Expert issues warning over the rise of ‘mutant’ XL Bully cats

You've heard of XL Bully dogs...

This new cross breed of cat is a mix between the hairless Sphynx cat and the short-legged Munchkin cat, intended to resemble bulky and low-bearing XL Bully dogs.

However, an expert has since issued a warning over the rise of this new type of XL feline, citing multiple reasons why they are being discouraged.

Dr Grace Carroll, a specialist in animal behaviour and welfare at Queen’s University Belfast’s school of psychology, told the Telegraph: “Prospective pet owners need to be aware of the risks associated with owning mutant and experimental breeds.

“Consumers hold purchasing power. We can discourage breeders from prioritising aesthetics over the health and welfare of the animals by refusing to buy breeds with extreme traits.

“A fashion toward ethical breeding could ensure future cats are healthier, happier and free to enjoy natural feline behaviour like climbing, jumping and lounging in the sun. We should let cats be cats.”

Currently the new species is being promoted across social media, already being offered on sale in the UK, despite the health defects voiced by many.

One big issue for the skinless cat is its lack of whiskers, the same for Sphynx cats, making it difficult for the animal to communicate and navigate.

Carroll said: “Kittens already have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature and this is made even more difficult by hairlessness and makes them more susceptible to respiratory infections. A lack of fur can also lead to sunburn and skin cancer in hairless cats.”

Meanwhile, cats with short legs can also be subject to numerous health issues.

A Cats Protection spokesperson said: "Their short legs are a genetic defect which can lead to painful arthritis and cause problems with their general mobility.

As is the case with domestication, breeds are not naturally occurring in nature, but are naturally selected through mutations and desired traits.

But, whereas most dog breeds were bred for utility and allow for maximum health, many cat breeds have been created through natural selection for more aesthetic purposes.

This is certainly the case for the Sphynx cat which was bred for its hairless features and the Munchkin cat bred for its short legs.

Animal welfare organisation the NatureWatch Foundation, added: “It’s shocking to see that these poor cats are starting to appear in the UK.

“We’ve seen increasingly extreme breeding practices in the dog world in recent years, and it appears unscrupulous people are now turning their attention to exploiting cats in the same way, all in the pursuit of greed and social media likes.”