Just looking at them is enough for them to touch your heart. Spending a little time with them is enough to make you want to expand your family. Because Munchkin cats are like that: funny, adorable, playful, and very sociable. They have all the qualities we usually want in a cat. But where do they come from? What explains the «boom» we are experiencing with these ARISTOCATS?
A somewhat controversial origin
Short-legged cats have appeared in different places and at different times over many years. There are records of short-legged cats in the United Kingdom in 1944, although they disappeared during World War II. Their existence has also been documented in Russia and in different parts of the United States. But the decisive moment in the history of these cats came in 1983, when Sandra Hockenedel found a pregnant short-legged cat and used her as the foundation for today’s Munchkins. The mother and her son were the precursors of this breed, which was developed within the TICA (The International Cats Association) and which, after years of breeding and observation, received the green light from the genetics committee of that association. It was 2003.
What are Munchkin cats like?
Munchkins are small to medium-sized cats (in fact, the smallest cat in the world is a Munchkin), with short or long, plush-textured fur, walnut-shaped eyes, and tall ears. Their exceptional and unique feature is their short legs, which give them everything that makes them adorable to the human eye (a comical touch that makes us want to protect and love them enormously), but which simultaneously greatly diminishes and alters the most representative characteristics of cats: agility, speed, gracefulness, and the ability to make great leaps.
Munchkin Cats What is their temperament like?
The other aspect that has made Munchkins one of the most sought-after cats at the moment is their temperament. Munchkins are extremely playful. They love running, chasing, and playing. They also love children, dogs, and pets in general.
They are naturally curious, which means it is common to see them sitting or standing on their hind legs, like a rabbit, to get a better view of what is happening around them.
At home, a Munchkin will never leave a corner unexplored, a slipper unsniffed, or a box uninspected. You cannot expect them to make great leaps (from the table to the sofa and from the sofa to the shelf), because their small legs make this impossible. However, their intelligence and innate curiosity allow them to reach their goal. If they want to get somewhere high, they will find a way to do it, taking small steps.
How should you care for Munchkin cats?
Their outgoing and family-oriented nature means that Munchkins require a little more attention than other cats, especially when they are kittens. They tend to be more restless and active than usual. That is why, if you are considering expanding your family with a Munchkin, we encourage you to make sure you will have the time and patience to devote to it. If so, we encourage you to take a look at the advice in this post on welcoming your cat when it arrives at your home for the first time, as well as the key points to keep in mind to educate it properly.
We will say goodbye with a video in which we see Munchkins getting up to their antics, so you can get to know them better. We hope you enjoy it!