Dr. Bob's Pet Health Information

Feline Health / Genetics

Cat Breed Disease Predispositions, Inherited Disorders and Congenital Conditions

A feline breed-based reference using current veterinary genetic evidence, peer-reviewed breed-risk literature, and authoritative congenital-disease resources.

Author
Robert L. Linville, DVM
Reference date
September 12, 2026

How to interpret this page

Breed Predispositions are disorders for which a breed association is supported by epidemiology, consensus guidance, or a well-recognized clinical literature. These are not necessarily single-gene diseases.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases includes disorders with established causal variants, well-supported inherited disease, or breed-focused genetic monitoring recommendations. A DNA variant found in a breed does not automatically prove high prevalence, complete penetrance, or clinical usefulness in every line.

Congenital / Developmental Conditions are present at birth or result from abnormal development. Congenital does not necessarily mean inherited. In cats, some defining breed traits—such as folded ears, disproportionate dwarfism, or taillessness—are themselves caused by variants that can affect health.

Evidence and source standard

Breed-condition associations are included when supported by feline-specific peer-reviewed literature, OMIA, veterinary genetics laboratories, veterinary manuals, breed-registry health policies, or other authoritative veterinary sources. Feline genetic-test results require breed- and variant-specific interpretation because the presence of a variant in a commercial panel does not by itself establish clinical relevance, prevalence, or penetrance in every breed or family line.

83TICA browse-directory breed/variety listings represented
62breed/variety entries with a documented health association
50disease or genetic-evidence glossary entries
12congenital/developmental reference entries

Breed and Variety Directory

The inventory follows the current TICA browse-all-breeds directory. Longhair, shorthair, tailed, straight-eared and other registry varieties are kept as separate entries when TICA lists them separately, because phenotype-linked risks can differ. Household-pet competition classes are not breeds and are not included here.

A B C D E H J K L M N O P R S T

A

American Bobtail

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: The Ragdoll MYBPC3 R820W variant has been detected in some American Bobtail lines; this does not establish a general HCM DNA-test recommendation for every American Bobtail.

Back to breed index

American Bobtail Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

American Curl

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

American Curl Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

American Wirehair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Australian Mist

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

B

Balinese

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Bengal

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Bengal Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Bombay

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

British Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

British Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Burmese

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

Burmilla

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

Burmilla Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

C

Chartreux

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Chausie

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Cherubim

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Cymric Tailed

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Interpretive note: A tailed phenotype should not be assumed to carry the Manx taillessness variant; individual genotype and lineage determine risk.

Back to breed index

D

E

Egyptian Mau

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Exotic Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

H

Havana

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Highlander

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: The Ragdoll MYBPC3 R820W variant has been detected in some Highlander lines; breed-wide clinical significance is not established.

Back to breed index

Highlander Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: The Ragdoll MYBPC3 R820W variant has been detected in some Highlander lines; breed-wide clinical significance is not established.

Back to breed index

Himalayan

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Congenital portosystemic vascular anomaly.

Back to breed index

J

Japanese Bobtail

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Japanese Bobtail Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

K

Khaomanee

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Congenital sensorineural deafness associated with depigmentation.

Back to breed index

Kurilian Bobtail

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Kurilian Bobtail Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

L

LaPerm

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

LaPerm Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Lykoi

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

M

Maine Coon

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: PAX3-related dominant blue eyes / auditory-pigmentary syndrome, Polydactyly.

Back to breed index

Maine Coon Polydactyl

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: PAX3-related dominant blue eyes / auditory-pigmentary syndrome, Polydactyly.

Back to breed index

Manx Tailed

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Interpretive note: A tailed phenotype should not be assumed to carry the Manx taillessness variant; individual genotype and lineage determine risk.

Back to breed index

Minuet

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Munchkin chondrodysplasia — UGDH-related.

Back to breed index

Minuet Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Munchkin chondrodysplasia — UGDH-related.

Back to breed index

Minuet Talls

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: Tall (non-dwarf) Minuets should not be assumed to carry the UGDH dwarfing variant; Persian-ancestry disorders remain a separate consideration.

Back to breed index

Minuet Talls Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: Tall (non-dwarf) Minuets should not be assumed to carry the UGDH dwarfing variant; Persian-ancestry disorders remain a separate consideration.

Back to breed index

N

Nebelung

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

O

Ocicat

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Oriental Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Oriental Shorthair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

P

Persian

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Congenital portosystemic vascular anomaly.

Back to breed index

Peterbald

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Pixiebob

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Pixiebob Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

R

Russian Blue

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

S

Savannah

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Scottish Fold

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia — TRPV4-related.

