A common question amongst cat owners in recent years is can cats have down syndrome? The short answer to this is no cats cannot have down syndrome.
Although some cats appear to have behavioural and physical traits of down syndrome, it’s impossible for them to be truly down syndrome because it’s a condition that only exists in humans.
The main reason for this confusion are these modern times of the internet making it easy to share and explore images of unique and beautiful cats that you never would have saw years ago.
#What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a congenital disorder that affects 1 in 700 babies born in the United States every year. The condition arises from a chromosomal defect and affects that people that have it both physically and mentally.
The nucleus of each cell in a human contains 23 pairs of chromosomes with around half of those being inherited from each parent. Down syndrome occurs is when the developing fetus’s material is incorrectly copied causing a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.
People with down syndrome either have some or all of the following traits according to the national down syndrome society (ndss):
- Low muscle tone
- Small stature
- An upward slant to the eyes
- A single, deep crease across the center of the palm
Can Cats Have Down Syndrome?
After learning a little about why down syndrome occurs, we are now going to show you why cats can’t have down syndrome. With humans having 23 chromosome, cats only have 19.
So if we go back to the explanation of how down syndrome occurs in humans with the development of an extra copy of chromosome 21. As cats only have 19 chromosomes, the 21st chromosome is none existent which makes it impossible for them to get down syndrome.
It’s worth noting that cats can occasionally develop extra chromosomes. The American Journal Of Veterinary Research published a paper in 1975 that identified a rare chromosomal abnormality that can cause an extra chromosome in male cats.
Research showed that it can result in a condition very similar to Klinefelter syndrome in humans. This extra chromosome carries genetic material that can cause a male cat to become tricolored (calico or tortoise-shell) which is a pattern usually seen in only female cats.
So although cats can’t develop down syndrome as it is in human form, they can have a chromosomal defect that causes both mental and physical symptoms that are very similar to down syndrome.
Can Cats Have Mental Retardation?
Mental retardation is a side-effect of genetic disorders like down syndrome, as well as oxygen deprivation, exposure to dangerous chemicals, and head trauma. It refers to intellectual disability in both animals and humans, including cats.
Therefore a cat with mental retardation will struggle to learn even basic tasks such as toilet training due to them having reduced intellectual capacity. Other symptoms of this include:
- Some motor dysfunction issues
- poor vision
- hearing loss
- May be less social than other cats
Down syndrome-like symptoms in cats
While we have covered the question of can cats get down syndrome, they can show down syndrome like symptoms which include:
- Behaviour different or strange compared to that of other cats
- Unusually small or oddly shaped ears
- Problems with vision
- Eyes set abnormally wide apart
- Motor dysfunction
- Heart problems
- Low muscle tone
- Hearing loss
- Flat or upturned nose
If you notice your cat has a number of the above symptoms, then it is important to seek the advice of a veterinarian.
What Causes Down Syndrome-like Symptoms in Cats?
The symptoms that we covered above are caused by genetic disorders that lead to cats having disabilities and have become known as feline down syndrome. These disabilities can stem from a number of other issues such as infections, neurological diseases, and congenital abnormalities.
Another condition called cerebellar hypoplasia can also cause down syndrome-like traits. If a cats mother became exposed to certain toxins then they can also show different congenital malformations. This can effect neurological system and facial structure.
A cat, especially at a young age experiencing any kind of head trauma can cause physical injuries and permanent neurological damage. An X-ray scan, genetic tests, and other special tests are usually performed by your vet to diagnose genetic disorder.
How To Take Care of a Cat with Down Syndrome-like Symptoms
Cats with genetic disorders or feline down syndrome need extra care and attention from their owners. Here’s what you can do to provide the best care possible for your kitty.
- Research: Having as much knowledge as possible on the subject will allow you to provide optimum care for your cat.
- Talk to a veterinarian: Always consult with a veterinarian, and even seek the advice of another one to get a second opinion. It’s also important to have routine check-ups.
- Your cats well-being: Your cat should always be in an environment that allows them to develop to their full potential. There’s even an option of pet training centre’s where some of them offer various activities that help to normalize their behavior.
- Keep a clos eye on them: It’s important to keep a watchful eye on them as much as your time allows to prevent them from harm.
- Healthy diet: Feeding them with quality healthy cat foods will greatly improve the lifestyle of a cat with genetic disorders.
Cases of Cats With “Feline Down Syndrome”
#1 Maya
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7G3kXdHD8p/?utm_source=ig_embed
With nearly 500k followers and a ton of engagement on each post, Maya is like a celebrity of the cat world. Maya has a chromosome abnormality and spent more than three months in a shelter after being found in a dumpster.
Maya was later adopted by a loving family who want to use her platform to show other people the beauty of being different. They also wanted to push her story out to the world to encourage other people to adopt from animal shelters.
#2 Willow
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7G15aFJVHz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Willow was diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality after being found alone as a kitten. She also had other health issues such as an eye infection, intestinal parasites, and fleas.
Willow now lives a normal happy life with her new owners and has grown into a healthy adult cat, even with her chromosomal abnormalities. The only issue willow has is she cannot breath out of her right nostril, so it has to be cleaned on a daily basis.
#3 Smush
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7FOC_NHGsd/?utm_source=ig_embed
Smush was treated for ringworm and respiratory infection after being found outside of a university at just 10 days old. A university vet student took care of Smush and had to feed her using a syringe because she was so tiny.
Smush eventually became very health and was adopted into a loving family. As you can see in the image above, her chromosomal abnormalities have cause her nostrils to become very tiny. This causes her to sneeze and sniff more often.
Can Cats Have Down Syndrome Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed the information shared in this article and that you now have a greater understanding on the topic of feline down syndrome. If you are the owner of a cat who has chromosomal abnormality, then we would love it if you were to share your stories and photos.
