Hip dysplasia in Maine Coons is common and it can make them aggressive and harm their character

The presentation of hip dysplasia in Maine Coons is gradual with subtle behavioural changes such as inactivity or aggression, lack of response to human attention, reluctance to go up or down stairs, and resistance to handling.

Here is a video I made to change the way I discuss these issues. They are very important issues. It surprises me that people discuss them more or hardly at all. Health is more important than appearance at the end of the day. That's what I think but it seems that I am out of step with almost everyone else! 

The video that I have made, boring though it is, is the first I've seen on how hip dysplasia has a negative impact on the cat's character.

In the video, I mention that people don't talk about this disease affecting character. What I mean is that the owners on TikTok proudly show off their cats which is understandable but they don't mention this important health issue. They wouldn't because it is a negative but it is important.

@mikejbroad

♬ original sound - MikeJBroad

And that's another point. A cat's character is also more important than appearance. Hip dysplasia therefore has a negative impact on the two most important aspects of this breed which is the third most popular at the moment.

The breed has gained in popularity over the recent years partly because of people like me writing about it so much and praising it. But it is not all beauty and fun. 

Let's talk about the reality behind the beauty, behind the impressive size. The bigger they are the more likely it is that they will have this disease and it'll be in both hips which means that it will be twice as painful.

What happens to those huge Maine Coons we see on social media in old age? Busted and broken is my guess. Dosed up with painkillers and supplements but after years of discomfort at best and chronic pain at worst I expect all they want is to be left alone.