If you have never heard of a Munchkin, now it’s the time! The Munchkin, the short-legged cat, is a relatively new breed recognized as a purebred cat and legitimized by The International Cat Association (TICA) as their breed in the early 2000s.
This cat belongs to dwarf cat breeds, and it is usually of average size, but the short legs Munchkins are known for along with a reference that they look like Dachshund, the wiener dog, and that’s why some cat lovers call this cute sausage cat.
There are long-haired Munchkins and short-haired Munchkins, and their coats are slightly different. While the coat of the long-haired Munchkin is silky and smooth, and short-hair Munchkin, as the name says, has a plush but short coat of a medium density.
This cat breed comes in various coat colors such as lilac, white, tortoiseshell, chocolate, blue, gray, red and cream, calico, tabby, and solid black, while the patterns can come mitted, pointed, bicolored, or lynx. However, funny as it sounds, this cat can come hairless.
Munchkin cats are generally healthy, with a lifespan of around 12 to 15 years.
If you fell in love with this adorable feline, you’re probably wondering how much does a Munchkin cat cost. We are here to clarify all your doubts and thoughts about the price of the Munchkin cat.
Keep on reading!
An Average Munchkin Cat Price
How much does a Munchkin cat cost? An average Munchkin cat costs around $500 to $1500, and that's a small portion of the expenses you'll need to prepare yourself. Let us see how much a Munchkin cat depends on other factors.
If you’re lucky, someone from your family or friends has this cat, and they decide that they don’t want the cat any more. Or if you’re a member of some online group, maybe there, but just perhaps, you can find a free cat, but when we consider the value of this Munchkin breed, that is less likely to happen.
Adoption
As this cat breed can suffer from some health issues due to their long backs and short legs, take care that you examine the cat before you adopt it.
We’ve already learned that the Munchkin cat is a rare breed and hard to find in animal shelters; however, there is a slight possibility that you can adopt this cat there.
Adoption fees can differ from shelter to shelter, but on average, you are expected to pay around $50 to $300. You may be wondering why that much, but let us explain. Taking care of any animal costs, and the cats are no exception. The food, medical needs, enrichment, housing, and a lot more are included in the amount.
However, when you see the price from a reputable breeder, the fee will not be wrong. Hopefully, for you, someone will give away the cat, and you’ll be ready to rehome the cutie. The reasons are that someone cannot afford to take proper care, and they give it away so the Munchkin cat can have a more committed pet parent.
Breeder
Cat breeders are a considerable factor affecting a Munchkin cat's cost. The price range is around $500 to $1500, which is average. However, if you want to purchase a high-quality example of the Munchkin breed, you should expect to pay $2000 or even more.
On the other hand, you can find a Munchkin cat for $100 or less, but such a low price should indicate that something is way off, and if you encounter this, keep in mind that you need to be very careful and investigate before buying.
Most Munchkin breeders offer the option of Himalayan, Scottish Fold, Ragdoll, or Siamese purebred parents. Bear in mind that if the cat breeder has a highly known and reputable pedigree with TICA authentication, the price is logical and worth it.
A Munchkin Cat Initial Costs
You need to get an initial setup and supplies when you buy a cat. The feline friend should feel welcomed, and when he enters your home for the first time, you need to have everything your new pet needs. This rare breed doesn’t need any breed-specific requirement; however, you’ll need to buy everything from food to collars and carriers.
Taking care of a Munchkin cat can be associated with being a parent, as you need to work hard, be patient, and have a lot of money to ensure your cat has all the required supplies.
To ease the transition of your new feline friend from their first home to their unique and hopefully forever home, make sure to get these things before you welcome her:
• Quality cat food: You’ll need to purchase high-quality and premium food for your Munchkin cat. The diet you’ll put your cat on is up to you, but you can choose between a homemade cat meal, a raw cat diet, or excellent wet and dry cat food that you can buy in pet stores. Initially, you’ll spend around $40 on your feline’s food.
• Carrier: I don’t like to be separated from my cat, so I expect other cat owners think that way, especially new owners, as the Munchkin kitten is small and fragile. So it is logical that you want to bring the kitten wherever you go, and that’s where the carrier takes the role. This supply costs on average $40, and they’re worth every penny since they can serve as a cat's bed while traveling.
• Litter box: You probably want your cat to be potty trained; that’s why you need to provide your Munchkin with a litter box for around $15.
RELATED: 8 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Litters
• Shampoo: It is a well-known fact that cats clean themselves; however, they need a bath sometimes because that will help remove dead skin cells and loose hair. The shampoo is around $10.
