You've probably seen some of these tiny cats roaming around the internet. I'm cheating just a little right off the bat here, because munchkins really aren't a breed — they're cats of any breed that have a genetic mutation that causes their super-short legs, which makes some of them looking like perma-kittens. But because of munchkins' popularity, people are purposefully breeding cats with this mutation, and those short legs unfortunately come with some health issues, particularly related to their bones, according to The Dodo.
Dr. Carol Margolis, a veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, told The Dodo, "As far as what we know, the inappropriate bone formation [...] predisposes them to osteoarthritis. They can have spinal malformations, lordosis and scoliosis...and they can be born with rib abnormalities."
If you want a munchkin, you should consider that you may be adopting a pet who will have painful conditions because it was bred to look cute. You should also consider the possibility of large vet bills, and the fact that pet insurance companies may turn down a munchkin because of preexisting conditions — leaving you footing all of the vet bills yourself.
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