What is a Minskin Cat? [unique and rare tiny cat]

The Minskin cat is a new, rare breed of miniature cat with a kitten-like appearance.

The Minskin is a small breed of cat that is semi-hairless with tufts of fur on its points. It is super affectionate and playful. This new breed is fairly healthy and has a life expectancy of 11-14 years. Due to the small number of breeders, this playful affectionate cat is hard to find and expensive.

This petite cat makes a great pet for those who have one and a curiosity for those of us who are unable to get one yet.

History of the Minskin Cat

In 1998, a breeder named Paul McSorley from Boston, Massachusetts began work on this cat.

He wanted to mix the short legs of the Munchkin cat with the color points of Siamese cats and also wanted it to be mostly hairless.

So, he began breeding a Munchkin cat with a Sphynx cat. The Burmese cat and Devon Rex cats were also introduced into his breeding program.

In the year 2000, the first official Minskin cat was born. However, breeding moved slowly, and by 2005, there were still only 50 Minskin cats around the world.

The current number of Minskins worldwide is unknown.

The International Cat Association has dubbed the Minskin cat a new experimental breed. As of this writing, the Minskin cat breed is not recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association.

There are very few Minskin breeders in the world, at the moment however the breeding program is still growing as they become more popular and known.

What Do Minskin Cats Look Like?

Minskin Cat Characteristics

Minskin cats have an evergreen kitten look. They have full-sized, rounded heads with high cheekbones and large ears and are almost hairless.

These features come from the hairless Sphinx cat lineage.

They inherited their dwarfism from the Munchkin cat.

Minskin Cat Size

This short-legged cat has a unique look and distinct appearance that stands out.

A Minskin cat will weigh approximately four to six pounds and be about five to seven inches tall when fully grown.

Minskin Cat Appearance

Minskin cats have long, slender tails with large eyes that are blue and wide-set.

They only have tufts of fur on their points. These tufts ]mimic the Siamese’s color points covering the tail, ears, face, and paws.

These fur points are either white, tortoiseshell, or tabby. Everywhere else the Minskin cat breed is either hairless or covered in very fine hairs.

Due to their Devon Rex genes, they may also have wrinkled skin.

Minskin Cat Personality

Minskin cats can be a perfect pet for cat lovers. They are affectionate lap cats who do well with children and even strangers.

They also get along well with other pets. They don’t cling to only one family member but eagerly seek human affection.

Are Minskin Cats Good With Small Children?

Keep in mind that a Minskin cat is very small and delicate, so children need to be careful with them. You don’t want to leave your Minskin alone with unsupervised small children.

Are Minskin Cats Smart?

Minskins are intelligent and curious cats. Many Minskin owners comment about how smart they are and that they interact well with humans.

Are Minskin Cats Active?

These special tiny cats have no problems climbing and are very creative about getting onto high places.

So be prepared to find your Minskin in some interesting locations around your home.

Minskin cats are pretty athletic for their small stature. They enjoy running around the house and playing.

Minskin Cat Health Issues

It’s hard to say if the Minskin cat has a predisposition to potential health problems because they are a relatively new breed of cat.

They haven’t been around long enough to find out if they have genetic complications. However, as of now, Minskin cats seem to be relatively healthy.

However, obesity is a common issue Minskin cats can develop. They are small, so it’s easy for them to overeat. Obesity can strain their backs and legs, causing discomfort.

It is important to note that Minskins may be susceptible to some of the diseases that their parent breeds suffer from. Here is a list of possible diseases Minskins could encounter. s

Lordosis is when the spine of the cat curves inwards. This can cause changes in the way a cat walks and pain.

This is common in cats with dwarfism, but any cat breed can have this disease.

Pectus excavatum is when the chest is sunken in, which causes pain and some compression of the heart and lungs. This disease is common to the Munchkin breed.

The Minskin may be at risk of heart complications due to their Devon Rex and Sphinx heritage.

Skin cancers can develop in hairless cats. These are usually noticeable by a darkening of the skin.

Since this is such a new breed, it is important to discuss these possibilities with your vet.

Do Minskin Cats Need Special Care?

Minskin Cat Grooming

Minskins barely shed because of their hairless characteristic. Yet, they still need regular baths with gentle soap to keep their skin clean.

Bathing them once a week should be sufficient. If you bathe them too often, they will get dry skin or dermatitis.

You can also brush their fur points. Make sure to use a soft bristle brush because their skin is sensitive.

Are Minskin Cats Hypoallergenic?

The Minskin cat can have some hair in certain spots on their body but it is generally hairless so that will be a benefit for people who suffer from cat allergies.

Is the Minskin truly hypoallergenic? Well, not totally but it may be as close as you can get with a cat.

Minskins are also prone to yeast infections since they have exposed skin. So, bathing them will help prevent them from getting this infection.

Minskin Cat Diet

Minskin cats should have fresh water daily. They also need to eat a high-protein diet.

Minskin cats don’t have any special dietary needs. Yet, since they are prone to obesity, you may want to be careful about overfeeding.

As with any pet, make sure to limit the number of treats your cat eats daily.

Is a Minskin Cat Adaptable to Weather Changes?

Their hairlessness greatly exposes a Minskin cat to the elements. During the summer sun, they will need a feline sun cream that you can get from your vet.

During the winter, they may need clothes to protect their skin from dry, cold temperatures to keep them warm.

Minskins don’t have fur to help regulate their temperature, so they are prone to getting cold. This is one reason why they love to sit in laps so much.

However, you can also leave a heating pad on low if you are away to help these sweet cats get warm.

Minskin Cat Names

Since the Minskin is such a unique and special cat you need to make sure you choose a unique and special name for them! Here is a short list of possible Minskin cat names.

Baby
Binky
Dash
Dinky
Elf
Frisky
Fry
Hobbit
Lil Bit
Minnie
Pee Wee
Tiny
Ziggy

The Minskin Cat is a Rare and Unique Breed

Minskins are a rare breed of small-legged cats. These unique and affectionate cats make great pets, but they are still hard to find.

Minskin cats are playful with a sweet demeanor and kitten-like appearance. If you are able to get one of these adorable cats as a pet, you’ll find them a delightful addition to your family.

Photos via free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0

What is a Minskin Cat? [unique and rare tiny cat]

History of the Minskin Cat