• Bed: When talking about beds and sleeping, let me tell you a fun fact, this breed of cat sleeps twice as much as humans. What other reason do you need to buy your cat a bed that will probably cost you around $15? They need their beauty sleep; the bed is a must!
• Collar and ID tag: If you live in an extensive neighborhood, the cat’s identification is essential, and you don’t want to mistake your cat for another, am I right? You can buy these items for $10. Whether your cat likes the collar or not, you two will discuss it and agree on your terms.
• Scratching post: Every cat, including the Munchkin cat, is likely to scratch on things. You don’t want all of your items to be torn, right? You must purchase a scratching post made of wood or rough material and expect to pay around $20.
• Food and water bowls: These will come in handy when portioning the amount of food you give to your cat. And, they’ll be able to drink the water anytime without spilling it.
Check here if you are wondering where you should put your cat's water bowl.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste: Most cats are prone to dental diseases and other health issues due to a lack of dental care. It would be great to buy your cat its toothpaste and toothbrush that will cost you only $10.
RELATED: 7 Best Cat Toothpastes
• Nail clippers: If you don’t want to deal with split cat nails and point nails, the nail clippers will save the day and usually cost around $14.
• Hairbrush: Every cat sheds; however it is best to deal with the shedding process if you have a good brush that you can purchase for $15.
• Toys and treats: Cats are beings that need both mental and physical stimulation. You can occupy your furry friend with most cat toys as they have some tempting elements. And on top of that, the treats will help with your positive reinforcement; on top of that; they’ll learn the boundaries and how to behave. Cat toys should cost you about $22.
Munchkin Cat Costs Per Month
$100–$150 per month
How much does a Munchkin cat cost per month? From time to time, you may need to buy a new cat litter tray or a carrier, but other supplies are likely to last a lifetime. However, you need to consider health care and food, which will cost you $150. But let’s see the costs:
Food
$40–$60 per month
For your Munchkin cat, you need to choose premium quality food with a complete and nutritional diet without too many calories. You’re supposed to feed according to your cat's age and activity level and note that if you are trying to gain or lose weight, you should conform to the target weight.
RELATED: Best Cat Foods Without Fillers
Health Care
$10–$20 per month
You can’t know whether your cat will get sick and can't predict your cat's health care requirements, so this factor will change from time to time. However, we know that senior cats and kittens have higher health care costs, considering flea treatment, immunizations, or any emergency or unexpected treatment.
Pet Insurance
$10–$20 per month
The pet insurance depends on the breed, age, any health conditions, and level of coverage you want to cover. More expensive policies include some welfare coverage, such as spaying costs and flea treatments, while cheap insurance covers only the basics.
Grooming
$25–$50 per month
The Munchkin cat needs more help with grooming and daily care than other cat breeds due to their short legs preventing them from grooming. You can help your cat with regular brushing and clipping of nails to maintain proper claw length. However, it would be great if you sometimes visit a professional groomer.
Entertainment
$10–$50 per month
You can find many cat toys, but there is a cat toy subscription box that costs around $50, and it can include more toys, chews, and other items. This box should have everything the cat needs to be occupied and entertained. Remember that cats can quickly be bored of toys, so you need to rotate them to avoid them.
RELATED: 7 Best Cat Trees That Look Like Real Trees!
Environment Maintenance
$15–$30 per month
You will want to provide a litter tray to prevent accidents whether your cat is indoor or if you allow your cat to go out from time to time.
Prices are based on clumping clay litter; you are expected to buy one or two bags per month.
Munchkin Cat Cost Per Year
How much does a Munchkin cat cost per year? Your Munchkin cat should cost you around $2,645 per year. However, as your cat changes while growing, so do her needs. Therefore, the expenses will be slightly different in the first year and later.
Below you’ll find some services and items you will need to do in the first year. Let’s check them out :
• Vaccinations: Some of the first vaccines are done by the breeder, however, to inform you, the booster shot and the vaccine depend on your cat’s immune system function, geographic location, and lifestyle. One vaccine should cost around $10 to $15 and, on average, $50.
• Visits to the vet, possible mite, tick, and flea prevention treatments: You’ll probably need around $400 for the first year. Your cat will require an annual visit until she reaches her senior year. When she gets 9 to 11 years old, you should take her to the vet checkups every 6 months.
• Deworming: Concerning worm preventive medications, this should be discussed with your vet and cost you around $75. As a cat owner, you must be aware of common worm symptoms.
