Cats make adorable pets! And when we talk about cuteness, the flat face cats steal the show. A flat face cat can be a perfect pet for your family!As the name suggests, the flat-face cat breed has a flat face and a short nose. These cats are very friendly and demand love from their pet parents!
These cats are adorable and require special care. So, if you are a pet lover or want to adopt this cat, then stick with us. Here, we will discuss what kind of cat has a flat face and let you know everything about this adorable cat.
What is a Flat-Faced Cat?
The technical term for a cat with the flat face is ‘brachycephalic’; this word means ‘short head.’ It also shows that the cat with a flat head has skulls with shorter-than-average skull bones that have pushed-in faces and noses as a result.
People often have a question what cat has a flat face? Among all the cat species, only a few have flatter faces than normal; however, only 3 are brachycephalic in the true sense – Persian, exotic, and Himalayan.
The earliest brachycephalic cat breed was the Persian flat face cat, from which the exotic and Himalayan later descended.
The Persian flat face cat has been there for many years, so it also means that flat-faced cats have been there for a longer period now.
Best Cat Breeds with Flat Faces
1. Munchkin Cat
Munchkin Cat
Other Name: Sausage Cat
Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
Length: 10 to 16 inches
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Origin: Louisiana
The munchkin cats have little legs and smushed faces; they have a unique appearance that can hardly be found in any other feline. They are affectionate, have a lot of energy, and can be a great companion.
They would have been normal size if their legs were not short. Their strange look is due to genetic deformation.
2. British Shorthair
British Shorthair
Other Name: British Blue
Weight: 7 to 17 pounds
Length: 22 to 25 inches
Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
Origine: Great Britain
This British shorthair flat-face cat has existed for quite a big period of time. Initially, they were seen in England in 55 BC. It was not the case till the end of the 1800s though Harrison Weir, a great breeder, developed the breed.
The display of this cat was done initially in 1871 in a cat display at a popular palace in the England. The species was later developed by adding additional breeds. The cat was later recognized globally in the late 90s.
3. Persian Cat
Persian Cat
Other Name: Persian longhair, Shirazi
Weight: Seven to Twelve pounds
Length: 14 to 18 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 17 years
Origin: Iran
Persian cats are the typical flat-faced feline breed. It is one of the trademarks of the breed, which is especially seen in the Persians. Flat face Persian cats are popular for much more just than their appearance.
The cats are loved for their affection, making them the perfect choice as the leap cats. They are very good at communication and have soft and pleasant voices everyone loves to hear.
If anyone asks a question about what type of cat has a flat face, then the most common answer that would come to anyone’s mind is – the Persian cat. It is the most popular cat with a flat face.
4. Bombay Cat
Bombay Cat
Other name: Small black Panther
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Length: 13 to 20 inches
Lifespan: 12 to 20 years
Origin: United States
Bombay’s flat-face cat is a miniature black panther. It is a good answer to the question of what cat breed has a flat face. This breed was created at the same time in the USA and the United Kingdom. The cats will jump you on the gate when you come home. They show a lot of affection towards pets and children.
The Bombay cats have black coats and piercing yellow eyes with medium-sized, muscular frames, rounded heads, and flat faces.
These cats don’t need a lot of brushing; just brushing once a week is enough.
5. Scottish Fold Cats
Scottish Fold Cats
Other Name: lop-eared cat
Weight: 6 to 13 pounds
Length: 14 to 16 inches
Lifespan: 11 to 14 years
Origin: Scotland
These cats can be easily recognized. Apart from the flat faces, the Scottish fold cats also display ears that fold flat to their heads. This is due to the genetic abnormality which was discovered in a single cat from the litter of kittens.
The Scottish fold cat is another answer to what breed of cat has a flat face.
6. Himalayan Cat
Himalayan Cat
Other Name: Himalayan Persian cat
Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Length: 17 to 19 inches
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Origin: Iran, United States, Thailand
The Himalayan cat is a breed known for its flat face. It is a cross between Persian and Siamese cats, inheriting the Persian’s facial structure while having the Siamese’s colorpoint coat pattern.
Himalayan cats are very calm cats that have distinct flat faces. The breed came into existence in the early 90s when some scientists were studying to combine the personalities of Persian & Siamese cats.
7. Selkirk Rex
Selkirk Rex
Other Name: the cat in sheep’s clothing
Weight: 12 to 16 pounds
Length: 13 to 17 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Origin: United States
The Selkirk rex is another feline that can be easily recognizable. The Selkirk Rex Cat have curly locks that cover their body. Another fact about the Selkirk rex is that they are the only breed named after a person.
Jeri Newman is the person who is considered the person who is responsible for the creation of the breed. Selkirk is said to be her grandfather. After the birth of the six kittens, a unique curly-coated cat was brought to the Newman. The breed was later mixed with many other breeds to create the Selkirk.
8. Burmilla Cat
Burmilla Cat
Other Name: Asian Shaded Cat
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Length: 10 to 12 inches
Origin: United Kingdom
The Burmilla flat-face cat is a rare kind of cat that you may not be familiar with. It is still known as an experimental breed in Britain. It has not yet marked its place in the majority of the US registries.
The Burmilla came into existence when a Lilac Burmese female and a Chinchilla Persian male were accidentally bred, creating four offspring with unusual coloration. A breeding program was then designed to reproduce the coloring of the offspring with the short hair of a Burmese, and in this way, the Burmilla was made.
9. Burmese Cat
Burmese Cat
Other Name: Copper cats
Weight: 6 to 14 pounds
Length: 15 to 18 inches
Lifespan: 12 to 18 years
Origin: Myanmar (Burma), Thailand
Burmese cats are kittens that never grow up. They are very playful, and they always love to entertain their family. All the Burmese cats can be traced back to a single cat named Wong Mau.
10. Exotic Shorthair Cat
Exotic Shorthair Cat
Other Name: lazy man’s Persian
Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Length: 10 to 12 inches
Lifespan: 8 to 15 years
Origin: United States
Exotic Shorthairs are often relatively passive animals who like to conserve their energy. Although they spend a lot of time sleeping to recoup between brief periods of play, they do like playing. They are recognized as devoted friends who need a lot of your attention, and their short coats make them easy to care for.
What Causes Flat Faces in Some Cat Breeds?
The cats have smushed faces because of their deformity. There is a condition named brachycephalic syndrome in flat-face cats. All flat-faced cats have this problem.
The word brachycephalic can be divided into two words ‘brachy’ and ‘cephalic.’ Brachy means – short and cephalic means – relating to the head. These type of cats have heads & face with shorter bones compared to other normal cats.
Due to these issues, the cat may face many problems, majorly – difficulty breathing.
FAQs
The cats with flat faces are known as ‘brachycephalic.’
Dichromatic eyes, which combine two different colors in each of the two eyes, are the most uncommon eye coloration in cats.
The Persian cat is the one having a flat face and big eyes.
The diamond eye cat is a rare breed that originated in Thailand and has an ancient history of over a hundred years.
The Sokoke cat is known to be the rarest cat in the world.
Conclusion
We will conclude the blog by saying that a flatface cat is a very adorable animal! It can be an excellent pet for your family. We have also mentioned the best cat breeds with flat faces; you can adopt one for your home.
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