Minuet cats are a hybrid mixture of a Munchkin cat and a Persian cat. This a lovely example of standard Muchkin. So, the characteristics of Persian cats and Munchkins are visible in Minuet cats. Its other name is Neapolitan Cat, the Sausage cat.
The name Napoleon came from the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) because of his Short statue. It is also famous for its short legs, the minuscule habits of Munchkin country according to the novel `The Wonderful Wizard of Oz` written in 1900, and the longhairs of Persian cats.
Table of Contents
Breed specialty of Minuet cat/ Napoleon cat:
Other names:
Napoleon, Munchkin, Sausage cat.
Personality:
Sweet, playful, affectionate, and inherits some traits of its ancestors like curiousness and filled with energy.
Coat pattern and length:
Short and long, soft and plush.
Coat color:
All colors and patterns are allowed, including those colors which are excluded from Persian cat colors. Chocolate Brown, Lilac, Bicolor, Cinnamon, Mink, and Pointy are more available.
Eye color:
Their eyes are in two colors, White and Green.
Length-
7-8 inches
Weight-
5-9 lbs
Amount of shedding-
high
Behavior:
Friendly with people, owners, and children.
With other animals:
Friendly
Life span-
Normally 10-15 years but with proper care, it will be up to 20 years.
Allergy Tendency:
Not any issue
Origin:
USA
Origin of the minuet breed:
The history of the Minuet is not critical and interesting. The breed is just the offspring of two cats- Munchkin and Persian. There was a basset hound breeder in the USA named Joseph B. Smith, who was a fan of Munchkin cats.
Munchkin cats are long-legged. So he wanted an elegant, short-legged Munchkin cat. then, He crossbred between Munchkin and Persian- one is beautiful, and another is boring. So, Minute took birth with short legs, as Smith wanted. American Kennel Club (AKC) helped him in this breeding.
Smith was inspired by the Wallstreet Journal front page feature on Munchkin cat on 12 June 1995. The crossbreeding was held in 1996. Smith named it Nepolion cat because of Emperor Nepolions statue was also short, but in 2015, The International Cat Association (TICA) Board of Directors voted to change the name to Minuet. The sausage breed is still not recognized by many cat associations such as CFA, ACFA, FIF, etc.
The appearance of the Minuet cat breed:
The breed Minuet is popular for its short legs and round body. Some kittens are born with the long leg trait of the Munchkin cats. The face and head are round; The eyes are large and floating. The muscles are strong, and the nose is broad and straight, different from the snub nose of the Persians.
The medium-sized body has both long and short fur, which is very soft and lush. The shorthaired kitten has dense and plush fur with an undercoat, and the longhaired have a straight coat; the undercoat is soft and thick.
Temperament and nature of Minuet cats:
A very sweet, calm, gentle, jumping, playful, active, curious, and friendly breed. You will be astonished to see its jumping and moving ability. So, be aware of your furniture and shelves. It runs across your house and plays with other pets.
So, provide them with toys like cat nips, mice, and obviously a cat tree. Minuet doesn’t vocalize without any reason. So, if your one is meowing, pay attention to him.
Don’t be fooled by their short legs; they can run like long-legged carries and also can stand with their hind legs. They have the trait of being indoor cats and hate to leave alone for long owners like Persian cats. love to stay with big families and in busy households. They also are happy to play outdoors.
Caring, grooming, and exercise that Minuet cats need:
As the Minuet comes with both long and short fur, so you need to brush its short fur once a week, and ⅘ times a week brushing with longer periods are for long hairs to get free from mats and tangles. A daily short bruising session is the best idea, whatever your kitten’s fur length is. The activity will be relaxing for both of you. Always check your cat’s ears for infections and debris.
Trim their nails after every 15 days and brush their teeth twice a week. As Minute inherits Persian traits, so clean their eyes and nose regularly to avoid eye and nose problems. Give complete care to your pet.
Visit your vet after every 6 months for a healthy and happy life for your sweetie. Provide other cleaning kits such as brushing comb, special toothbrush for cats, mild shampoo for bathing, etc.
Minuet cats need plenty of toys. So provide them with their favorite toys, cat trees, and scratching posts to sharpen their claws. Playing is the best exercise. Providing plenty of opportunities to play is the best option for exercise.
Health and problems that the Minuet breed is prone to:
Like other breeds, Minuets are prone to some health issues.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):
Building-up small cysts inside the kidneys filled with liquid are called PKD. It causes Kidney failure if not scanned at an early age. So, scanning your pet’s kidney is very important.
Lordosis:
Lordosis is one kind of disease that won’t let the KIdney grow fully. It’s a rare condition. The backbone of the cat goes inward due to the dysfunction.
Pectus Exavatum:
It attacks the chest and pushes the chest inward so that the chest looks curved, just like a funnel. This structural deformity can be visible at birth time or may appear later in their life.
Osteoarthritis:
It’s a Chronic disease. When smooth cartilage decreases from the bones and joints that surround joints, and bones- is called Osteoarthritis. It causes discomfort in walking and running and inflammation in joints and bones. Minutes suffer from the disease in the sunset years of their lives.
Skin problems: minutes are prone to itchy skin and getting infected.
Vaccine-preventable diseases:
Feline distemper, feline Herpes Virus, Calicivirus, Rabies, Feline Leukemia, Heartworm, etc., problems are incurable. So, prevention is the best way to incurable diseases. Take your Minuate to the Veterinarian and vaccinate it.
So, be aware of these health problems and take care of your kitty.
Food and nutrition tips for minuet cats:
Napoleons are very playful and active cats, so feed them ⅘ times in childhood, 3 times in adulthood, and 2 times when they get old. Don’t let them get obese. It’s a big problem for all cats. Provide them with Enough Protein and nutrients.
Canned and a mixture of both wet and dry foods are the best for cats. Their feeding should be tailored, not like the readymade dresses. Provide them with enough fresh water to drink. Some cats struggle to drink water.
So, keep ice cubes in the water bowl or use a flowing fountain to ease their drinking. You better consult your vet.
Some facts you need to know about Minuet:
- Minutes are generally a healthy breed.
- They’re suitable for first-time owners.
- Will accompany you for a long time.
- They faced difficulties in getting recognition, and controversy occurred at the very beginning.
- Minutes are easy to train and don’t ignore their owner’s commands.
Breed Overview of Minuet cats:
The mixture of Persians and Munchkins is the thought result of a breeder Joseph B. Smith. He wanted the shortened Muzzle, splashed coats, and shortened legs with small paws in one body. So, he crossbred a Persian and a Munchkin cat. The name of the cat was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte- the Great French Emperor (1804-1815).
The very sweet, calm, friendly cat breed Nepoleon cat is the perfect family cat. The breed was controversial and got difficulties getting recognized by the cat associations. They come with more long and short legs and any colors. Don’t be fooled by their short legs that they can’t run and jump. They’re very good runners and jumpers.
