The Munchkin cat breed is one of the most unusual. Munchkins are short-legged cats. Because of their short legs, Munchkin cats are often called dachshunds. In this article, you will find a description and photo of the Munchkin breed, learn the character of these cats, and also find information about the features of care and maintenance of Munchkin cats.
The description of the Munchkin breed should begin with a consideration of the most unusual feature of these cats – their short legs. Munchkins’ paws are several times shorter than those of an ordinary domestic cat. However, this does not prevent them from leading a full life and does not affect mobility. Otherwise, the appearance of munchkins is no different from other cats.
The Munchkin cat breed comes in long-haired and short-haired varieties. These cats have smooth, shiny, and silky fur. It is very dense, with moderate undercoat and good protective properties. On the lower part of the body, the fur is longer than in other areas, and the fur collar is prominent in long-haired munchkins. Munchkin cats can come in a variety of colors and combinations.
Munchkin cats have large expressive eyes, a round head, an elongated body, short legs, and a long tail. The eye color of these cats is not related to color and can have different colors. The Munchkin’s wide-set ears are medium in size. The hind legs of these cats are longer than the front ones. The munchkin’s weight varies from 4 to 11 lb. Cats are bigger than cats. The average life expectancy of munchkins is 12 years.
The description of the Munchkin breed includes another unusual feature of these cats. Munchkins love to sit on their hind legs, maintaining an upright body position and hanging their short front legs over the sides. In this pose, they look especially cute and are very reminiscent of a kangaroo. Short-legged animals can remain in this position for quite a long time and often sit for hours in front of the window, watching what is happening on the street.
History of the Munchkin breed
The history of the Munchkin breed originates from the state of Louisiana. In 1983, one of its residents picked up a cat with short legs on the street. The woman took pity on the animal, took it home, and surrounded it with care. The family loved the cat very much and named it Blackberry. The hostess even found a mate for Ezhevichka.
The resulting offspring created a real sensation. The kittens that were born had short legs, although Ezhevichka was paired with a cat with standard-sized legs. As it turned out later, Brambleclaw was a carrier of a natural mutation. The Munchkin breed did not arise as a result of selection, but due to spontaneous mutation. Munchkins have the achondroplasia gene, which is responsible for short legs. If at least one of the parents has such a gene, then the kittens will be born with short legs.
Munchkin cat character
The munchkin cat has a wonderful character. They are very peaceful, intelligent, affectionate and sociable. The friendly and patient nature of the Munchkin cat makes them one of the best cat pets. The Munchkin cat breed is very inquisitive; these cats get along well even with children. The nature of the Munchkin cat is very calm, but if necessary, they can quite stand up for themselves.
Munchkins’ short legs do not prevent them from running and jumping quickly. These are very funny, nimble, and curious creatures. Munchkin cats are energetic, agile, and fast. Munchkins run quite fast and stomp their short legs very funny. Munchkins cannot jump high, but they are very active, so they will always find an alternative option to climb higher.
Munchkin cats are amazing creatures that are full of warmth and tenderness towards people. Munchkins adapt very easily and quickly to the regime of their owners. These cats love to take part in family gatherings, and household conversations and always sense a person’s mood. Munchkins treat guests with friendliness and interest. The munchkin cat’s docile nature allows it to get along well with other animals in the house. These cats can walk on a leash and love to travel.
There is one small flaw in the munchkin cat’s character. They love to take possession of various small things. If a munchkin lives in your house and some little thing is missing, look for it in your pet’s favorite secret corners. As for Munchkin kittens, you often have to look for them yourself. Kids are very curious and often find themselves in difficult situations, climbing into hard-to-reach places. This is especially true for various hills, which, having climbed, they cannot get down themselves.
Munchkin maintenance and care
The content of Munchkin is quite simple. Munchkins are clean and tidy cats, quite easy to care for, and do not have serious health problems. The only weak point of this breed is the back. Munchkins are genetically predisposed to diseases such as back lordosis, a weakening of the spinal muscles. This disease causes problems with the heart and lungs. This disease occurs in other cats, but munchkins are more likely than other breeds to suffer from it. Therefore, you should visit your veterinarian regularly.
Keeping a munchkin requires a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. These short-legged cats can be fed both homemade food and premium dry food. Munchkins are unpretentious when it comes to food. The main thing is that the food is varied and healthy. Ready-made food will cover all the needs for essential vitamins and provide adequate nutrition for the munchkin.
When feeding natural products, the basis of the diet should be lean meat. In addition, it is necessary to give fermented milk products, cereals, and vegetables. A couple of times a week you can add fish and eggs. In percentage terms, the optimal diet is as follows: Meat – 60%; Vegetables – 30%; Cereals – 10%. Munchkins are prone to gaining excess weight, which leads to health problems, so do not overfeed your pet.
Caring for munchkins is quite simple and does not require much effort. You will need to purchase various toys, a tray, and bowls and install a scratching post. Don’t forget to arrange a corner in the house for your pet where he can relax and be alone. If you have a large house, you can place a basket or a couple of boxes in different parts of the house.
Munchkin care includes a set of standard procedures, such as: cleaning ears and teeth, combing, trimming claws, etc. The coat needs to be brushed at least once a week; long-haired munchkins will need to be brushed more often. To do this, you should purchase special combs. The munchkin should be bathed only with specialized shampoos and no more than 3-4 times a year.
