Hairless cats are rapidly increasing in popularity, thanks to a combination of social media influence, their unusual appearance, and their big personalities. The Minskin isn’t your average hairless cat, though, because of their short legs and elongated bodies. They also aren’t fully hairless, having fur points on the ears, mask, tail, and legs.
The Minskin is still a rare and developing breed, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the potential to become a very popular breed. These cats tend to have great personalities, often being very outgoing and loving cats. They are not known to be particularly destructive, but they are active, agile cats. Keep reading for more info about the Minskin!
Minskin Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…
The Minskin’s development began in 1998 when Paul McSorley began crossbreeding Munchkins and Sphynx cats, with some Burmese and Devon Rex cats added into the breeding program. In 2000, the first cat to meet McSorley’s vision of the breed standard was born. In 2008, the Minskin was added to TICA’s list of breeds in development. As the breed continues to develop, it has the potential to become a standard breed through TICA.
2. There are not very many Minskins in the world.
As of 2005, there were only 50 cats that met the Minskin breed standard in the world. The current number of Minskins in the world is not listed, but the breed is still listed as a breed in development by TICA, which indicates that the breed has continued to grow and show a distinct breed standard as its development has continued.
3. They are distinctive in appearance and personality.
Obviously, with their short legs and thick body, these cats are very distinctive in their appearance. The breed standard calls for them to have a “sweet expression”, which speaks to their distinctive personality as well. The Minskin is known for its gentle but playful nature, as well as its love of the companionship of people and animals alike.
Minskins are fantastic cats for many families. In fact, they are known for their sociability and love of children. It is important that children are gentle with these cats due to their small size, though. Since Minskins tend to be playful but gentle, they can be great companions for families with children of just about any age. They also tend to be relatively accepting of strangers and can be good cats for homes with lots of visitors.
Yes, the Minskin is often a great companion for other pets. They are tolerant of and playful with dogs and cats, making them great pets in homes with other animals. No matter how social and curious your Minskin is, slow introductions to other pets are important to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable with any new additions to the home. Use caution with Minskins and small animals, like rodents and reptiles. Although they are small, their playfulness and hunting instincts can lead to dangerous situations with small animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Minskin:
Food & Diet Requirements
While the Minskin doesn’t have special dietary requirements, these cats are prone to obesity, so it’s important to manage how much your cat is fed every day. These cats may not be good candidates for free feeding due to their low-calorie needs and tendency to overeat for their size. A high-protein, high-quality food fed in proper measured portions is necessary for most Minskin cats, and your vet can help you select a great quality food. Good quality cat food doesn’t have to break the bank, and your vet will be able to help you weed through the options on the market.
Exercise 🐈
Keeping your Minskin cat active will help maintain its health and prevent obesity. They are agile, active cats that enjoy playing, so it shouldn’t be a challenge to keep your Minskin active with toys and games in the home. Make sure to set aside at least 30 minutes every day to spend one-on-one with your cat to bond and encourage more active play. Although they are not built for speed and cannot jump very high, Minskins are very likely to enjoy activities like cat agility courses. Many of them can be leash trained and will enjoy spending some time outdoors on a leash. They should not be allowed outdoors unattended, though, as it is a major risk for these cats.
Consistency is the key to training your Minskin cat and ensuring your cat is happy and stays safe. If everyone in the household is consistent in training, you will have the best chance of your cat getting trained and remembering its training. This is an intelligent breed that enjoys being around people and can be quite adventurous, so training shouldn’t be too challenging as long as the training is consistent. They may be motivated by treats, which can be great for positive reinforcement training exercises. Remember to account for the calories your Minskin is consuming in treats per day to ensure you are not unintentionally overfeeding.
Grooming ✂️
Although the Minskin may not require much in the way of brushing, they are likely to need routine baths as a Sphynx cat would. Baths help remove loose skin cells and maintain the health of the skin and what little coat the cat does have. Brushing can also be beneficial, but a soft brush that will not irritate the skin is necessary. A brush you might use on a cat with a normal coat can damage the skin and even damage what coat your Minskin does have.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Minor Conditions
Obesity
Skin irritation and infections
Ear infections
Sunburn
Cold intolerance
Serious Conditions
Pectus Excavatum
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Skin cancer
Lordosis
Spine and joint deformities
Male vs Female
Overall, there are few differences between the males and females of this breed. Females may be slightly more independent and standoffish than males are, while males may be more clingy and outgoing. However, since the breed as a whole is social and friendly, the differences between males and females are likely to be extremely subtle. If kept intact, you may see some hormonal behaviors, like territorial behaviors in males and breeding behavior in females. Some of these undesirable behaviors may become permanent if you wait too long to spay or neuter your Minskin, so make sure to talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate time to fix your kitty.
Final Thoughts
The Minskin is a lovely developing breed of cat that has the potential to grow exponentially in popularity once the breed is fully developed. These cats are generally relatively healthy, although it is too early in the development of the breed to know for sure what genetic issues they may carry. They tend to have lovely personalities and are a joy to spend time with.
Oftentimes, Minskins will seek out the attention and affection of their family, and they are likely to happily bond with all members of the household, including children and other pets. Their social and sweet nature makes them suitable for homes with children of all ages, although children should be taught to handle these petite cats gently. They are likely to be accepting of strangers visiting the home.
Since they are intelligent, they are a trainable breed, and some Minskins may enjoy activities like feline agility coursing or a simple walk around the neighborhood on a leash. They should not be allowed outdoors unattended due to their poor tolerance for cold temperatures, the potential for sunburn, and small stature that may leave them susceptible to attacks and bullying from predators and other cats.
Featured Image Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
