Munchkin cat: description, character traits, care and reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The Munchkin cat is one of the most amazing and talked about around the world. Many lovers of cute beautiful animals will not remain indifferent when they see these fluffies, to say nothing of cat lovers.

A few words about the origins

Munchkins look almost the same as any other members of this genus. True, they have one significant feature, which is why they have become so popular: they have very short legs, which is why many people compare them to dogs of the Welsh Corgi breed or dachshunds.

It is assumed that the "founder" of this amazing breed is a cat named Blackberry (from the English. Blackberry), which was sheltered by an American woman. It happened in 1983 in Louisiana. Blackberry was pregnant, but the good woman was not at all embarrassed. Subsequently, the cat produced offspring. Most of the kittens were as short-legged as their happy mother.

In the US, a new breed became popular after it hit the front page of the WallStreet Journal in 1995. Later, the Munchkins began to gain popularity in other countries. As a result, the price of the Munchkin cat breed began to skyrocket.

Appearance and features

Munchkin cats have a very original appearance. If you do not look closely, you can not notice any differences between these cats from any others. Small short legs are their key feature.

Male Munchkins are slightly larger than females.

Head

The shape of the head of these cats is very reminiscent of the representatives of the Siamese breed. Its size depends on the amount of munchkin wool.

The neck is also long and not very long, each cat has it individually.

The eyes are like two voluminous raindrops, their color varies. Can be blue or brown - it all depends on the genetics of the cat.

Ears are never too big. They are mostly medium in size. Planted can be different. All these signs depend on the ancestors of the fluffy.

Torso

The Munchkin cat has a large oval body, strong shoulders. Since their paws are very short, all the main load during the vigorous activity of these cats is placed precisely on the shoulders, which is why the shoulder muscles are very well developed.

The back of some representatives of the breed may look like a hunchback. The shape of the arc occurs due to the fact that the length of the body is disproportionate to the length of the legs.

The tail is almost the same length as the body. It doesn't have much difference.

Features of Munchkin's feet

Due to the fact that these cats have very short limbs, in movement they resemble a ferret or a gopher. But the special length of the legs does not in the least prevent them from remaining as active as other cats. Of course, they will not be able to jump from the bedside table to the closet, but it will not be difficult for them to jump onto a chair or bed.

The length of the Munchkin's limbs is considered a completely normal phenomenon that does not cause trouble for the animal in everyday life. Also, this is not a genetic abnormality and will not bring he alth problems to a representative of this breed.

But if you knit two munchkins with equally short legs, then it is likely that most kittens will die, as a genetic failure will occur. Munchkins can only be crossed when the length of the paws of both is noticeably different. Otherwise, the gene responsible for the mutation of the paws of these seals becomes a threat to their lives.

Speaking of the length of the paws, there are three varieties:

• The shortest. Such paws can be much smaller than normal cat limbs. Such munchkins are considered the rarest and have the highest cost. They are very easy to distinguish from the rest, as they are very small in size and weigh no more than 2 kg.
• Short. Most of the representatives of this breed has just such a length. Their paws are 1/3 shorter than those of ordinary members of the genus. By the way, the price of short-legged Munchkin cats can be significantly lower than for an animal with the shortest limbs.
• Regular or long-legged. Munchkins withsuch paws are least valued. They are difficult to distinguish from ordinary cats. The limb mutation gene bypassed them. You can buy animals with such a difference for a small cost.

Wool color

Short-legged Munchkin cats can have coats of absolutely any color, from the usual solid color to intricate spots or stripes.

When breeding these cats there is no strict color evaluation. Any combination of colors is allowed. The only thing is, if you have a desire to stand out, you will have to suffer with the choice of color so that your animal is more different from its own kind.

Munchkin coat can be either long or short. This criterion is also of little importance to breeders.

Long coat has a not very thick undercoat. With proper care and feeding, it will shine and shine. Short-haired cats can be somewhat denser to the touch. Their fur feels like a velvety surface.

Breed subcategory

There is another variety of short-legged Munchkin cats, which, although popular among fans of this breed, is rejected by the felinology societies due to the presence of some he alth problems. It's about folmaxes. This subspecies is considered experimental.

Different from their ancestors only in hanging ears, but otherwise they are all the same munchkins.

Some hope to develop an interesting new cat breed by crossingmunchkins with other species. This is not recommended due to the high likelihood of he alth problems, and sometimes death.

