What Are Pedigreed Cats? All You Need To Know.
Pedigreed cats refer to cats that are selectively bred to achieve certain physical and sometimes behavioral standards or traits of a recognized cat breed.
By: Dorris Abraham
The information in this article is intended to educate cat parents and is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. In case of any concerns about your cat’s health, please talk with your veterinarian.
Pedigreed cats have a documented family tree, that is known as pedigree. This pedigree is documented and is used to identify the types of cats as well as their lineage by various cat registration organizations. Some famous organizations working in this regard are GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy), TICA (The International Cat Association)), and CFA (The Cat Fanciers’ Association).
Selective breeding results in the predictable physical looks and traits of pedigree cat breeds. Maine coon cats, for example, have a large body size with tufted ears and bushy tails.
Difference Between A Non-Pedigreed Cat And A Pedigreed Cat
Cat registration bodies recognize that there exist certain consistent traits and behaviors in pedigree cats. Mixed-breed cats on the other hand are also called moggies or non-pedigrees. See the table below for some differences between these types of cats.
| Features | Pedigree Cats | Non-Pedigree Cats (Moggie) |
| Definition | These are cats which have been bred selectively to have certain predictable physical and behavior characteristics. | Common or domesticated cats that have mixed ancestry and unknown lineage. |
| Predictability | These cats have predictable physical and personality traits. | Their Physical appearance and personality traits display less predictability. |
| Health Issues | Selective mating may cause these kinds of cats to get some genetic health problems. | They generally have good health compared to many pedigreed cats because they have a wider gene pool. |
| Lifespan | Lifespan can vary among different breeds, but it is usually less than that of non-pedigrees. | Generally, these breeds live longer than the pedigrees do. |
| Price | These types of cats are commonly more costly than the ones without breed-specific traits due to selective breeding processes involved in them. | They cost less as they lack breed-specific traits. |
Why Are Pedigreed Cats So Popular?
There are many reasons people become attracted to pure-bred cats and add to the popularity of pedigreed cats. First, their appearance and temperament can be predicted. Those who appreciate a Persian’s beautiful fur or the Bengal’s distinct patterns know they will find these traits in such breeds.
Moreover, breed-specific personalities help owners find the kind of cat that suits their lifestyle: an active and playful one or a calm lap cat. Anyhow, it should be known that responsible breeding is very important to the popularity of pedigree cats.
Downsides Of Pedigreed Cats
Potential Health Problems
There are some pedigree breeds that are more prone to breed-specific health conditions caused by selective breeding for specific traits. Examples include:
Brachycephalic breeds (Persians, Exotic Shorthairs)
They have flat faces that can lead to problems with breathing, eyes, and teeth.
Maine Coons
They have an increased risk of developing heart diseases.
Scottish Folds
These cats may develop painful degenerative joint disease due to their folded ears.
Inbreeding
Some lines of pedigree cats have limited gene pools due to maintenance of breed standards. Inbreeding increases the chances of passing on defective genes.
Ethical Concerns
Some people consider the lack of health in cats that are bred for beauty to be wrong ethically, whereas others argue that buying fancy cats deprives mixed breed or non-pedigree cats from homes or shelters.
High Cost
Pedigreed cats from reputable breeders are often very expensive.
Unpredictability Despite Breeding
Different breed standards exist for pedigreed cats, but there are still some differences connected to character and health risks that may be present within a given breed.
Cat Registration Organizations
Major Cat Registration Organizations are given below:
The Cat Fanciers’ Association
It is the oldest and most-known cat registry in America.
The International Cat Association
This is one of the largest worldwide institutions for registering cats with an extensive range of breeds.
The Governing Council Of The Cat Fancy
The premier cat registry in the United Kingdom.
Federation Internationale Feline
A large international cat registry with members across Europe, South America, and Asia.
Can Pedigreed Cats Have Health Issues?
Selective breeding brings predictability in the physical and personality traits of purebred cats but it costs cats their health sometimes. Here are some of the common health issues in cats that occur due to the passing on of recessive genes.
Genetics And Inbreeding Impact
To maintain breed standards, most of the pedigree cats are bred from a narrow gene pool. This leads to a high possibility of them receiving recessive genes that cause genetic disorders and predispose them to certain health problems.
