The breeding of a pedigree cat, favoured by celebrities including Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, should be banned says an animal charity over concerns for its long-term health.

With their giant eyes and misshapen shortened ears, the popularity of Scottish Folds has increased dramatically in the last 12 months perhaps as a result of their almost cartoon-like appearance and new-found internet fame.

But welfare charity Cats Protection says the breed suffers from a number of health problems as a result of the genetic disorder which is behind its unique look.

While A-listers including singers Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift often share images on social media of their beloved feline friends - with the UK chart-topper even having set up an Instagram account called The Wibbles for his - Scottish Folds have also become increasingly popular with other pet owners in the last year as cat lovers look to buy pedigree breeds.

Cats Protection's 2022 report says that 38% of felines bought in the last 12 months were pedigrees as the trend to 'shop' rather than rehome continues - while Scottish Folds are estimated to now number around 110,000.

Despite being mostly unknown a year ago, with very few numbers able to be counted, their popularity has soared to now make up almost one percent of the UK's cat population, adds the charity.

Writing in the annual report, Cats Protection veterinary officer Dr Sarah Elliott explained: "Prospective cat owners appear motivated to seek out pedigree cats, often with rare and unusual physical characteristics. This has no doubt been fuelled by the positive social media attention these cats often enjoy.

"The effect of breed-related health problems has received widespread publicity in the dog world but many cat lovers remain largely unaware of similar problems in feline breeds.

"One example is the Scottish Fold, a breed that has grown in popularity in recent years. These cats suffer from a genetic mutation that is known to cause significant painful disease due to severe abnormalities of the bone cartilage."

Those problems, says Cats Protection, can lead to issues with joints and mobility, which it had also highlighted in a previous report into the regulation of cat breeding and 'extreme' cat breeds.

That report explained: "The intentional inbreeding of these cats has resulted in an inherited defect that causes abnormalities with joints and bone growth, an inflexible tail and short, stiff legs. Arthritis is rife among the breed and many Scottish Folds will be unable to perform normal cat behaviours like pouncing and jumping due to painful early-onset arthritis. Long-term pain relief is frequently required to cope."

There are currently no feline breeding regulations in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, but Scotland bans breeding cats with poor health, and this includes Scottish Folds.

Cats Protection is also not the only animal welfare organisation to have called for more government regulation when it comes to breeding animals with usual or extreme features.

In 2018 the British Veterinary Association appealed to animal lovers to avoid pets like Scottish Folds alongside bubble eye goldfish and miniature horses - concerned that the internet was fuelling a craze and a desire for creatures with 'cute' features.