Munchkin cat breed
Tiny with a big personality, Munchkins cats are cute balls of fluff that love attention. Learn all about the Munchkin cat breed, from their diet and grooming needs to the price.
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Munchkin cat breed information and advice
The Munchkin cat is a distinctive-looking feline due to its short legs and a long spine - the Dachshund of the feline world. Named after the Wizard of Oz characters, their little legs are the result of a genetic mutation. While dwarfism can occur naturally in cats, Munchkins have been bred specifically to look like this. This makes the breed somewhat controversial.
But their short legs don’t hold them back. These cats are energetic and playful. Munchkin cats make entertaining pets for most households, including those with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. So, if you’re looking for a cute kitty short in stature but big in character, a Munchkin could be the cat for you.
Munchkin cat facts
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| How much | £200 - £2,000 |
| Size | 15 - 23 cm |
| Weight | Weight - 3-4 kg (male); 2-3.6 kg (female) |
| Colours | white, blue, silver, brown, ebony, beige, lavender, orange, grey, chocolate |
| Grooming | minimal, weekly brush |
| Temperament | affectionate, outgoing and intelligent |
| Exercise | high |
Insurance for your Munchkin
Munchkin cats are generally a healthy breed. But since they are a fairly new breed, not much is known about their long-term health. No matter how healthy the breed may be, it’s still important to protect your Munchkin with cat insurance. Having the right pet insurance in place for your Munchkin will help cover the cost of vet bills for surgery, medication and any ongoing expenses.
Common health problems that can affect Munchkin cats include:
The Munchkin cat lifespan is typical for a cat, and despite their stubby legs, they lead relatively healthy lives.
Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance
With Sainsbury’s Bank, you can take out a pet insurance policy for your Munchkin cat or kitten from 8 weeks old up to their 10th birthday. As long as you continue to renew your policy without a break, our cat insurance helps to give you peace of mind and also helps to protect your pet
Choose from three pet insurance options, all tailored for your Munchkin cat’s needs:
- Lifetime – covers your Munchkin cat for any ongoing issues throughout their lifetime and total vet costs of up to £10,000 a year.
- Maximum benefit – lets you claim for the same condition multiple times, as well as cover for vet costs of up to £6,000.
- Time limited – covers vet fees for short-term health conditions of up to £3,000, or for 12 months.
If your Munchkin cat has other feline friends or puppy pals at home, you can also take out multi-pet insurance and get a discount.
Please be aware that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.
How to care for a Munchkin cat
Munchkins cats are low maintenance and easy to care for. And like any cat, you should make sure they have a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and regular grooming. Munchkin cats are also extremely active, so access to fresh water at all times is a must.
Feeding and nutrition
Munchkin cats may be tiny, but their appetite is large. Make sure you provide your Munchkin with a complete and balanced diet. If you buy your kitten from a breeder, they should be able to tell you how often and how much you should feed your cat. Try to feed your Munchkin cat the same type of food and at the same time every day. You can also ask your vet which cat food they recommend, and how much to feed your pet.
Because of their very short legs, it’s important that Munchkin cats avoid obesity and maintain a healthy weight. They may also need a wider, shallower feeding bowl than other breeds to ensure they’re comfortable when eating.
Grooming
Munchkin cats can be short-haired with a medium plush or long-haired with silky fur. Still, their grooming needs are minimal. Short-haired Munchkin cats just need a brush or comb once a week. Long-haired Munchkins will need to be groomed more frequently to keep their coats mat-free. You could also use a grooming glove if your cat doesn’t like being brushed or combed. If they get very dirty, you can give them a bath using a pet friendly shampoo.
Munchkin cats love to explore, so if you notice their paws snagging on clothes or furniture, it’s a sign their claws are too long. Invest in a scratching post or clippers to help keep their claws in good condition.
Exercise
Despite their short legs, Munchkin cats can run fast, climb and jump – although not as high as other cats. They’re also lively and love to play. As Munchkins have a high prey drive, they’ll especially love laser pointers, feathers, and catnip mouse toys.
