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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 our 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.