Minuet Cat Breed History, Health and Care

When welcoming a new feline friend into your home, it is rarely as simple as picking the one you think is most adorable. Researching personality traits and needs is necessary to determine whether a cat fits into your family dynamic. Unsurprisingly, you are researching the Minuet cat as the next possible addition to your family. Fortunately for you, we have compiled an all-you-need-to-know guide right here.

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Minuet cat:

Height	7-8 inches
Weight	5-9 pounds
Lifespan	9-15 years
Colour	Sepia, chocolate, lilac, bicolor, and cinnamon
Group	Medium-sized
Temperament	Sweet and easygoing
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Friendly and loving
People skills	Very human-oriented
Children	Kid-friendly

Interesting Facts

• The Minuet only received its name back in 2015. Before that, it was called Napoleon.
• The Minuet is created by Persian and Munchkin parents.
• The first breeder was originally known for breeding Basset Hounds, not cats.

Breed History

The Minuet breed was first created in the 1990s and is often called the Napoleon cat. Joe Smith was originally a breeder of Basset Hounds but wanted to attempt to breed a short-legged cat after coming across the Munchkin breed. After extensive research, he discovered that he could create a short-legged breed with a very unique look by combining the Munchkin with a Persian cat. In 1996, he found a Munchkin with some Persian ancestry and bred it with an Exotic cat. The resulting litter was exactly what he had been looking for. The new short-legged breed was dubbed the Napoleon before The International Cat Association renamed it the Minuet in 2015.

Temperament and Personality

The Minuet cat has some great traits from either parent, inheriting the calmness and kindness of the Persian but the high energy of the Munchkin. They are known to be very affectionate pets around the home and love interacting with their favorite humans.

The Minuet is an excellent cat for children as long as they are old enough to properly pet, pick up, and play with a cat. If this is the case, you will likely have two little playmates who know how to wear each other out. That being said, as a general rule, we do not recommend leaving a cat with any very young child.

Minuet cats are what we call one-person cats. That means they will likely imprint on their favorite human (probably the one who feeds them and plays with them most) and will spend the vast majority of their time focused on that one person. So, if you are the Minuet’s chosen one, be prepared for them to follow you around the house and climb up onto your lap for as many snuggles as possible.

It doesn’t mean the Minuet will ignore every other family member. They are still very social and playful cats who love to get along with everyone. In fact, they thrive in larger households when there is always someone around to spend time with. They are not the most independent cat in the world, so perhaps not as well suited to single households when you leave home for hours.

The Minuet is also usually pretty friendly with strangers. They get a sense of curiosity from their Munchkin parent, so they confidently introduce themselves to a new person. The same attitude is often extended to other animals as long as they are introduced healthily. Having another cat around the home can help your Minuet with potential separation anxiety when you have to pop out. They are more than happy to strike up friendships with dogs as long as the dogs are on board with that. However, you should either introduce this dynamic from an early age or do so very gradually.

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Affectionate with family	5
Shedding	4
Health	4
Playfulness	4
Vocal	3
Kid-friendly	5
Stranger-friendly	4
Easy to groom	3
Pet-friendly	4
Intelligence	4

Feeding and Diet

The Minuet is not particularly at risk of obesity. However, you should monitor them once per month to keep an eye on things. We recommend talking to your vet to develop a specific diet plan for your cat, depending on their age and activity levels.

Most Minuet owners find that a two-meal diet is best for their Minuet, feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening. If food is left in the bowl after 30 minutes, remove it so you can keep track.

It is also always a good idea to purchase food for your cat’s age to ensure they get all the stuff they need to remain healthy. You should also cater the portion size to your Minuet cat’s size, age, and energy levels to avoid becoming overweight or malnourished.

Make sure they always have access to fresh water too.

Grooming and Shedding

Minuet cats can have short or long hair, so their grooming routine depends on that detail. One brush a week should be fine if they have short hair. Four or five brushes per week may be needed if they have long hair. During the Spring molting season, we recommend a short brush daily to clear the shedding hair. Start with a wide-toothed comb and then finish with a backcombing brush. Watch out for knots, as they are expected.

It would help if you also took the chance to brush their teeth and trim their nails to keep their health optimum. Brushing once daily is best to reduce the risk of periodontal disease, but a weekly brush is often enough. If your cat fights against brushing, you can get dental treats to help. Nails should be trimmed once every month, although your cat may regulate this by walking around. Scratching posts can also be handy.

We also recommend checking/cleaning their ears and eyes to prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria – just be sure to keep using clean parts of the cloth so you don’t spread any infection.

It would help if you started this entire routine as soon as you welcome the cat into your home so they get used to it from a young age. The earlier you start, the less resistance there will be.

Known Health Problems

The Minuet cat breed is still very new, so the information on its health is a work in progress. However, we can look at the health issues known to impact one or both of the parent breeds, the Persian and the Munchkin. This can give an indication of some of the things to watch out for.

• Waterfalls – degeneration of the eye lens.
• Renal polyquistosis – Cysts in the kidneys and kidney failure (can be passed down from the Persian parent).
• Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – Enlargement of the myocardium which can increase heart rate, cause vomiting, and even lead to death. There is no cure but there are treatments.
• Lordosis – Curvature of the spine which can result in pain as the cat gets older.
• Had – Fungal skin condition which is very contagious and can be passed to humans.

Regular vet check-ups are a necessity with any animal no matter their track record of health. One thing to look out for, which is standard with many cats, is signs of dirt building up in the ears, which can lead to a possible infection. You could also look to converse with your vet about a tooth-brushing plan for your Minuet. Our general advice would be to always be on the lookout for changes in their behavior or any signs of pain/distress.

Exercise

The Minuet is a very active cat breed, so you should be prepared for that. We recommend investing in some toys and puzzles to keep them stimulated and challenged. You want to engage both their bodies and their minds during playtime. If they are left to become bored, they may slip into a lazy and unhealthy routine. Even though the Minuet needs lots of exercise and activity, they are still suited to apartment living as long as you keep them busy. If you invest in a cat tree or any climbing equipment, then make sure it suits the size of a Minuet. Remember, they only have little legs!

READ MORE: Activities for Kittens

Adoption

Because they are so new, Minuets are still rare and do not usually end up in adoption shelters, so the chances of finding one in a shelter or adoption agency are pretty slim. Of course, we always recommend giving a home to a cat who needs one rather than purchasing a bred kitten if possible.

Breeders

This is your best chance of finding a Minuet local to you. The Minuet is a very new and rather rare cat, but some research into your local area should reveal some breeding options to you. Always select a breeder who has good reviews to ensure that you are actually getting a healthy Minuet kitten rather than something else.

Conclusion

And there we have it, everything you need to know about the Minuet cat breed. They truly are a joy to have around the family home and will be a welcome addition to your group. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch or post a message in the comments section below. We wish you all the luck with your new pet.

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