The smallest cat in the world lives in America and does not belong to any of the dwarf breeds. This baby appeared in the American state of Illinois, on a farm, and his name is Mr. Pibbles. At two years old in 2004, he weighed only 1 kilogram 300 grams and was 15 cm long. According to veterinarians, such a small size was the result of a genetic disorder.
In modern felinology, many types of dwarf pets are known. The most common: Munchkin, Dwelf, Kinkalow, Abyssinian, Balinese, Singapura. They are all cheerful, playful and inquisitive, and their mobility remains until old age.
Munchkin breed
Watch the video of the TOP 10 smallest cat breeds on our Youtube channel Mister Cat:
Origin of dwarf cat breeds
If in cynology decorative dog breeds are thoroughly balanced by service, hunting and numerous companion dogs, then felinology has been developing exclusively in the direction of decorativeness for a long time. No, really, an elite purebred cat from a good home will not hone its working skills in catching mice and rats - where can I get them, in a good home? An exclusive bright appearance is much more valuable, and all the efforts of breeders are aimed at improving it.
Decorative dwarf cat breeds are becoming increasingly popular in the world
In the last twenty to thirty years, a new trend has emerged - the breeding of cute, touching and funny dwarf cats, which until old age remain eternal kittens both in appearance and in behavior. Fashion determined demand, demand gave birth to supply - breeders in Europe and America began to develop new breeds according to a single principle: the smaller and funnier the cat, the better.
There have been many attempts, but not all of them were successful - now we can name up to one and a half dozen more or less mature young breeds of baby cats, and most of them are of American origin. Almost all of them are the result of either gene mutation or hybridization; only, perhaps, the Singapore cat can be classified as a native breed.
The Singapore cat is the only native dwarf breed
Rare dwarf breeds still have many disadvantages, the main ones of which are:
- instability;
- limited gene pool;
- lack of knowledge of hereditary pathologies.
Video: Lilliputians of the cat world
Dwelf
These are hairless cats that look like aliens from outer space, creatures of hell, and creatures from the other world all rolled into one. But once you get to know them better, you fall head over heels in love.
Dwelfs are the result of crossing three breeds: munchkins, curls and sphinxes. Thanks to this mixture, the cat has short legs and funny inward-curved ears.
Active and cheerful, they require a lot of attention and affection from their owner, and if they do not receive this, they fall into severe depression. The weight of animals ranges from 1.5 to 3 kg.
Mini cat breeds
Size matters! Dwarf cats are becoming more and more in demand - they are rare, often very expensive breeds. The cost of a kitten in some cases can be estimated at tens of thousands of dollars. Being the owner of a Minik is fashionable and prestigious, and it is unlikely that these special, elite breeds will ever gain widespread popular popularity.
However, these charming little ones are unlikely to suspect their exclusivity. All of them are just cats who love their owners and know how to create a special atmosphere of comfort and joy in the house.
Dwarf cats, variety of breeds - photo gallery
Singapura descended from Singaporean stray cats
Bambino is a cat who remains a child until old age
The Munchkin is the shortest cat breed in the world
Lambkin is an experimental cross between a Munchkin and a Selkirk Rex.
Dwelf was obtained from a triple selection of Munchkins, American Curls and Canadian Sphynxes
Skookum: his paws are from a munchkin, and his fur is from a la-perma
Miskin is a hairless breed obtained from crossing Munchkins and Scythians. Scythian toy bob is faithful and devoted, like a dog.
Genetta is a cross between a Munchkin and a Bengal and a Savannah cat.
Napoleon received the name of the French emperor, who was also short in stature
Kinkaloo - the fruit of love between American curls and munchkins
The Balinese cat (Balinese) is descended from the long-haired Siamese.
Bambino | Weight 2-4 kg
The smallest cats include representatives of the experimental bambino , obtained by crossing Canadian Sphynxes and Munchkins. The name originates from the Italian language - “bambino” means “child”. The breed has not yet received official recognition, and in some countries, for example, Germany, crossing sphinxes and munchkins is completely prohibited by law.