Munchkin nature

It is the cats of this breed that are considered the most friendly, sweet and kind towards people. You could say they were born to live in an apartment.

The animals are also good for communicating with children of any age, as they have a very calm character. Pulling them by the tail, squeezing, carrying them in your arms - this is please, they will only be happy with such attention.

They tend to get used to one owner, tk. they are especially loyal. Munchkins do not like to meow often, but prefer to communicate with gestures or signs. These cats are perfect for those who can't stand constant noise.

They can safely be called clean.

They love to play with all sorts of things that will resemble dogs. In addition, it is almost impossible to piss them off. They avoid conflict situations, which is perfect for keeping with other animals. It is easy to find contact with everyone, but still a lot depends on the nature of the pet with which you want to keep the munchkin.

Speaking of activity, these cats are in no way inferior to all other fast and agile members of the cat family. They lead a mobile lifestyle almost always. In this regard, they need to devote at least a little time to play. Leashed outdoor walks are encouraged.

It's funny that, unlike other cats, Munchkins do not stand up on their hind legs, butas if sitting on the hips. In this position, they are able to sit for quite a long time, which is why they are often compared to gophers.

How to take care of them

Representatives of this breed do not require special attention or care.

If you have a long-haired munchkin in your house, you should brush it at least 2 times a week. Otherwise, the formation of tangles is possible. If you wish, you can comb more often, the animal will only get better.

Of course, a pet's coat will look more beautiful with a good diet.

Short-haired cats require less maintenance. Those who are worried about the cleanliness of the apartment should give preference to just such munchkins.

Shortpaws should be washed no more than a couple of times a year, or on special occasions (dirty on the street).

Cut your nails at least once every two weeks. Otherwise, you will witness strange sounds of claws clicking on your floor. This does not harm the interior, but may annoy some. In addition, if there are children in the house, it is worth trimming the sharp ends of the cat's claws.

Proper nutrition

Feed the Munchkin the way you want: homemade food or ready-made balanced high-end food.

But be sure to take into account the fact that on homemade food you will have to carefully monitor the presence of all the necessary vitamins and nutrients in food. And, of course, cooking such food will take noticeably more time than buying ready-made food in the store.

Requiredfood should consist, for the most part, of meat. Vegetables, cereals, dairy products are given in a much smaller volume. You can mix cereals with meat products and vegetables. It will turn out both tasty and varied.

You can buy vitamin treats separately, but don't give your pet any special medications without a veterinarian's recommendation.

If you decide to buy food, you should pay attention to its quality. Cheap options can be bad for your animal's he alth. So it's better to buy premium food.

How long do they live

The life expectancy of these cats is no different from the rest: from 10 years and above. In fact, it all depends on your care and proper care of the pet.

No individual genetic diseases inherent in this breed have been identified, but it must be said that there is one common ailment that can occur - lordosis. With this disease, the spine weakens over time, and the back seems to "sag". Also, the disease has a negative effect on the lungs and heart of the animal.

To avoid these problems, you should periodically take your pet to the vet, and then everything will be fine.

Which munchkin to choose and how much does it cost

There are no important criteria in choosing a kitten. You can buy the one you like the most. Be sure to get acquainted with the signs of this breed, so as not to be mistaken. And, of course, you need to calculate your financial capabilities. Many are interested in the priceMunchkin cats.

In the event that it is fundamentally important for you to choose a rare and very thoroughbred pet (the shortest legs), be prepared to spend. The price of a Munchkin cat breed with this feature starts from 35,000 rubles.

By the way, a lot depends on the documents that come with the cat. A good pedigree will allow you to prepare a pet for shows and competitions, and will also guarantee a high price tag for a future litter if you decide to breed cats.

The cost of Munchkin cats with regular paws can reach up to 5,000 rubles. This is already more interesting for those who want to save money, but do not forget that if you buy a cat from amateurs, you can easily stumble upon a scam. They can slip you a mongrel cat or, even worse, a sick one. Be careful when looking for a future pet. It is best to buy it from a nursery. However, it is up to you to decide how much a Munchkin cat costs specifically for you and how much you are willing to pay for it.

Reviews about this animal

Some owners on the forums share their impressions of these amazing cats, so you can decide whether to buy such a handsome man. Some are surprised at how these cats are able to move smoothly and gracefully on their very short legs. Others note their activity and good disposition. Most owners of munchkins are sure that cats of this breed are very different from ordinary cats, and for the better.