Healthy Munchkins
Our sweet Munchkin cat Honey, two weeks before giving birth, easily accessing 7 feet of height!
Can Munchkins Jump? Run? Climb?
In our experience, yes. Our wall shelves are over 7 feet tall through a series of steps and jumps, and all of our Munchkins make it up there with no issue. One even made it onto the fridge… something none of our long-legged cats ever did! People online say Munchkins can't jump upwards, but ours clearly didn’t get the memo.
Ask any long-time Munchkin owner, and they’ll tell you that their Munchkins run like little ferrets, jump like they can fly, and climb like monkeys. Even in older years.
But, let’s talk in detail about the question I hear the most and the one that gets the most vitriolic and controversial answers: Are Munchkin cats a healthy breed?
Scroll down to the TL;DR if you don’t want to read everything :P
As a short history lesson, Munchkins as a registry-recognized breed have only been around for 30 to 40 years. However, short legged cats have been reported to exist as far back as the 1940s. One of the first few documented cases of short legged cats was recorded in 1944 by Dr. H.E. Williams-Jones. He recorded four generations of short-limbed cats and noted one in particular “[have] lived an extremely healthy life and, other than her short legs, she was reported to be normal in every way.” [1]
A closer examination of Munchkins reveals several unique physical traits: their back legs are longer than their front legs and tend to be thick and strong, giving them powerful kicking ability (we named Usagi after the word "bunny" for this very reason). Their overall proportions, including feet, tail, spine, and skull, remain unaffected by their shorter leg bones. On top of that, their spines remain naturally flexible, an evolutionary advantage of all cats.
When people see Munchkin cats, they often compare them to Dachshunds or Corgis. These two dog breeds are known for health struggles due to their shorter stature, with dwarfism condition referred to as chondrodystrophy. While many aren’t born with any issues, they tend develop some later in life due to the mutation. Chondrodystrophy in dogs is attributed to the specific gene mutation called FGF4 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 4). This gene causes their short legs, and is also the leading cause of intervertebral disc degeneration, leading to why Corgis and Dachshunds tend to have spinal issues in their older years. [2]
However, research has found that Munchkin cats do not have the FGF4 mutation. Munchkins are mesomelic, meaning only the middle part of limbs are shortened, with nothing else affected. This gene is located on cat chromosome B1 and is distinct from genes that cause dwarfism in human and dogs. It is an entirely new gene mutation, named UGDH (UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase). [2] While there is a study that proves evident skeletal structure differences from that of long-legged cats, the study was also stated that “Heterozygous standard Munchkin exhibit reduced leg length without impaired health, as found in Dexter cattle”. [3]
Dogs tend to be heavier and more dense than cats are, plus their bones are much more rigid, making the mutation much more impactful in the long term.
It’s also important not to confuse Munchkins with cats that have true dwarfism (achondroplasia). Media-popularized cats like Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce), Lil Bub, Francis, and Winky are not Munchkins. They have different mutations that affect their facial structure and body type. The genetics behind their appearances are distinct from the UGDH gene found in Munchkins.
In 1991, TICA accepted the Munchkin cat into their registry through the work and advocation of Dr. Solveig Pfluger. TICA themselves state that “years of research have validated that there are no debilitating genes associated with this breed” [4]. They maintain strict standards that ensure the Munchkin is structurally bred right.
Historical evidence further supports the breed’s health. In 1995, early Munchkin breeders had their oldest cats X-rayed and evaluated for joint or bone issues. The results? No abnormalities were found. Dr. Solveig herself published a paper where she “bred Munchkin to Munchkin, including very close inbreeding, without producing anything vaguely resembling the phenotype of homozygous achrondroplasia.” [5]
Many purebred enthusiasts (even those who are not breeders or even have Munchkins of their own, including some that don’t particularly like the breed for its appearance) agree that Munchkins and Minuets are healthy when properly bred — i.e. not purposefully breeding for the shortest legs possible. Sarah Hartwell of MessyBeast notes that any potential defects, such as lordosis, are uncommon within the breed, and that “offspring have few, if any, health issues” [6]. She also notes that when a kitten inherits two copies of the Munchkin gene, the result is nonviable—meaning the embryo is absorbed in utero and never develops to term. This is sometimes misunderstood, with some believing that two short-legged Munchkins (Ll × Ll) produce a kitten that is born dead. In reality, the kitten is never formed. This phenomenon has been corroborated by genetic studies [3].
