How Much Does a Munchkin Cat Cost?
The munchkin cat, sometimes called a magpie for its fondness for shiny things, is known for its very short legs.
This breed, which sprang from a natural genetic mutation, was developed in the 1980s in the United States and named after the short figure characters in the Wizard of Oz.
Other than its shorter-than-average legs, he will resemble any other cat you come across.
How much does a munchkin cat cost?
On average, a Munchkin cat can cost anywhere from $400 and $800, but older cats can often be found at shelters for less than $100. The costs will depend on the breeder, quality, cat’s history, the coat color, eye colors, coat pattern, geographical location and inclusions with the adoption. The availability of Munchkin cats may be limited, considering the breed is relatively new.
We combed through a hundred ads and were able to come up with the average price charged by breeders across the United States. Check out our results below:
| Location | Price |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $550 |
| California | $600 |
| Florida | $600 |
| Georgia | $450 |
| Illinois | $500 |
| Kentucky | $1,200 |
| Massachusetts | $550 |
| New Mexico | $500 |
| South Dakota | $550 |
| Texas | $800 |
CatsNow.com, an online cat classified website, had close to 100 listings online, with prices ranging from as little as $300 to more than $1,200.
SweetieKitty.com states the average cost of a kitten is about $425 and the annual cost, on average, can be close to $670.
What is going to be included in the adoption fee?
A reputable breeder should include registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccinations, a health guarantee and a vet exam report from a licensed vet. If the cat is going to be shipped, a carrier should be included as well.
What are the extra costs?
Always budget for all recurring costs, including starter supplies, food, cat litter, toys, cat sitting and routine/surprise vet visits. Even a healthy cat can cost $350 to $500 per year.
Finding a show-quality Munchkin cat can be hard, and for that reason, you may need to have it shipped via an airline, which can lead to additional costs. The average cost to ship a cat via an airline can range anywhere from $150 to $350.
Tips to know:
Usually small to medium in size, with a moderate body type and medium-lush coat, males are slightly larger than their female counterpart, weighing around six to nine pounds. Common coat colors include white, chocolate, lilac, blue, red and cream, with patterns coming as either pointed, mitted, bicolor or lynx.
As for the eye colors, another factor that affects the pricing, common colors include brown, green, blue, yellow, copper and shades of red.
A Munchkin cat is known for its agile, outgoing, playful, intelligent and people-oriented personality.
As long as healthy, a Munchkin can live 10 to 15 years.
They do quite well with children and other animals as long as introduced at a young age.
Due to this breed still being experimental, the International Cat Association doesn’t recognize this breed.
Even though the coat is easy to groom, it’s still highly recommended you brush it at least once a week to prevent mangles and/or tangles. The only other grooming, aside from the brushing, can include a nail trimming and ear cleaning, which should be done at least once every other week.
All cats will have some sort of genetic health problems, and the Munchkin isn’t an exception. This breed is susceptible to spinal problems, and with any cat, obesity.
How can I save money?
Check with animal shelters and a rescue center as they are always filled with hundreds of cats and kittens looking for a forever home. While this particular breed may not be available, you may be able to find one that closely resembles it.
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Average Reported Cost: $1400
How much did you spend?
- Rachel (Regina, Alaska) paid $1400 and said:
These prices are grossly inaccurate. If you actually follow the links and read, one site is selling retired breeding munchkins (all 7y+) and the sure is eight years old. Another has listings for cats that are NAMED “Munchkin” or people list the word in their ad referencing another cat.
standard Munchkins go for 1000-1800 because of the fact that only half a litter will come out with short legs. anyone selling cheaper is either a backyard breeder or is selling a non-standard which does not have the short legs.
Always look for registered breeders and prevent backyard breeding.Was it worth it? Yes