Play is one of the best ways for your Munchkin cat to exercise and for you to bond with them. Aim for at least 15-30 minutes of play daily to keep them fit and stimulated. Munchkins are best suited as an indoor cat, but they will enjoy access to a safe, secure outdoor space to go exploring.
Training
Munchkins are intelligent cats that are easily trained. They can even be taught a trick or two, such as playing fetch and walking on a leash. Thanks to their boundless curiosity, Munchkin cats thrive most with interactive play and puzzle toys.
Toilet or litter training will be picked up quickly, especially when you reward them with cat toys and treats.
Temperament and behaviour
Being sociable cats, Munchkins do enjoy company – whether it’s with a human, another cat or dog. But, their personalities can vary like any other cat. Once you’ve spent some time with your Munchkin cat, you’ll get to know their personality and some of their interesting quirks.
Some Munchkin cats move like ferrets and can stand on their hind legs like rabbits to get a better view of what’s going on. They’re also known to like to collect shiny objects too. And after that, they’ll enjoy curling up on your lap for a nap. So, it’s safe to call them a lap cat.
Common health problems
As the Munchkin cat breed is still relatively new, more research is needed before possible health issues can be completely ruled out. But, two health conditions have been recorded in relation to the breed – lordosis and pectus excavatum. Munchkin cats can also be affected by other common conditions seen in all cats such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and kidney problems. Taking out cat insurance cover for your Munchkin cat will make sure that any unexpected health costs are covered.
Lordosis
Lordosis is an excessive curvature or hypertension of the spine caused by weak abdominal muscles or postural changes. This can lead to back pain, shoulder pain and, in severe cases, compression of the heart and lungs. The condition can range from being very mild to severe.
Treatment for lordosis in Munchkin cats can include laser therapy, chiropractic or manual therapy, cat stretches and even nail trims.
Pectus excavatum
Pectus excavatum (also called funnel chest) is a malformation of the chest. This can result in breathing difficulties and is usually apparent when the kitten is around 10 days old. If the condition is mild, no treatment may be required. For more severely affected cats, surgery and the application of a splint to the ribcage may be needed.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and the pancreatic enzymes digest before they should. This results in the digestion of the pancreas itself. The cause is unclear, and although it was once considered a rare disease in cats, recent studies have shown that it’s more common today.
Signs of pancreatitis in Munchkin cats can range from loss of appetite to diarrhoea. It can be short-term (acute pancreatitis) or ongoing (chronic pancreatitis) . Treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms, side effects and nutrition.
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism is another common condition that can affect Munchkin cats. It’s the overproduction of the thyroid hormones which leads to increased metabolism. You may notice an increase in your cat’s appetite and weight loss despite them eating more. Cats with hyperthyroidism also become aggressive and restless.
This condition is typically found in older or middle-aged cats. It can be treated with surgery, prescriptive nutrition, medication or radiation.
So, is a Munchkin cat right for you?
These short and sweet cats make delightful pets and great companions for households who can give them lots of attention. They don’t like to be left alone all day and are best suited to families with older children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs.
Frequently asked questions
How big are Munchkin cats?
Munchkins are small to medium in size. They range between 15-23 cm tall, which is notably smaller than the average cat size of around 25 cm. Munchkin cats have very short legs with round, compact feet which all point straight forward.
Are Munchkin cats family friendly?
Yes. Munchkin cats make great companions but need a family with lots of time for them. They don’t like to be alone for too long and love getting attention.
How long do Munchkin cats usually live?
The Munchkin cat breed lifespan isn’t much different to other full-sized breeds, averaging around 12-15 years.
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References
Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetstream.com/treat/felis
Leslie A Lyons, Vetstream Ltd (online) Munchkin. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/freeform/munchkin.
David Godfrey, Geert Verhoeven (online) Flat-chested kitten and pectus excavatum. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/felis/diseases/flat-chested-kitten-and-pectus-excavatum.
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Important information
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