Flat‑faced or brachycephalic pets can be full of charm, but their extreme features can come with serious health and welfare challenges. Learn what causes these issues, how they affect everyday life and what you can do about it.
What are flat‑faced pets?
Flat‑faced, or brachycephalic, pets have been bred to have extremely squashed or smushed faces, with very short noses and wide, rounded heads. This look is common in dogs such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, but it also appears in some cat breeds like Persians. While these features may look cute, they leave pets with narrow airways and much less space to breathe, eat and cool themselves.
Why is this an issue?
Many flat‑faced pets struggle with everyday activities that are needed to live full, happy and comfortable lives. Their shortened airways can make day-to-day breathing difficult and most develop Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
The panting and snorting noises are often mistaken for a cute or quirky part of the breed, but they can be a sign that a pet is working much harder than they should just to breathe. When pets can’t run, play or sleep comfortably, they miss out on the simple things that help them enjoy life. Many owners find it upsetting to see their pet struggle like this.
- Noisy breathing, snorting or snoring while awake
- Frequent panting, even at rest.
- Struggling to cool down after mild exercise.
- Heat stroke, even in mild temperatures.
- Blocked airflow from thick nose ropes
- Gagging, retching or difficulty eating.
- Trouble eating, due to misaligned jaws, large tongues and difficulty breathing.
- Digestive problems, including regurgitation and acid reflux.
- Skin infections, especially in deep skin folds around the nose.
- Eyes that water constantly.
- Eye ulcers and injuries caused by shallow eye sockets and bulging eyes.
- Teeth overcrowding, due to the smaller mouth space.
For owners, this can mean frequent vet visits and ongoing medication. In some cases, it can even lead to complex surgery and a shorter lifespan. It can mean adjusting everyday life to meet their needs – often far more than expected.
What breeds does it affect?
Flat‑faced features appear in several dog and cat breeds. Dog breeds can include English Bulldogs, Frenchies and Pugs. While cat breeds can include Persian, British and Exotic shorthairs and Exotic breeds. Any animal with a shortened nose, even crossbreeds, can be brachycephalic.
Not every pet in these breeds will have severe problems, but the risk is significantly higher than in non‑brachycephalic breeds.
See the full list of all brachycephalic animals – RSPCA
Why does this happen?
These health issues are the result of selective breeding for extreme facial features. Over time, demand for this look has encouraged some breeders to focus on appearance over welfare. When breeders choose flatter faces, they are also choosing the problems that come with them. This is why so many flat‑faced pets have tiny nostrils, narrow windpipes or soft palates that block the airway.
Breeds with these features have become so common that many people now see them as normal, even though they are far more extreme than they were years ago. When a pet’s skull shape is pushed to an extreme, the internal structures simply don’t fit in it anymore in the way nature intended. The result is a lifetime of avoidable suffering.
Recognising the welfare impact matters. Understanding how quickly these exaggerated traits have become normal can help reduce demand and protect future pets.
What to know before choosing a flat‑faced pet
Choosing a flat‑faced dog or cat is a big decision. This is, at its heart, a supply‑and‑demand issue. When pets with extremely flat faces remain popular, the cycle of poor health and preventable suffering continues. By making informed choices, you can help shift that trend.
If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a flat‑faced pet, take time to understand the potential health challenges and associated costs. These pets often need extra care, and sometimes medical intervention, to live comfortably.
We always encourage people to consider adopting first. Many flat‑faced pets need new homes because their additional care needs and veterinary costs can be challenging for some owners.
Rescue pets at Battersea come with a full medical assessment, and our teams can help you understand what support they may need. If you’re set on buying a puppy or kitten, choose a responsible breeder who puts welfare first. Look for breeders who health test their dogs and cats, avoid extreme features and are open about the wellbeing of their animals.
When speaking to a breeder or rescue centre, ask:
- Has the pet (or their parents) been assessed for BOAS or other breathing issues?
- Can the pet exercise comfortably without struggling for breath?
- Are the nostrils open and the muzzle a reasonable length?
- Is there a history of skin, eye or digestive problems in the family line?
- What ongoing care might this pet need to stay healthy?
Watch out for puppies and kittens with extremely flat faces, bulging eyes, pinched nostrils or deep skin folds, as these features are closely linked to long‑term health problems.
Using tools like the Innate Health Assessment and the Royal Kennel Club’s recommended health tests for each breed can help you understand what a healthy muzzle or facial structure should look like in dogs.
Thinking about getting a French Bulldog?
Support for owners of flat‑faced pets
Living with a flat‑faced pet can be a joy, but it can also be emotionally challenging. Many owners find it distressing to see their dog or cat struggle. These difficulties are not a reflection of how well they’re cared for. Even with the best daily and veterinary care, these issues can still occur because of the extreme features these pets have been bred to have.
For many owners, the emotional strain is matched by the financial one. Extra vet visits, surgeries and higher‑priced insurance can quickly add up.
How to help your dog or cat stay safe and comfortable
- Keep your pet at a healthy weight to reduce pressure on their airway
- Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid restricting breathing
- Avoid exercise in warm or humid weather
- Schedule regular veterinary checks
- Ask your vet about airway assessments and if any surgery could help improve their comfort.
With the right support, these pets can still enjoy life. But they do need careful, daily management. Recognising the signs early and acting quickly can make a big difference to your pet's wellbeing. Speak to your vet if you notice your pet in any discomfort.
If you're looking for this kind of breed, please do your research. Know about all the potential health implications that they can come with and the best way to manage them throughout their life because it is a lifelong commitment.
What are we doing about it?
At Battersea, we see the impact of extreme breeding every day. Many flat‑faced pets arrive with breathing problems, skin infections and other preventable conditions. Our Clinic team often performs BOAS surgery to help dogs breathe more freely.
We also see the wider trend behind these cases. Across the UK, more dogs and cats are being bred for looks that seem cute or fashionable. These features can cause real suffering. Many people don’t realise that flat faces, heavy skin folds or folded ears are the result of deliberate breeding choices. These choices can shorten a pet’s life and reduce their quality of life.
That’s why we’re speaking out about harmful breeding trends and the hidden cost of cute. Through our campaigning work, we raise awareness, share expert advice and encourage people to make informed choices. By helping the public understand the risks linked to extreme features, we aim to reduce demand and champion healthier, happier pets.
Learn about our Cost of Cute campaign.
