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Original poster

Rescuing a cat… found out he is inbred?

44 replies

chatterbug22 · 18/05/2022 17:48

Would you go ahead with the rescue anyway?

We’ve paid the adoption donation fee and had our sights set on him but have discovered he was neglected at his previous home (volunteers managed to bring him to rescue)

He is 2, litter trained, apparently extremely affectionate. He’d be a house cat and he is neutered. We are due to collect him Friday but only just found out the deeper history behind him, and he is the result of his mum mating with her brother. All cats lived together.

I’m mostly worried about genetic problems. The vet says he has a clear bill of health and is really really well, shiny coat and bright eyes. I am just anxious there’d be something wrong with him as a result of his genes that would come out later in life? What would you do?

OP posts:
IanOsenfrote · 18/05/2022 17:59

Take him in, give him a great life and enjoy him

LeftFootForward · 18/05/2022 18:09

Hi OP,

I think this is quite common in cats for some reason - I know of a case as well and in that case the cat is still around, looking moody like some cats do :) at least 10 years later.

If you like the cat and the cat seems healthy and a good match for your home I would definitely go for it. If you found another cat who is to say it wouldn't also have a similar history?

Even inbreeds need love, maybe more so ;)

Shellingbynight · 18/05/2022 18:17

As the others have said, it's not uncommon. With many rescues you have no idea of their history anyway so you could be adopting an inbred cat without knowing. There are no long term health guarantees with any cat you buy, whether rescue or pedigree. So it wouldn't bother me, I'd still take him.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
lilao · 18/05/2022 18:18

My last cat was inbred and lived to 17.

Please don't write him off for this I'm sure he will make you very happy for a long long time!

hepaticanobilis · 18/05/2022 18:21

It will be very common because there are many irresponsible owners and lots of cat colonies where there are many generations from the same parents all living together.

I wouldn't let it stop me as he has a clean bill of health - you would already know about congenital issues.

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/05/2022 18:21

I had a dog that was inbred, healthy and lived till 12.

elfycat · 18/05/2022 18:23

I've had a cat whose parents were siblings. No problems whatsoever and lived to 18. It's quite common for cats to mate with near-relatives.

I have rescues now. I have no idea of their lineage and any interbreeding that might have occurred, but they're fit and healthy and one is getting elderly now despite a homeless episode where she was found bone thin and matted.

Georgeskitchen · 18/05/2022 18:26

He sounds a lovely cat 🐈 😻 he will love his new home

Bonjovispjs · 18/05/2022 18:26

Loads of cats are inbred, it won't be a problem!

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/05/2022 18:31

I wouldn't worry about it - he's a healthy 2 year old cat, and if he's a mongrel he's probably still healthier than the average pure breed cat.

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 18/05/2022 18:31

don't cats have more genes (or is it chromosomes?) to choose from? ...total non expert here, but isn't that why you often get a real mix of kittens in a litter who look nothing like either parent?

and in fact I did see a half and half cat on FB today, he had a perfect dividing line with tuxedo on one side andplain grey on the other. He fathered two kittens and one was a proper grey floofy thing and the other one was all black and white

Prestel · 18/05/2022 18:32

Although inbreeding can cause issues when continued over several generations the one off mating of two moggy siblings is unlikely to have any negative consequences other than unwanted kittens. It's not uncommon and as others have said, whether a cat will have health problems later in life is always going to be a lottery. The main thing is that this cat has a clean bill health right now.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 18/05/2022 18:33

I have an inbred kitty and she's fine. I shouldn't worry about it.

ALongHardWinter · 18/05/2022 18:34

I think inbred cats are not actually that uncommon OP.

VenusClapTrap · 18/05/2022 18:34

Best cat I ever had was a bit of an inbred little urchin.

Pericombobulations · 18/05/2022 18:35

Our 12 year old cat is doing well, despite his parents being brother and sister. The owners of his parents were sure that the two wouldnt mate due to siblings and were surprised by the litter of predictable kittens.

Go for it and given that cat a loving home.

rnsaslkih · 18/05/2022 18:36

My brother rescued a dog, later found out dog was inbred. She’s fine. If the vet reckons the cat looks good then I don’t see a problem with going ahead.

LoveSpringDaffs · 18/05/2022 18:37

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

...oh, you're actually serious. Give your head a wobble.

sickofthisnonsense · 18/05/2022 18:38

Take him,
Litter trains and affectionate is all you really need

We always had cats from a holiday farm and they were all inbred. Our last one's tail never really grew, his head was slightly bigger than it should have been but he was lovely and lived to 18.

KarenLovesRosario · 18/05/2022 18:44

Report you that's what I'm going to do 🙄

FatFilledTrottyPuss · 18/05/2022 18:47

When I was a child I had kittens that had kittens before they were old enough to be neutered. They had 4 babies, 1 was badly disabled and was PTS while I was on holiday Hmm but the other 3 lived very long happy lives. 1 in particular was the most loving affectionate cat ever and I miss him 20 years on. Keep the cat!

Favouritefruits · 18/05/2022 19:07

Our dog was an inbred rescue, he was an amazing dog but only lived until he was 8 and had tummy problems. I’d definitely rescue the cat.

CrunchyCarrot · 18/05/2022 19:12

Yes I'd take him. In fact it's entirely possible our two cats are inbred, it's a strong possibility their father is also their grandfather. They are totally fine (2 years old today), strong and healthy. Inbreeding in cats is fairly common.

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/05/2022 19:12

KarenLovesRosario · 18/05/2022 18:44

Report you that's what I'm going to do 🙄

Eh

LadyCampanulaTottington · 18/05/2022 19:15

Cats can inbreed without any issues. One of the reasons why trap, neuter, release is so important.