The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a crossbred that possesses the short-legged traits of a Munchkin and the folded ears of a Scottish Fold. We understand that they are super adorable but prospective kitten owners might want to think twice before committing to one of these cats.
Scottish Folds and Munchkin breeds occur due to genetic mutations that cause chondrodysplasia, or abnormal cartilage development.

These genes are both passed on to the Scottish Fold Munchkin kitten. As such, when we purposefully breed such traits we can expect cartilage-related health problems down the track.

As a result, there is a lot of controversy surrounding these cats. Many veterinary professionals and animal welfare experts are opposed to their breeding due to the ethical considerations regarding these health issues and the potential suffering they may cause.

Breed Overview

If you’re considering adding this fur-ball to your family, here’s everything you need to know about the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat.

Scottish Fold Munchkin Characteristics

Scottish Fold Munchkin Kittens

The birth of a Scottish Fold Munchkin Kittens relies on two simultaneous genetic traits. Firstly, they must inherit a single copy of the Scottish Fold gene from their Scottish Fold parent. A single copy of the gene leads to folded ears and a higher risk of arthritis and other bone problems. Two copies of the gene cause severe joint issues.

The second genetic trait is inherited from the Munchkin parent. Munchkins have a gene that causes chondrodysplasia. Again, cats can only have one copy of this gene—two copies of the gene are lethal, causing the death of developing embryos. As the Munchkin gene is dominant some Munchkins are born with long legs and they are called “non-standard Munchkins”.

For each trait, there is a 50% chance of passing it onto the offspring. Therefore in one litter, you can expect roughly 25% of the kittens to be Scottish Fold Munchkins, 25% will have long legs and erect ears, and the rest will have either short legs or folded ears. Of course, as with all things statistical random chance will affect the ratios.

Like all kittens, the Scottish Fold Munchkin thrives on mental stimulation and interaction. While they can, and will, run and jump, you need to be careful not to allow them to engage in too much high-impact activity as this can lead to more severe joint issues in the future.

Overly tall cat trees or cat shelves that are great to keep most cats active are not the best idea for these felines, as jumping down from heights can cause excessive wear on the joints.

Pet Insurance

You should seriously consider purchasing pet insurance for your Scottish Fold Munchkin kitten, as they are predisposed to a number of health conditions. Be aware that some pet insurance companies will place limitations on the coverage of breeds that are predisposed to health problems, so make sure you research policies carefully and ensure that the company you choose will provide full coverage for your kitty.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat

Since their parent breeds are sweet, intelligent felines, Scottish Fold Munchkins are loving cats. Despite the physical traits, the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a surprisingly athletic and personable breed. Scottish Fold Munchkins may not do well being left alone and love to lounge on their owner’s lap for hours. They can also develop a deep bond with one person in the household.

Despite their friendly nature, Scottish Fold Munchkin cats can be somewhat stubborn.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The Scottish Fold Munchkin makes a cuddly family pet due to their patient and easygoing personality. However, children need to be aware of the physical limitations of these kittens and be sure not to allow them to engage in excessive jumping and chasing.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yes, the Scottish Fold Munchkin can be compatible with a well-behaved dog, provided they do not play rough or chase them. Terrier breeds or those with a high prey drive will not be the best companions for a Scottish Fold Munchkin. As with all cats, the Scottish Fold Munchkin is a hunter so pocket pets like mice, hamsters, and lizards will not be safe around them.

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Fold Munchkin

The Scottish Fold Munchkin is a mixed breed requiring specialized care. Here is everything you need to know about caring for this kitty.

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

We recommend feeding a high-quality kitten kibble until your kitten reaches 12 months old. At this stage, they can be transitioned onto adult kitten food over about 1 week. Portion control and maintaining a healthy body condition score are of the utmost importance for your Scottish Fold Munchkin.

Extra weight reduces their mobility and increases their risk of joint problems, we suspect these cats will not cope well with being overweight or obese.

In adulthood, choosing a food with additional ingredients to support the joints is a good idea. Ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids can help support your cat’s joints as they age.

Avoid feeding your cat dairy products, raw meat, and fat trimmings. These items could make her very ill. You should also keep grapes, onions, and garlic off the menu. Always ensure your cat has a bowl of fresh, clean water available.

Exercise 🐈

Despite her squat stature, the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a playful, active kitty. You should provide her with mental stimuli to keep her mind sharp and occupied. Cat music and cat TV are great activities for a Munchkin cat. Cats left alone too often are prone to boredom and even depression.

