MyCatBreeds
Munchkin is originated from United States but Balinese is originated from Thailand. Both Munchkin and Balinese are having almost same weight. Munchkin may live 5 years less than Balinese. Both Munchkin and Balinese has same litter size. Both Munchkin and Balinese requires Low maintenance.
Information about the short-legged Munchkin cat has been around since the 1940s. A British veterinary report in 1944 noted these short-legged cats.
During the 2nd World War, the cats disappeared but other short-legged cats were seen in Russia during 1956 and then the United States in the 1970s.
The cat was introduced to the general public in 1991 but for many years it wasn't accepted in cat competitions. Eventually, the Munchkin was proposed as a new breed by foundation breeders and accepted by TICA into its New Breed development program in 1994. The Munchkin breed achieved TICA Championship status in May 2003. The Cat Fanciers Association doesn’t recognize the Munchkin.
The slender Balinese cat is a cat similar in looks to the Siamese cat but fluffier. In fact, in the 1950s, Siamese breeders in the United States discovered that the kittens were fluffier than what a Siamese cat should be.
The fur was too long to conform to Siamese cat standards. Two Siamese breeders, Helen Smith and Marion Dorsey loved the look of the longer-haired Siamese with the idea being to name the breed the Longhair Siamese. Siamese breeders didn’t want this and the name became Balinese.
The Balinese cat has been recognized by many cat registries and associations.
The Munchkin is a small to medium-sized, muscular cat with a thick coat that comes in all colors and patterns. In fact, color, pattern, and coat length will vary.
There is also a long-haired variety. It usually weighs between 3 and 4kg. It has short, stubby little legs and a torso that hangs fairly low to the ground. The cat’s back legs are somewhat longer than the front legs. The legs of these cats can be slightly bowed. The eyes can be any color.
The Munchkin is such a social, outgoing cat that just loves being petted and pampered by his human family. He is sociable and friendly as well as intelligent and is easy to train. While he is an amicable cat and can get on well with everyone in the family, it isn’t a good idea to have such a cat as a playmate for children as they can become injured.
An interesting feature with this cat is the way he doesn’t really sit like other cats but has a way of sitting up on his legs, much like a rabbit.
The medium-sized Balinese has a long, slender, finely built body with the head being long and triangular.
The eyes of the cat are slanted and a deep blue.
The coat is medium in length and is soft and silky without an undercoat. The coat length is pretty much all that distinguishes this cat from the siamese cat. The coat is pointed which means you’ll find concentrations of color – cream, red and tortoiseshell on the face, ears, legs and the plumed tail.
Your Balinese is a talkative cat and he is active and playful too. Because it is such an intelligent cat, it can learn tricks too.
They are affectionate cats and bond closely with their human family. They crave lots of attention and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They’re chatty cats too and love to leap up onto high perches and look down on their world.
If you have a Balinese as a pet, you will certainly have to invest in climbing equipment.
The Munchkin may be short and stock but he is just as active and playful as any other cat. When you have him in your home, you'll discover that his short little legs don't stop him from trying out everything other cats do.
He is ready to show you what he's made of. He is a confident, social cat and is friendly, intelligent, and loving towards his human family. He makes a devoted companion and he will get along with other cats in the family as well as dogs.
He may be a bit odd to look at but if you want an excellent companion, the Munchkin is well worth your consideration.
Your Balinese cat is a friendly, affectionate cat that will bond closely with his human family.
They’re the kind of cats that enjoy having their family members around them and they don’t like being left alone for long periods.
He is a playful cat so make sure that he has some nice toys that will keep him amused. They’re known for their intelligence and their inquisitive and playful natures, not to mention that these cats are easy on the eye as well.
Vocal and demanding, if you want someone who demands your friendship, then take a look at these beautiful Balinese cats.
Because this is a fairly new breed, it's still not too clear about its health. It was once thought that the Munchkin cat could develop spinal problems because of its short legs.
It was in 1995 that some breeders had some of their older Munchkins x-rayed to see if there were any signs of joint or bone problems, but none were found.
The Munchkin cat should also be vaccinated as a kitten and be treated for parasites. To ensure the good health of your sweet little Munchkin cat, give him the best diet possible.
In fact, if you take good care of your Munchkin and you make sure to get all the necessary vaccines for him and get him to the vet when he shows signs of illness, your munchkin can reach 12 to 15 years of age.
Balinese cats are fairly healthy and any health problems these cats may have are much the same as those for the Siamese cat.
You want to look at diseases such as respiratory illnesses, liver failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, and eye problems.
In fact, Progressive Retinal Atrophy is one health condition that you see quite a bit with the Balinese cat.
It can be an inherited eye disease or one that is acquired. PRA is a degenerative disorder of the retina and you will need to get your cat to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, there isn’t a treatment for PRA and therefore breeders need to check their breeding stock before allowing cats to be bred.
Every cat is unique and the Munchkin is a unique cat, This little cat is a carnivore just like any other cat and his diet must be made up mostly of protein.
Speak to your vet about the best food for your Munchkin because a kitten will require a different diet to a senior Munchkin. Also, you don’t want your Munchkin to put on too much weight as this can be detrimental to his joints.
Not only that, being overweight comes with all kinds of health issues. The manufacturers of commercially manufactured cat foods have made sure that they have brought out foods for every stage of a cat's life and age.
Munchkin cats will need to have their fur brushed at least once a week. Trim the claws at the same time.
Provide your sweet little Munchkin with a litter box and keep the litter box immaculately clean, removing the feces every single day.
Your health depends on what you eat, and the same applies to cats too. Apart from good veterinary care for your cat, good food is of critical importance. A proper diet can eliminate veterinary expenses substantially.
In feeding your cat, learn to read cat food labels and make sure your furry friend is getting the right amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
There are many choices of cat foods – homemade and commercially manufactured cat foods which can be canned or you also get the dry cat kibble type of food.
If your furry friend doesn’t like a particular food, don’t punish him by taking it away and leaving him without food. Your mom tried you with different foods and you should do the same with your feline friend.
Provide your Balinese with ‘cat equipment’ - feeding and drinking bowls, grooming equipment and a nice, soft bed for him to lie in and in a quiet place.
Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date and see he gets to the vet when he is ill.
The Balinese has a coat of medium length and because the cat only really sheds seasonally, it is looked upon as a low-maintenance coat. A brush once a week will get rid of dust as well as loose, dead hair and keep the coat in good condition.