All About Miniature Cats
Many people find there to be something extra-charming about a full-grown cat that remains small its entire life. Whether you are talking about dwarf, miniature, or teacup cats, tiny cat breeds are currently all the rage. Let’s take a look at each type of miniature cat and the differences between them.
Miniature Cats
When looking for a miniature cat of your very own, beware as there are some breeders who are simply selling runt kittens fixed with an expensive price tag. In order for a cat to be a genuine miniature, he or she must originate from breeding lines where the size trait is being managed through selective breeding. The cats should be a consistently little size, due to the presence of a genetic mutation.
Dwarf Cats
Such a cat exists, and it is known as a dwarf cat. The Munchkin cat is the most well-known breed of short-legged dwarf cats. With that being said, the Munchkin breed has been outcrossed with many different breeds of standard housecats, and as a result, many different dwarf breeds have developed. According to the Dwarf Cat Association, the following breeds are all considered dwarf:
- Napoleon: Persian and Munchkin Cross
- Skookum: LaPerm and Munchkin Cross
- Lambkin: Selkirk Rex and Munchkin Cross
- Bambino: Sphynx and Munchkin Cross
- Kinkalow: American Curl and Munchkin Cross
The breeding of dwarf cats began in the mid-1980s, so it hasn’t been around for very long. As a result, at present breeders are trying to become recognized by the major cat registries.
Teacup Cats
Along with short-legged dwarf cats, there are also some dwarf breeds that are of normal proportion. To set them apart from munchkin breeds, they are normally termed as “mini” or “teacup” breeds. Some exist due to selective breeding, while others because of a spontaneous mutation.
Teacup cats are termed so, because they are just smaller than miniature cats. They are proportionately small all over their bodies. As you might imagine, this has made the popularity of the teacup cat spread like crazy.
A Word of Caution
Be wary when selecting a miniature, as not all teacup cats are dwarf cats or miniature cats. Keep in mind that some cats weigh around 7 to 12 pounds. Sometimes, some 7-pound cats may give the appearance of being a miniature cat, but will not actually have the genes of a miniature cat. Some dishonest breeders may sell you a small cat and charge you a high price for a miniature cat.
Ask for the Following When Buying a Miniature
- A contract stating that your kitten has no congenital defects
- Proof that your cat has been spayed or neutered
- Proof that the cat has had all of its immunizations
- A certificate stating that the cat is free of diseases
- Proof that the cat is free of worms and fleas
Final Thoughts
Be sure to further protect your precious kitty by microchipping them in case they get lost. Getting them checked out by a veterinarian within 72 hours of bringing them home is recommended.