It's not just their short legs! The cuteness of Munchkin cats and important considerations when owning one, as learned from 11 years of living together.

You might be surprised to learn that Gigi, my calico cat, is a Munchkin. Munchkins are a breed characterized by their short legs, but Gigi is a long-legged type. I brought her home just before she was to be sold off as a discount item and sent to a pet auction.

In this article, I'd like to share the charms of the Munchkin breed that I've discovered over our 11 years together, and some key points to keep in mind when living with one.

Let me gush about the charms of Munchkins

[Charm ①] I wish more people knew that "long-legged types are cute too"

You might have a strong image of Munchkins as short-legged, but actually, only about 20% of Munchkins have short legs. Long-legged ones are by far more common.

However, long-legged kittens are often considered to have "failed" to exhibit the breed's characteristic features and are sold cheaply. Considering the ratio of leg lengths in newborn kittens, this situation is quite sad, isn't it?

Some of you might wonder if long-legged Munchkins have similar leg lengths to average cats, but their legs are still shorter than average. However, since their legs are longer than short-legged Munchkins, I find it easier to find food bowls that are comfortable for them to use.

It's too sad that the difference in leg length can make it harder for them to find a forever home, so I hope the understanding that both short-legged and long-legged Munchkins are cute spreads.

[Charm ②] The round face of a medium-haired Munchkin is irresistible

Whenever people see Gigi for the first time, they always compliment her "cute, round face." Munchkins are inherently a "semi-foreign type" of cat with round faces, so their faces tend to be round, but with medium hair, this feature seems to be even more pronounced.

Looking at her face, which resembles a sesame dumpling (she might get angry if she heard me say that), naturally brings a smile to my face.

However, in Gigi's case, it's just that the hair around her face is super fluffy! (I don't know why it gets like that), so she actually has a surprisingly small face. Just between us, if you hold down the hair on her face, she's actually quite sharp-featured.

Because the area around her face is fluffy, people often say, "She's a big cat!" but her actual weight is 3.4kg, making her quite petite.

Gigi often reminds me to "make sure to emphasize how slim I am," so I'm highlighting it here.

Gigi is a slim and delicate adult lady!!!!!

[Charm ③] I can't take my eyes off her because she's clumsy

If you live with a Munchkin, you'll probably agree with me, but it feels like many Munchkins are a bit clumsy, perhaps because their legs are shorter than typical cats.

Gigi is one of them. It might also be related to her spending her kittenhood in a small display case, but she's not very good at playing with toys.

おもちゃ本体よりも、ひものほうが気になっちゃうマイペースさ。 pic.twitter.com/qr2PdPo1bp

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) July 6, 2023

Even with toys that other cats can follow with their eyes, her gaze doesn't keep up, and when she plays, her movements are clunky.

Her running style is also unique. Unlike her housemate cats who run gracefully, she makes a "clippety-clop! clippety-clop!" sound, as if a horse is galloping by.

私の心を乱す、この赤い点！！！全然掴めにゃい！！ pic.twitter.com/TgfHQyeN2e

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) January 20, 2020

When we first started living together, my husband often worried, "Isn't Gigi's way of running strange? Is she okay?" (Now he just laughs and says, "That's your personality.")

Because of that clumsiness, I can't leave her alone. Cats living indoors shouldn't be outside anyway, but I especially think Gigi couldn't manage it.

謎の遊びがかわいい pic.twitter.com/zCIvkNppuR

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) July 7, 2020

That's why I've taken thorough measures to prevent escapes so the cats can go upstairs without having to use the hallway, and I'm extra careful when opening and closing windows, using a playpen.

The phrase "the more effort they require, the cuter they are" perfectly describes Gigi. I want her to continue being cozy and warm at home.

Health and living considerations for Munchkins learned over 11 years

This breed is prone to strain on their limbs and lower back.