Engage your Scottish Fold Munchkin with feline-friendly toys such as food puzzles, electronic motion toys, and catnip-filled mice to keep her entertained throughout the day.

As your Scottish Fold Munchkin gets older, they are very likely to suffer from arthritis, although in some cats this can even be present before they reach 12 months old. Cats with arthritis can benefit from ramps and shallow litter boxes. Exercise for arthritic cats would be limited, but hydrotherapy is often a good way to exercise and build muscle for these cats.

Introducing your Scottish Fold Munchkin cat to swimming from a young age can be a great way to safely exercise them without placing too much stress on their limbs.

Training 🧶

The Scottish Fold Munchkin is a very smart little kitty and can easily be taught to fetch. This can be a good way to allow your cat to engage in natural chasing behaviors in a controlled way. To reduce the impact on their joints, short, frequent play sessions are better than long ones, so it’s best to keep to under 10 minutes at a time.

Grooming ✂️

Scottish Fold Munchkin cats shed minimally due to their short coats. However, you should brush your cat a few times per week to bond with them. Clean their ears and eyes as needed and clip their claws monthly.

It’s a good idea to get your kitten accustomed to teeth brushing. Brushing once a day with cat-friendly toothpaste and a finger toothbrush will help prevent dental tartar which can lead to periodontal disease.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The health conditions are the most important aspect of this cross-breed. You should know that multiple feline and animal welfare experts are speaking out against Scottish Fold and Munchkin cats, let alone their mixes.

The RSPCA in Australia is against breeding Scottish Fold and Munchkin cats. The experts at International Cat Care have spoken out about the struggles faced by Munchkin cats in terms of their mobility.

One study showed that Munchkin cats have significant limb deformities. These cats may have acceptable mobility as kittens but with age, the malformations lead to arthritis. Arthritis is painful and affects the cat’s quality of life. As mentioned earlier, Scottish Fold cats are prone to cartilage degeneration with the gene that causes the appearance of their ears.

The combined impact of this inherited cartilage problem with the angular deformities created by the Munchkin gene is likely to cause significant joint problems, which can lead to suffering, even in younger cats.

Scottish Fold Munchkins can also develop postural and conformation problems such as lordosis and pectus excavatum as a result of their skeletal structure. Pectus excavatum is a narrowing of the chest cavity that can impact a kitten’s heart and lung function.

Lordosis, often referred to as swayback, can be painful and potentially predispose them to Intervertebral Disc Disease, which can lead to pain and, in the worst cases, paralysis.

Due to the folded ears, the breed can experience ear infections. The fold acts to trap debris and reduce airflow, creating a good environment for bacteria. Scottish Fold Munchkins may inherit a short face from their Scottish Fold parent. Cats with short faces, or brachycephalic breeds are prone to dental problems, respiratory issues, and anesthetic complications.

Male vs. Female

The male Scottish Fold Munchkin will be a little larger than his female counterpart. Both sexes have pretty much the same sweet disposition. Of course, non-spayed and non-neutered cats can exhibit unwanted behaviors because of sexual maturity phases.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Fold Munchkin

1. Breeding Practices

Ethical breeders won’t breed two Scottish fold or Scottish Fold Munchkin cats. This is because with these pairings there is a risk for the kittens to have two copies of the Scottish Fold gene for chondrodysplasia. Kittens with two copies of the gene have a poor quality of life and severe skeletal problems.

2. The Wizard of Oz

Your Scottish Fold Munchkin’s parent breed was named after the ‘Munchkins’ from the Wizard of Oz. This is because of their short, stout legs.

3. Legalities

Breeding Munchkin Scottish Folds is illegal in some places. For example, the Australian state of Victoria has banned breeding both Scottish Fold and Munchkin cats under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Similarly, the Netherlands has created bans on owning either of these breeds.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering bringing a Scottish Fold Munchkin cat into your home, we’re glad you found our article. These cats require special care and attention and can incur large vet bills. Personality-wise they are friendly, active, and adorable but later in life, this can be dampened by painful arthritis. Breeding these cats is banned in some places. Even if they aren’t banned, they are very rare.

While breeders of these Scottish Fold Munchkins will no doubt assert that the cats they breed are of good health, this should always be viewed as being in “relatively” good health. While these kitties are clearly adorable and can make affectionate and playful companions, we need to be mindful that the genetic mutations they inherit can lead to pain and suffering in their future.

If you are looking to adopt one of these sweet-natured felines, be sure to look into good insurance coverage so that you can provide them with the best veterinary care.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Alexander Sobol, Shutterstock | (R) otsphoto, Shutterstock