Britons urged not to buy bullycats due to serious health risks

Animal welfare experts are urging the public to avoid purchasing a new breed of hairless cats known as ‘bullycats’, which are likely to suffer from serious health issues, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

Specialists from the animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation have emphasised that this breed may lead to a range of potential health problems.

Bullycats, which resemble Sphynx cats but have more extreme physical features, are prone to sunburn, skin infections, and mobility issues due to their unnatural appearance.

This breed has gained a significant following on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where its unique appearance has attracted attention.

Initially believed to have originated in the United States, bullycats are now being bred in the UK. Naturewatch Foundation has expressed concern over this trend, calling it "an animal welfare disaster."

A spokesperson for the charity stated: "It's shocking to see these poor cats emerging in the UK. Unscrupulous breeders are exploiting cats for greed and social media likes, mirroring the extreme breeding practices we've seen in the dog world."

Dr. Dan O'Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College, echoed these concerns. He noted that bullycats are likely to have shortened lifespans and chronic health problems similar to those seen in Sphynx cats, which live an average of 6.7 years compared to 11.7 years for cats overall.

Naturewatch Foundation advises potential cat owners to avoid these harmful designer breeds, warning that they will face high veterinary costs and the emotional pain of seeing their pets suffer from lifelong health issues. Instead, the charity encourages adopting cats from shelters.

Additionally, the foundation is calling on the public to boycott social media accounts that promote bullycats and to report concerns to local authorities.