Napoleon Cat: 13 Things You Need to Know the Cute Minuet Cat

If you’re a cat enthusiast or a parent to these cute pets, you know that there are tons of cat breeds out there. They all have distinct personalities and traits that make them great babies for different kinds of owners. The Napoleon Cat, a relatively new breed, is one of these cats, and they’re incredibly cute.

The short-legged feline is playful and charming, and it also happens to be a velcro cat that loves human company. With its soft fur, I’m sure you’ll also love having the Napoleon around and will never get tired of giving it warm embraces. It’s also great with other pets, regardless if they’re a member of the feline kingdom or not.

Wait, before you add this cutie to your family, there are some things you need to know. I have them all down below, from their origins to their behavior and how best to take care of them.

13 Things to Know About Napoleon Cats

The Napoleon cat, now known as the “Minuet” breed, has many hilarious, interesting, and wacky facts about it, much like every other cat. As a relatively new breed, there isn’t a lot known about the cat.

Nonetheless, I’ve gathered these facts so you know what you’re getting into before you decide to bring a Minuet home or if you’ve just been asking yourself, “what is a Napoleon Cat?”

1. How The Napoleon Minuet Cat Breed Came to Be

If you’ve seen these small cats, you probably have an inkling as to which breeds they’re a mix of. Their short legs are a dead giveaway of their relation to the Munchkin, while their striking appearance is inherited from the Persian.

The Napoleon Cat origin story goes back to 1996, thanks to the founder’s interest in creating more short-legged cats. However, because the short-leg gene is recessive in cats, Minuets exist in both short-legged and long-legged variations

2. Naming Inspiration

If you haven’t already guessed it, their original name was inspired by French legend Napoleon Bonaparte. He, just like the Minuet, had a similarly “small” stature that bewildered his opponents. Funny cat fact, Napoleon reportedly disliked (feared) cats.

While that was their original name, it was changed around 2015 by the TICA to the “Minuet.”

3. They’re a Great Breed for Different Family Make-ups

The Minuet is a highly affectionate and sweet kitty that loves nothing more than spending time with its family. This part of the Napoleon cat personality, including their curiosity and playful nature, evidently comes from the Munchkin.

If you choose to bring a Minuet home, they’ll love expanding their energy by playing with you or with their favorite cat toy.

Their social nature makes them perfect for families with kids or other pets. They hate being left alone, making them ideal for big families or owners who spend a lot of time indoors. This trait mostly comes from the Persian cat.

4. They’re Medium-Sized and Have Variations

Being a mix of the Persian and Munchkin, Napoleon cats do come in different variations. The standard Minuet is a medium-sized feline despite its short legs. The non-standard variation can also be considered medium-sized despite towering over the standard breed at the legs.

The Munchkin-Persian cross usually weighs between seven and eight pounds under its coat. When it comes to height, Minuets grow to be about five to seven inches tall. If you’re looking for a cat that isn’t too big, Minuets are a perfect choice.

Since these are average numbers, you may find your own Napoleon Cat size to be on the smaller or larger side.

5. Their Short Legs Aren’t a Hindrance

It’s typically true that, even in humans, the longer the legs are, the longer the strides, and the quicker you are. So, it’s safe to assume that the Minuet is slow due to its short legs, right?

Wrong. Despite inheriting short legs from the Munchkin breed, Minuets are not sloths. In fact, they can chase balls, lasers, and balls at breakneck speeds.

Much like most cats, they have a great vert that allows them to jump up high whenever they want to perch themselves up.

6. They Are Generally Healthy

The Minuet is seen as a breed that typically has excellent health during its lifetime. Apart from the occasional sicknesses that all cats experience, you won’t be making frequent trips to the vet for emergencies with a Minuet.

However, being mix of Persian and Munchkin, Napoleon cat breeds can suffer from predisposed conditions that their parents suffer from.

When shopping for the Minuet of your dreams, ensure they come with a certificate proving they’ve been checked and cleared for polycystic kidney disease. Persians suffer from this disease the most, and it may be inherited by a Napoleon.

