What is dwarfism in cats? Causes and symptoms

Although certain felines are naturally shorter than others, feline dwarfism is frequently linked to a variety of health problems. A genetic condition causes dwarfism in cats, and certain cat breeds, like the Munchkin, selectively breed cats with this genetic disorder.

What is feline dwarfism?

Rare genetic abnormalities that result in the development of disproportionately small and mature adult cats are the cause of dwarfism in cats. Osteochondrodysplasia, pituitary dwarfism, or selective dwarfism were the three primary forms of dwarfism that affect cats.

A developmental defect of the cartilage and bone called osteochondrodysplasia prevents normal bone growth. One type of osteochondrodysplasia is achondroplasia. Cats who are affected may have a huge head and excessively short, thick legs for their body size.

A shortage of growth hormones generated by a pituitary results in pituitary dwarfism. Cats who are affected will grow and develop slowly.

The Munchkin breed is the product of selective breeding by some breeders who look for genetic defects that cause dwarfism. Given the cats’ propensity for various health problems, this is a contentious topic.

You might be familiar with the terms “miniature cat” and “teacup cat.” Occasionally, these cats are mistakenly labelled as dwarf cats. Nonetheless, despite their diminutive stature, teacups and miniatures maintain typical feline proportions.

Symptoms of feline dwarfism

Several symptoms can accompany dwarfism in cats, and these vary based on the underlying reason. They could consist of:

1: Larger-than-average head
2: Shorter nose with an undershot jaw
3: Unusual morphology of the bones
4: Inadequate or nonexistent growth
5: The bones seem shorter than usual.
6: Larger joints
7: Bending the forelimbs sideways
8: Deviation of the spine to either side or both sides of the body

Are cats from the Munchkin breed dwarfs?

The Munchkin cat, named for its extremely small legs, is frequently considered to be the original dwarf cat breed. The condition identified in Munchkin cats is sometimes called faux achondroplasia since they lack some of the features exhibited in some dwarf cats. Read More…