Glossary

Brachycephalic

Having a short, broad skull and flattened face, as in Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, which often brings breathing, eye and dental problems.

Also called: flat-faced, flat-face, short-nosed, brachycephalic cat

Brachycephalic means short-headed. A brachycephalic cat has a skull that is wide and short, with a flat face and a muzzle that is pushed back toward the eyes. Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs are the best-known examples. Some other breeds, such as the British Shorthair and the Burmese, have milder versions of the shape.

The flat face crowds the structures inside it. Nostrils may be narrow, the soft palate can be long and the tear ducts often drain poorly, so the eyes water and the fur below them stains. The teeth can be crowded or misaligned, and some cats breathe noisily, snore or tire easily.

The concern is for the cat's welfare, and some veterinary organisations and countries urge breeders to select for less extreme faces. If you share your home with a flat-faced cat, wipe the eye folds gently as advised by your vet, keep it cool in hot weather, avoid stress and heat, and ask your vet about breathing difficulty, open-mouth panting, blue-tinged gums or eyes that look sore. If you are choosing a cat, look for a litter with a longer muzzle and open nostrils.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Third eyelid A thin fold of tissue at the inner corner of a cat's eye that sweeps across the surface to protect and moisten it. Tapetum lucidum A mirror-like layer behind a cat's retina that bounces light back through the eye, improving night vision and causing glowing eyes in photos. Double coat A coat made of a soft insulating undercoat beneath longer, coarser guard hairs, found in many cold-climate and semi-longhair breeds. Ruff A collar of longer fur around a cat's neck and chest, most obvious in breeds such as the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat.

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