Munchkin Cats may have short legs, but they don’t let that stop them from doing things. Although they aren’t as agile as other breeds, they can still climb, sit back on their haunches, and make little jumps to get a better look at something.
Nature
They enjoy playing with kids, dogs, and other animals. In fact, having short legs gives them an advantage since they can execute small manoeuvres that larger creatures cannot.
Read more about Cat Breeds.
Trait
Munchkins have long bodies and tiny legs, giving them the appearance of a cat-sized Corgi or Dachshund. They can have either short or long coats, walnut-shaped eyes, and triangular ears.
Life
12 to 15 years
Colour Collection
An outcross programme is used to maintain the breed, ensuring gene diversity by mating Munchkins with other household cats. These felines can therefore be found in a wide variety of hues and patterns.
Hair fall
Munchkin cats sweat, especially if their coats are longer. For the purpose of removing loose hair and preventing tangles and matting, they need to be combed twice a week. Once every week, comb Munchkins with short hair.
Health
Munchkin cats lack the spinal issues common to canines with small legs despite having long backs and short legs. Their genetic mutation does, however, increase the likelihood of other health issues, such as osteoarthritis brought on by lordosis, or an inward curvature of the spine, and pectus excavatum, or “funnel chest,” even though they may not have back problems.
Breed History
The first accounts of cats with a genetic mutation that causes short legs came from the 1930s and 1940s, but Munchkins disappeared completely during World War II. Before being recognised as a breed officially in 1983, they reappeared in the 1950s and 1970s.
The cat was admitted to The International Cat Association’s (TICA) new breed development programme in 1994, and championship status was attained in 2003. The Munchkin is still not recognised as a breed by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) or the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).
