Dwarf cat

The breeding of dwarf cats is prohibited in several countries and states, due to the animal’s welfare concerns.

Because of their health problems and abnormal bone growth, these cats typically lead a shorter life of 12–15 years.

[2] Dwarf cats often suffer from spinal disorders, such as lordosis (excessive curvature of the spine) and pectus excavatum (hollowed chest).

[7] The Munchkin has grown significantly in popularity, but due to ethical concerns, the breed has been banned from registration in show registries, and is therefore primarily bred in the US.

In its registration rules, the Fédération Internationale Féline prohibits breeds based on dwarfism, and specifically mentions the Munchkin as an example of unacceptable manipulation of "genetic disease".

[10] In order to protect the animal’s welfare, several countries and states have prohibited breeding of dwarf cats, including the Netherlands (2014),[7][11] and Victoria (Australia).

[13] They are effectively banned under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals and have been strongly condemned in the British magazine Cat World.

Depending on the problems a cat is exhibiting, or what concerns the pet owners may have, different, more advanced tests may be ordered.

[17] A blood test measures the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the cat can be performed to rule out feline dwarfism.

[19] The kitten was prescribed thyroid hormone supplementation and after 22 months, presented as an average, healthy cat.

A Munchkin with legs extended
Munchkin cat with thick, short legs
A 4-year-old male Munchkin
Computed tomography X-ray photograph of a 4-year-old standard Munchkin cat sire and an adult female domestic cat control. Lateral view of a standard Munchkin cat (a, c, e) and a domestic cat (b, d, f). The limbs of the standard Munchkin cat are shortened in relation to the body. The fore limbs of the standard Munchkin cat (c) show a shortening of all distal and proximal long bones and higher diaphyseal diameters, particularly of humerus, compared to the fore limbs of domestic cat (d). The hind limbs (e, f) also show higher diaphyseal diameters in particular in the femur as well as a shortening of the long bones.