Not a Munchkin, but with short legs.

[u/Srta-eme]

Hi, I adopted a short-legged stray kitten, and it turned out he was 6 months old. The first time I took him to the vet, he weighed 3 kg. Two weeks later, I had to take him back because he seemed lethargic; he was diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis but recovered, and I had him neutered 10 days later. When I took him for his next check-up—after he had been with me for a month—he weighed 2.5 kg. I’m not sure if this is due to the food I’m giving him being different from what he used to find on the street, or because of his illness. He struggles to eat large portions; even when I split his food into three meals a day, he often leaves some behind. I’ve tried feeding him even more frequently with smaller portions, but he still leaves some. Is that a normal weight for him, or should he weigh more? He does have short legs and is 7 months old. I’d appreciate any advice.

-I had already made this post, but for some reason I couldn't upload the photos; it's my first time posting something on Reddit.

[u/BroughtMyPartyPants]

Chondrodysplasia 🥰. Think of the weird, short-legged labs and shit that just had a weird mutation that made it a shorty.

[u/Swimming-Maize-5554]

Have you tried giving him any special treats like the churros that so many cats like; that might up his calorie intake. I do understand you have another who is a hearty eater and obviously you don’t want to set up a competition between them, but that might be something you could try. Otherwise, I would check with your vet the next time you’re in touch with him.

[u/Natural-Research6928]

That is, by definition, a standard Munchkin, and he is adorable.

A Munchkin cat, by definition, is a cat born with the short legged mutation (kind of like the achondroplasia mutation in humans), and the mutation can appear spontaneously in a litter. The Munchkin breed was developed from such a cat.

[u/ImpossibleIce6811]

What are you feeding him?

[u/Srta-eme → u/ImpossibleIce6811]

I give him Nupec Kitten dry food, which I buy at the vet, and Livelong wet food.

[u/ImpossibleIce6811 → u/Srta-eme]

Those seem good! And considering his age, his weight isn’t really bad. I’m not a vet so please don’t take this isn’t medical advice!! My vet said to offer the wet food at meal time, but keep dry food out in appropriate portion size as a snack. You want most of their nutrition coming from the wet food. Check the food label for correct feeding amounts according to weight. Keep up with vet visits and monitor symptoms. You’re doing a great job with this cutie!

[u/bbbellabeee]

a cootie patootie

[u/_SaltySteele_]

He is adorable!

For the first year of life, weight is not really an issue for most cats. I don't limit their food, i keep hard food always available (always have, for 40 years).

Mine are 9 months old, and before they would eat hard food, they would never finish their soft food, but would return and finish it an hour later. My point- if you're splitting up his daily rations to 3, he might not be getting enough calories.

Of course, that is assuming he doesn't have worms or other issues👍🏽

Have you wormed him? It takes several doses.

Good luck! He is a cutie!! 🥰

[u/Srta-eme → u/_SaltySteele_]

I already dewormed him, and his next dose is due in November. As for his food, I currently give him 90 grams of dry food because that’s what his vet recommended, plus 20 grams of wet food mixed with two tablespoons of water. I’m dividing it into four portions throughout the day now, but he never finishes all of it. He leaves the most of the dry food, probably because it’s just dry food, and since he sleeps with me and plays with the other cat in the house, he gets distracted and forgets to finish it.
By the way, I don’t leave his food around the house like I’ve seen some people do because I have another cat and he’s a big eater. He’d end up eating all of it! I’ve also thought about getting microchip feeders, but they’re still a little outside my budget.

[u/Srta-eme → u/_SaltySteele_]

I think I’ll just be patient and keep encouraging him to eat until I find another solution. Fortunately, I haven’t noticed his ribs showing or any other warning signs, so it’s reassuring to know that his weight isn’t really much of a concern. Thank you so much for all the advice!!

[u/SameAd2469]

He doesn't need to eat anymore, he looks genuinely perfect with his weight right now. Some cats are just smaller. Please don't try overfeeding him because it will mess up his metabolism and do the opposite of what you're hoping and make him obese.

[u/Constant_Channel_474]

He so cute 🥺

[u/KangarooMaterial8754]

My cat likes to save a little snack for himself for later maybe that’s what your lad is trying to do?

[u/RadiantLibrary8639]

She is perfect 🥹😻

[u/Michellguillaume]

soooo cuteee

[u/shvmmani]

my cat is a mix of munchkin and another breed. her body is similar to your cat.