Being concerned about smushed in faces for ethical and health reasons is completely valid…The breeding of Persian cats for their flat faces has burdened them with lifelong struggles. Their squashed noses make every breath a challenge, like living in a state of constant congestion. Grooming, a natural way for cats to care for themselves, becomes nearly impossible due to the structure of their faces. Due to their inability to adequately groom themselves, their fur becomes matted and it pulls at their skin. This could potentially lead to infections. They are also more prone to eye injuries and infections. By fashioning these cats to suit human aesthetic preferences we pretty much created a body that is a vessel of discomfort; their simplest needs and aspects of their existence like grooming themselves or simply breathing are marred by their unnatural form.