The Magnificent Seven - top-7 smallest cats
The fashion for exclusive dwarf cats stimulates enthusiastic breeders to actively work on creating new mini-breeds, many of which are the result of hybridization of funny short-legged munchkins with various domestic cats:
- with the Persians and exotics - Napoleon;
- with sphinxes - miskin and bambino;
- with Selkirk Rex - Lambkin;
- with laperms - skukum;
- with savannas and Bengal cats - genetta;
- with American curls - kinkalow;
- with curls and sphinxes - Dwelf.
Munchkins have become the genetic basis for many new breeds of mini cats
The process is proceeding with varying degrees of success, and the small fruits of great cat love and selection are causing a record number of discussions among felinologists and animal rights activists. Many of the resulting breeds still remain in experimental status; they are not recognized by international organizations. And in Germany, munchkin hybridization was officially banned.
Munchkin
The famous short legs of munchkins are not experiments of breeders, but a consequence of a genetic mutation. The popularity of adorable short-legged cats is growing rapidly - in just over thirty years the breed has become famous and in demand throughout the world.
Munchkin in his famous pose: sitting on his butt and resting his tail on the floor
The smallest of the munchkins, the famous Lilliputian cat, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, was only 13.34 centimeters tall at the withers. And the largest munchkin will not weigh more than four kilograms. These cute kids, in addition to all their other advantages, have a wonderful character:
- attached to the owner like a dog;
- self-sufficient and unobtrusive;
- easily adapt to new places and unfamiliar people;
- They respond well to training.
It’s hard to believe, but all modern miracle munchkins are descendants of a stray cat, which a kind woman took pity on in 1983. American Sandra Hochenedel discovered a black and white short-legged cat, hungry and pregnant, under her old van. Considering the animal crippled, Sarah took her in and named her Brambleclaw. To the amazement of the owner, Brambleclaw soon gave birth to short-legged kittens - they became the ancestors of the munchkins.
Video: munchkin cat
Bambino
The word "bambino" is translated from Italian as "child". This pink warm charm really remains a child for life, small and funny. Short-legged hairless cats are unique in appearance and genetics and require increased human attention.
Bambino - the eternal child
The weight of an adult animal cannot exceed three to four kilograms. Bambino skin is unusually delicate, thin and soft; She is completely bald or covered with light down. They are very sensitive to cold and sunburn, so these cats usually have a varied wardrobe for all seasons. They need to be bathed more often than “hairy” cats, and their ears and eyes should be cleaned more thoroughly. And bambinos are incredibly positive animals:
- very active and playful;
- good-natured and attached to children;
- they love their owner tenderly;
- love to hug with the whole family.
Like many dwarf cats, the “eternal child” is the result of munchkin hybridization. The second progenitor of the new breed was the dwarf sphinx. This interesting combination gave Bambino quite good health, which sets him apart from some other experimental “minis”.
Video: bambino cat - and a kitten in old age
Skookum
A miniature cat with curly hair and short legs; obtained by crossing munchkins with curly fluffy lapermas. The breed of American selection is very young, and it still has a long way to improve. Translated from one of the Indian dialects, “skukum” means “brave, fearless” - that’s what he is, this small but proud cat.
Skookum - small but very brave
This compact and strong cat should weigh no more than three to four kilograms; she has a round head and very expressive eyes. This breed has no restrictions on eye color and coat color. The main exclusive feature of Skukum is its beautiful curly fur, which can be both short and long and requires special care. In all other respects, this little cat is quite unpretentious in keeping, and in terms of his character he is a complete pleasure:
- cheerful and cheerful;
- loves to play, but does not play pranks;
- gets along easily with all the inhabitants of the house;
- brave, inquisitive, but not aggressive.
The author of the funny breed was the American Roy Galush, who single-handedly began to actively engage in breeding work back in the 90s. Only twenty years later did European, Australian and New Zealand breeders join in the development of the new mini-breed.
Video: curly skookum
Lambkin
One of the rarest cats in the world - small, rare, fluffy and very charming. There are only a few dozen such animals today, and the experimental breed has not yet been recognized by international felinological organizations - it still has to develop and improve.