Other health concerns to take note of would be cataracts and lordosis.

7. Their Coat’s Grooming Needs

Napoleons either come with short or long hair. Both variations have different grooming needs you need to know about, and they’re similar to the Persian cat’s grooming needs.

Short-haired Minuets get by with weekly brushing, while the long-haired Napoleons need more frequent brushing. Three to five times per week is a good number to ensure their coats stay beautiful. I recommend getting this handy pet brush to help you in that department.

For bathing, get your Napoleon used to the idea of bathing as early as possible. Use a good shampoo to shower them once every four to six weeks or when they’re smelly.

Brushing and bathing are also great ways to bond with your furry baby.

8. They Come in Various Colors

Napoleons come in several colors and patterns, thanks to being a mixed breed coming from two different cats. This means you’ll probably find a Napoleon in nearly any color you can think of. This includes patterns and shades that aren’t your typical Persian or Munchkin ones.

You can find these cats in mink, chocolate, lilac, bicolor, and more. These doll-faced kitties can also have different eye colors. That includes brown, green, and blue spread across their large eyeballs. In some cases, you may find an intriguing one with two different eye colors.

9. The Napoleon Cat Breed is Adaptable

Thanks to being a mix of two cats on different sides of the active spectrum, these fur babies can adapt to either side, although they usually prefer activity.

The Persian is a much more laid-back kitty with no issues spending its day coiled up in its bed. On the other hand, you get the Munchkin which is super active and requires constant stimulation.

Minuets can be on either side, purrfect for an active owner or somebody who prefers a serene day. While a Minuet is not a couch potato, it won’t be yowling the entire time if you decide to just watch a Netflix movie. They’ll also be happy to be outdoors playing with you or your kids.

10. They’ll Be Around for a Long Time

If you’re looking for a companion who’ll be around for a long time, then Napoleons are a good choice. While they’re no Balinese, they do have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. I’d say this is a good number when compared to other cats.

This means they’ll be around to see your kids transition from toddler to teen. You’ll also get over a decade’s worth of petting the fluffiest fur out there.

11. They Don’t Come Cheap

Minuets are some of the rarest cats in the world, so they’re an expensive cat breed to purchase. Their outer appearance, like their eye color, coat quality, and shape, can further inflate their price.

While prices vary by the breeder, you can expect to pay a Napoleon Cat price of at least $1,000. Some even sell them for over $3,000 when they come in rarer colors. Standard Minuets are more expensive than non-standard Minuet cats.

Still, I’d say that they are priceless thanks to the joy they bring to their humans.

12. They Faced Early Controversy

When Joe Smith, the original breeder of the cat, first unveiled the Napoleon kitten, he faced a lot of criticism for it. The critiques primarily stemmed from the controversy directed at the two parent breeds, with the Munchkin still an anomaly based on their dwarf gene. Persian issues were focused on the Himalayan and Exotic variations.

Thanks to that fact, the Napoleon cats were under heavy scrutiny from the start. The short legs baffled many cat enthusiasts, and they didn’t approve of it. This issue was prevalent so long that the cat was only officially registered in TICA in 2016, despite being first bred in 1996.

However, associations like the Cat Fanciers’ Association, American Cat Fanciers Association, and the Fédération Internationale Féline still haven’t given them official status.

13. They Are Easy to Train

If you aren’t interested in getting a hard-nosed cat that will likely ignore your commands and will take a long time to acclimate to your home, then Napoleon kittens are good options. They’re incredibly docile and people-oriented, making them easy to train.

They’re also seen as intelligent, which helps in this regard too. The key is starting them early so they can shape up into an adorable and intelligent cat that warms your heart.

Ready to Get This Napoleon Cat Breed?

Having read the above, I’m sure it has strengthened your resolve to get a Napoleon cat. After all, they’re cute, smart, and affectionate – all the traits every cat owner surely appreciates.

Their friendly nature makes them great additions to different family groups and sizes; perfect for singles, large families with kids or pets, and everyone in between. They make up for what they lack in legs with a big personality. Get yours now and get ready to be showered with love and affection.