Back to breed index

Scottish Fold Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia — TRPV4-related.

Back to breed index

Scottish Straight

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: Straight-eared cats that are N/N for the TRPV4 fold variant do not have Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia; ancestry-related disorders such as PKD1 remain a separate consideration.

Back to breed index

Scottish Straight Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Interpretive note: Straight-eared cats that are N/N for the TRPV4 fold variant do not have Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia; ancestry-related disorders such as PKD1 remain a separate consideration.

Back to breed index

Selkirk Rex

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Selkirk Rex Longhair

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Serengeti

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Siamese

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Cleft lip and/or palate.

Back to breed index

Singapura

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum).

Back to breed index

Snowshoe

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

T

Tennessee Rex

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Thai

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Toybob

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Back to breed index

Toyger

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Turkish Angora

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

  • No established breed-specific inherited disorder was identified in the breed-focused authoritative sources used for this reference. Rare or private variants can still occur in any cat.

Congenital/developmental cross-reference: Congenital sensorineural deafness associated with depigmentation.

Back to breed index

Turkish Van

Registry directory: TICA current browse-all-breeds listing (2026)

Breed Predispositions

  • No high-confidence breed-specific non-Mendelian predisposition was identified in the core sources used for this page.

Known Genetic / Inherited Diseases

Back to breed index

Congenital Diseases and Developmental Disorders

Congenital abnormalities are present at birth or result from abnormal development, but they are not automatically inherited. Feline developmental disease may arise from a causal variant, complex inheritance, teratogenic exposure, maternal disease, infection, nutritional factors, or an unknown cause.

System groups: Neurologic / skeletal | Craniofacial / digestive | Sensory / pigmentation | Cardiovascular | Other developmental traits

Neurologic / skeletal

Manx syndrome / spinal dysraphism

Spectrum of sacrocaudal vertebral and spinal-cord abnormalities associated with the tailless Manx phenotype; severe cases may cause paresis and urinary/fecal incontinence.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: The tailless phenotype is inherited as a dominant trait with embryonic lethality in homozygotes; clinical severity among surviving heterozygotes is variable.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Cymric, Manx

Disease glossary: Manx syndrome / spinal dysraphism

Reference source: UFAW — Manx syndrome.

Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia

Developmental cartilage and bone disorder responsible for the folded-ear phenotype and associated with limb/tail deformity and progressive osteoarthritis.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: The TRPV4 fold variant is autosomal dominant. Folded-ear cats carry the disease-associated variant; homozygous cats tend to be more severely affected.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Scottish Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair

Disease glossary: Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia — TRPV4-related

Reference source: UC Davis VGL — Scottish Fold TRPV4 test and osteochondrodysplasia.

Munchkin chondrodysplasia

Disproportionate dwarfism with shortened limbs and characteristic long-bone changes.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: A UGDH structural variant is associated with the short-legged Munchkin phenotype; inheritance is dominant with evidence consistent with homozygous lethality.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Minuet, Minuet Longhair, Munchkin, Munchkin Longhair

Disease glossary: Munchkin chondrodysplasia — UGDH-related

Reference source: OMIA — UGDH-related chondrodysplasia in Munchkin cats.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome

Inherited neuromuscular-junction disorder causing weakness, fatigability and characteristic abnormal gait or posture.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: A COLQ-associated inherited syndrome is established in Devon Rex and Sphynx-related populations; current genetic guidance also lists Selkirk Rex for monitoring.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, Selkirk Rex Longhair, Sphynx

Disease glossary: Congenital myasthenic syndrome — COLQ-related

Reference source: Governing Council of the Cat Fancy — Gene testing.

Cerebellar hypoplasia

Underdevelopment of the cerebellum causing lifelong nonprogressive ataxia, intention tremor and hypermetria.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Congenital but usually not a breed-specific inherited disease; prenatal viral injury, especially feline panleukopenia exposure, is an important cause.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: No specific breed association is asserted here.

Disease glossary: Cerebellar hypoplasia

Reference source: Merck Veterinary Manual — Congenital and inherited disorders of the nervous system in cats.

Craniofacial / digestive

Cleft lip and/or palate

Failure of normal embryonic fusion of facial or palatal structures, producing an oral-nasal communication.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Congenital; may be genetic, environmental or multifactorial. Merck notes that cleft palate is uncommon in cats but occurs more often in Siamese.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Siamese

Disease glossary: Cleft lip and/or palate

Reference source: Merck Veterinary Manual — Congenital and inherited disorders of the digestive system in cats.

