Munchkin Cat Breed Profile
Munchkin cats (also called “sausage cats”) are regular domestic cats that stand out because of their shortened legs, giving them a much smaller stature than other breeds. These shortened legs come from a naturally occurring mutation that can actually arise in any cat. While extremely cute and sweet-looking, Munchkins are quick, intelligent, and love a good game of hide-and-seek with shiny objects.
The Munchkin cat doesn’t behave differently from any other cat breed; frankly, they don’t know that there’s anything unique about them. It makes no difference to them what their leg length is—they make do with their size as best as possible.(Wikipedia)
For cat lovers, coming across the Munchkin is an adorable treasure, and the allure of their unique look can capture your heart.
OVERVIEW
OFFICIAL NAME
Munchkin
GOOD WITH
cats, children, dogs, families, seniors
ENERGY LEVEL
Active
COMMON NAME
Munchkin
TEMPERAMENT
affectionate, sociable
VOCAL LEVEL
When necessary
PET HEIGHT
5 to 7 inches
INTELLIGENCE
High
COAT LENGTH
Short
PET WEIGHT
6 to 9 pounds
SHEDDING AMOUNT
Normal
COLORS
black / ebony, blue / gray, chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, cream / beige / tan, fawn, lavender / silver, lilac, red / orange, white
LIFESPAN
12 to 15 years
PLAYFULNESS
High
Munchkin cats are quick, energetic, fun-loving, and affectionate. What they lack in leg length they more than make up for with their unique look and loving temperament.
Appearance
Munchkin cats have a distinct look that most cat aficionados either love or hate. These petite pets are noticeably low to the ground, with legs that are about 3 inches shorter than the average feline. The rest of the Munchkin body is pretty typical of your run-of-the-mill house cat, with most of adults weighing somewhere between 6–9 pounds. Visually, many might consider the Munchkin the Dachshund of the cat kingdom. Some even refer to the Munchkin as a “sausage cat,” a similar nickname to the beloved “wiener dog.”
The Munchkin’s short limbs are due to a natural genetic mutation and are the breed’s defining feature. Munchkin cats come in all color combinations and coat styles, and can have short coats, long coats, or be hairless. Short-haired Munchkins have plush medium-density coats, while long-haired Munchkins have silky smooth fur. Popular coat shades and patterns are tabby, calico, gray, and solid black.
An important note: Although the Munchkin cat comes in many shades, they are their own distinct breed—not miniature versions of other cat breeds.
Temperament
Munchkins are active, friendly cats who typically get along with children and other pets. These curious kittens love to explore the world around them—they’ll even perch on their hind legs like a rabbit to get a better view!
These cats are known to keep a fun-loving, kittenish attitude well into adulthood. When they’re not busy playing with toys and running around, these cuddly cats love to snuggle up with their people. Munchkins are sociable, intelligent, and self-assured felines who love spending time with their humans.
Living Needs
The Munchkin cat is well-suited to most indoor living situations, as long as she has space to run and play.
They enjoy playing alone and with others, and frequently race around the house amazingly fast.
This energetic cat loves working up serious speed on her little legs, and can round tight corners with precision. She may not be able to make it to the top of a bookshelf in a single bound, but she will still love jumping and climbing.
A cat tree with a low entrance point is a great way to help your Munchkin explore heights easily. They can usually get enough air to land on couches and sofas in search of a lap or sunny spot on a cushion, and they’re just as good at climbing as other cat breeds. So keep an eye on the curtains and make sure she doesn’t skedaddle up any trees.
The Munchkin is an easygoing breed who gets along well with dogs, other cats, and small children. These adorable cats make a loving addition as family pets or as a companion to adult owners. Basically, whatever your living situation, a Munchkin can fit right in. Just make sure she isn’t left alone for long periods of time.
CARE
Grooming your Munchkin will be guided by their coat style. Short-haired Munchkins should be brushed weekly, while long-haired Munchkins should be brushed more frequently to keep their coat free of tangles. Your Munchkin will clean herself, but her limited leg reach can make hygiene a little more difficult for this cat. Occasional bathing is a good idea to help keep your little kitty friend clean. You should also keep her nails trimmed and ears cleaned.
Munchkins don’t need a lot in the way of human-guided exercise: These cats love to run and play during the day, and will usually tucker themselves out. Provide them with cat toys, low-to-the-ground cat trees, and scratchers to help them work out their energy.
Munchkins are an intelligent breed of cat who can be trained to fetch and even walk on a leash. They’re naturally social, but early introduction to family members (especially children and other pets) will help your Munchkin kitten feel secure.
Provide your kitty a diet of high-quality cat food and fresh water. Because of her short legs, make sure litter boxes, food dishes, and water bowls have low edges so your Munchkin can access them without problems. Check in with your veterinarian to make sure your cat is getting her nutrition needs met.
Health
Munchkins are generally healthy cats with an expected lifespan of 12–15 years. But like any breed, these little cats can be affected by certain health issues. Mostly, Munchkins can develop problems that affect most feline breeds, including heart problems, urinary tract infections, and pancreatitis.
“As a relatively new breed, they are so far thought to be a healthy breed without any increased disease risks,” Marks says. “However, because of their very short legs, it’s very important to avoid obesity and keep a lean body condition.”
The jury is still out on whether the Munchkin’s controversial leg mutation can cause other health issues or spinal problems; this breed is relatively young, so there’s still a lot for experts to learn. You can help keep your Munchkin in good health by keeping regularly scheduled veterinarian appointments.
History
While they weren’t recognized as a breed by The International Cat Association until 2003, short-legged cats have existed for many years. Their appearance is the result of a genetic mutation that can occur naturally in litters, but today the Munchkin is specifically bred to produce cats with little legs. Some debate whether or not it’s ethical to breed Munchkins, because it intentionally passes on the physical deformity of their incredibly short legs, which can impact their mobility. Because of the controversy, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) still don’t recognize the Munchkin as an official breed.
Despite the argument around their official recognition, instances of short-legged cats have been around for many years. According to TICA, tiny cats were recorded around the globe throughout the 20th century, but their condition appeared naturally and wasn’t bred intentionally. In 1983, a short-legged cat named Blackberry gave birth to a litter of kittens. This was the beginning of the modern-day Munchkin.
The modern breeding process involves mating one Munchkin (the mutation is not sex-selective) with a cat who doesn’t have the mutation. The mutation is dominant, and will result in a litter of Munchkin cats. However, when two Munchkins are bred together, the mutation is fatal—this is another reason why the Munchkin breeding practice is controversial. Before bringing home any pet, make sure you’re working with an ethical breeder.