Munchkin: characteristics of the cat breed with short legs, history of origin, care, nutrition and health

Statistics say that 70% of Russians have some kind of living creature in their apartment. It can be hamsters, turtles, cats, dogs and other animals. They become full members of the family, and they help single people brighten up their gray everyday life. People are especially attached to dogs and cats. They can be of a wide variety of breeds. Recently, exotic cats with short legs, somewhat reminiscent of dachshunds, have become very popular. So what is this breed?

How did the Munchkins originate?

Munchkins are a breed of cats with short legs, unfamiliar to the inhabitants of our country. For the first time, cats with short legs were discovered in America in 1983, in the state of Louisiana. There is a version that one woman picked up a stray cat with small deformed paws, which became so, most likely due to various diseases and poor nutrition, and brought it to her home. It soon became clear that the cat was pregnant.

When the kittens were born, they were all short-legged, but absolutely healthy. Thus a new breed was born. She got her name in honor of the little mythical men from the fairy tale land of Oz.

Characteristics of the breed

All animals have certain subspecies. The Munchkins are no exception. Such cats are of the following varieties:

• standard;
• ultrashort;
• dwarf.

Munchkin coats come in a variety of lengths and colors. Only their eyes are exactly the samee, the correct round shape. Sometimes it happens that a kitten is born with normal paws. There is nothing wrong with this. Such specimens are carriers of the gene and are suitable for breeding. From them thoroughbred kittens with short paws are born.

Munchkin cat personality

Many people believe that short-legged cats are much calmer than their ordinary counterparts. Partly it is. They have a very docile nature. Playful, calm, peaceful, very curious and completely non-aggressive kittens get along well with children.

Cats are distinguished by excellent dexterity and can very quickly climb wherever they want. They use their tail like a fifth paw: with it they sit. In this position, they can be quite a long time, which causes tenderness among the owners.

Munchkins differ from other breeds in that easily tolerate a change of scenery, as well as quickly and easily make contact with strangers and get along wonderfully with other animals. There is even an opinion that they can be taught the simplest commands.

This breed has some behavioral features. For example, they are very fond of arranging caches. Those owners who have got such a breed of cats should not scatter their things anywhere, because they will then have to be looked for in cat hiding places.

Beyond hiding places, munchkins love to decorate their place from any means at hand, so the owners should take care to get them a special cat house.

These cats love to walk outdoors. If you teach them to be on a leash from childhood, they will be happy to walk along the street.

Necessary care

Munchkins are the same cats as everyone else, so they do not need any additional care. You just need to know a few basic rules:

• regardless of the length of the coat, the cat should be brushed regularly. Short-haired individuals are combed out once a week, long-haired individuals require much more time;
• pets are washed once a season, only their heads should not be soaped. For drying you can use a hairdryeronly if the munchkins can tolerate loud sound. Otherwise, you should not scare them;
• once a month, the teeth of the Munchkins should be treated with a special paste, and the ears and eyes should be cleaned as needed;
• They need to trim their nails once every two weeks. Moreover, this must be done very carefully, because any careless movement can damage the blood vessels in the nail plate;
• vitamins can be given to them, but only in small quantities and only as directed by a veterinarian.

What do munchkins eat?

Cats with short legs should be fed good quality dry food. Categorically it is forbidden to give them plant foods, because due to the special structure of the stomach in such cats, it is absorbed very poorly. Instead of dry food, you can give natural meat products.

Munchkin cats cannot be overfed, so they should be given small portions of food. If this process is not kept under control, then the cat can become very fat. Pets should always have clean water available.

Munchkin Health

Cats with short legs live for about fifteen years. Their life expectancy is affected by:

• good nutrition;
• lack of stress;
• proper care;
• comfortable environment.

What can hurt Munchkins? Basically, they are tormented by lordosis – curvature of the spine. As a result the cat’s skeleton begins to change, and there is a large load on the internal organs. However, veterinarians are sure that this is characteristic not only of Munchkins, but also of other cat breeds.

Just like any other living beings, Munchkins really need attention, care and love from their owners. If you treat such cats kindly, gently, provide good living conditions, then they will always have good health, cheerful mood and they will live for a very long time.