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All About The Non-Standard Munchkin!

If you have come across standard munchkins, you might be very curious about the non-standard munchkin and what this cat is, what it looks like, and how it compares to the standard munchkin.

Non-standard munchkins, as the name suggests, are not the norm for this breed, and they look pretty different to their relatives, but they do carry some of the same genes, and they are often used to breed standard munchkins.

Standard munchkins are a kind of cat that has short legs as a result of a mutation that occurs naturally, and many breeders have chosen to continue this mutation by deliberately breeding munchkin cats together.

Non-standard munchkins have long legs and look very similar to domestic cats, but they carry the munchkin gene, and can be bred with standard munchkins to produce more standard munchkins.

Munchkin cats (both standard and non-standard) are pretty rare, and you are unlikely to come across one just by chance; most can only be acquired by going directly through a reputable breeder.

The mutation can lead to multiple health issues if these cats are not bred with care, so you should do thorough research and spend a lot of time thinking about it before you take one of these cats on.

You should also have a big budget that you can allocate to veterinary fees if necessary.

How Big Are Non-Standard Munchkins?

Non-standard munchkins look about the same as the average domestic house cat; these felines are not usually noticeably bigger or smaller than other house cats, and you may not be able to tell them apart just by looking at them.

Non-standard munchkins can be born in the same litter as standard munchkins, but they will not share their littermates’ short legs, and will grow up to look the same as other cats, rather than as dwarf versions.

The reason that non-standard munchkins don’t have short legs is that they lack the heterozygous gene, and without this gene, their legs will grow to the usual length.

If you stand a domestic cat and a non-standard munchkin side by side, they will often be around the same height, with their stomachs being approximately the same distance from the floor, and no noticeable difference in the length of their legs.

As well as non-standard munchkins, there are also “standard,” “super short,” and “rug-hugger” munchkins, which have varying leg lengths.

As you may expect, the rug-hugger has the shortest legs of all, and will usually stand only a short distance from the ground. The super short is in between the two sizes, with a little more height than the rug-hugger, but still less than the standard.

Is It Cruel To Have A Non-Standard Munchkin Cat?

There is a lot of controversy about the breeding and ownership of munchkins as a whole, and non-standard munchkins come into this debate as well.

No matter how cute they are, most people are aware that breeding for “cuteness” can cause a whole host of health problems, and may make for miserable, sickly pets that are prone to possibly fatal health conditions.

Unfortunately, however, there are no conclusive answers about whether munchkins and non-standard munchkins are actually less healthy than other domestic cats.

It is certainly true that munchkins can suffer from health problems, but so far, research has not demonstrated whether this is strictly due to the breed.

Munchkins are often associated with lordosis, which is a spinal issue that could certainly be connected with its deformity, but other cats can suffer from this too, and so some breeders argue that it is not a result of breeding.

This kind of cat can live for around twelve to fifteen years, which indicates that it is at least reasonably healthy in many ways.

However, a lot of people disagree with the breeding of munchkins on principle, and believe that there is no excuse for deliberately breeding a deformity into kittens.

Simply owning a non-standard munchkin kitten may not be directly cruel, but some people feel that it’s best not to support the existence of this breed.

Non-standard munchkins are often used in the breeding of standards because breeding two standards together will not result in kittens that survive.

What Is A Non-Standard Munchkin’s Personality Like?

Like other munchkins, non-standards are generally friendly and active, and they get along well with people; they are always keen to cuddle, play, and explore, so they make excellent family pets, particularly for older children and adults.

They are also highly intelligent and enjoy a challenge, and you may even be able to train them to follow some commands.

Be prepared to challenge your pet’s intellect with puzzles and interactive games, and don’t underestimate their ability to get into spaces that you want them to stay out of.

Non-standard munchkins are said to enjoy hoarding, so you may find that they occasionally steal items from around your home and stash them in unusual places around the house.

The “magpie” of cats, they have a slightly mischievous side, but are not destructive or aggressive.

These cats are outgoing and enjoy climbing, and because they don’t have short legs, they should have no problem jumping onto your furniture if they feel like it.

Although they love to play, non-standard munchkins also love to be cuddled and handled. They are curious creatures and will investigate anything new that comes into their world, so remove anything that you don’t want them to have, and consider bringing home toys such as cardboard boxes and paper bags for them to play with if they seem bored.

Conclusion

A non-standard munchkin may not look very different from a domestic cat, but it shares a standard munchkin’s quirky, friendly personality, and it carries the munchkin gene. Non-standard munchkins are important for the continuation of the species, and are a natural result of breeding munchkins, as not all of the kittens in a litter will have short legs. If you want a munchkin, you may decide that a non-standard munchkin is better for you, especially from an ethical perspective, but always check a breeder’s reputation out thoroughly before you buy one of these kittens.