Munchkin cat

History of origin

The first mention of this breed occurs at the end of the 1983th century, however, the official history of the Munchkin begins in 1991, when music teacher Sandra Hochenedel from Louisiana picked up a pregnant short-legged cat and named her Blackberry. Soon short-legged kittens were born, which became the official representatives of the breed. Munchkins were first introduced to the general public in 1995 at a cat show, but were perceived negatively as sick and unviable animals. Later genetic studies showed that the short legs of this breed are the result of a natural mutation of the genes responsible for the length of the limbs. Fortunately, this mutation does not pose any harm to the health of the cat, and they do not suffer from spinal problems. In 2001, Munchkins were officially recognized by the International Cat Association and are now actively bred all over the world and have a lot of fans. In XNUMX, representatives of this breed were first brought to Our Country.

Breed description

Munchkins differ from other cats only in the length of their paws, and are divided into three types among themselves: dwarf, ultra-short-legged and standard. Munchkins are also jokingly referred to as “dachshund cats”. The body of these cats is elongated, while strong and muscular. The head is wide, wedge-shaped, slightly tapering to the chin. The ears are small, set wide apart and rounded at the end. The eyes are large, expressive, almond-shaped – from grassy green to sky blue. There is also heterochromia (eyes of different colors), but more often in cats with a white coat color. The tail is slightly thickened, cone-shaped, always carried up.

As for the legs, they are, on average, two to three times shorter than those of other cats. At the same time, the front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs, and may be slightly curved inward. The limbs themselves are strong, massive, with small rounded pads.

Although the Munchkin is considered a semi-long-haired breed, there are both short-haired cats with a velvety coat and long-haired silky beauties. The coat itself is shiny, elastic, with a moderate undercoat. In long-haired individuals, tassels on the ears are allowed. A variety of colors are allowed: one-color, bi-color and tri-color. The most rare colors are chocolate and marble colors.

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Character

In addition to their cute appearance, Munchkins have a pleasant friendly and playful character. These cats are very affectionate and contact, completely forgiving, get along well with small children, not releasing their claws even for squeezing and dragging their tail. With other cats and even dogs, these tiny beauties also find a common language. They love to lie on the owner’s lap, humming a soft song, and if you stay late at work, they won’t smash the whole apartment or be offended.

Despite their short legs, Munchkins love to explore: they can easily jump on the tallest cabinets and sofas, stick their nose into the most secret corners and be sure to pull off shiny objects to play, so keep jewelry and fragile figurines out of the reach of a cat. These cats love walks and travel, not at all afraid of new places, strangers or noise. Munchkins are happy to walk on a harness and can even ride in a car without trying to break out of the window or tear the entire interior with their claws.

Care and maintenance

Munchkins are unpretentious in maintenance and do not require special care. It is enough to comb them every couple of weeks (long-haired cats are better once a week so that tangles do not form) with a comb and a massage brush, completing the procedure by rubbing the fur with a suede cloth to make it shine better. Bathe the cat once every 3-4 months, then dry it thoroughly so that it does not catch a cold. Regularly clean your ears of accumulated dust and wax with a moistened cotton swab, keep your eyes and mouth clean. As for the claws, you can cut them or buy a special scratching post.

Particular attention should be paid to the diet of your pet. Consult with a veterinarian who will select a super-premium professional food for your cat. If you are going to feed the cat “natural”, then make sure that she gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals. To maintain a muscular corset, a large amount of protein is required – lean meats (rabbit, beef, turkey, chicken), offal, cereals, boiled vegetables, fermented milk products (yogurt or kefir), once a week – boiled sea fish or egg yolk. Fatty, smoked or salty delicacies from the master’s table are strictly prohibited, as well as overfeeding – otherwise the cat is threatened with obesity or serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Education and training

Munchkins are very smart cats, so they are easy to train to a tray or harness. As for training, pay attention to the favorite position of the representatives of this breed, when they stand on their hind legs and freeze in this position, folding their front legs on their chest. You can teach your cat to stand up on its hind legs at your request: by clearly pronouncing the command and treating the pet with something tasty for a successfully completed task. Many breeders recommend developing a kitten’s intelligence with the help of special toys or outdoor games, where the pet could show his resourcefulness. Never scold or punish your cat, otherwise it may lose confidence in you.

Health and disease

Munchkins are distinguished by good health and, with proper care, can live up to 20 years. The only genetic disease that a cat can inherit is lordosis of the spine (stretching in the thoracic region). It is forbidden to cross Munchkins with other breeds (only long-haired and short-haired representatives of their breed) to avoid diseases and mutations. Watch your cat’s diet because they are prone to obesity. Do not forget to regularly show the animal to the veterinarian, as well as about vaccination and prevention of helminths.