The singers Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift own Scottish fold kittens, which have a genetic defect

Breeding designer pets such as Scottish fold cats and “teacup puppies” is to be effectively outlawed in Scotland as concerns grow about the suffering of such animals due to their genetic defects.

The response follows the lucrative celebrity-driven craze for miniature pets or those with extreme features.

The owl-like appearance of the Scottish fold cat has attracted high-profile owners such as the singers Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. The cat has a genetic defect preventing it from forming cartilage, the absence of which causes lifelong arthritis.

Other breeds include the munchkin cat, which has disproportionately short legs and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, which can be bred to have an unnaturally small skull that compresses its brain, affecting its spinal cord.

The proposed legislation will