Society nowadays relies strongly on the social media cloud, which has somehow become a type of currency. High-value content is usually signaled by a combination of the views, comments, and likes you receive. And considering that cats and cat videos always had a high place among viral content, it’s really no surprise that munchkin cats are also pretty popular on social networks like TikTok and YouTube. Some videos manage to land well into the hundred million views. But for those that just found out about this particular breed, what exactly is a munchkin cat? Let’s go over some very interesting facts about Munchkins.
Munchkin cats: Getting to know the breed
In the world of cats, munchkins have their own, unique place, with their popular curiosity, long bodies, stubby and legs. You can go as far as to say that these very short-legged creatures could have a strong role in fantastical literature. Some cat lovers were even heard calling munchkin cats the noble steeds lookalikes for fairy nobility. So where did this breed come from? Its origins are in England, around the year 1930. Nowadays, most Munchkin cats come from Louisiana, more precisely, a small town called Rayville.
Sandra Hochendel is said to have bred these cats after finding two pregnant munchkins, one gray and one black, hidden under a truck. Hockendel, who was a music teacher in Rayville, only kept the black cat and called her Blackberry. The gray cat got the name Blueberry and was eventually rehomed. The history of Blueberry is pretty blurry, but what we do know for sure is that all modern-day munchkins are Blackberry‘s descendants.
Munchkin cat personality, size, and health
Just like other breeds like the Manx or the Sphynx, the Munchkin cat is a result of inbreeding, which is why it isn’t uncommon for these creatures to develop health issues, as well as behavioral problems. If you’re really interested in adopting one of these weird-looking cats, then you might want to know how big a munchkin cat will get, whether or not it will have health problems, or what is the expected life span of the munchkin breed. So let’s go over these issues one by one.
You might also like my articles on The Flame Point Siamese, the Calico cat, and the Black Bengal Cat.
Personality
Aside from being among the most adorable breeds in the world, munchkin cats are also known as one of the most affectionate breeds of cats. Munchkins simply love to spend time with you, your family, and especially your children. Keep in mind that although your kids will get along with this type of cat, you should always keep an eye on them when they are playing together, especially if you have really small children. It’s also a good idea to keep any valuable jewelry you have around the house, away from this pet. The munchkin is also known as a magpie, mainly due to the cat’s affinity for shiny things, similar to that of birds.
Size
The munchkin breed is considered a small-medium type of cat, but its plush coat and stubby legs might make it appear slightly larger than it actually is. Males will usually be larger than females, but this isn’t unusual in general. You should expect a female munchkin cat to have a weight of around 5 to 8 pounds, while males will be slightly bigger, having a weight of 7 to 9 pounds.
Life span and health issues
Although different breeders and cat experts have different opinions on this subject, it turns out that the life span of munchkin cats is pretty similar to other cats, especially when cared for properly. Of course, there are breeds that would outlive munchkins, but still, these cats should live to the respectable age of 12-15 years.
There is some not-so-happy news as well. A genetic mutation is what causes Munchkin cats to have those adorable stubby legs. This mutation can lead to a lot of health issues, some of them pretty painful, like osteoarthritis. Arthritis in general is easily treatable in cats and treatment is readily available, but people that want to get a munchkin cat should keep an eye on the pet’s weight because any extra pounds could put unwanted pressure on their bad joints. Regular exercise and a correct diet are a must, as well as periodical visits to the vet, to make sure these cats are kept as healthy as possible, so they can live as long as possible.
Munchkin cat price
People that want to get a munchkin cat will have a hard time finding one in rescue centers, which is why most of them will reach the point where they will want to know how much would this cat cost. Ready for a weird answer? Here it is: It really depends.
There are quite a few factors that will influence the final cost of a munchkin kitty. You might find not-so-known breeders that might sell these types of kittens for very low prices, but when possible, try to avoid buying a pet from a breeder that doesn’t have a strong reputation. Facilities that offer munchkin cats for low prices will usually raise them in deplorable living conditions, which would lead to health-related or behavioral issues. When buying from a reputable breeder, be prepared to pay $500 to $2,000 for a munchkin cat, although you might spend closer to $3,000 if the kitten you’re getting has an unusual coat pattern or comes from a famous bloodline.
The munchkin cat is a really appreciated breed, although there are some controversies around it. But could a Munchkin ever become as popular as a Manx or a Sphynx? This is something that time will show. But if you’re set on getting a munchkin, you should remember to do your due diligence when it comes to the breeder, keep close contact with a veterinarian, and of course, post the cute kitty all around the social media.
