The Munchkin pays a high price for the look that people want: is it cruelty to breed such cats?

You must have seen videos or pictures of the short-legged cat known as the Munchkin. They are also often called Sausage Cats after Dachshunds. In recent years, it's as if they shot their popularity index with a rocket; it seems that Buz Lightyear's motto, "To infinity and beyond!" applies here as well. We already know that trends are rarely good for breeds.

However, as we have become accustomed to, we always have to pay a high price for special external characteristic. And since cats are unable to make decisions about their own fate, the question arises, how ethical is it to breed such animals as the Munchkin?

A few short sentences about the Munchkin

It is a medium-sized breed whose most characteristic features are its short legs and long body. They usually have a relatively stout, massive torso and a round chest. Their fur can be long or short, and they come in various shades and patterns.

Their short legs are the result of an autosomal dominant gene that appears naturally in nature. Taking advantage of this, of course, they are now consciously bred. Munchkins would be doomed before birth if they inherited the gene from both parents, so they are crossed with normal cats. (Hence the varied coat colors and patterns.) The offspring have a 50% chance of being Sausage Cat. If the gene has no physical projection, the cat does not carry it.

There are three different leg lengths according to the breed standard: standard, super-short and rug hugger, which is the shortest.

Do Sausage Cats really have more health problems than other cats?

In 1991, the Munchkin became an officially recognized breed by The International Cat Association. What may be surprising is that it has been in the crossfire of continuous debates even before that, but since then it has been increasingly valid. Its critics claim that these cats can suffer from the same back and hip problems as dogs with short legs or deliberately bred to be small. They also have a genetic mutation that causes their appearance to differ from the average, and later populations were also created by taking advantage of this.

Interestingly, it has so far not been possible to prove that these cats have the same spinal problems as dogs with a similar appearance, but many people still consider it irresponsible to breed such animals.

Depending on who we ask the million-dollar question, the answers are divided as to whether they are indeed prone to more diseases. However, it is a fact that their movement is more limited compared to breeds with normal leg length. There are those who insist that they cannot jump as high as other cats because of their legs, others explain that they do not jump because it causes them pain.

Interestingly, their lifespan is 12-14 years. An average indoor cat lives 10-15 years, so it may be true that their physical limitations do not affect their health. But all breeds are more prone to certain diseases, and this is no different in the case of the Munchkin.

From scoliosis to lymphoma

They typically have lordosis, i.e. exaggerated inward curve of the spine, which appears due to the too slow growth of the muscles supporting the spine.

The funnel chest, or pectus excavatum, is caused by the abnormal growth of the sternum and ribs. If operated on in time, the prognosis is very good.

Osteoarthritis certainly sounds familiar; also occurs frequently in humans. It is a degenerative disease that results in the breakdown of tissues such as bones and cartilage. It is extremely painful if left untreated.

As a result of hyperthyroidism, the cat’s metabolism speeds up, so even if it eats more, it will lose weight. If it is not treated, it produces additional unpleasant symptoms, but fortunately it can be kept under control with medication.

Uremia, or blood in the urine, is caused by high levels of urea and amino acids in the bloodstream. It is usually accompanied by kidney damage or blockage of the cat’s ureters. It can be successfully treated if diagnosed early.

Lymphosarcoma, also known as lymphoma, is a type of cancer. Just like human cancer patients, animals with lymphosarcoma are usually treated with chemotherapy. It is a treatable but not curable disease, unfortunately it can be expected to return.

Is it cruel to breed such cats?

Breeders also try to point out that breeding cats with a genetic mutation that causes short legs is no different from breeding short-legged dogs such as Corgis or Dachshunds. The International Cat Association agrees with this argument and accepts the Munchkin as a registered breed. However, two organizations, The Cat Fanciers’ Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association, refuse to recognize the Munchkin. A judge from The International Cat Association has resigned because the ethics of deliberately breeding a breed with genetic deformities is questionable.

What we think is important to keep in mind is that breeding of different breeds is never done for the sake of the breeds, but for the people. There are several questionable breeds whose unique physical characteristics and behavior make them more susceptible to disease or difficult managemenet. In a world full of healthy but unwanted cats, it would be better to turn our attention to this.