Overemphasis On Appearance
Selective mating sometimes focuses on particular physical characteristics irrespective of the health implications involved. For instance:
- Persian breeds are prone to breathing difficulties, and eye and skin diseases resulting from flat faces.
- Scottish Folds can develop painful degenerative joint diseases because of their folded ears.
Life Duration Of Pedigreed Cats
The lifespan of pedigree cats is not a question that can be asked in a clear-cut manner since it varies depending on several factors such as individual cat and breed which will be given below. The average lifespan for pedigreed cats is approximately twelve to fifteen years, but this varies widely from one breed or another.
Breed
There are breeds that live longer than some others. To illustrate, Siamese and Burmese cat will live into their teens while some breeds have more Occurrences of diseases which may reduce their life span.
Individual Genetics
Life spans can also be genetically transmitted in the same way as it happens with humans.
Lifestyle
Over time, what a cat eats, how much it exercises and its interaction with quality veterinary care have an appreciable impact on its welfare.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor
Longevity in domesticated cats is influenced by several factors including diet and exercise as well as access to good vet services.
Popular Pedigreed Cats
Siamese
The Siamese cat has a pointed pattern of hair colors, blue eyes, and a slim body that can be easily recognized.
Persian
Among all pedigree cats, they have sweet faces with expressive eyes and flowing long coats that are like perfection in luxury.
Maine Coon
Large size, tufted ears and paws plus bushy tails distinguish Maine Coons from other cats.
Ragdoll
Their semi-long coats and big blue eyes are very beautiful. They love being held, and they go limp when picked up. Their very nature is gentle, affectionate, and perfect for a lap cat.
Bengal
Bengals have athletic bodies that make them look wild. They are lively cats that require lots of playtime and mental stimulation.
Abyssinian
An Abyssinian has a unique ticked coat in which each hair possesses multiple bands of color. These are lean and muscular cats. Some consider Abyssinians one of the oldest breeds that can be linked to ancient Egypt.
Birman
The legend goes that Birmans originated from Burmese temples.
Oriental Shorthair
They resemble Siamese in build but come in many colors and patterns for their fur. Oriental Shorthairs love to talk and are highly sociable.
Sphynx
The Sphynx breed of hairless cat has silky wrinkled skin and big ears.
Devon Rex
Short, corkscrew curls of fur cover Devon Rexes whose pixie-like faces have large eyes and ears making them almost extraterrestrial.
Himalayan
Himalayans have a combination of color patterns from Siamese and flat faces from Persian bread.
American Shorthair
American shorthairs were the cats that were brought to America by the first British or European settlers. They have muscular bodies with thick fur and round faces.
British Shorthair
Typically British Shorthair cats are big-boned animals with short blue coats of soft fur. They have cute round faces.
Burmese
The Burmese cat has soft and shiny hair, an athletic build, and beautiful golden eyes. Besides being known for their enjoyment of playing fetch like dogs do they are also called Burmeses.
Cornish Rex
Cornish Rex cats can be easily recognized from their short wavy fur coats, unusually large ears, and thin body structure.
Norwegian Forest Cat
With thick double-layered coats meant to withstand harsh Scandinavian winters, Norwegian Forest Cats boast huge muscular bodies.
Scottish Fold
When it comes to Scottish Folds the most prominent feature is their unique folded ears.
Russian Blue
Russian Blues have short plush blue-gray coats and vivid green eyes.
Which Is The Healthiest Pedigree Cat?
This is a difficult question that has no single answer as there is no single pedigree breed cat that is the healthiest among all. But some of the cat breeds with very few health problems are American shorthair and Russian Blue Cats.
Breeds To Avoid
Avoiding breeds is less important than focusing on the individual requirements of a person for a cat. Nonetheless, here are some commonly identified breeds that present serious health issues.
- Persian breeds with extremely flat Faces.
- Munchkin Cats due to their short legs caused by a genetic mutation.
- Some Savannah breeds also need to be avoided due to some wild ancestry in their lineage that causes behavioral complexities.
Conclusion
Although it is clear that pedigreed cats are more expensive, more beautiful, and have some unique personality traits, moggies have their pros also. Also, Pedigree cats don’t come without any disadvantages. They have some serious health concerns to be addressed before bringing one of these beautiful feline creatures into your home. In the end, it all comes down to one’s own personal preference that he can afford and take care of these expensive and sensitive cats.