Munchkin cats are generally a healthy breed, but of course like any other pet they can still be affected by certain health issues.

Congestive heart failure: this is a condition that occurs when your cat’s heart isn’t pumping enough blood to other parts of the body which causes fluid to back up in the lungs.

Urinary tract infection: this is an infection of the urinary system, and in cats can manifest as reduced amounts of urine, struggling to urinate, urine with blood etc.

Pancreatitis: a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed quickly over a short period of time.

Due to munchkins short legs, it’s important to keep them active so that they maintain a lean body condition and avoid obesity.

Munchkin cats are quite easy to groom, and many of them tend to have short coats that are easy to maintain. Brushing them once a week is usually enough, but for those munchkins who have a longer coat they should be brushed twice a week to prevent and remove mats or tangles.

Other grooming munchkin cats require includes regular nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Munchkin cat owners should aim to keep their little furry friend as active as they possibly can, as keeping them inactive can often lead to obesity especially because of their short legs.

Whilst they don’t need too much in the way of human-guided exercise, it’s still good for them to play and exercise daily as much as they can to keep them healthy and stimulated.

No, munchkin cats are not genetically modified, contrary to popular belief – the short legs are actually caused by a naturally occurring gene.

Fully grown munchkin cats will have the same head and body size as normal cats, but their legs will be significantly shorter which makes them look a lot smaller than other fully grown cats.

No – despite their small build and shorter than normal height, munchkin cats do not really need any particular special care beyond keeping them healthy and happy.

There are a number of common health issues that Munchkin Cats are prone to, and as a pet owner it’s worth considering insurance to help protect against unexpected vet bills. Take a look at Asda Money Cat Insurance to see the kind of cover you could get for your cat.