Breeds

Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat: Care, Traits, Facts & More

What do you get when you cross-breed the Scottish Fold and the Munchkin cat? An adorable breed with a sweet personality to match! Read on to learn about the Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat.

Tara Maurer holding cat smiling

Last Updated: January 30, 2023 | 5 min read

Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat laying down.

The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a rare breed that has stolen our hearts with its small stature and friendly disposition. There’s just something about a round, tiny cat that makes us want to give up everything we own to spend every waking moment loving them. 

Are you interested in bringing a Scottish Fold Munchkin cat into your home? Read on to learn more about this spectacular breed’s personality, health, and cost.

  • weight iconWeight4-9 Pounds
  • height iconHeight5-10 Inches
  • lifespan iconLifespan10-15 Years
  • color iconColorsVarious colors

History

The Scottish Fold Munchin breed also called the Scottish Kilt, began from the desire of breeders to mix the Scottish Fold with the Munchkin cat to create a new breed known for its folded ears and adorable short legs. This process required the Scottish Fold to carry the responsible gene for the ears and the Munchkin cat to have straight ears to avoid any health risks associated with crossing two folded ears. Eventually, the Scottish Fold Muchkin cat came to be bred.

Personality & Temperament

Just like their parent breeds, the Scottish Kilt is sweet and affectionate. This is an adaptable breed that doesn’t mind the hustle and bustle of a busy household. They love deeply and will demand attention. Regular playtime is essential for the Scottish Kilt, but they are also delighted to relax with you all day on the couch. Too much alone time can lead to destructive behavior from this curious breed. Your cat may also become depressed if not given enough attention. This clever cat has been known to hide objects around the house. If you’re missing a ring or watch, it might be the work of your Scottish Fold Munchkin.

Size & Appearance

Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat face up close
Think of Scottish Fold Munchkin as the Corgi of the cat world.

These cats are quite short, thanks to their Munchkin parentage, with height ranging from five to 10 inches. Some cats have back legs that are longer than the front legs, giving them a downward slope from back to front. Their bodies are long, medium-boned, curved, and well-padded. These cats average 18 inches from the head to the base of the tail. The Scottish Kilt ranges from four to nine pounds, with males usually larger than females. Their tails are typically eight inches long and rigid. 

The Scottish Fold Munchkin has a round head that blends into their short neck. This cat has a short nose with a gentle curve and large, round eyes. Your cat may always look like their astonished by the world around them. Almost as notable as their short legs, the Scottish Fold Munchkin will have the folded ears of the Scottish Fold. Their ears may be tightly folded over or loosely folded in a triangle. 

The Scottish Kilt’s coat comes in a variety of colors and lengths. This breed can have short, medium, or long hair. 

Shedding & Hypoallergenic

Like all cats, the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat sheds regularly. Depending on the coat length of your specific sausage cat, you may have to brush more frequently to cut down on shedding. This feline is not considered hypoallergenic.

Grooming

We know cats are excellent self-groomers, and the Scottish Fold Munchkin is no different. These cats can be seen grooming themselves throughout the day. Depending on the length of your cat’s coat, it may need help keeping its coat clean and shiny. A weekly brushing will ensure your companion’s coat stays soft and mat-free. 

Trim your cat’s nails regularly to prevent mobility issues for your furry friend. A cat’s nails can be snagged on soft surfaces and cause damage to the claw. Use a quality nail trimmer for a safe and easy process.

Check your cat’s ears regularly for signs of irritation and clean them as needed. If the ears look inflamed, contact your veterinarian. 

You can brush your cat’s teeth using your finger and a toothpaste made specifically for pets.

Care

Scottish Kilts are quite active, despite their tiny legs. These cats are energetic and love to play. Give your feline plenty of room to safely climb, jump, and scratch. Look for puzzles and robotic toys to keep your cat busy while you’re away. This breed demands lots of quality time and doesn’t like being left home for long periods. Scottish Kilts crave companionship and require plenty of cuddle time throughout the day.

Nutrition

Scottish Fold Munchkin kitten sitting next to bowl of food
Feed your Scottish Fold Munchkin at set mealtimes.

This breed doesn’t require a specific diet, but it’s always essential to provide your cat with high-quality, well-balanced food from diverse sources. You can feed this kitty wet or dry food and make sure they drink plenty of water regardless. 

Free-feeding this feline may lead to an overweight cat. Scheduled mealtimes are also a great way to deepen the bond between you and your kitty.

Fresh water is crucial to the health of any cat. Change your buddy’s water daily to prevent it from getting stale or dirty. If you feed your cat dry food, they will require more water. Monitor your cat’s water intake, as too much water, can cause health complications.

Training

The Scottish Fold Munchkin is an intelligent and curious cat, making them highly trainable. This cat loves to please, so give it plenty of positive reinforcement when learning new tricks. 

Health & Lifespan

The short, stubby legs of the Munchkin cat result from a genetic mutation. A portion of Munchkin kittens dies invitro to this condition. Because the limbs fail to grow, the Munchkin’s ability to jump is greatly diminished, and they may be predisposed to painful osteoarthritis. 

The ears of the Scottish Kilt are also a result of a genetic mutation called osteochondrodysplasia. Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD) is an inherited disorder that affects the development of bone and cartilage. This condition causes the folded ears that have become synonymous with the Scottish Fold. SFOCD affects other body parts, showing up as short, thick, inflexible tails and shortened, splayed feet. This condition causes severe limb distortion and can lead to arthritis, lameness, and chronic pain.

Because these genetic mutations are specifically sought out in breeding the Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat, any kitten of this breed will have these congenital conditions. The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is also prone to kidney disease and lordosis

With proper care and love, the Scottish Kilt and live 10 to 15 years. Since these cats are prone to joint issues, always watch your cat for signs of pain. If you see your cat behaving differently, consult with your vet. There are both prescription medications and herbal remedies to help relieve your feline’s pain.

Price

The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a rare breed, so it’s unlikely that you will find one of these furballs at an animal shelter. Expect to pay $500 to $1,000 at a cattery. Breeders will charge differently based on location and cat appearance. The more “munchkin” a cat looks, the higher the breeder may charge.

As Family Pets

Scottish Kilts are happy to share their home with families of all sizes. This kitty’s affectionate and playful nature makes them a great companion for humans of any size. The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat will also tolerate dogs and other cats. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat face laying on side in a dark room
Always look to a reputable breeder when buying a Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat.

Where Can I Find A Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat?

Research the breed and use reliable cat breed registries like The International Cat Association (TICA). Buying from a reputable breeder will ensure that your cat has minimal health problems and will live a long and happy life.

How Big Is A Full-Grown Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat?

A full-grown Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat is the average length of a Scottish Fold (18 inches) but with short legs. This cat can reach a height of up to 10 inches and a weight of nine pounds.

Final Thoughts

The Scottish Fold Munchkin is an adorable breed with a sweet and loving personality. This cat is susceptible to certain hereditary conditions, so keep that in mind before bringing this cat into your home. Be realistic with your lifestyle and environment to ensure you give this cat a loving home to live a healthy and happy life.

Group of different cat breeds sitting together on a white background

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