Munchkin

Like every breed, the Munchkin is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Dogs

  Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.

• Indoors and outdoors

  Often content as an indoor cat.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes with a few hours alone.

• First-time owners

  Some cat experience helps.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own cat’s health.

• Short legs and mobility

  UFAW says the short legs limit the cat's ability to jump and to move and behave like other cats, and that the disability is present from birth, although cats can adapt to it to some extent.

• Arthritis and joint disease

  Purina says Munchkins are prone to arthritis. UFAW explains that the abnormal limbs may put unusual stresses and loads on the joints, which can lead to painful osteoarthritis. TICA disputes this.

• Back injuries

  Purina warns that the long back relative to the short legs makes back injuries more likely than in a cat of normal build.

• Kittens lost before birth

  UFAW says the gene is thought to be lethal when a kitten inherits two copies, so some kittens born to two Munchkin parents die before birth.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Munchkin home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Kittens should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a kitten was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Munchkin home, and looking after one well. Kitten prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, litter, scratching posts and toys, and a cattery or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the cat’s life, typically 12–15 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Munchkin suits your life, take the same care choosing where your cat comes from. Meet the kitten in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Munchkins do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the cat. An adult cat arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the cat’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a cat once, well.