Kinkalow

The Kinkalow is a dwarf cat breed that was developed in the United States by crossing the Munchkin, which carries the gene for short legs, with the American Curl, which carries the gene for backward-curling ears. What comes out of that pairing is a small cat with the low-slung frame of the Munchkin and the curled ear tips of the Curl.

Most Kinkalows weigh between 1.4 and 3.2 kg, which puts them at the smaller end of the domestic cat range. The short legs do not hold the cat back. It moves about easily and stays active, climbing and jumping by pushing off with its hindquarters. How far the ears curl differs from one cat to the next, because the curl gene does not always express fully.

This is an affectionate, people-oriented breed. Kinkalows keep their playful streak into adulthood and hold on to a kittenish, inquisitive manner long after kittenhood is over. They suit homes that can give them regular attention and company.

Who it suits

The Kinkalow fits households that want a small, interactive companion and can offer daily play and company. It settles well with attentive families, children included where cats are handled gently, and with other pets once introductions are made slowly. Since the breed is sociable and dislikes long stretches on its own, it is a poor match for a home that stands empty most of the day.

The Kinkalow began in the United States during the 1990s. Breeder Terri Harris is credited with the early crosses that shaped the breed, putting the short-legged Munchkin together with the American Curl, a cat known for ears that turn backward. The goal was a small cat that carried both features at once.

The Munchkin, source of the short-leg gene, was itself recognised as a breed only in the 1990s. The American Curl, source of the curled-ear gene, traces back to a single stray cat found in California in 1981. The Kinkalow draws straight from both of these foundation breeds.

The name puts "kink," for the curled ears, alongside "low," for the short stature. Major cat registries still treat the breed as experimental, and it is bred in small numbers. It has not been granted full championship recognition by the larger associations, and breeding programmes are still working toward a consistent type.

With a small population and two parent traits that are dominant yet variable in how they show, litters can turn up kittens with long legs, straight ears, or both. Careful breeders record these outcomes and keep outcrossing to hold on to health and genetic diversity.

The Kinkalow carries the short legs of its Munchkin parent on a body that reads as long against its low height. The head is rounded with a short muzzle, and the eyes are large and set well apart. The ear is the signature feature, curling back away from the face. That curl ranges from a slight bend to a firm backward arc.

Coat and colours

The coat is soft and runs short or medium in length depending on the parent cats. No single colour counts as standard, so Kinkalows turn up across a broad spread of solid shades, tabby markings, tortoiseshell, and two-colour patterns. Short-haired cats ask for little coat care, while medium-haired cats do better with more frequent brushing. Whatever the curl, the ears should feel firm at the base rather than floppy.

The Kinkalow is an affectionate breed that bonds closely with the people around it. It is playful and curious, and a good many cats hold their kittenish manner for life, chasing toys and poking at new objects well into their adult years.

At home the breed is sociable and looks for attention, often trailing people from room to room and settling on laps. Around strangers it tends to be confident rather than shy, though early socialisation helps. Kinkalows usually get on with children who handle them gently and with other cats and cat-friendly dogs when introductions are managed at a slow pace.

Short legs barely slow the cat. Kinkalows climb and jump, calling on their back legs to reach a favoured perch, and they stay busy indoors. Long spells alone do not suit them, and they are happiest where someone is usually about or a second pet keeps them company.

Grooming

• Brush short-haired cats once a week and medium-haired cats two or three times a week to lift loose hair.
• Clean the curled ears gently with a vet-approved solution, since the curl can hold wax and debris.
• Trim the nails every couple of weeks.
• Brush the teeth regularly to hold off dental disease.

Exercise

• Give daily interactive play with wand toys, balls, and puzzle feeders.
• Set out low cat trees, steps, and ramps so the cat can climb without large jumps.
• Rotate the toys to keep a curious cat interested.
• Aim for two or more short play sessions a day.

Environment

The Kinkalow is an indoor cat. Its small size and short legs leave it exposed outdoors, and the curled ears injure easily. Set up a warm, draught-free home with resting spots the cat can reach at low and medium heights. Keep the climbing options within reach so it can satisfy its urge to perch without straining.

The Kinkalow does best on a complete, balanced cat food with animal protein as the main ingredient. Because the breed is small, portion control matters more here than with a larger cat, since even a little extra weight loads the spine and joints. Pick a food made for the cat's life stage and feed by weight rather than leaving the bowl full.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories so the cat holds a healthy weight. A cat on a complete commercial diet usually needs no supplements. Talk over any joint or other supplement with a vet first, all the more given the breed's short-legged build. Keep fresh water available at all times, and offer wet food to help with hydration.

The Kinkalow usually reaches 12 to 15 years with good care. As a dwarf breed, it can be prone to skeletal problems linked to the short-leg gene, and the curled ears need watching. Buying from a breeder who screens the parent cats cuts the risk of inherited conditions.

Preventive care

• Book annual veterinary checkups and keep vaccinations current.
• Keep the cat lean to ease strain on the spine and joints.
• Clean and inspect the ears regularly.
• Stay on top of parasite control and dental care.
• Buy from breeders who health-screen their breeding cats.

The Kinkalow is clever and curious, which makes it responsive to training when sessions stay short and rewarding. The breed takes to mental challenges, and clicker training, puzzle feeders, and simple tricks all sit well with it. Litter training is usually straightforward; give it a low-sided box that the short-legged cat can step into with ease.

Basics

1. Start with one behaviour at a time, such as coming when called.
2. Reward the right action straight away with a small treat or praise.
3. Keep sessions to a few minutes and finish on a success.
4. Repeat daily and add new behaviours only once the first is reliable.
5. Introduce a harness slowly if you plan supervised time outdoors.

Breeding the Kinkalow takes planning, since both defining traits pass down in ways that do not always show fully. The short-leg gene is dominant but can be lethal when a kitten inherits two copies, so two short-legged cats are never bred together. Breeders pair a short-legged cat with a standard-legged or American Curl cat to keep litters healthy.

Females reach sexual maturity at a few months of age, but responsible breeders hold off until a queen is physically mature before mating. Gestation runs about 63 to 67 days. Litters tend to be small, and one litter can hold kittens with short or long legs and with curled or straight ears, because neither trait passes to every kitten.

Kittens are born with straight ears that begin to curl in the first weeks of life, then settle into their final shape over several months. Queens raise their kittens with normal maternal care. Breeders should screen for spinal and chest conditions and place only healthy kittens, ideally once the ear curl and limb development have become clear.

Registering a Kinkalow in South Africa

A gate left open for the gardener is all it takes for a homebody Kinkalow to go missing. Her free United Pet Club profile keeps your details one scan away, wherever she turns up. Register your cat once, free, and the record outlasts every house move.

If a chip is already under her skin, finish the job by recording the number. Register the microchip on the free lifetime plan: any brand a South African vet implants is accepted, updating after a move between provinces costs nothing, and the record is searchable around the clock. Create your free account and cover cat and chip together.