Additionally, anecdotal evidence from Munchkin owners frequently highlights cats that live 15 to 20 years in good health. One time, I was reading the account of an owner who shared that her Munchkin passed away at 21 years old, having passed bloodwork and X-rays with flying colors. The cat eventually succumbed to oral cancer—not a genetic condition related to dwarfism.
Unfortunately, much of the criticism surrounding Munchkins comes from individuals who have never interacted with one directly. Many online from sources, such as UFAW, infers things like human dwarfism, dog skeletal structures, and cat arthritis related to old age (not breed specific). Many “TikTok Vets” get content engagement by continuously sharing misinformation, despite never having seen a Munchkin cat in practice or only the most critical cases. This creates unnecessary fear and misinformation about this breed. None of our vets, whom we trust and have worked with for years, have expressed any concerns about my Munchkins joint health.
On a positive note, while there is no published study yet (hopefully soon), the University of Missouri is currently conducting long-term health research on dwarf cat breeds like Munchkins and Minuets. These studies include advanced joint scans and evaluations through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), and so far (through word of mouth from other breeders who have participated in this study), they have revealed minimal health concerns. Among many well-bred Munchkins aged 1 to 10 years, only one showed signs of very mild arthritis.
To offer some perspective:
Many loved and celebrated breeds have their own health predispositions: around 25% [7] to 37% [8] of Maine Coons are affected by hip dysplasia; approximately 25% of Manx cats with spina bifida show symptoms [9]; intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs in about 25% of Dachshunds [10]; 40% of Sphynx cats are at risk for heart disease [11]; almost all Persians have some degree of brachycephalic syndrome [12]. Additionally, over 90% of domestic cats will develop arthritis in their senior years (12+) [13].
Munchkins are also one of the few TICA (and WCF) breeds allowed to outcross with regular domestic cats, giving them one of the largest gene pools among purebreds. As a result, conditions like HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and PKD (polycystic kidney disease) are far less common in the breed. Munchkins crossed with any recognized breed can be registered, but are not eligible for show/championship for 3-4 generations of crossing back to Munchkins [14].
In comparison, I would say Munchkins tend to fare quite well. I say all this not to shame other breeds or claim that Munchkins are superior or the healthiest breed ever. Every breed, like every human, has genetic sensitivites and things that need to be kept track of/maintained for. The point is: as breeders, we have the opportunity and responsibility to study, test, and make informed choices to support the long-term health of our cats and their future generations, and as pet parents, we have to choose the breed that fits our lifestyle and provide loving, up to date care for the cat’s entire life.
At the end of the day, no breed is without its challenges. When we take the time to understand a breed’s unique traits, separate myth from fact, and focus on ethical, transparent practices, we’re not just preserving a breed: We’re elevating it. Munchkins, like all cats, deserve to be judged by the quality of their health and care, not by automatic assumptions or internet fear-mongering rumors. Let’s move forward with compassion, education, and a commitment to doing better for every cat, in every breed.
A Review (TL;DR):
The first 4 generations of dwarf cats were recorded in 1944 as extremely healthy and entirely normal aside from having short legs.
Munchkins were officially recognized in 1991 by TICA after geneticist Dr. Solveig Pflueger confirmed they found no debilitating genes in the breed.
In 1995, X-rays of early Munchkins showed no skeletal abnormalities.
Unlike Corgis and Dachshunds, Munchkin’s mutation is not from the FGF4 gene that causes short legs and spinal issues in dogs. They’re also lighter and more flexible, reducing strain from daily movement.
Science, breeders, and long-time owners have found no consistent evidence that Munchkins live in pain. Many remain joint-issue-free into old age.
They can outcross with domestic cats, giving them a much healthier gene pool than many purebreds.
An ongoing multi-year study at the University of Missouri has found only one case of very mild arthritis among all Munchkins examined so far.
For comparison:
Around 20% of Maine Coons are affected by hip dysplasia;
Approximately 25% of Manx cats with spina bifida show symptoms;
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs in about 25% of Dachshunds;
40% of Sphynx cats are at risk for heart disease;
Almost all Persians have some degree of brachycephalic syndrome.
Additionally, over 90% of domestic cats will develop arthritis in their senior years (12+).
Every breed has things to be careful about—just like humans. As breeders, it’s our responsibility to study, test, and make informed decisions to support long-term feline health.
