deformities (short bowed legs) and abnormal joints are not only painful, but also prevent these cats from carrying out normal behaviours essential for their welfare and their ability to live a good quality of life, such as restricting their mobility. | Canva/Getty Images
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3. Exotic
The Exotic is another breed that is predisposed to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) which result in breathing and feeding problems. The flatter the face the more the cat is at risk. | Canva/Getty Images
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4. Persian
Extreme flat-faced Persians display the brachycephalic features which can lead to protruding eyes which are at greater risk of nonreal injury. They are also likely to get infections (dermatitis) from facial skin folds, compressed airways which cause difficulty breathing and a deformed jaw which can predispose to dental disease - making normal behaviours such as eating and grooming more difficult. | Canva/Getty Image