Category: mixed-cat-breed

The Siamese is one of the most popular breeds due to their unique and adorable looks. Of course, like all cats, Siamese kittens become adults rather fast. However, many cat fanciers love the Siamese Munchkin because it stays the size of a kitten its entire life. To find out everything about these adorable mini-Siamese cats, read on.

Breed Overview

Siamese Munchkin Kittens

Unless you know someone with a Siamese Munchkin with kittens, finding a reputable breeder is a must. That way, the chance your Siamese Munchkin kitten will have genetic issues is lowered significantly, and you can check their lineage and breeding history. The top breeders know what’s best to ensure the cat they sell you is healthy.

Finding Siamese Munchkin cats and kittens at a shelter or cat rescue is also possible, but frankly, it’s not easy. You’ll need to check in often with the shelter or rescue, so you don’t miss them when they arrive. Volunteering is a great way to do that and build a relationship with your local shelter. No matter where you purchase or adopt, it’s highly recommended that you bring your Siamese Munchkin to your veterinarian for a complete physical to determine if they have any health issues and get proper treatment and care.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Siamese Munchkin

Like their larger cousins, the Siamese Munchkin cat is an outgoing, friendly breed that’s talkative, playful, and needy for attention. Most Siamese Munchkins stick like glue to their favorite family members, following them around the house and inserting themselves into everyday affairs like working at the computer, doing laundry, and cooking.

Siamese Munchkins are intelligent thanks to being the offspring of the full-size Siamese cat. To stay happy and healthy, they need a lot of mental stimulation from their owners and plenty of cat games and puzzles.  It helps to be active if you plan to keep up with a Siamese Munchkin!

Are These Cats Good for Families?

Siamese Munchkins are perfect for families since they’re affectionate, playful, energetic, and fun. As with all cats, children should be taught the proper way to handle Siamese Munchkins, especially considering that, even as adults, they are tiny.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Any small pets, such as hamsters or gerbils, should be well protected from Siamese Munchkin cats. They have a high prey drive and will likely regard the rodents as prey.

Regarding other cats and dogs, Siamese Munchkins are said to get along very well with them. For any cat to get along well with a dog, raising them together from kittens and puppies is your best choice. A well-socialized cat will get along much better with other pets this way, rather than being introduced to them as an adult or being raised with adult cats or dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Siamese Munchkin:

Siamese Munchkin cats are almost identical to their larger Siamese cousins. Therefore, they have many of the same needs and requirements to live a happy and healthy life. The most important of those requirements are listed below.

Food & Diet Requirements

As with all cats, a Siamese Munchkin needs a diet heavy on protein like fish, chicken, and turkey and very low on carbohydrates and plant materials. It’s also important to provide water and food bowls that match your cat’s small size so they’re comfortable to use. As a kitten, you can feed your pet an age-appropriate brand and switch to an adult variety when your cat is around one year old.

Exercise

Siamese Munchkins don’t require much exercise and tend to get tired faster than other breeds. Still, when young, they need activity to stay healthy, happy and learn critical life lessons. For that reason, plenty of fun toys and scratching posts should be provided to your Siamese Munchkin. They are very energetic as kittens and adolescents and will run around like crazy most days.

Training

Litter box training shouldn’t take long with a Siamese Munchkin, and with enough patience, you can train your cat to play fetch and other games. Because their legs are so short, purchasing a litter box with low sides is best to make it more comfortable to enter and exit.

Grooming

Like full-size Siamese cats, Munchkin Siamese cats have short, dense fur. Although you don’t need to groom them as often as some breeds, brushing their coats at least thrice a week is best to remove loose hair. They also need regular nail trimming and should get their teeth brushed twice a week.

Health and Conditions

Generally speaking, Munchkin Siamese are healthy cats with only a few congenital health issues. However, like most hybrid or “designer” cats, the Siamese Munchkin suffers from a few health conditions that full-size Siamese cats don’t share. One of the worst is hyperlordosis, which is a condition where the cat’s spine is curved more (or much more) than normal. Arthritis is also a common problem with this breed because they have such short legs.

Male vs Female

Male and female Siamese Munchkin cats typically share a similar temperament. However, the males are about 10% to 15% larger than the females, the females are more aggressive, and both will live longer lives if they are spayed or neutered.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Siamese Munchkin Cat

1. They Run Incredibly Fast

Keeping up with a Siamese Munchkin isn’t the easiest thing to do. Yes, their legs are short, but they’re incredibly fast runners.

