Introduction
A flat face cat, also known as brachycephalic cat, has a short nose and flat face. The squished face is not just an appearance. It’s the result of a genetic trait which shortens and broadens the skull.
Health Considerations for flat faced cats
Unfortunately, this look can sometimes come at a health cost. The look has become popular over the years in the cat breeding industry.
Flat face cats, can experience multiple health issues due to the genetics behind these cute faces. These can include breathing problems, snorting or huffing like that of a pug or French bulldog. Typically, the flatter the face the more noticeable the problem.
Having a short muzzle can also make it a challenge for kitty to scoop up wet or dry food or even drink water.
Another potential problem are those cute glassy eyes. They protrude further so have less protection than that of a typical cat resulting in an increased likelihood of obstructions and discharge from the eyes.
Shall we talk about snoring? OK hopefully you are not a light sleeper!
If you would like to read further on these potential health problems SeniorCatWellness has a good article found here.
Flat Faced Cat Breeds
On a more positive note most flat face cats have super friendly, affectionate and laid-back personalities. The operative word there is “laid-back” i.e. the Persian.
Yes, the Persian cat might be the flat face cat poster child of brachycephalic breeds, but it’s certainly not the only short-muzzled beauty out there.
The Scottish Folds flat face is rather adorable and those huge eyes and droopy ears add to the cuteness.
The British Shorthair is another fine example of a flat faced cat breed. With those round, fluffy teddy-bear looks it’s no wonder it’s the most popular cat in Britain.
If you can’t deal with all the Persian fur then the Exotic Shorthair may be the purrfect flat face match for you!
There’s just a whole list of flat face cats to befriend.
Without further ado, here are the flat faced cats of the feline world.
British Shorthair
- Size: Medium-Large, 8 to 16 lbs.
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The British Shorthair is a calm and gentle, playful yet not overly active cat.
The British Shorthair has round, fluffy teddy-bear looks, they are the most popular cat in Britain. And it’s not just the looks that keep them ranking on the world’s most popular cat breeds either – the Shorthair is a well-mannered, genteel feline with a zen-like disposition toward life and fellow creatures. A real pleasure to be around and not much trouble at all. In fact the British Shorthair amiability and calm disposition makes it a suitable breed for first time cat owners.
The British Shorthair breed is a very hardy cat and it doesn’t take much to keep them happy and healthy. They’re resilient against a lot of diseases due to a diverse gene pool, they should have visits to the cat doctor every 6 months to ensure good health.
British Shorthair Full Profile
Bombay
- Size: Medium, 5 to 11 lbs.
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Bombay cat is extremely playful with both humans and other pets, inquisitive and hungry for affection.
The Bombay breed looks like a miniature wild cat. With a jet-black coat, flat face and mysterious eyes that glow in a radiant copper or golden hue the Bombay is certainly a striking cat breed. Classified as a medium-sized cat with sturdy yet lean muscles and pointed ears that translate to a beautify majestic cat appearance
The Bombay typically has no problem living with people whether they’re first time cat owners or they have a big family with lots of pets and young children. They are a very amiable cat breed and won’t find it hard to be best friends with all the family members in the household.
Burmilla
- Size: Medium, 6 to 12 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat faced cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Burmilla is a fun-loving and playful cat but gentle and laid-back, highly sociable yet independent, loves high places but tends to be a clumsy feline.
The Burmilla breed gets it’s good looks – and personality – from two exceptional cat breeds – the playful and mischievous Burmese and the laid back and affectionate Chinchilla Persian, which makes themthe purrfect mix of the two temperaments: fun-loving and sociable yet quiet, gentle, and very easy to get on with. The upbeat yet laid-back disposition makes them one of the easiest felines to take care of – just keep in mind the breed tends to be a bit clumsy so store away your breakables!
The Burmilla is an easy feline to take care of. Easy-going and undemanding, they’re ideal for newbie cat owners as well as older cat lovers looking for a gentle, affectionate feline companion. They are also very patient and tolerant around young children.
Exotic Shorthair
- Size: Medium-large, 8 to 15 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Exotic Shorthair is a very sociable cat, affectionate and playful, not very vocal by cat standards but loves being cuddled.