For me, it was the Munchkins’ quirks and personalities that made me fall in love with the breed. The first time I actually saw one (when I was a young teenager), I actually thought they were kind of weird looking, haha!
Munchkins are adaptable, people-oriented cats that will follow you from room to room and sleep on their backs while you cradle them in your arms. They are smart, brave, quick, and will figure out how to get onto your highest surfaces because nothing can stop a Munchkin. They retain a kitten-like energy even into their older years, and thrive on companionship. They even stand like meerkats to get a better look at things, sometimes! I adore the nonstandard kittens just as much as the standard ones.
If giving them the best life means taking extra steps, like periodic taking X-rays to evaluate their joints and spines, giving them supporting supplements, and a high-quality raw diet rich in collagen, then I’m more than happy to do it.
From everything I’ve studied and observed, Munchkins are a remarkably healthy breed with incredible potential. I’m excited to see how the breed continues to evolve as more research emerges and more people advocate for their wellbeing.
At Sunkittens, we’re currently in the process of having all our Munchkin cats regularly screened for potential joint problems on a yearly basis. We believe this kind of screening is essential for producing the healthiest Munchkins possible and we’re fully committed to upholding that standard.
With Love, Mayu (Scroll down for citations)
[1] The International Cat Association (TICA). Munchkin Breed Introduction. August 2018. https://tica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/TICA-Munchkin-Breed-Introduction.pdf
[2] Lyons, Leslie A., et al. "UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH) variant associated with Munchkin cats' short-legged phenotype." bioRxiv, 8 July 2019. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/687210v1.full
[3] Struck, A.-K., et al. A structural UGDH variant associated with standard Munchkin cats. BMC Genetics, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32605545/
[4] The International Cat Association (TICA). Munchkin. “Many years of research have validated that there are no debilitating genes associated with this breed.” https://tica.org/breed/munchkin
[5] Munchkin Breed Description, Catz Inc. “There is sufficient data at this point to suggest that abnormal homozygotes similar to human achondroplasia are unlikely to appear with future breedings.” https://catzinc.org/catz/breed-description/munchkin/
[6] Hartwell, Sarah. Short-Legged Cats – The Messybeast. “Munchkin litters are often smaller than average cat litters, suggesting that some embryos die early and are reabsorbed by the mother (probably where the embryo inherits two copies of the gene i.e. homozygous). The remaining offspring have few, if any, health issues.” http://messybeast.com/shortlegs.htm
[7] Loder, R. T. & Todhunter, R. J. Demographics of hip dysplasia in the Maine Coon cat. J. Feline Med. Surg. 20(4):302–307 (2018). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28430011/
[8] Low, M., Eksell, P., Högström, K., Olsson, U., Audell, L., & Ohlsson, Å. Demography, heritability and genetic correlation of feline hip dysplasia and response to selection in a health screening programme. Scientific Reports, 2019;9, 17164. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53904-w
[9] DeForest, M. E. & Basrur, P. K. Malformations and the Manx syndrome in cats. Can Vet J. 1979 Nov;20(11):304–14. This study confirms that the tailless (Manx) condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is linked with spinal malformations like spina bifida and locomotor disturbances. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/393376/ pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +2 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +2 europepmc.org +2 Sources
[10] Packer, R. M. A., Seath, I. J., O’Neill, D. G., et al. DachsLife 2015: An investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 3, 8 (2016). IVDD risk in Dachshunds is 10–12× higher than in other breeds. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-016-0039-8
[11] Seo, J., et al. “Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and ALMS1 variant in Sphynx cats in New Zealand.” Animals (Basel) 14(18):2629 (2024). This prospective assessment found a 40% prevalence of HCM among Sphynx cats, with no association between HCM and the ALMS1 variant. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39335220/
[12] Johnson, R.A., Stern, J.A., & Bonagura, J.D. Clinical manifestations and epidemiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. Vet Sci. 2021 Jul;8(7):121. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8294563/
[13] Bennett, D., Zainal Ariffin, S. M., & Johnston, P. Osteoarthritis in the cat: 1. How common is it and how easy to recognise? Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 14(1):65–75 (2012). Osteoarthritis was found in up to 90% of older cats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11148909/
[14] TICA. Standing Rules (Version B). The International Cat Association, 25 April 2023, p. 307.3.2. “Requirements for Championship Exhibition. There can be no outcross to other breeds except within a breed group within the three generation pedigree. No unknown or unregistered cats may appear within the three generation pedigree.”