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2. Only The International Cat Association (TICA) Recognizes the Siamese Munchkin

Other associations have refused to accept the breed due to ethical questions and problems when breeding them.

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3. Some Siamese Munchkins Have Long Legs

To have short legs, a Siamese Munchkin kitten must be born with the heterozygous gene for them. If not, its legs will resemble a full-size Siamese cat.

Final Thoughts

The Siamese Munchkin is playful, intelligent, and adorable. Because they’ve been bred to be small, some have spine and joint issues, so finding a reputable breeder is a must.

If you adopt a Siamese Munchkin, be sure to accommodate your pet for its size and ensure any children that handle it are responsible and mature. Siamese Munchkins are affectionate and intelligent and make remarkable family pets.

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Featured Image Credit: JStaley401, Shutterstock

The post Siamese Munchkin: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits appeared first on Pet Keen.

You’re likely familiar with the British Shorthair and their round faces and famous blue coats. You’re also probably quite familiar with the Scottish Fold with their large round eyes and folded ears. But did you know there is a Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix?

Read on if you’re interested in learning more about these adorable crossbreeds!

Breed Overview

The Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix is a beautiful cat that comes from two breeds that resemble each other to a certain degree. The biggest difference is the folded ears, which the mixed breed may or may not have. Their appearance and temperament will depend on which parent they take after the most.

While the British Shorthair is well-known for their blue coat, they can come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, like the Scottish Fold. This means the mixed breed can be almost any color or pattern and will likely be medium to large in size.

The Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix can be a relatively down-to-earth and calm cat, but like all cats, they’ll have sudden bursts of energy. They tend to get along with everyone in the household and other pets—provided that they are cat friendly, of course.

However, the Scottish Fold is known to have health problems, so a mixed breed might inherit the same conditions. This can also impact their lifespan.

Scottish Fold British Shorthair Breed Kittens

Finding a specific mixed breed like the Scottish Fold and British Shorthair mix can be tricky. Both breeds are relatively popular, but there aren’t too many breeders of this mixed breed.

That said, Scottish Folds cannot be mated with each other without serious health ramifications and are commonly bred with other breeds like the British Shorthair. So, if you approach a Scottish Fold breeder, you might have a bit of luck, or they can point you to someone else who can help.

Just remember to get to know the breeder and ask to speak with the cat owners who have dealt with them. You’ll want to ensure that they are responsible and ethical, so you know that you’ll be supporting a good breeder and bringing home a healthy and well-adjusted cat.

Otherwise, check with your local rescue groups and animal shelters. You never know when a mixed breed like this will become available.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Fold British Shorthair

Both Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs are intelligent breeds, so you can expect the same for the offspring. While these two breeds have certain similar physical characteristics, they do differ somewhat in temperament.

The British Shorthair tends to be far more laidback and calmer, with an independent streak. This means they are fine if their owners are away for the day and prefer sleeping next to you rather than on your lap. The Scottish Fold tends to bond with their families and doesn’t do as well when left alone. They are a little more playful but are also easygoing. The offspring of these two will definitely be calm but might be more or less needy, depending on which parent they take after the most.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

The Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix is great for families! They can adjust to almost any home, whether there’s one person or a large family, but adults and older children who know how to treat cats respectfully would be best.

They will enjoy nice cuddles with their favorite humans, but the occasional play session will also be welcome.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

This social breed gets along well with other pets that are cat friendly, so dogs and other cats are most welcome. They must be socialized while kittens, though, which will go a long way when introduced to new people and pets as adults.

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Fold British Shorthair

Food & Diet Requirements

Like all cats, the Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix needs a high-quality diet rich in animal protein. Both the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair tend to have stocky builds, so don’t give the mix too many treats, as they might be prone to obesity. Be sure to have wet food as part of their diet, as it contains high water content and is an excellent option for cats that need to lose or maintain their weight.

Finally, a cat fountain is an excellent option to keep your cat hydrated. Certain serious health conditions can occur if a cat doesn’t drink enough water over the course of their lifetime, and cats are naturally drawn to running water.

Exercise

These cats are mellow, so they are more likely to prefer a nap instead of running all over the place. Therefore, it’s essential to provide them with enough enrichment to keep them busy, such as interactive toys, cat shelves, and cat trees.

Be aware that the offspring of the Scottish Fold might have a few of the same joint issues, so keep an eye on them while they are playing, and don’t encourage intensive exercise for this reason.

Training

Training any cat can be difficult, but attempting to train this easy-going and not-quite-so-energetic cat might be even more of a challenge. The Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix is smart enough to take to training, but the bigger question is, will they want to?