Lambkin - lamb in cat's skin
Short legs, a miniature fluffy body and a magnificent tail - that’s what a lambkin is like. He needs to be brushed very often, bathed and even cut from time to time. These cats, even at the first meeting, are remembered for their expressive looks and golden character:
- very affectionate;
- tolerant and friendly;
- get along well with small children and any pets;
- cheerful and sociable.
The name “lambkin” is no coincidence - it literally means “lamb”, this is how this adult kitten is called for its gentle, easy-going disposition and, of course, for its soft curly fur coat. He is also often called an angel, and this is also completely true.
Video: lambkin cat, cute and fluffy
Kankalow
The cartoonish appearance of the Kinkalow will not leave anyone indifferent: short legs, curved ears and an incredibly funny face - this is a miracle that will forever remain small. Interest in this dwarf breed of American origin is growing, but it is very young and has not yet received recognition.
Kankalow is a cartoon cat with difficult genetics
An adult kinkalow weighs up to three kilograms and has a bright “cartoon” appearance: short legs and curved ears create a unique, funny image of this cat. The cute appearance harmoniously combines with the good character that this cat pleases its owners:
- cheerful and good-natured;
- sweet and pretty;
- persistent and inquisitive;
- sociable and attentive.
Kankalows have very complex genetics, inherited from both parents - Munchkins and American Curls. Not all kittens in a litter receive the genes that are responsible for short legs and curled ears - only one or two babies are born “pure” Kinkaloo. So the reproduction of this interesting breed will not proceed quickly, and it will remain among the rare and very expensive for a long time.
Video: Kinkalow - a breed that will remain rare for a long time
Skiff toy bob
A young domestic mini-breed first appeared in Rostov-on-Don. Its creator, head of the Kuts nursery, Elena Krasnichenko, worked for thirty years to consolidate the best breed qualities, form and select the population. What happened as a result? A very small point color cat with a short tail and huge blue eyes, the average weight of an adult animal is one and a half kilograms!
The Scythian toy bob is distinguished by its short stature and short tail.
The Scythian Toy Bobtail is the result of a specific gene mutation in the Thai (Mekogonian) Bobtail, which determined the tiny size of the resulting animals. These are practically pocket cats, the size of a four-month-old kitten of an ordinary breed, and have an amazing character:
- overly inquisitive;
- very attached to the owner;
- do not scratch, but can bite in defense;
- are willing to train.
It is interesting that cats of this breed do not mark their territory, and therefore they do not have a specific musky odor.
Video: Scythian toy bob - a cat with the habits of a dog
Singapore
It's impossible to believe that Singapura - the height of perfection and elegance - comes from marginalized street children, but it is so. Mysteriously, on the island of Singapore, a unique population of semi-wild street - or rather, sewer cats - has developed, which mainly lived in sewer pipes, like ninja turtles. Miniature, big-eyed, shy - these animals were in danger of extinction, but then one American tourist businessman noticed them...
Singapura lived not so long ago... in sewer pipes
Representatives of the young dwarf breed weigh two to three kilograms, have an elegant, muscular body, covered with short, smooth hair, shining in unusual pinkish shades. This cat is unusual both in its character and behavior:
- timid and impressionable;
- careful with strangers;
- delicate and unobtrusive;
- smart and very clean.
One of the clear advantages of this breed is its good health and resistance to infectious diseases. Singapuras are long-lived, and the only thing that is really dangerous for them is drafts.
Video: Singapura - a small cat with big eyes
Skookum
Cats belonging to this breed grow up to nineteen centimeters at the withers, the body weight of the animal is no more than four kilograms. It was possible to get an amazing fluffy breed of cats by crossing the LaPerm breed with Munchkins. Animals show high activity, friendliness and a high intellectual level of development.
Short legs get tired quickly during high physical activity, but cats do not suffer from this and quickly run around the house. Skookums do not tolerate familiarity and refuse the opportunity to sit in their arms. They allow themselves to be petted if they are in a good mood.
The long, slightly curly coat requires weekly brushing. Resistant to diseases of the digestive and cardiac systems.
Buying a dwarf kitten
It’s hard to remain indifferent at the first glance at a touching little cat—a completely natural thought immediately arises: “And I want one like that...”.
It's impossible to remain indifferent to these little cuties.