• Pet insurance: We discussed this above, but choose the best option for you; just in case something happens to your feline friend, you’ll pay around $180.
• Litter and other items: you should set aside around $240 for toys and other things besides the cat litter. However, you can pay less with options like homemade cat litter substitutes or DIY scratching points.
• Spaying or neutering: These procedures usually cost $100, and if you want to spay or neuter your cat, it is recommended around five months before your cat reaches sexual maturity. This helps prevent uterine infections, testicular and breast cancer, and other prostate issues.
Owning A Munchkin Cat For A Lifetime
The lifespan of a Munchkin cat is usually around 12 to 15 years. These cats are pretty healthy and will live a long and excellent life.
A nine-year-old Munchkin called Lilieput holds the record as the shortest living domestic cat in the world. We can assume that the money and time invested in this cat are impeccable.
You should expect to pay around $16,109 to $19,781 for a Munchkin cat that will live for up to 12 to 15 years. The first year’s expenses are a bit higher, around $2,645, while the following years would cost approximately $1,224.
However, if your feline friend develops some health problems along the way, it will require treatments and procedures, which will surely cost. In some cases, emergency services can cost around $4,000.
Additional Costs To Consider
You should always be prepared for unexpected costs as pet insurance does not cover some emergency procedures. The visit to the vet can cost you, on average, up to $400, and dental visits are almost the same.
Nonetheless, if some accident happens or your cat develops a complex illness, that can cost you thousands of dollars. This is rare; however, we want you to be aware of everything. And you should be prepared for pet sitting costs, usually $200 to $400 per week.
These lifetime costs are just the average. They can reach $20,000 to $25,000 depending on the services and items you want to provide for your furry friend.
Let’s see some of them:
• Dental care: You can prevent or lower the risk of your cat developing periodontal illness by providing her with quality toothpaste and a toothbrush. Dental problems usually affect senior and middle-aged cats, so you must focus on that while the cat is still young. Considering all this, along with the teeth covered in calculus, you are expected to pay $150 to $500.
• Pet deposit: You are expected to pay a pet deposit fee of $10 to $50 per month if you live in an apartment.
• Cat grooming services: If you’re not interested in grooming your cat at home, or if you don’t know how to, then the grooming services are the right choice for you, and they usually cost $50.
• Cat gadgets: This one is up to you. If you want to spoil your cat from time to time, you can buy many motorized or computerized toys such as a pet tease or a camera with two-way video for $199.
• Emergency treatments: Accidents can happen, and you can’t prevent them; that’s why you need to save money because these treatments can cost you from $1,000 to $4,000.
• Cat fountain: This is again up to you, some Munchkins love drinking water from fountains, and it is excellent if you can provide your cat with one that costs $140.
• Cat boarding: Even though you want to take your cat everywhere, sometimes that can be impossible, so you would need someone to take care of your feline friend. Watch for reliable boarding services. This should cost you around $20 per day.
Do Munchkin Cats Have Health Issues?
Are Munchkin cats a healthy cat breed? These cats are considered wholesome, especially if you keep your Munchkin cat in good health by taking her to regular vet checkups.
These felines are small cats that need constant attention and diligent care. You can have a healthy and playful Munchkin kitten now, but those health problems due to their short legs are the result of a genetic mutation, and those things considered, health issues may happen.
Some of the issues we will discuss down below:
• Hyperthyroidism: This disease is the most common glandular disease in cats. The safest and the most effective treatment for this illness is radioactive iodine therapy which costs from $500 to $1,200.
• Obesity: This disease can be prevented by a balanced diet and regular exercise; by balanced nutrition, your cat will have an average weight and be happy; however, keep in mind that spayed cats are prone to gain weight, so watch out for that.
• Pectus Excavatum: commonly known as funnel chest, this is a structural chest deformity that can appear when the cat is still young. The treatment should cost around $800.
• Lordosis: Lordosis is a disease that affects the spine, then the spine dips down and puts pressure on the lungs, heart, and other organs.
Depending on the severity of the issue, this surgery can cost you about $4,000.
Final Thoughts
How much does a Munchkin cat cost is the question that, I hope, no longer bothers you. The Sausage cat, the Munchkin is a special cat, and buying one would cost you around $1,000, and the expenses in the following years should be the same.
There is an option of cutting those costs; however, you should not cut with health care and welfare of your Munchkin cats. Those items that are not essential and crucial you can avoid.
Many people want a female Munchkin cat due to their litter production; however, whether it’s male or female, the Munchkin cat is equally adorable!
Related Content
• How To Keep Litter From Sticking To The Box?