Grooming

The British Shorthair and Scottish Fold can be longhaired and shorthaired. The shorthaired mixed breed will likely have a dense coat that will need brushing at least once a week, and the longhaired cats will need to be brushed several times a week.

If this cat has any joint issues from their Scottish Fold parent, hard-to-reach areas like their backs toward their tails will need attention from you. Beyond brushing, you should invest in a cat scratcher to satisfy your cat’s scratching instincts and get dental treats to help keep their teeth healthy. Don’t forget to regularly trim their nails!

Health and Conditions

Unfortunately, the Scottish Fold is prone to serious joint issues, along with a few other health conditions that might affect the mixed breed.

Obesity might be a problem due to their stocky builds and calm natures, in addition to any potential pain from osteochondrodysplasia. The latter condition is almost always guaranteed with Scottish Fold cats. The condition that causes their ears to fold affects all the cartilage in their bodies. It affects Scottish Folds at a younger age than other cats prone to this condition. Moving their hind legs, spine, and tail is particularly painful as the condition progresses. It’s serious enough that some countries, including Scotland, have banned breeding the Scottish Fold.

If the Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix has folded ears, they are likely going to inherit this debilitating disorder.

Male vs. Female

Like with most cat breeds, male Scottish Fold British Shorthair mixed cats are bigger than the females and tend to have stockier builds. Additionally, unspayed females will go into heat and try to get outside in pursuit of a male. Spaying the female will make her more comfortable overall and prevent her from running away, and it can also help prevent cancers of the uterus.

Unneutered males will spray your house and wander the neighborhood looking to fight other males and find a female in heat. Neutering the male means less aggressive behavior and no more spraying.

Some people believe that male cats tend to be more affectionate and females to be more standoffish, but this isn’t always the case. How a cat was socialized when they were kittens and brought up by their human family will have the largest influence on their temperament and personality.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Fold British Shorthair

1. There are few physical differences between the Scottish Fold and British Shorthair.

These are both medium- to large-sized cats with stocky builds, and everything is round-shaped in some way, as they have round heads, eyes, and paws. They also have dense fur that comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. The only obvious physical difference between the two is the folded ears.

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2. Only about half of the mixed breed will have folded ears.

All kittens from Scottish Fold and British Shorthair parents are born with straight ears. Those that end up with folded ears will have them fold once they are a few weeks old.

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3. Scottish Folds cannot be mated with other Scottish Folds.

They are commonly mated with British Shorthairs and American Shorthairs because mating one Fold with another will only make the mutation more severe.

Final Thoughts

Considering that Scottish Folds must be bred with other breeds, many Scottish Fold British Shorthair mixes are technically just Scottish Folds. Also, many Scottish Folds don’t actually have those folded ears.

Regardless, these are lovely cats that make loving and sweet companions. Just be aware that if your cat has folded ears, they will likely have a joint disorder.

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Featured Image Credit: Marius Sfetea, Shutterstock

The post Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits appeared first on Pet Keen.

Cats are amazing creatures that are just as snuggly and loving as they are independent and obtuse. While most cats share the same basic instincts and natural inhibitions, there are many different cat breeds in existence, and they all have unique temperaments and personalities. This is true even for crossbreeds like the Scottish Fold and Ragdoll mix. If you are interested in learning more about this gorgeous mixed cat breed, read on!

Breed Overview

Both the Scottish Fold and the Ragdoll are rare breeds, so it’s a special thing when they are bred together to create the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix. These adorable cats tend to have folded ears, as their Scottish Fold parents do, and fluffy coats like their Ragdoll parents. The result is a sweet look and a playful personality that is hard to ignore.

These cats are good with kids, other pets, and people of all ages and backgrounds. The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is not as easily available as many other domestic cat breeds because their parents are so rare. However, they are not impossible to acquire. The key is to find a reliable, quality breeder to work with who prioritizes their cats’ health and happiness.

Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix Kittens

These adorable kittens are docile and sweet, but they also happen to be curious, which can make them a (fun!) handful as they grow into adulthood. These cats have agile little bodies as kittens that turn into large, muscular bodies as adults. That said, most adults retain the lovable, sociable, and curious side that they usually have as kittens. Not all Scottish Fold Ragdoll kittens are born with folded ears and will develop them within the first few months of life.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll cat is intelligent, affectionate, and graceful. They have a subdued personality yet enjoy spending time with others in social situations. They like to “people watch” and take in all the action while observing from a short distance. When they feel extra adventurous and social, they are happy to join the party and accept hands-on interactions with the people around them.

