8 Things to Know about the Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat

The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat is a very adorable and cuddly small creature. You might have seen images on Facebook, Instagram, or even a cat video on TikTok, and questioned what breed of cat it was and why it has folded ears and tiny legs.

These adorable lap cats are called Scottish Fold Munchkins, a cross-breed between the folded-eared Scottish Fold and the short-legged Munchkin cat.

Read on to learn more about these cats’ origins, how their characteristics developed, and everything else you should know before getting one.

1. Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat Origin

We must look at their ancestors to understand how the Scottish Fold Munchkin came to be.

In the 1960s, a cute little cat with folded ears named Susie appeared on a farm and had a bunch of kittens. The farmers were surprised that two kittens also had Susie’s unusual ear fold.

The fold in the ears is caused by a genetic mutation and is considered a dominant gene.

In 1983, a short-legged cat named Blackberry was found by a teacher in Rayville, Louisiana. This cat went on to have kittens and birthed the first Munchkin cat. Even though this breed was only recognized in 1995 by The International Cat Association, evidence has been found that this cat has been around since the 1940s.

A mutation in their genes also causes the little legs of the Munchkin cat, much like the mutation that causes dwarfism in humans.

Photo by guvo59 on Pixabay

Breeders started crossing the Munchkin and Scottish Fold and officially introduced Scottish Fold Munchkin kittens to the public in 1991.

2. Scottish Fold Munchkin Size and Appearance

The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat, also known as the Scottish Kilt or Gaelic Fold, is an adorably special fluffball. The breed is a cross between a Scottish Fold and a Munchkin cat and has attributes from both.

They have these cute short legs (look at some videos of Scottish Kilts running) that they got from their Munchkin ancestors. The folded ears are unique to the Scottish Fold, which the Munchkin version also inherited. 

They say eyes are the windows to the soul, and this big-eyed cat breed will bare their entire beings to you with those huge sparkling eyes

They can also come in various colors: solid, striped, tabby, etc. And their coats can be short, medium, or long-haired. So even though they share some basic characteristics, every Scottish Kilt is different.

Their height ranges from 5-10 inches (they’re super tiny). And in terms of weight, they can weigh between 4-9 lbs.

3. Scottish Fold Munchkin Personality and Temperament

This Scottish Munchkin cat didn’t just inherit physical traits from their parent breeds – they also inherited their calm temperaments and friendly demeanors. They’re very easy-going, playful, and affectionate creatures.

They also expect a lot of attention from their owners, so don’t get surprised if your cat follows you everywhere. They form strong bonds with their owners and don’t like being separated for long periods. They’re also active and quite intelligent.

Photo by guvo59 on Pixabay

4. Scottish Fold Munchkin Health and Lifespan

Even though the things that make Scottish Fold Munchkins cute come with many physical issues, these kitties are generally pretty healthy. However, they always risk inheriting a disease from one of their parent breeds.

Osteochondrodysplasia

One of these is Osteochondrodysplasia (OCD). This disease interferes with the cat’s bone and cartilage development. The result is usually joint disease, bone and joint pain, deformities, and abnormal bone development. This comes from the Scottish Fold parent breed.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Another disease passed on by Scottish Fold is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). Cysts develop in the cat’s kidneys which eventually cause seizures, kidney failure, and even death. The cysts will appear when the cat is born and grow throughout their lifespan.

Lordosis

The Munchkin breed also has issues that can be passed down to their Kilt cross-breed. Lordosis is when the cat’s spinal muscles are too short. You can easily see it as your cat will have a curved spine, unlike a typical cat with a straight back.

However, if your Scottish Fold Munchkin is healthy and hasn’t inherited anything from their parent breeds, they should live a long, healthy life. The lifespan of the Scottish Kilt is 11-15 years. Take your kitty for vet checks every year and ensure they get lots of exercise and a healthy diet, and they should be perfectly happy little fluff buns.

5. Scottish Fold Munchkin Food and Diet

Because of the risk of PKD, Scottish Kilts should only eat wet food. Dry food has too much carbs and can increase the risk of cysts forming in the kidneys. You can also feed your little Kilt a mixture of homemade raw food and wet food. Ensure the raw food is as fresh as possible to avoid your kitty ingesting harmful pathogenic bacteria.

Photo by robert2302 on Pixabay

Make sure to have a chat with your vet about what the best diet for your kitty would be. Also, ensure they have a constant supply of fresh water, which can prevent kidney disease. A cat fountain is a fantastic and practical way to do this.

6. Scottish Fold Munchkin Grooming

Depending on the length of your Kilt’s coat, it must be brushed regularly to eliminate dirt, dander, oils, etc. The longer the coat, the more often you need to groom your cat.

Their nails should be trimmed with a good-quality nail clipper a few times a month. A cat scratcher is a wonderful way of keeping their nails short and their stress levels down. Nobody wants an annoyed kitty with sharp claws.

You’ll have to clean their ears, as their folded ears accumulate dirt quickly. However, they are super sensitive, so be careful when cleaning them. There are many fantastic ear-cleaning products available that you can use.

7. Scottish Fold Munchkin Exercise and Training

Scottish Fold Munchkin cats may have little legs, but they use them at full force. These kitties are playful and active and need exercise. Investing in toys like feather wands is a great way to entertain them. Interactive toys are also suitable for when they’ve tired you out but they’re still going.

You can also train your Kilt to do many things. They learn tricks very quickly and can even play fetch with you.

8. Where to Buy Scottish Folds (the Munchkin Version)?

If you still want to add a Scottish Fold Munchkin to your home, here’s where you can find one.

Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat Price

They can cost between $500 and $1500, depending on the breeders. They’re much cheaper in the UK as this is their birthplace.

Photo by Doughnutew on Pxhere

Scottish Fold Munchkin Breeders

The best breeders are reputable dwarf cat breeders. Be sure to research your breeder before buying a cat, because backyard breeding can create Scottish Kilts with many health problems as they’re not appropriately bred.

Adopting a Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat

The Scottish Fold Munchkin is a rare cat breed. If you ever see a sign that says “Scottish Fold Munchkin cat for sale,” you might get scammed, as they’re not easy to acquire or breed.

You might have luck finding one at a shelter now that you know all about this breed and recognize those signature short-legged Kilts.

Final Thoughts on Scottish Fold Munchkin Cats

The Scottish Fold Munchkin might be the ideal companion animal for you. If you can’t find a Scottish Kilt through a rescue organization, only buy one from a reputable breeder who focuses on this breed. 

The Scottish Kilt is not a cat to be left alone and thrives on company. Who could resist spending time with these adorable and affectionate cats?

If you’re still unsure about this breed, then check out this list of other short-legged breeds to see if one catches your eye.