The Munchkin cat is a pet that we can call an ambassador of elegance and luxury in the world of cats, due to its charming and gentle personality, in addition to its high intelligence that makes it able to interact with humans in a remarkable way.
The Munchkin cat is classified among the most beautiful cat breeds in the world, and it gained the name of the short-haired Munchkin or doll cat due to its strange characteristics and unique appearance, as it arose due to a natural genetic mutation that some believe occurred in the twentieth century within Europe.
Are you a cat lover and want to own a cute, lovable and unique cat? Don’t go too far, just follow this article from teketrek with us to learn the details about the Munchkins cat as it is the best choice when searching in the world of pets.
About the munchkin cat
Munchkins date back to the 1980s, so they are a fairly recent breed. The munchkin cat first appeared in the state of Louisiana in the United States of America, during the period of Hurricane Katrina, when the life of a pregnant black cat was saved, and she shortly thereafter gave birth to kittens with short legs.
What are the characteristics of a munchkin cat?
The Munchkin cat breed has distinctive specifications that make it one of the unique breeds that anyone would like to own, the most important of which we will mention below:
Having short legs is one of the most important features of this cat, and the length itself is not very long, but it has a strong build.
The munchkin cat has a domed head and large, round eyes.
The Munchkin cat’s face is square in shape, giving it a cute appearance.
The munchkin cat has small ears and a fairly wide nose.
The Munchkin cat has a fluffy and soft texture that makes it more attractive.
The munchkin cat’s fur comes in many colors, such as brown, white, black, grey, or a beautiful combination of two colors.
The weight of a Munchkin cat ranges between 2 and 4 kilograms, which makes carrying it and taking it anywhere very easy, knowing that males weigh slightly more than females.
The munchkin cat has a normal-sized torso and tail
The length of the munchkin cat ranges between 15 and 22 cm.
The Munchkin cat’s back legs are slightly longer than its front legs, and it should be noted that its legs are about 3 inches shorter when compared to other cats.
With its colorful eyes, the Munchkin cat takes you to the world of beauty. Some of them are brown or blue, while others are yellow or green.
The Munchkin cat is not very prone to howling.
The Munchkin cat has medium-length or long fur with a silky texture that protects it from weather elements, in addition to short hair.
The Munchkin cat’s distinction is not limited to these physical characteristics only, but it also possesses personal characteristics that give it more distinction, which we can point out as follows:
The Munchkin cat is one of the most friendly and loyal cats to its owners.
The munchkin cat is highly adapted to other animals, such as cats and dogs, and lives in various environments.
The Munchkin cat loves to jump to low levels due to its short legs.
The munchkin cat has great agility and speed in running.
The Munchkin cat is a very professional hunter, and he often hides small things to play with later.
The munchkin cat can sit on its hind legs in a manner similar to a rabbit.
Munchkin cat loves to steal shiny objects.
The Munchkin cat is quick to understand and observe.
After mentioning the previous distinctive characteristics, we can say that the Munchkins cat is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to leave a safe pet with his family.
Munchkin cat types:
Researchers in the world of cats have noticed the existence of several types of distinctive Munchkins, which are classified according to length into three types:
Munchkin cats with standard-length legs:
(Munchkin cat with standard length legs)
It is the longest type of this cat, although it does not reach the length of other domestic cats.
Ultra-short munchkin cat:
(Ultra-short munchkin cat)
It is shorter than the previous type, with a length ranging between 5-7 cm.
Munchkin cat hugging rugs:
(Carpet hugger munchkin cat)
It is the shortest of these species, and it was given this name because of the short length of its legs, but it should be noted that it has a great deal of kindness.
What is munchkin cat food?
The Munchkin cat’s nutritional needs are no different from the needs of other cats, and it wants to eat healthy meals divided during the day, but it is necessary to avoid an increase in energy consumption to protect it from the risk of weight gain.
Below we will point out the most important points related to its nutrition:
His diet must contain the vitamins and minerals necessary for his growth.
Industrial foods based on croquettes.
Foods that contain a high percentage of protein, such as poultry, meat and fish.
Providing foods that contain healthy fats to provide him with the energy needed for growth, in addition to omega fatty acids that are important for skin and brain health.
So, Munchkin cats adapt to artificial cat food available in the market, but care must be taken to give them food that is compatible with their activity level and age. In addition to giving him free access to clean, regularly renewed water, it must be noted that foods that are not suitable for him are:
Avoid offering foods that contain carbohydrates, as the Munchkin cat is unable to digest them.
Stay away from chocolate and foods that contain caffeine.
Raw meat, avocado, onions and garlic are also all foods that are not suitable for Munchkin cats.
Diseases that affect Munchkin cats
The short legs that characterize Munchkin cats have sparked great controversy and great interest from many scientists, but studies conducted have proven that this did not cause them any problems in the spine or hip, but they may be exposed to some diseases, which are:
Lardosis: which causes sagging of the spine due to shortening of its muscles.
Pectus Excavatum disease: in which the sternum sinks inward, which puts pressure on the lungs and makes breathing difficult.
pancreatitis.
Hyperthyroidism.
Lymphosarcoma.
Kidney failure.
Urinary tract problems.
We conclude from what we mentioned in the previous points that the diseases to which this cat is exposed are diseases common to many other types of cats, and are not at all related to the genetic mutation that led to the shortening of its legs.
Reproduction stages of the Munchkin cat
Given that Munchkin cats are a unique breed, some points must be noted regarding the breeding process:
It must be noted that these cats do not mate with other cats of the same kind, because this may lead to the death of the fetuses.
Munchkin cats reproduce by mating with other domestic cats
This is how the distinctive munchkin cats reproduce, which helps in preserving them and their continued survival
Frequently asked questions about the munchkin cat
There are many frequently asked questions about the Munchkin cat, along with the most important answers:
Are Munchkin cats expensive?
It costs between 1000 to 20000 $.
Is a Munchkin cat a good pet?
Yes, they are very sociable and loving cats.
How long do Munchkin cats live?
Munchkin cats can live about 12-15 years old.
In conclusion, the Munchkin cat is a gentle creature that gives its owner a great deal of happiness due to its unique qualities that we mentioned previously. We also learned about its method of reproduction, nutrition, and the diseases it suffers from.
