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Written by Sandie Taylor
Note: for Breeders of Munchkin Cats on Meowhoo.com click here:
Munchkin Cats
The Munchkin Cat is a naturally occurring domestic cat with short legs. Because they originate
from a domestic cat, they come in all colors, can range in height, and will weigh anywhere from 5
to 9 lbs full-grown. Although they were not introduced into the cat fancy until the 1980's, they were
seen dating as far back as the 1940's.
The personality of a Munchkin could be described as playful, sweet, social, and easy going.
They like to spend time with their owners and enjoy lots of attention. They seem to have magpie
tendencies, and love to hide things. One of my favorite Munchkin quirks is when they play or just
want to look at something; they stand on their rear legs similar to a Prairie Dog.
Grooming a Munchkin is no different from grooming any domestic cat. Short hair Munchkins
should be brushed once a week to help shed dead hair, and the long hair Munchkins should be
brushed twice a week to get any tangles or mats out. Like any cat, they need a good quality diet,
regular vet visits, and kind human attention.
The Munchkin does not have any specific health problems that are associated with the short
legs. A common misconception is that they have the same spinal weakness as the Dachshund
dog. Because cats have such a flexible spinal column this does not pose a problem for the
Munchkins. The short front legs do not hamper them in any way. They can run, walk, and jump just
like a normal cat would. You will find them jumping onto counter tops, climbing cat trees, and
running through the house just as you would most cats.
The Munchkin is accepted for championship in 3 cat fancy organizations: AACE (American
Association of Cat Enthusiasts), UFO (United Feline Organization), and TICA (The International
Cat Association). The standard for the Munchkin can usually be found on their websites.
Sandie Taylor and husband Ken breed Munckin cats.Read more about Sandkats
Cattery.
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