These cats are generally gentle, affectionate, and patient with children of all ages. They tend to be loyal to their closest human companions and can be found by their side most of the time. Their curiosity keeps them busy exploring things around the house, especially when new items, grocery bags, and shipping boxes are introduced.

Although social and loyal to companions, these cats are often laidback and rarely overbearing. These are quiet cats, preferring to communicate through body language rather than vocally. While all Scottish Fold Ragdoll mixes are different and unique, many can learn tricks like “come,” “sit,” and even fetch. Some cats of this mixed breed might also go “limp” when picked up, as their Ragdoll parents do.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

These cats are excellent pet options for families of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. They are happy to live in both apartment and house settings, and they seem to do fine living strictly indoors, where they are safe from predators and stray cats. These cats tend to love kids and will spend their time playing games with them whenever possible. That said, these cats don’t mind hanging out in the background and watching what’s going on without getting pushy or intrusive.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix tends to get along with other cats and dogs that are living in their household. They can even learn to get along with (or at least leave alone) smaller pets, such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs. Their sweet temperament can be deceiving, though, as one minute, they could be hanging out next to a small “prey” companion, and the next, they could be pounding on it.

Therefore, these cats should be socialized with small pets and taught what behavior is and isn’t acceptable while still kittens. Doing so will help you avoid any unwanted aggressive interactions as your Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix gets older and larger. By the time they are fully grown, they will know what is expected of them when spending time around pets that are smaller than them.

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

Food & Diet Requirements

Like all cats, Scottish Fold Ragdoll mixes are carnivores, so they should consume a well-balanced diet that is high in protein. Real meat-based protein should be the first ingredient on the list for any commercial food that they are offered. Keep in mind that these cats are prone to obesity, so they should not be offered unlimited amounts of food. Follow the package directions, or consult a veterinarian for specific feeding guideline recommendations.

Exercise

This mixed cat breed needs a moderate amount of daily exercise to stay trim, healthy, and happy throughout their life. While these are usually calm cats, they do enjoy chasing laser pointers, playing with electronic mice, and bopping around catnip toys. Puzzle toys that dispense treats tend to be extremely popular among this mixed breed because it gives them a chance to use their wits to be rewarded with food, one of their favorite things in the world. Aim for interacting with your cat for physical exercise for at least 15 minutes a day, broken up into smaller time blocks if necessary.

Training

No cat needs to be trained like dogs do, but the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is smart enough to learn basic tricks and commands. They can learn to come when called, pick up certain toys when directed to, and play fetch inside the house. When training them, you’ll need to provide direction, praise, and patience.

Grooming

Long-haired cats like the Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix are good at keeping themselves groomed. However, the Ragdoll requires daily brushing, while the Scottish Fold requires just one or two brushing sessions a week to keep mats and shedding under control. Depending on whether your Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix takes more after one or the other parent, their grooming requirements will vary. In general, the shorter and less thick a Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix’s coat is, the easier the grooming requirements.

Health and Conditions

Overall, the Ragdoll is a healthy cat without any predisposed health conditions to worry about. But Scottish Folds are susceptible to certain health conditions, and those genes can be passed down to their Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix offspring.

Male vs. Female

Both male and female Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix cats are generally in tandem when it comes to temperament and personality. Of course, all cats are unique in their own right. If anything, males can be clingier than females and are usually easier to potty train. Otherwise, it depends on the specific cat and their quirks.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix

1. They Have Many Nicknames

“Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix “is a mouthful, so some people have given this mixed breed a few nicknames, including Ragfold, Foldrag, and Scotfold. More nicknames will likely come into existence as time goes on!

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2. Both Breeds Are Popular Among Celebrities

Celebrities like Taylor Swift are obsessed with both the Scottish Fold and the Ragdoll. She owns at least one of each and considers them an integral part of her family dynamic. The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix has not gained such notoriety yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

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3. They Don’t All Have Folded Ears

While most Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix kitties end up with folded ears, not all of them do. In fact, even some purebred Scottish Folds don’t have folded ears. This does not make a pointed-eared cat any less of a Scottish Fold. It just means they inherited genes that didn’t result in folded ears.

Final Thoughts

The Scottish Fold Ragdoll mix is a well-mannered, friendly cat that enjoys spending time in social settings. They are laid back and like to interact with kids, and they don’t mind living in a small apartment or a large luxury house. What matters to them is adventure, interaction, bonding, and comfort.

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Featured Image Credit: Left – Scottish Fold (t_watanabe, Pixabay) | Right – Ragdoll (Ivelin Donchev, Pexels)

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