At a glance the quick version
TICA: males 7-10 lb (about 3.2-4.5 kg), females 5-7 lb (about 2.3-3.2 kg). Wikipedia: males 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg), females 4-8 lb (1.8-3.6 kg). Ranges combine both.
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair (medium-plush) or longhair (semi-long, silky)
A cat of normal body and head proportions carried on noticeably short legs, the result of a naturally occurring dominant gene. It comes in two coat lengths: a plush short coat and a silky semi-long coat.21
Personality what they are like
An outgoing, playful and people-oriented cat that tends to get on well with children and other pets. It is inquisitive, easy to handle, and likes to collect and stash small shiny objects.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Fast and nimble with sharp turns; enjoys chasing and fetching toys and can learn to walk on a leash.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Shorthairs: comb weekly. Longhairs: comb about twice a week. Occasional bath, plus regular nail trims, ear checks and tooth brushing.2
Home where they are happiest
Climbs well but prefers several short steps to one big leap, so graduated shelves or multi-level cat trees suit it.2
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its family and usually mixes well with children, other cats and dogs.2
The story where it all began
In 1983 a music teacher in Rayville, Louisiana, took in a pregnant short-legged stray she named Blackberry; one of her short-legged sons, Toulouse, went on to found the breed. Breeders then used ordinary domestic cats as outcrosses to keep the gene pool broad. The Munchkin was first shown to the public at a TICA show in 1991 and joined TICA's development programme in 1994.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed is named after the little Munchkin people in L. Frank Baum's 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.1
- 2
A Munchkin called Lilieput from Napa, California, was listed by Guinness World Records as the shortest living cat, standing 5.25 inches (13.3 cm) tall.1
- 3
Munchkins often sit up on their hind legs like a rabbit to get a better view.2
- 4
They have a reputation for 'borrowing' small shiny items and hiding them away.2
Recognised by the official bits
- TICA
- Entered the new breed development programme in 1994; championship status given in 2003 per TICA (Wikipedia gives full recognition as 1997)2
- TICA (per Wikipedia)
- Recognised 1994, full recognition 19971
- WCF, Australian Cat Federation, Southern Africa Cat Council, Catz Inc (NZ)
- Recognised1
- FIFe, GCCF, CFA
- Not recognised1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Munchkin. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Munchkin cat - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition by other registries, weight, name, Guinness record
- Munchkin - TICA tica.orgused for history, recognition, weight, lifespan, temperament, care
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.