Because Munchkins have shorter legs than typical cats, there's more strain on their limbs and lower back. In fact, Gigi's veterinarian has warned me to be careful about intervertebral disc disease.

The strain on their limbs and lower back accumulates, and as they age, their leg and back strength naturally weakens. So, even if you didn't have regular check-ups during their younger years, please consult with a veterinarian during their senior years.

In our home, considering the strain on their limbs and lower back, we've laid carpets on the living room floor where we've installed cat steps and a cat walk.

While they still have the energy to jump now, their leg and back strength will continue to weaken as they age, so I want to prepare pet steps and other items as well.

It's better to have a narrower spacing for cat steps

These days, more and more people are building homes that are comfortable for both cats and humans. If you live with a Munchkin or plan to adopt one, I recommend making the spacing between cat steps narrower than the standard.

全く届いてないけど、動く気もない。 pic.twitter.com/9sCP48OHjt

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) August 13, 2019

This is because many Munchkins can be a little clumsy. In fact, we considered Gigi's agility and made the cat steps a bit narrower, which turned out to be a great decision. Our other cats, who have average leg length, can easily jump across, but for Gigi, it's "just the right spacing."

I sometimes shudder to think that if the cat steps had standard spacing, there might have been more falling accidents.

However, be careful not to use kitten cat towers just because they're not very good at high places, as this can lead to lack of exercise. For adult cats, it's still recommended to prepare an adult cat tower.

Cats are creatures that value vertical space more than horizontal space, more than humans might realize. Try to incorporate ways for them to exercise vertically, while also considering your cat's agility.

Short-legged cats might struggle with food bowl selection...

Since Gigi is a long-legged type, she doesn't show any signs of difficulty eating from a standard-height cat food bowl. However, short-legged cats might have some trouble choosing a food bowl.

This is because elevated cat food bowls, often advertised as being at "the ideal angle for cats to eat comfortably," are often too high for short-legged Munchkins. In fact, there are surprisingly few food bowls specifically designed for short-legged Munchkins.

It would be sad for owners if a food bowl chosen with their cat's health in mind actually takes away their enjoyment of eating, so please carefully check the size and angle of food bowls and observe your cat's reaction to choose a comfortable height.

...I hope that in the near future, clever people who love cats, or companies that adore cats, will develop food bowls that are easy for short-legged Munchkins to eat from.

Cherishing every day since she surpassed the average lifespan of 10 years

The lifespan of cats is increasing year by year, and the average lifespan of indoor cats has finally reached 15.79 years (2023, according to the Japan Pet Food Association), but the average lifespan of Munchkins is said to be around 10 years.

Ever since I learned that, I've dreaded the day Gigi would turn 10. Would she safely reach 10, and how much longer would she stay healthy after that...?

From the time Gigi passed 7 years old, I started thinking about this more and more, and I couldn't celebrate her birthdays with just joy anymore.

And after safely overcoming the 10-year mark, she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a rare blood cancer in cats... I realized the harsh reality that the average lifespan is indeed an age when various things are prone to happen to the body.

It's truly a miracle that she was able to celebrate her 11th birthday on February 13th this year. The longer we spend together, the more my selfish wish to "live together longer" grows.

HAPPY Birthday🍰
11歳の誕生日おめでとう、ジジ。
今年は、どこかひとつでも治療のタイミングやが合わなかったら、今日を迎えられなかった可能性が高かったので、この日を迎えられて、余計に嬉しい。

10年以上も家族でいてくれて、ありがとう。これからも、あなたらしいニャン生を。 pic.twitter.com/rgVRZkKx6e

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) February 13, 2025

While purebreds tend to have a shorter average lifespan than mixed-breed cats, we owners can certainly extend their average lifespan by carefully monitoring their health and providing care.

When adopting not just a Munchkin, but any purebred, it's important to research the breed's characteristics, common diseases, estimated treatment costs, and how to create a comfortable living environment in advance, to build a happy life together.