The Munchkin cat has become one of the most popular breeds due to its distinctive physical appearance. Its biggest feature is having short legs. However, this is not the only attribute that defines him, as this adorable kitten also stands out for his very affectionate, social and active sense. Want to know more about this very cute cat breed? Keep reading and discover in PlanèteAnimal everything you need to know about the Munchkin, its care, its character and its characteristics.
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- Thick Tail
- Little ears
- Strong
- End
Character
- Extrovert
- Affectionate
- Smart
- Curious
Hair type
- Medium
- Long
Origin of Munchkin Cat
Although the Munchkin cat breed has recently been recognized and popularized, it was already subject to sightings since the early 1940s. Dr. SE Williams Jones described in a UK report the appearance of four generations of short-legged cats and indicated in this same document that they were physically similar to the rest of the cats, except for the length of their limbs.However, this line died out during World War II and it was not until 1956 in Russia and 1970 in the United States that they recorded no new indications of the existence of this breed.
Despite recorded documents, it was in the 1980s in Rayville, Louisiana (United States), that Sandra Hockenedel, a music teacher, officially rediscovered the Munchkin breed, when she found the one of those pregnant cats. The teacher decided to adopt him, name him Blackberry and start breeding the Munchkin cat breed with one of these kittens called Toulouse.
The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized the Munchkin cat breed and included it in its development program in September 1994. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFE), however, did not still recognized.
Munchkin cat physical characteristics
Physically, the Munchkin cat resembles other feline breeds, the only difference being the length of its legs.Thus, the Munchkin's most impressive physical feature is its short legs, with the hind legs being slightly larger than the front legs. So much so that it's no wonder Munchkins bend down on their hind legs and show off their collected front ones, like kangaroos do.
Since the only requirement to be considered a Munchkin is to have very short legs, this feline breed accepts all colors and facial features, since it is even possible to observe cats Munchkin with the face of a Persian cat, or a coat similar to that of the Angora. In this sense, it is also worth mentioning that we found Munchkin cats with long, medium and short hair.
As for the average weight of the Munchkin cat, males usually hover between 3-5 kg while females usually weigh between 2-4 kg.Due to this average, this unique and adorable looking cat is considered one of the smallest cat breeds.
It should be noted that while the Munchkin accepts all sorts of colors and patterns due to its genetic diversity, that doesn't mean it has to be a miniaturized version of another race.
Munchkin cat character
Having such short limbs does not make the Munchkin cat slow or clumsy, quite the contrary! Precisely this characteristic trait makes him an agile, fast, dynamic and light cat. The Munchkin is capable of reaching remarkable speeds and heights, as well as penetrating any hole, no matter how small.
On the other hand, this feline breed stands out for its great intelligence and energy, being one of the most active, playful and affectionate cats. In addition, the Munchkin is kind, outgoing and docile.He is also quite curious, so he is always looking for a way to see what is happening around him to control the environment and know each of the corners of the house. He likes to explore and learn new things every day.
Munchkin Cat Care
The Munchkin cat does not require exceptional care different from other cat breeds. The recommended minimum is to brush it once or twice a week to eliminate any knots that may form, dead hair and thus avoid hairballs. If your cat has long hair, three or four weekly brushings are essential, which can be increased during the shedding season. As for the bath, as with other feline breeds, it should be done when it is really dirty and using products designed for cats and adapted to its coat.
The litter box should be placed away from food and water bowls, as well as the bed, in order to maintain a distance between the resting place and the place where he will relieve himself.Cats are very neat animals and the Munchkin is no exception. Likewise, if there is more than one cat in the house, it is important to place an extra litter box to avoid behavior and territory problems. As for the type of sand, avoid scented sands.
Leaving aside hygiene and focusing on Munchkin cat care to maintain emotional stability, it is important to provide this feline breed with toys, activities that keep it physically and mentally stimulated because, as we said, it is a very active and intelligent cat. Education is another way to meet their needs. Munchkin cat is able to learn many tricks, such as giving the paw, finding and fetching the ball, etc. To achieve the best results, it is necessary to use positive reinforcement, as it allows the animal to understand what it is doing, how to do it correctly and, at the same time, whether it wants to continue learning.With punishment, only fear and aggression will increase.
Munchkin Cat He alth
The Munchkin cat is a generally he althy feline, so it is not usually prone to a specific disease. Despite his characteristic extremities, he also does not suffer from genetic or hereditary diseases. Likewise, he has no mobility problems in his legs, nor a history of joint or vertebral problems, on the contrary, he is a very agile cat. Of course, it is necessary to take care of their diet, to offer quality food and to control the quantities because, as often happens in most cats, obesity can easily develop and seriously harm their he alth.
In addition, especially when adopting a Munchkin kitten, it is necessary to apply the mandatory vaccinations and deworm it, respecting the frequency guidelines established by the veterinarian.
Pictures of Munchkin
