Physical Characteristics
This is a medium-sized cat with a long body, walnut-shaped eyes and triangular ears. Because of a mutation it has short and stubby legs; this is also the cat’s most recognizable feature. The Munchkin, however, is in no way handicapped by its legs and does have regularly-sized forelegs that are equal in length.The cat comes in short-haired and long-haired varieties, both sporting an all-weather coat.
POSSITIVES
This is a confident and outgoing cat which is not the least bit self conscious about its unusual look. It loves to play and wrestle with its friends, but at the end of the day it looks for nothing more than to snuggle into your lap and nag until it is petted.THINGS TO CONSIDER
The breed is frequently dubbed the magpies of the cat species because it often borrows small, shiny objects and stashes them away for later play. The Munchkin also has a hunter’s instinct and will chase mice or anything that moves.IDEAL LIVING CONDITIONS
Social and outgoing, the Munchkin is extremely playful and does well with children and other household pets, including dogs.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Regardless of their coat length, grooming for the breed is generally painless. Shorthair Munchkins should be brushed weekly while longhair Munchkins should be combed with more regularity to remove dead hair and prevent mats from forming. |
| Munchkin kitten |
HEALTH
Because the Munchkin is a young breed, it is not prone to any specific health conditions more so than any other breed of cat. Although the breed does have short legs and looks similar to a Corgi or Daschund with its short stature, the spine of the Munchkin differs from that of a dog and its short legs do not result in the spinal problems sometimes seen in short-legged dog breeds.MUNCHKIN PERSONALITY
The Munchkin is a confident and outgoing cat, which is not the least bit self-conscious about its unusual look. It loves to play and wrestle with its friends, and is frequently dubbed the magpie of the cat species because it often borrows small, shiny objects and stashes them away for later play. The Munchkin also has a hunter’s instinct and will chase mice or anything that moves, but at the end of the day this cat looks for nothing more than to snuggle into your lap.SELECTING A MUNCHKIN
If you would like a Munchkin as a pet, first look for adoptable kitties in shelters and in rescues. But if you do decide to purchase a Munchkin cat, make sure to do research before selecting a breeder, advises Bowers.It’s a good idea to go to the breeder’s home or facility and look around for cleanliness. Also make sure to see whether the cats have the capability to roam free at the breeding location. And be wary of breeder’s who are not willing to show you around their facilities or who are not forthcoming with answers to your questions.
Comments