ALX1-related craniofacial defect

Severe craniofacial malformation described in Burmese-related populations; milder craniofacial effects may be present in heterozygous animals depending on the variant and genetic background.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: A causal ALX1-associated defect is established in affected lines. Current feline-genetics guidance groups several Burmese/Asian-derived breeds for monitoring.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: American Shorthair, Australian Mist, Bombay, Burmese, Burmilla, Burmilla Longhair, Singapura

Disease glossary: ALX1-related craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect spectrum)

Reference source: Lyons LA. Genetic Testing: practical dos and don'ts for cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2024.

Congenital portosystemic vascular anomaly

An abnormal vessel permits portal blood to bypass the liver, causing poor growth, gastrointestinal signs, urinary abnormalities and hepatic encephalopathy.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Congenital shunts occur in cats; Merck notes increased prevalence in Persian and Himalayan cats.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Himalayan, Persian

Disease glossary: Congenital portosystemic vascular anomaly

Reference source: Merck Veterinary Manual — Hepatic portal venous hypoperfusion / congenital portosystemic vascular anomalies.

Sensory / pigmentation

Congenital sensorineural deafness associated with depigmentation

Congenital unilateral or bilateral deafness associated particularly with dominant white/blue-eyed pigmentation phenotypes.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Pigmentation-associated deafness has a genetic/developmental basis, but risk depends on the specific white/blue-eye allele and genetic background.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Khaomanee, Turkish Angora

Disease glossary: Congenital sensorineural deafness associated with depigmentation

Reference source: Merck Veterinary Manual — Commonly reported congenital and inherited defects in cats.

PAX3-related dominant blue eyes / auditory-pigmentary syndrome

Lineage-associated pigmentation phenotype that can be accompanied by unilateral or bilateral sensorineural deafness.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Multiple PAX3 variants have been reported in domestic cats, including Maine Coon lines; risk depends on the specific variant and lineage.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: Maine Coon, Maine Coon Polydactyl

Disease glossary: PAX3-related dominant blue eyes / auditory-pigmentary syndrome

Reference source: OMIA — PAX3-related auditory-pigmentary syndrome / dominant blue eyes in cats.

Cardiovascular

Congenital heart defects

Includes ventricular/atrial septal defects, atrioventricular valve dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, aortic stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot and other structural defects present at birth.

Current inheritance/genetic evidence: Congenital heart disease is uncommon in cats overall; inherited risk is established or suspected for some defects, but breed-specific causation is often not defined.

Breed/phenotype associations represented on this page: No specific breed association is asserted here.

Disease glossary: Congenital heart defects

Reference source: Merck Veterinary Manual — Congenital and inherited disorders of the cardiovascular system of cats.

Other developmental traits

Alphabetical disease and genetic-variant glossary

The expanded glossary is now maintained on a separate page so this breed directory loads faster.

Open the Cat Disease and Genetic Variant Glossary

Genetic-Evidence Key

Established causal variant / established inherited disorder
A specific pathogenic or disease-associated variant, or a well-established inherited disorder, has been documented in the relevant breed or breed group.
Breed-group monitoring
Current feline-genetics guidance recommends monitoring a related group of breeds, but the frequency and clinical importance of a specific variant may differ among populations.
Variant documented or detected — breed-level significance varies
The variant has been detected in the breed or testing is offered for that breed, but this alone does not prove high prevalence, complete penetrance, or a universal screening recommendation.
Epidemiologic / current breed association
Clinical or population data support increased risk, but the disease is complex, polygenic, conformational, environmental, or otherwise not explained by one validated causal variant.
Phenotype-linked disorder
The selected physical trait itself is produced by a variant that also alters normal development or health, as with Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia, Munchkin chondrodysplasia, or the Manx taillessness spectrum.
No disorder identified in the core sources
This means only that no high-confidence breed-specific disorder was found in the authoritative breed-focused sources used for this page. It does not mean the breed is free of genetic disease; rare/private variants and common feline diseases can occur in any cat.

References and Source Standard

Priority was given to peer-reviewed feline genetic and epidemiologic literature, OMIA, university veterinary genetics laboratories, current veterinary manuals, veterinary specialty consensus statements, and recognized cat registries. Casual breed-health lists and unsupported commercial claims were not used as primary evidence.

Clinical use

Breed is one component of risk assessment and does not diagnose disease. Genetic testing should be selected for the individual breed, family line and clinical question, and positive or negative DNA results should be interpreted with phenotype, examination findings, imaging, laboratory testing and pedigree information when appropriate.