Teacup cats have grown in popularity over the last few decades because of their endearing nature and miniature size.
Many people prefer cats that will stay small throughout their lifespan, and unethical breeders have taken advantage of that.
These unscrupulous breeders sell any runt of the litter, undersized cats, or sick and malnourished cats as teacups to unsuspecting pet enthusiasts, and it’s wrong!
So what is it about teacup cats? Is there any justification for purchasing and breeding such a small cat breed?
What Are Teacup Cats?
Teacup cats are cats bred to be as small as possible by breeders. These cats often weigh 2/3 the weight of an average domestic cat.
Often teacups won’t weigh more than 10 pounds. Unlike other small versions of small cat breeds like munchkins and dwarfs, these cats have proportional body features.
Breeding Teacup Cats
One of the techniques that breeders use to get teacup cats is inbreeding.
This inbreeding technique results in a genetic mutation that causes small than average domestic cat breeds, though such a technique’s results are unpredictable.
Another version of getting a teacup cat is through breeding small or undersized males with their small female counterparts.
The Appearance of Teacup Cats
One thing you should note is that teacup cats are not a breed of their own. They often appear in a variety of breeds.
Some of the prevalent teacup versions are the Persians and the Himalayan cats.
These cats are lightweight, and as earlier said, they don’t weigh more than 10 pounds. And have a length of 4-6 inches.
Coat colorations can vary, but the most common is the tabby coat pattern.
Teacup Cats Temperaments and Personality
Teacup cats are friendly and loving to everyone. Even with their small size, they have a great personality that is likable. Also, their playful nature is unmatched.
These cats will make perfect pets for children and the elderly as they are less demanding. Above all, these cats need love and attention.
Teacup Cats Diet
Teacup cats will require a diet set for small-bodied cats. A diet comprising proteins, essential multivitamins, and amino acids will work well for their bodies.
Check on the labeling of the food pack on the calories offered per serving. Remember not to overfeed or underfeed your teacup.
Also, regular hydration is vital. If your cat cannot drink from a still bowl of water, get a fountain in your house. Some cats prefer flowing water, as they perceive it’s free of germs and bacteria than still water.
When calculating the number of calories, factor in the treats you give this cat daily; some treats have many calories, thus consider that least your cat becomes obese.
Remember, treats should not take more than 5% of your teacup’s daily calorie intake. Overall consult your vet on the best feeding schedule for your cat.
Teacup Cats Grooming
Whenever you own any cat, remember you have added another task in your house, grooming.
And so, you should groom your teacup cat’s coat frequently. If your cat has lots of fur, endeavor to brush it thrice weekly to clear any loose hair.
Remember to use a soft-bristled brush. Using a stiff-bristled brush may injure your teacup’s coat of fur.
Only trim the nails once in a while but not frequently. While at that, use a pet-safe clipper and avoid injuring your cat’s nerve endings.
Exercise and Training Teacup Cats
Lightweight exercise sessions will be necessary for your cat daily. Seclude 5- 10 minutes of your daily schedule to play with your cat.
Playing with your cat will help flex her muscles, and also it will help strengthen the bond you both share.
You can get some cat-friendly toys that will help keep your cat active and lively.
Remember not to overburden your cat with exerting exercises, as the body conformation cannot allow.
Most teacup cats are intelligent and obedient, and so training sessions will be effortless. Train your cat on how to use a litter box when still young. You can also get some puzzle toys to keep the cat’s mental health fit.
All in all, weigh out your options and choose exercise options that will not tire your cat.
Health Problems in Teacup Cats
Worth noting, with the rise of unscrupulous breeders who are there to get quick money from unsuspecting cat lovers, there has been a rise in teacups health problems, and such a trend is worrying.
So here are some of the health conditions;
- Heart problems- more specific heart murmurs
- Soft spots on the skull- more occur because they are underdeveloped and such exposes them to head trauma.
Where to Get a Teacup Cat
Here are some of the areas you should look for for your next teacup cat.
Breeders
Look for ethical breeders who are reputable and are not there for some quick cash.
Here is how you can know you are working with a Back yard breeder
- A breeder who won’t let you see the parents- a breeder who cannot show you the kitten’s parents is not trustworthy. You know, by you seeing the parents, you will be better positioned to forecast the kitten’s temperaments.
- A breeder rearing the kittens in a shoddy set up- be wary of a breeder who keeps the kittens in wanting living conditions.
- A breeder who is not concerned about where the cat is going- a reputable breeder should do a follow-up on where this cat will live and the living conditions around.
- A breeder with cats on a discounted price- healthy cats should not be on offer- discounting a cat is often a way of offloading the already full facility.
- A breeder who always has kittens available- a breeder who always has kittens all day should make you raise red flags. A reputable and trustworthy breeder will only breed a few kittens, ensuring there is no overcrowding and the female is healthy at all times. Most kittens bred in numbers are often unhealthy.
- A breeder who is not vaccinating or deworming his litter.
Important to note:
- A breeder should give you the health clearance certificate of this cat.
- The cat should access or receive all necessary vaccinations.
- The cat should be neutered or spayed to avoid the passing of these genes.
- A signed document showing that the cat is free of hereditary diseases is vital
Adopt From An Animal Shelter
You can also get a teacup cat from a shelter. Kittens from this place are always vaccinated and access regular vet checkups.
And most of all, you may get these kittens at a low price or even for free. Ask your vet or pet shop of any adoption center in your locality.
Are There Any Benefits Of Owning A Teacup Cat?
Animal specialists don’t advocate this breeding standard. You know the industry of breeding cats has been corrupted. And as earlier said, most unethical breeders are passing sick or undersized cats as teacups.
With that, there is no advantage or benefit of owning teacup cats, as these cats have life-limiting conditions.
Remember, the average domestic cat is not that big, so having a teacup in your house will bring no difference.
How Much is A Teacup Cat?
On average, a teacup cat can cost between $500-$2800. Factors such as the breeder’s preference, location, genes, size, and color can affect this minute cat’s price.
Also, the expenses of owning a teacup don’t stop the moment you incur the purchase price. Afterward, you will incur monthly expenses of maintaining this cat breed.
Here are some of the monthly bills you may incur, vet care, food, litter boxes, toys, grooming expenses, and much more.
Also, the price may shoot down if you are to get this cat from an animal shelter. The positive thing about having this cat from an animal shelter is that they are often microchipped, spayed/neutered, and have their shots updated.
In other scenarios, other animal shelters may give you free vet visits monthly. However, checkup with the animal shelter centers around whether they offer such after-sale services.
Munchkin Cat and Teacup Cat – The Big Difference
It’s a common occurrence for people to confuse a teacup cat with a munchkin cat. First, what you ought to note is that both of these felines are small.
Teacup cat breeders breed teacup cats to become as small as possible and often don’t exceed the 10lbs mark.
Teacup cat’s miniature nature occurs through genetic mutation after a breeder has used inbreeding techniques.
As a warning, most of these cats have genetic diseases and other diseases because of such breeding techniques. A key point out is that this cat has proportional body features.
Munchkin cat – a munchkin cat is also a small cat breed. This cat resembles an average domestic cat, but it has short legs that occur after genetic mutation. Such a condition that occurs in munchkin cats is called chondrodysplasia dwarfism.
Teacup Cat Summary
Hoping by reading this article, you have gotten all the needful information about teacup cats. You will note that these cats need special care and handling because of how fragile they are.
If you are adamant about getting this cat breed, ensure you visit a reputable breeder with positive reviews.