Yeah, these cats are cute, and they themselves do not deserve hate (after all, it's us humans who intentionally breed and sell them and label their genetic defects 'adorable') but as you can probably tell, I hate the breeding and selling of these cats. It is cruel.
First, let's compare the munchkin cat's stature to that of a normal cat. Munchkin cats' legs can vary in length, though most purebred Munchkin cats will have legs shorter than that of a typical domestic cat. Many breeders have begun to group Munchkin cats based on their leg length.
From left to right: Non-munchkin (legs not short), 'standard' (legs shorter by 1-2"), 'super-short' (legs shorter by 2-3"), 'rug-hugger' (legs shorter by 3+")
As you can see, Munchkins, especially the super-short and rug-hugger varieties, have shockingly short statures. It can be hard to see just how extreme the difference is until you compare them to a standard cat. Still, how is this a problem?
Well, for one, it restricts natural behaviours. Cats are naturally semi-arboreal. They are born with the instinct to climb and jump. Their brains are wired to find comfort and security in high places.
A typical domestic cat can easily, and will gladly, jump up to 100 centimetres (2 ft, 3"). Most typical domestic cats can even reach heights of 150-180 centimetres (4 ft, 11" to 5 ft, 10").
Due to the Munchkins' short legs, the height they are capable of jumping is restricted. The standard Munchkin may be able to jump almost as well as a typical cat, perhaps up to 140 centimetres (4 ft, 7"). However, there is no way a super-short or rug-hugger Munchkin could jump so high.
You can really see the difference in abilities in these two videos:
1. A typical (non-munchkin) cat jumping up to 101cm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jtap32RQMM
2. A Munchkin cat jumping 80-90cm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMzGn21eClQ
Cats, even Munchkins, have the instinct to jump and a love of high places. Taking an animal that needs to and loves to jump but physically cannot is unbelievably cruel. It can cause stress and frustration to the cat and, if the cat regularly attempts to jump but fails, may result in injury.
"But if standard munchkins can still jump, why not just breed them. The point on natural behaviour only applies to some munchkins, so you've got to give me more than that to convince me this breed is suffering!"
May I present you with skeletal deformities as a point then?
The genetic mutation causing the short-legged trait in Munchkins is referred to as achondroplasia, the genetic disorder that results in dwarfism. It very rarely occurs naturally in feral cat populations, but has unfortunately been intentionally bred by breeders due to the high demand for these cute cats.
This disorder is associated with multiple conditions, exhibited by the vast majority, if not all, Munchkin cats (yes, including the 'standard' variety.
1. A shortened, bent ulna and radius.
2. Lordosis - excessive curvature of the spine due to shortened muscles.
3. Pectus Excavatum - horizontal narrowing of the chest due to sternum and costal cartilage deformities.
(above) one of the two Munchkins rescued and adopted by Gatehouse Veterinary Centre in Wrexham, UK. The two rescue Munchkins, Bonnie and Clyde, experience issues typical of the Munchkin. They are both on long-term pain relief as well as joint supplements.
The Munchkins' skeletal deformities drastically increases the chance of severe Osteoarthritis. They are also susceptible to developing arthritis at a much younger age than a typical cat.
This condition causes a lot of discomfort and pain in the joints. It can restrict a cat's ability to jump, which, for a Munchkin (a breed that is already restricted in terms of activity), is not good.
Osteoarthritis requires regular medication to manage the pain, as well as decreased activity, which can be very distressing for a cat, who has no idea why they feel the way they do.
Pectus Excavatum is also frequently exhibited in Munchkins as a result of the gene that causes their shortened legs.
Pectus Excavatum is a condition in which, as a result of malformation of the sternum, the chest is narrowed.
This reduces space for the heart and lungs. Depending on the severity of the condition, cats with Pectus Excavatum may experience severe cardiac and lung problems, causing difficulty breathing and increased respiratory rate.
This is NOT a rare condition in Munchkins.
Lordosis is a term for excessive curvature of the spine. It is caused by shortened muscles and the impaired posture and gait having shortened legs (especially on the front side) causes.
Lordosis can cause back and shoulder pain, which can severely and negatively impact a cat's quality of life.
Over time, severe cases of lordosis in cats may cause gait changes and/or weakness.
Unfortunately, due to the Munchkin's skeletal deformities and high incidence of severe Osteoarthritis, their average life expectancy is shorter than that of a non-Munchkin cat.
While the average life expectancy of an indoor Domestic Shorthair (cat of no breed) is 15-20 years, the average life expectancy of an indoor Munchkin is 12-15 years, approximately 5-8 years shorter than a typical cat.
The Munchkin cat's abnormally high incidence of medical problems, restricted natural behaviours, and shortened life expectancy has led to legal restrictions being put in place in some places to prevent the further suffering of these cats.
In the Netherlands, as of 2014 it is prohibited by law to intentionally breed Munchkins. This is the same case in Victoria, a state in Australia.
The Australian Capital Territory (a territory in Australia) government considers Munchkin cats to be "malformed animals" and the intentional breeding of them "unacceptable" due to the "genetic health problems associated with such breeding".
For the health and welfare of cats, we need to ban the intentional breeding of Munchkins worldwide.
Please, do not purchase a Munchkin from a breeder or pet store as this encourages the breeding of these cats. If you really want a Munchkin and you're prepared for the issues the cat will likely face, search for a Munchkin at local animal rescues.
