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Lambkin cats, also known as the Nanus Rex, are considered a rare cat breed. This is partly due to their recent development. While we don’t know the exact dates, it’s thought that the Lambkin breed was developed sometime between 1987 and 1991 by an American breeder who crossed a Munchkin and a Selkirk Rex. The goal of the crossbreeding was to create a dwarf-breed cat with the unique coat characteristics of the Selkirk Rex, which is exactly what happened.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–8 inches
Weight:
5–9 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Wide range of colors
Suitable for:
Families with children or other cats
Temperament:
Gentle, calm, affectionate, tolerant
The Lambkin breed is steeped in controversy as a crossbreed. The Munchkin cat’s small stature results from a genetic mutation that codes for dwarfism. Dwarfism can cause significant health issues, so it’s extremely important that Lambkins are only bought from reputable breeders.
You will undoubtedly fall in love with this gentle, affectionate cat breed. They make fantastic family pets and genuinely love everyone they come into contact with.
Lambkin Characteristics
Lambkin Kittens
Lambkin kittens are probably going to be hard to find due to the fact that breeding any other cat with a Munchkin is controversial. Combined with the rarity of Selkirk Rexes, finding a Lambkin will be a feat! However, if you do manage to find a Lambkin kitten up for adoption, it will be important to get the health records of their parents. This is more doable if you go to a breeder. If you are unable to get the health records of the parents, you need to be prepared for potential health issues that come from Munchkin cat genetics.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Lambkin
Are These Cats Good for Families?
Lambkins make excellent family pets because they have extremely tolerant personalities. If you’re in search of a friendly cat that will get along with children or other pets in your household, the Lambkin breed will not disappoint.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶🐱
Yes! Lambkins are happy to play and cuddle with other pets in the house. That said, these are tiny cats. They also have short legs that don’t allow them to jump to heights that most other cats can. For this reason, extreme caution should be taken if you have large dogs in the house. While Lambkins will be friendly with them, they can get seriously injured by a dog that is overzealous in their play efforts.
Things to Know When Owning a Lambkin
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
A healthy Lambkin needs a diet similar to that of any other cat breed. Of course, if they have allergies or specific dietary requirements, a veterinarian is the best person to talk to for personalized diet recommendations.
As obligate carnivores, Lambkins are meat eaters through and through. Their requirement for meat is a biological necessity, so owners must ensure the food they’re feeding is chock full of protein. A good rule of thumb is to choose a food that lists real meat as its first ingredient, though there are other factors that make a diet quality and appropriate for cats.
Commercially prepared cat foods have been formulated to provide cats with the right balance of nutrients and calories. The minimum nutritional requirements for cats have been established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and all quality manufacturers will use these standards when producing their foods. Look for the nutritional adequacy statement on the food label to confirm it is “complete and balanced” for your cat’s life stage.
Owners can choose between wet and dry food, though most experts recommend feeding cats a mixture of both to ensure their pets are reaping the benefit of both food types.
Exercise 🐈
Breeders claim that a Lambkin’s short legs don’t inhibit them from being active like any other cat breed. Since they are a crossbreed, it’s difficult to determine just how energetic your cat will be, as it depends on what traits they inherit from each parent.
If you have a playful and active Lambkin, it’s important to make sure they get enough exercise every day. Plenty of mental stimulation and hiding spots are also recommended to keep your cat feeling safe.
Training 🧶
The Lambkin’s high intelligence makes them easy to train. They will easily learn to use the litter box and can be taught to do tricks and play games. Like most cats, they will “decide” when they will be obedient to commands, but that doesn’t mean they don’t understand.
Grooming✂️
The Lambkin has a unique plush, curly coat inherited from their Selkirk Rex parent. To prevent this cat’s coat from becoming tangled, you will need to brush it every day. Daily grooming will help your cat’s hair look great and give you important bonding time together. Extra care should be taken to avoid breaking delicate hairs during brushing.
Health and Conditions 🏥
There is a great deal of debate over whether Munchkin cats and their Lambkin offspring suffer from discomfort or health issues as a result of their inherited dwarfism. Many breeders believe that their short legs don’t hinder the breed in any way, while many veterinarians express concerns about the potential risks of encouraging dwarfism in cats.
A significant number of offspring born to Munchkin parents die before birth because of their genetic mutation. This fact alone suggests that there are risks to the cat’s quality of life, and there may be ethical concerns about using dwarf cats for breeding. There is an ongoing study being conducted by the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri that is looking into the impact of feline dwarfism.
- Achondroplasia or dwarfism
- Lordosis
- Pectus Excavatum
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pancreatitis
- Uremia
- Lymphosarcoma
- Osteoarthritis
- Lower urinary tract disease
Male vs. Female
There are no known differences between male and female Lambkin cats with regard to behavior or care.
Male cats, in general, can begin “marking” or “spraying” once they reach sexual maturity. Neutering them at a young age will prevent them from developing this behavior.
3 Little-Known Facts About Lambkins
1. The breed name “Lambkin” originated as a comparison of their coat to that of a lamb.
The Selkirk Rex is the breed responsible for the lamb-like coat. Other breeds with curl coats are LaPerm cats, Devon Rexes, and Cornish Rexes.
2. Lambkins have non-standard body types.
While Lambkins are smaller and have shorter legs than most other cat breeds, their heads are the same size as those of an average-sized cat.
3. Finding a Lambkin will be a challenge.
The Lambkin breed is extremely rare; waiting lists to adopt a kitten often take years. People might not also be keen to breed them because of health issues surrounding Munchkins.
Final Thoughts
The Lambkin cat is an extremely rare breed. They are affectionate, loving, and tolerant cats. These traits make them an excellent choice as a family pet, although they can be at risk of injury from playful dogs. Also, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the Lambkin breed, as their breeding results in passing on the genetic mutation that causes dwarfism. This mutation can also cause other serious health problems, so it is extremely important to research breeders before purchasing a kitten.
Featured Image Credit: Left: Munchkin Cat: chatchai77, Shutterstock | Right: mdmmikle, Shutterstock
