Smiling owl-like cats made popular by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran are prone to 'arthritis' and campaigners say breeding 'should be BANNED'
- Experts warn mutation could make Scottish fold vulnerable to health problems
- Cartilage abnormality which causes ears to flop could cause joint issues
- Vet says breeding the cats is 'cruel' and 'ethically indefensible'
A breed of mutant owl-like cats made popular by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran should be banned because their genes make them prone to arthritis, according to campaigners.
Scottish fold cats are known for their adorable floppy ears and prominent whiskers that make it look like they are smiling.
But experts have warned that the genetic mutation which causes the breed's appearance could make the animals vulnerable to health problems.
Veterinary internal medicine specialist Dr Richard Malik of Sydney University said breeding the cats is 'cruel' and 'ethically indefensible'.
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It is thought that the cartilage abnormality which causes their ears to fold forward could also cause joint problems.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) is calling for the SNP government to ban breeding of the animals.
SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn told The Times: 'It is common for the breed to suffer from serious health problems.
'The cartilage and bones do not develop properly, which leads to arthritis and other painful joint diseases that can cause reluctance to move, abnormal posture and gait, lameness and short, misshapen limbs.'
'We welcome any change to legislation to prevent the breeding and sale of Scottish fold cats.'
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A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'There is currently no breeding ban on the Scottish fold cat or restrictions on cat breeding in Scotland.
'However, we are currently considering the issue of pet breeding as part of an ongoing review of pet welfare.
'The Scottish government would encourage anyone breeding any type of animal to avoid breeding from any individual animals with genetic problems likely to give rise to ill health.'
Swift's cat is named Olivia Benson - after Mariska Hargitay's sex crimes detective character from NBC's Law & Order.
Taylor has said that Olivia Benson refuses to stay confined in a cat carrier, so she has to tote it around during outings.
'The kitten freaks out about being put in the cat carrier,' she explained to Access Hollywood of snaps taken last year showing the pop star on an excursion with her pet.
'So I was just like, "OK, all right, we're gonna just do this!"'
'It was like a 10-foot walk from my door to the car!' she said. 'What I thought was funny about those pictures is that, like, the cat is looking straight at the cameras!'
Olivia Benson has company with Taylor's other cat, Meredith Grey - named after Ellen Pompeo's Grey's Anatomy doctor.
The pets are named after TV characters she considers to be 'strong, complex, independent women'.
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