SWhile browsing social media, it’s impossible not to come across videos or photos of animals: they are now the undisputed stars of Instagram and TikTok. Among the many species, cats are one of the favorites, specifically two breeds are among the most photographed on the web. These are the Scottish Foldsthose with ears folded like small origami, and of the Sphinxthose mythical creatures with smooth, velvety skin that look like living statues. Both beautiful, unfortunately, their beauty hides a truth that many owners ignore: those distinctive features that make them so fascinating are the result of genetic mutations that condemn these animals to a life of suffering. This is why there are those who have decided to ban them.
Scottish Fold and Sphinx, the Dutch breakthrough
In Holland, from 1 January 2026, it will become illegal to own a Scottish Fold or Sphynx cat. The decision, published in the Official Journal at the end of October, represents a tightening of an already existing rule: the breeding of these breeds was already prohibited, but there continued to be a constant flow of purchases from abroad or via online platforms. Now the government has decided to permanently close what it considers an unacceptable loophole. Furthermore, the law is not retroactive. Anyone who already lives with one of these cats will be able to continue to keep it, but he will have to be microchipped and official registration with the competent authorities. A sort of census that will allow us to monitor the situation and prevent new disguised acquisitions. Anyone who violates the ban will face financial penalties. In the meantime, the government will actively discourage the participation of these animals in any type of exhibition or competition based on aesthetics.
When folded ears hide the pain
The Scottish Fold conquers with those folded ears forward which gives them a perpetually surprised and childish expression. But that highly sought-after feature is the visible symptom of a much deeper problem. The genetic mutation responsible for folded ears it doesn’t just change the ear cartilage: affects the entire skeletal system of the animal. The Dutch government decree describes with clinical precision what it means to live inside the body of a Scottish Fold. Bones may grow abnormally, simple physical contact can cause pain. Some specimens develop nostrils so narrow that they narrow to a slit, compromising breathing. And then there are pathologies of the internal organs: polycystic liver, cardiac malformations, diaphragm anomalies.
The movement against the mutations that make some cat species famous such as the Sphinx in the photo and the Scottish Fold is growing (Getty Images)
Beauty is not everything, especially if it is suffering
Undersecretary Jean Rummenie summarized the government’s position in clear words: «It is not right that animals suffer needlessly because of their physical characteristics.”. The text of the provision states that the aesthetic preferences of human beings cannot prevail over the permanent suffering of animals. A statement of principle that the national association of Dutch veterinarians, welcomed it as a fundamental stepemphasizing the role of professionals in recognizing and documenting these problems together with owners.
The fragility of the Sphynx
If the Scottish Fold pays the price for what is special about them, the folded ears, the Sphynx suffer for what they don’t have: the hair. The breed descends from a Canadian cat born in 1966 with a recessive genetic mutation that eliminated the functional coat. The one that, however, it may seem like a natural curiosity has been transformed through selection into a distinctive breed traitwithout considering the consequences on the animal’s health. Without the natural protection of the coat, in fact, as the decree underlines, these cats are exposed to sunburn and have a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancers. The ear canals, without the protective filter constituted by hair, become fertile ground for chronic infections.
The movement against genetic mistreatment is growing, the mutations that make some cat species famous such as the Sphinx in the photo and the Scottish Fold (Getty)
Animals without thermoregulation
But thermoregulation is the most serious problem: puppies struggle enormously to maintain a stable body temperature and are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections. Even as adults, these cats lose heat much more rapidly than their furred counterparts, a condition that makes them fragile in many environmental situations. Then there is a less obvious but equally significant aspect: many Sphynxes are born without whiskers or with reduced whiskers. These sensory organs are crucial for spatial orientation and perception of the surrounding environment in felines. Deprive them of this tool it means compromising their ability to move and interact with the world.
The debate on genetic maltreatment
The Dutch decision does not come out of nowhere, but enters into a debate increasingly heated about what is defined “genetic maltreatment”. The phenomenon concerns many dog and feline breeds selected for extreme characteristics that sacrifice the animal’s well-being on the altar of aesthetics. Brachycephalic animalswith a flattened muzzle and a rounded skull, suffer from chronic respiratory problems. Other breeds are predisposed to heart disease, joint dysplasia, early blindness.
What Italy does
In Italy the Save The Dogs association launched u two years agon appeal dedicated specifically to brachycephalic animalstrying to raise public awareness of the risks hidden behind those apparently sweet faces. Norway, for example, has already adopted restrictive regulations similar to the Dutch ones, while some Australian states are considering similar measures. All those who love animals have commented on the Dutch government’s choice, calling it “very appreciable”. Prohibiting trade means recognize these animals’ fundamental right to live and breathe normallywithout having to endure suffering imposed exclusively to satisfy human aesthetic tastes. For years the veterinary world and animal rights associations are calling for serious information campaigns to make the public understand how much suffering lies behind those sweet faces that conquer social media.
Beyond appearance
The issue raises several questions about our relationship with pets. When genetic selection pushes towards increasingly extreme characteristics because appearance becomes the only criterion of choice, an ethical boundary is crossed. Furthermore, popularity on social media has amplified the phenomenon: seeing a celebrity with a cat with folded ears or bare skin immediately creates a market demandfueling a vicious cycle in which animal suffering is masked behind the trending hashtag.
Holland leads the way with Scottish Fold and Sphinx
The Netherlands has chosen to break this mechanism with a rule that puts the animal’s welfare before any other consideration. It’s not about stopping people from having a cat, but about ensuring that that animal can live without carrying a cat the weight of a genetic mutation that condemns him to chronic pain. It’s a principle that other countries may soon adopt, hopefully many, fundamentally changing the pet market and pushing towards healthier breeds or, better yet, towards the adoption of common cats without pedigree nor programmed genetic problems.