 In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Kinkalo cat. The Kinkalo is a new cat breed not recognized yet by any cat fancy associations in the United States or abroad. However, its short stature and curled ears have endeared this little kitty to many cat lovers since the breed's inception in the 1990s. Both the Kinkalo short legs and curled ears are the result of spontaneous genetic mutations. Each of these traits has been systematically bred into different cat breeds since the late 20th century. The Kinkalo is a member of a growing trend to miniaturize cats by crossing them with a munchkin breed. Other breeds like this include Napoleon, which is a miniaturized Persian, and the Dwarf, which is a miniaturized Sphinx. Here are some of the interesting facts about the Kinkalo cat, which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament. 1. Kinkalo cat's breed history and origins. Cat breeder Terry Harris wondered what would happen if she took one of her munchkins and bred it to an American curl. The result was a cat with short legs, like the munchkin, and ears that curled back like the American curl. She and other lovers of Dwarf breeds developed the Kinkalo throughout the 1990s, and it finally gained recognition as an experimental breed by the International Cat Association in 1997. Harris named one of the original kittens Kinkalo Louie, which is presumably where the name for the breed originated. It may also be assumed that the name refers to the kink in their ears and the fact that they are low to the ground. The Kinkalo is currently an experimental domestic hybrid breed that is not recognized by any national or international cat fancy associations, and it is still in a period of breeding in which its characteristics are being stabilized. Any information about this breed, particularly about its personality, lifespan, and genetic health, is still in flux and may vary depending on the individual cat. 2. Kinkalo cat size and physical characteristics The Kinkalo has a very unique appearance, it combines the kittenlike appearance of the munchkin with the unique ears of the American curl. These cats are short, only about 7 inches tall due to their dwarf legs. Other than their legs, the cats have a medium build, with a longish, semi-exotic body. Their chests should be well rounded and their stout legs set evenly apart. The front legs of a Kinkalo are often shorter than their back legs. Although they have firm muscles, Kinkalo should not appear bulky. Their tails are often longer than their bodies. The Kinkalo is known for its soft fur, which can be either short hair or long hair. Their coats come in a variety of shades and patterns, and in exotic combinations thereof. The Kinkalo's ears are another important part of their composition. The curled ears should be placed evenly apart on the head and curved backward to an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the head. When alert, the tips of the ears should point to the skull's center. Kinkalo kittens are born with straight ears, but they begin curling within a week of their birth. As the kittens grow, the ears change, settling into their final curl by about 5 months of age. These ears are made of firm, stiff cartilage that can be very delicate. 3. Kinkalo cat's colors. The Kinkalo can feature any color and pattern. This means that you might encounter a Kinkalo that features a white coat, and you might find another that has a chocolate colored coat. Other common colors and patterns include calico, torti, tabi, gray, orange, cream, and black. 4. Kinkalo cat's personality and temperament. While maintaining the small, kitten-like stature of their munchkin roots, the Kinkalo also inherited the American Curls Peter Pan personality. This means that they are a sweet and playful breed, always ready to lounge in a lap or to play a game of fetch. They can retain their kitten-ish playfulness well into old age, and their load to the ground stature does not prevent a Kinkalo from keeping up with other playful pets. Indeed, you will often find these short cats perched in surprisingly high places, the top of a desk, for example, or a kitchen counter. Kinkalos make good companions for humans of all ages, as well as both experienced and first-time cat owners. They are not incredibly vocal cats, but they will voice their needs when they are hungry or need attention. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high-quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife to get 20% off. 5. Kinkalo cat's nutritional and exercise needs. The Kinkalo is easy to feed, they have no special dietary restrictions, and they are not particularly prone to overeating. Still, it is always important to monitor the amount of food given to a pet, keeping the amount of food appropriate to the animal's size and age. The Kinkalo is a very active cat, and they love cat trees, mouse toys, and puzzle toys. A Kinkalo owner should expect to play with their pet at least a few times a day. 6. Kinkalo cat's grooming and upkeep. Kinkalos need very little grooming. Their coats need at least a weekly brushing, more often if it's a long-haired cat to keep the fur from tangling and to help clean out the undercoat. Regular upkeep is also necessary that is, keeping the cat's ears cleaned, teeth brushed, and claws trimmed. Ear care is particularly important in these curleared cats since their cartilage is delicate. Forcing the ear to bend or fold a certain way can permanently damage the ear. All grooming activities ought to be introduced to kittens from a young age so that they will be accustomed to the rituals by the time they are adults. 7. Kinkalo cat's health and wellness. The Kinkalo short legs are the result of a mutated gene that affects the production of cartilage in the joints. This mutation does not affect the cat's health. Unlike dwarf dog breeds, these cats do not seem to have back and joint problems. Some kittens may be born with feet that curve backward, but this is not an alarming sign. These feet will straighten out as the kitten grows older. Because of their smaller size, it is best to keep a Kinkalo indoors, so that it is protected from cars, unfriendly animals, and other dangers. Similarly, the curved ears are not a detriment to the cat's health, although some lines may have narrowed ear canals. This can lead to infections or earwax buildup, but both of these can be relieved by frequent cleaning with a vet-recommended cleaner. 8. Keep them happy and healthy. Interestingly, Kinkalo cats are considered one of the healthiest feline breeds in the world of the cat fancy. They inherited this attribute from the American curl side of their family. Besides not being as vulnerable to kidney and heart issues compared to other cats, they are also not as prone to genetic defects. However, they still need a meticulous brushing at least every week to keep their coat looking beautiful, as well as regular visits to the vet, say twice every year, to make sure they stay fit as a fiddle. 9. Kinkalo cat price and where to find them. If you've decided that this is absolutely the right kitty for you, then all that's left to do is find one. First, it's good to know if they're even in your budget, so let's start there. Prices vary depending on the breeder, where you live, and the current availability of kittens versus how many people are looking for them. However, expect to pay around $2,000, give or take for a Kinkalo kitten. Not all Kinkalo kittens are born with both short legs and curled ears. Since dwarfism is a recessive trait, two short-legged cats have a 25% chance of producing one in their litter. The curled ears are a dominant trait, but two curled-eared cats could have as low as a 75% chance of producing similar kittens. Some Kinkalos, then, are born with both average height and normal ears. A Kinkalo is unusual cat. With a highly intelligent, affectionate, and energetic demeanor, adorable look, and low grooming requirements. You can easily fall in love with it, but it is difficult to find it. Thus if you come across this beauty, do not release it anymore, who knows, it may happen that in this little treasure you would find your soulmate. The Kinkalo makes a great pet for almost any family.