How to decide on the breed
If you have seriously decided to engage in exhibition and breeding activities with cat minis, then such a desire is unlikely to have arisen spontaneously: you have probably already thoroughly prepared both theoretically and practically, and you do not face the difficult problem of choice - you have definitely decided on your breed. But if you just really want a small living charm to appear in your house, which will forever preserve the size and sweet disposition of the kitten, this is more complicated, and you need to weigh the pros and cons.
- Decide on your preferences - do you want a fluffy, short-haired or completely “bald” cat?
- Study the equipment - carefully read articles about the breeds you like, watch videos and photographs.
- Decide what level of animal you want to purchase: show, breed or pet class.
- Soberly weigh your financial capabilities - minis are not cheap, will you later regret the impulsive purchase?
- Discuss the purchase with family members - a pet should be a desirable acquisition for everyone, and not just for you personally.
- Find out where there are breed nurseries, find reviews about their work and pets.
- First, find specialists and consult with them - it is better to have a knowledgeable person help you in your choice.
How to choose a kitten
Nowadays it is not a problem to get the kitten you like literally from anywhere in the world - breeders and carriers will ensure delivery of the baby from home to home. But if there is such an opportunity, come for your little one yourself - you are purchasing not just a living toy, but a new family member, and personal contact in this case is very important. At the same time, get to know the breeder better, look at the kitten’s parents and the conditions in which they are kept.
When choosing a kitten, meet its mother
Do not hesitate to ask questions to the breeder - it is better to prepare a list of them in advance. Ask, among other things, about the health of your baby's parents, as well as kittens from previous litters, and whether they have had genetic tests. Draw up a contract for the purchase of a kitten - a responsible breeder will never refuse such a step.
Of course, neither all these measures nor a thorough examination of the baby guarantees that you are purchasing a healthy animal that fully meets the requirements of the breed standard. But you will know that you did everything you could for this - and may luck be with you and with the little tailed miracle that will enter your home!
Maybe this baby is waiting for you?
Content Features and Issues
Each dwarf breed has its own specific requirements for keeping the animal, and they should definitely be taken into account if you want your pet to be healthy, active and happy for your whole family for a long time.
Nutrition
High-quality food and proper nutrition are especially important for representatives of dwarf breeds. The diet should be energy-rich and balanced - choose proven ready-made food for active animals.
The best diet options will be suggested by a breeder who has experience and his own observations in a particular breed. When feeding natural food, also consult the experience of the breeder - you are unlikely to be able to correctly create a balanced menu for your pet on your own.
A balanced diet is very important for dwarf cats
Please note: overfeeding is dangerous for most dwarf cats, especially if they do not receive enough exercise. To avoid digestive problems, feed the animal in small portions, two to three times a day. If a Minik has health problems, you will need to consult a veterinarian when creating an optimal individual diet.
Veterinary
Unfortunately, toy breeds are characterized by many genetic diseases and problems with the musculoskeletal system. The risks of pathologies are especially high in very young, not fully formed breeds. Deformations of the spine and chest create big problems - for example, the so-called pectus excavatum.
Pathologies, unfortunately, are unpredictable and can develop at any age. The high demand for feline midgets creates the risk of giving birth to sick animals, which, in fact, is what the world animal protection community is so actively protesting against.
Health is the most important thing for a miniature cat
The process of creating dwarf breeds is very difficult, but it is going on, and its key issues lie in the sphere of responsibility and professionalism of the breeders. Responsibility must prevail over the commercial component of breeding work - only in this case can a healthy and promising population be obtained for the further development of new and really very interesting mini-breeds of cats.
Breeding
Breeding work with dwarf breeds requires serious theoretical training and extensive practical experience. It is very important to choose the right parental pair, not burdened by inbred origin and poor heredity. And with a limited gene pool of rare breeds, selecting worthy sires can become a huge problem.
It is strictly forbidden to allow “superminiks”—animals smaller than the minimum size—for breeding. The result of such careless matings can be not only non-viable offspring, but also serious damage to the cat’s health, even death.
Breeding dwarf breeds is a difficult and responsible process
Considering all the risks for specific animals and the breed as a whole, it is better to leave breeding work to an experienced breeder or engage in breeding under his strict control.
