Is breeding Munchkin cats unethical?

The breed, which are also known as munchkin cats, have almost Dachshund-shaped bodies. While the cats may look cute, their stunted limbs impact mobility and they can struggle to run and jump. Andrew Prentis, of Hyde Park Veterinary Centre has warned that it’s cruel to breed the cats knowing of their physical defects.

Are Munchkin cats selective breeding?

Munchkins owe their short legs to a naturally occurring gene, not human selective breeding. The gene responsible for the breed’s short legs has been likened to the same one that gives dachshunds and Welsh corgis their diminutive stature.

Is breeding cats cruel?

Breeding Trouble Inbreeding causes painful and life-threatening genetic defects in “purebred” dogs and cats, including crippling hip dysplasia, blindness, deafness, heart defects, skin problems, and epilepsy. Distorting animals for specific physical features also causes severe health problems.

How are Munchkin cats bred?

The modern breeding process involves mating one Munchkin (the mutation is not sex-selective) with a cat who doesn’t have the mutation. The mutation is dominant, and will result in a litter of Munchkin cats.

Why breeding Munchkin cats are bad?

The gene that gives Munchkin cats their short legs is a homozygous lethal gene, which means that if a Munchkin cat embryo receives two of these genes (one from each parent), that embryo won’t survive. If you breed two short legged Munchkin cats together, it’s unlikely that any living kittens will be born.

Do Munchkin cats suffer?

Critics claimed that these cats can suffer from back and hip problems similar to those experienced by short-legged dog breeds. In spite of their physical limitations, however, you may be surprised to learn that, unlike “short” dog breeds, Munchkin cats actually have a relatively long life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

Why breeding Munchkin cats is bad?

Why you shouldn’t get a Munchkin cat?

Although Munchkin cats, when taken care of, can live about 12 to 15 years on average, there are some health problems that can develop due to their short legs. Lordosis is a condition that causes the spine to dip down and put pressure on the heart, lungs, and trachea, and it can be fatal as the organs begin to grow.

Are Munchkin cats ethical?

Today, many people argue that breeding the Munchkin is unethical because it perpetuates physical deformities. Experts say that Munchkins are fine, health-wise. However, due to the controversy, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) won’t recognize the Munchkin.

What’s wrong with Munchkin cats?

Munchkin cats are known to be at a higher risk (than other feline breeds) for severe osteoarthritis because the shorter limbs affect their activity levels and behavior. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis and the assessment of its severity for a cat may require radiography.

How much are Munchkin cats worth?

Breed Information
Kitten Prices	Average $1000 – $2000 USD Munchkin kittens coming from reputable breeders, with high quality, beautiful bodies and beautiful coat will cost between $1500 and $3500. Since more and more people want to care for this controversial breed, their prices continue to increase.

Why you shouldn’t get a Munchkin Cat?

Can you breed a Munchkin cat with a regular cat?

Breeders intentionally breed Munchkin cats with regular-sized cats or cats who are just naturally shorter and do not have the Munchkin gene to produce kittens with short legs. Since only one parent has the mutation, the kittens can survive and be sold for a high price.

What kind of health problems do munchkin cats have?

Munchkin cats are also susceptible to pectus excavatum, or a concave chest. This causes the breastbone to sink in. Breeders are quick to point out that these conditions can also occur in normal-sized cats, but vets have found a correlation between the genetic mutation and these health problems.

Would you breed a cat with short legs for TICA?

One TICA judge even resigned because of the questionable ethics of breeding a cat with a genetic deformity intentionally. When it comes down to it, breeding a cat with short legs is done only to please humans, not for the benefit of cats. Sure they may look cute to some.

What causes a Munchkin cat to sink in the chest?

Lordosis is a condition that causes the spine to dip down and put pressure on the heart, lungs, and trachea, and it can be fatal as the organs begin to grow. Munchkin cats are also susceptible to pectus excavatum, or a concave chest. This causes the breastbone to sink in.