Love the cuddly good looks of the Persian but can’t deal with all the fur? Then I’m purrfect for you, since I’ve got all the adorable looks of the Persian minus the high-maintenance coat. I’ve even inherited the Persian’s easy-going, affectionate disposition but with another crucial difference – I’m active and playful. Many think I’m the cutest flat faced cat breed of them all!
The Exotic Shorthair cat is as easy-going as they come, which means most humans are ideal. They are not tricky to take care of, which makes me very suitable for first time cat owners, families with young children as well as people who have other pets around. The Shorthair breed doesn’t require any meticulous grooming or a special diet either.
That being said, the Exotic Shorthair ideal human will be one who can commit to a regular schedule of play and frolic. An indoor kind-of-person, preferably.
Himalayan
- Size: Medium-large, 8 to 13 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / cat with squished face.
- Personality Snapshot: The Himalayan is a moderately vocal cat, placid, not too playful but a friendly feline.
I’m what’s known as the best of both worlds – a purrfect combination of two very popular cat breeds, the Persian and the Siamese. And that’s both for my looks and my personality, which strikes the ideal balance between the Persian’s gentle nature and the Siamese’s affectionate playfulness.
The Himalayan breed is sociable and friendly without being overbearing and demanding. The breed is known to be patient and tolerant without being a total pushover and they get on with great with young kids as well as older folk.
Munchkin
- Size: Small-Medium, 4 to 9 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat faced cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Munchkin is a very playful cat, inquisitive, people-oriented, loves running and chasing, likes to be handled, fond of shiny things.
I may be miniature, but I’ve got a big heart. I socialize with everyone and am always open to being adored – even if that translates to being picked up. And my short stature never prevents me from living life to the fullest. In fact, I’m every bit as active and playful as my longer-legged counterparts.
Munchkins pretty much love everyone. Which makes them virtually ideal for all cat fanciers. The breed is very people-oriented and they don’t have a problem socializing with all sorts of humans – even the little ones. The breed is known to be super patient and won’t be fast with claws even when handled too roughly. They simply prefer to scoot away to play somewhere else when this happens.
Persian
- Size: Medium-large, 7 to 12 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / flat face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Persian cat is very zen-like, quiet and gentle, loves to lounge around, very affectionate yet undemanding.
The Persian has been the most popular cat breed for, like, forever. The breeds desirability has both to do with the adorably fluffy looks and extremely laid-back personality. Very zen-like, you know – gentle, soft-spoken and capable of accepting every moment with gracious nonchalance.
The Persian is one of the most emotionally and socially low-maintenance felines in existence. As long as you’re willing to feed me, brush and groom my coat on a regular basis (a requirement), and not play loud music, we’ll have a happy and fulfilling relationship.
Scottish Fold
- Size: Small-Medium, 6 to 13 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / smushed face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Scottish Fold is a sweet-tempered feline, easily warms up to people and other pets, doesn’t crave for constant attention, curious, loves to play.
The Scottish Fold has huge eyes and droopy ears, possibly the cutest cat flat faced cat that ever lived. But the cuteness isn’t just fur-deep. Sweet, gentle, docile, the breed gets along with everyone and retain kitten-like playfulness well into adulthood.
Naturally sweet-tempered, undemanding and affectionate the Scottish Fold is well-known in feline circles as one of the easiest cat breeds to take care of, which makes them a smart choice for newbies who are just starting out in the fancy.
Selkirk Rex
- Size: Medium-Large, 6 to 16 lbs
- Face: Brachycephalic / smooshed face cat.
- Personality Snapshot: The Selkirk Rex is extremely gentle and mellow, likes to socialize with people and other pets, a very laid back cat is the Selkirk.
With a curly coat that’s thicker and plusher than the LaPerm’s covering a large, heavy-boned body, the Selkirk Rex is a very abundant feline. The breed hails from several notable cat breeds and has inherited their most winsome qualities: the affectionate patience of the Persian, the graceful calm of the British Shorthair, and the playful sociability of the Exotic Shorthair.
The breed is compatible with everyone from first time cat owners to parents of young children to seniors looking for a low-maintenance companion feline. While laid back and not as active compared to other breeds, the breed still needs to be showered with attention even for a few minutes each day by my humans to keep me feeling happy and comfortable.
I absolutely love the flat faced kittens and the cats with the super Fluffy, curly hair. Hopefully if their not too far or expensive I’d like to buy some. My grandmother is bed bound and she really needs a little cat to hangout with