Would-be pet owners have been urged to stop buying “designer” dog and cat breeds.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is launching a campaign to tackle what it says is a “concerning rise” in people buying pets with extreme characteristics – such as flat faces, bulging eyes, folded ears and short legs – that are perceived as “cute” but pose health issues for the animals.
The charity identified English and French bulldogs, Scottish fold cats and miniature dachshunds as pets that suffer pain and frustration from birth as a consequence and urged prospective owners to “choose pets whose health has not been compromised for the sake of appearance”.
Breeding animals for exaggerated features also forces owners to contend with costly vet bills and the distress of seeing their pet suffer because of their characteristics.
The charity issued the warning as a survey of 2,000 people by OnePoll for Battersea found that 39 per cent would actively avoid breeds they knew were prone to health conditions.
Battersea has previously highlighted the role of social media in shaping how people think about their pets, with almost half of under-45s saying it affects how they think dogs and cats should look.
The new poll finds that while 61 per cent of people would consider health a factor when choosing a pet, 66 per cent thought appearance was important.
Efforts have been made to eradicate extreme traits in dogs, including a toolkit backed by the Kennel Club charity to assess dogs based on 10 traits, called the innate health assessment.
Under the scheme, only dogs that score an eight or above are permitted to be bred under licensing requirements for official breeders, with the hope of making flat faces, wrinkly skin and bulging eyes disappear within the next decade.
Although the scheme is voluntary, the developers hope the Government will mandate its use as a way of enforcing a currently unused law to ban the breeding of unhealthy dogs.
While flat-faced dogs are known to suffer breathing problems, research shows that up to 12 more designer dogs, including chihuahuas, may be at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.
The condition causes dogs to wheeze and overheat when exercising, and can significantly shorten their lifespan.
A recent study from the University of Cambridge found that small breeds including Shih Tzus, Brussels Griffon and Pekingese may all be at risk.
Besides breathing difficulties, scientists have found that some trendy designer dogs are more likely to suffer from diarrhoea than other dogs.
A study of more than two million dogs by the Royal Veterinary College last year found that cavapoos and cockapoos were among six breeds with a heightened chance of going to the vet with acute diarrhoea.
The issue is likely to originate from genetics of the miniature poodle, the common ancestor of both of these popular hybrids, which is the breed most prone to the condition.
Shaun Opperman, the veterinary director at Battersea, said: “Demand for animals with exaggerated features has created a significant and preventable welfare issue, and here at Battersea we are seeing the consequences of this on a daily basis.
“When an animal’s features are altered to the point that breathing, eating or moving becomes difficult, that is a clear sign that something has gone wrong.
“We want prospective owners to feel empowered to ask the right questions, consult trusted sources and choose pets whose health has not been compromised for the sake of appearance.
“Prioritising health over ‘cute’ aesthetics is one of the most meaningful ways we can protect the welfare of future generations of dogs and cats.”