There’s no definite answer to how common genetic abnormalities are in cats and other pets, the pet health and well-being expert Yulia Popyk from Petcube told Bored Panda, as it can vary greatly depending on the specific genetic abnormality and the population of cats being considered. “However, some estimates suggest that around 3-5% of all cats may be affected by a genetic abnormality. There are a variety of different factors that can contribute to the development of genetic abnormalities, including exposure to environmental toxins, dietary deficiencies, and mutations,” Yulia said.

Petcube’s pet health expert said that some genetic abnormalities that have been reported in cats include congenital defects of the heart, kidneys, and eyes, among others. “While the exact cause of these abnormalities is not always clear, they are believed to be the result of inbreeding or other genetic factors.”

If you believe that your cat might be born with an abnormality that will critically influence their life, well-being, and health, it would be a good idea to consider subscribing to the emergency vet fund. “The service is basically an untraditional pet insurance product, which provides a direct payment to your vet clinic in a pet’s life-threatening emergency. Moreover, Emergency Fund covers any immediate medical issues which might occur to your cat due to genetic abnormalities,” Yulia said.

There are many mutations that are specific to particular breeds. “For example, the gene for short coat length is found only in certain breeds of dogs, such as poodles and Bichon Frises. Other examples include the genes for blue or green eyes, which are found in certain breeds of dogs, such as Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, and Australian cattle dogs. The cocker spaniel breed is prone to a genetic mutation that causes a form of deafness.”

Yulia also said that “the blue coat color in Russian blue cats is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes the protein melanophilin. This mutation is found only in Russian blue cats and is not found in any other breeds.”

Moreover, “The mutation that causes the Siamese cat’s characteristic blue eyes is only found in that breed. The mutation that causes the hairless trait in Chinese crested dogs is relatively common in that breed but is very rare in other breeds. Other examples include the Manx cat’s taillessness, the Scottish fold’s folded ears, and the sphynx’s hairlessness,” Yulia told us and added that mutation largely depends on the specific genetics of each individual breed.

Meanwhile, some mutations are more common in certain breeds than others. “For example, the dachshund breed is known for its short legs, which is caused by a mutation in the genes that control limb development. The dachshund-specific mutation called intervertebral disc disease is a condition that affects the discs between the vertebrae. This can cause pain, paralysis, and even death in affected dogs. Other breeds have mutations that cause them to have unique coat colors or patterns, such as the brindle coat of the Staffordshire bull terrier,” Yulia explained.