Dwelf
This cat combines the short legs of the Munchkin cat, the hairlessness of the Sphynx, and the curled ears of the American Curl. They are small in stature but have a whole lot of personality behind those stubby little legs. Standing on their own legs (albeit short ones) as a notable breed is no easy task for a dwelf cat.
Breed Profile
Height
6 - 7
Inches
Weight
4 - 9
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 15
Years
Health
health
Lordosis
What is it?:
Lordosis causes spinal and vertebral malformation, most often they are inherited and congenital. It causes the cats spine to curve inwards.
Clinical signs
Persistent wailing.
Constant pain.
Difficulty or reluctance in climbing stairs, rising up, jumping or running.
Noticeable lack of interest in everything.
Avoids human interaction, to manage pain.
Urinary tract infections.
Fecal and urinary incontinence
Treatment
As Dwelfs are designer cats and have been recently bred into existence, there isn’t much research on their conditions but generally these treatments help.
Surgery
Restricted physical Therapy
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
What is it?:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body. The progression of this disease suggests that genetics plays a major role.
Clinical signs
Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Lethargy.
Weak pulse.
Difficulty breathing.
Shortness of breath, snapping or crackling sounds when breathing.
Abnormal heart sounds (muffled, galloping rhythm, murmurs)
Inability to tolerate exercise or exertion
Treatment
Although HCM has no known cure, a specialized care plan can help manage clinical signs of the condition in your cat. Treatment goals include controlling the heart rate, alleviating lung congestion (congestive heart failure), and preventing the formation of blood clots that can lead to thromboembolism.
Eligible vet bill
$1,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Playful
As is the case with most designer cats, Dwelfs are quite playful and chirpy and keep you engaged for hours.
Social
Included in the list of “puppy cats”, Dwelfs are just the quite adorable, friendly, and intelligent kitties you can welcome into your home. They love being around people. Get them playing with an assortment of different toys and games.
Intelligent
Their higher-than-average intelligence is a thing to note, as they require good mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Dwelf cats don’t have any hair on their body, as a result of their specific gene pool. So special care has to be taken if you live in cold areas.
Colors
You may find this breed in a variety of pink, beige, grey colors.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
There is no need for grooming as they don’t have any body hair, but as a result of the same body oil gets stuck into their skin-folds, which needs to be washed off once a week.
Training
As they are above intelligent, these cats can be trained easily than other cats but a bit of patience is required.
Dwelf cats were bread around 2005, although their exact origins are unknown, it is believed to be originated in the United States.
Dwelf Cat: Introduction to the Breed
Dwelf as the name suggest comes from their appearance of being small (dwarf) and elf-like (Dw-Elf). These designer cats can set you back a bit, as they are specially bred and rare (between $2000-$3000). They are a mix of Munchkin, Sphynx and American Curl.
Physical Characteristics:
Hairless.
Small.
Fast.
Strong & Muscular.
Best suited for pet-owners:
Who have exotic taste.
Who prefer rare breeds.
Who can spend a pretty penny.
Who are very attentive.
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a Dwelf
While the Dwelf isn’t 100-percent hairless (peachfuzz counts as hair!), it needs to be kept indoors as Dwelfs are very sensitive to heat and cold, and they can get sunburn. Potential owners should keep in mind that because they’re hairless, skincare is important. Dwelfs only require one bath per week, but be sure to do so or they’ll get oily. Wash them too much and their skin will dry out, much like our skin. They love attention, so be sure to give them all the love and care they deserve. They are quite mentally active, so keep them active, with the help of toys, training and physical exercise.
What should a Dwelf eat?
Since your Dwelf cat is a hairless breed, they will require a high-calorie diet. A high-calorie diet will help to regulate their body temperature since they have no fur to help. It’s best to choose a high-quality cat food that lists an animal protein as its first ingredient.
It’s best to skip cat foods with preservatives, chemicals, and artificial colors in the ingredients, as they could mess with your kitten’s digestive system and cause stomach issues.. If you’re unsure how much kibble to feed your Dwelf cat, contact your vet—they can help you come up with the correct amount based on your cat’s needs.
Conclusion
If you want to own a pet, which is rare and has unique physical characteristics, then the Dwelf is certainly the right choice. They are playful, social and human-friendly. Though they set you back a bit and require all the attention you can spare they are highly interactive and entertaining.
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