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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Munchkin cats?

102 replies

PikachuSayBoo · 19/09/2016 15:08

Dd wants a munchkin cat. I'm quite happy to get another cat and have googled to see what the heck a munchkin cat is and I have alarm bells ringing.

Does anyone have one? Ive read about possible spinal problems but then other websites are saying spinal problems haven't been a problem.

Can they go outside? Can they jump over fences, etc?

Current cats go out. I'm worried it would go out and get stuck somewhere.

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Pooka · 19/09/2016 15:12

Never heard of a munchkin so googled. I feel a bit uneasy about seeking out a cat that has deliberately been bred to have short legs as they are. It seems way too far down the road of in-breeding/taking on an animal that has been deliberately bred to look cute, ignoring the potential health and mobility problems associated with the breeding.

It makes me feel a bit queasy to be honest.

Much better to get a normal rescue kitten, properly insured IMO.

Pooka · 19/09/2016 15:13

I would have thought with legs so short the cat would be naturally vulnerable to predators (foxes) or attack by other faster and more mobile cats. They look like house cats to me, which would be problematic if your other cats go outside freely.

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:20

I wouldn't have one on principle, 'natural' genetic mutation or not. It strikes me as manipulation.

Soubriquet · 19/09/2016 15:23

You would never be allowed to let them outside

Those short legs of theirs makes them too vulnerable

Original poster
PikachuSayBoo · 19/09/2016 15:23

Yes, I think I may have to sway her away from munchkin cats.

We've only ever had rescue moggies before. But dd is really keen for an unusual looking cat. She used to want a ragdoll but I put my foot down. Then she wanted a cat with a squished up face........not sure what particular breed. Now it's all about the munchkin cats!

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Weedsnseeds1 · 19/09/2016 15:24

They have dwarfism and have been bred deliberately to have it. I would have thought spinal and joint problems are inevitable. They probably cost a fortune too. Get a moggie instead, all kittens are cute!

reallyanotherone · 19/09/2016 15:27

No. They have too many health issues, bred in because of the desire to produce a cat that can't jump.

1/4 of kittens are also non viable and die in utero. I can't approve of any mutation being purposefully bred when it's lethal in it's homozygous form.

Unethical breeding imo and I wouldn't toich with a bargepole.

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:27

Why does DD want a cat? And roughly how old is she?

Soubriquet · 19/09/2016 15:27

What about a Manx cat if she wants unusual?

Looks like a normal cat apart from no tail

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:30

You ought to read the ICC guidance on Manx cats, Soubriquet. If I recall, they recommend that breeding be 'discontinued'.

reallyanotherone · 19/09/2016 15:31

The mutation for manx cats is also lethal and many kittens die as a side effect of breeding tailess cats.

Wouldn't touch that one either.

Get her a 3 legged cat from a recue if she wants different.

Soubriquet · 19/09/2016 15:31

Ah didn't see that recent update about them

Looks like a lot of pedigree cats have problems

Soubriquet · 19/09/2016 15:33

I would love to have a sphinx but I can't justify paying £1000 for a cat

reallyanotherone · 19/09/2016 15:34

Most pedigree cats don't have lethal mutations though. Yes they may have their health issues, but not fundamental gene mutations that result in non-viable kittens.

rhiaaaaaaaannon · 19/09/2016 15:35

Ragdolls are the best, what made you say no?
Do you mean persian? They are lovely pets too. Very quiet and loving.

rhiaaaaaaaannon · 19/09/2016 15:35

P's you can get rescue pedigrees

Madbengalmum · 19/09/2016 15:37

Definately wouldnt have a munchkin, due to the amount of issues they have. I believe that sort of breeding is very cruel too.

What about an ocicat/abyssinian/manx/maine coon/ragdoll/rex?

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:41

For anyone interested, here's a link to the ICC's pages on cat breeds. I think that the section on inherited disorders is also closely linked to that.

Original poster
PikachuSayBoo · 19/09/2016 15:47

She's 15yo and has always been cat mad.

She's been after an unusual cat for years. She's been U well and depressed lately so im wanting to cheer her up a bit.

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cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:51

I'd be tempted to show her the ICC pages and get her interested in breeding as such.

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 15:55

Failing which, let her choose a Siamese kitten. (Don't buy one for her in case it doesn't 'take' and the Siamese prefers you or something.)

She won't have time to think about anything else! Grin

reallyanotherone · 19/09/2016 16:09

Yy- I was going to say siamese. If you ignore it and let her look after it it will bond with her and she'll be so desperate for a shower without the cat she won't even think about it's looks :)

Original poster
PikachuSayBoo · 19/09/2016 16:20

Not sure I could cope with a Siamese. Aren't they noisy and needy? Grin

Am looking at exotic shorthairs now.

I suspect dd wants to instagram the hell out of whatever we get. Grumpy cat Mark two.

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rhiaaaaaaaannon · 19/09/2016 16:21

I honestly can't recommend a ragdoll enough op. Cute as fuck, lazy and loving.

Original poster
PikachuSayBoo · 19/09/2016 16:22

I read that ragdolls can't feel pain as well as normal cats and was worried about accidents, etc. That was eight years ago though when ragdolls were newish I think. Not sure if it's true.

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