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There’s no cat breed out there that is quite as interesting-looking as the Bambino. Bambino cats pair two of the most instantly recognizable physical traits of their parent breeds—no fur and short legs—to offer an adorable kitty who’ll undoubtedly get the neighbors talking. Read on to learn more about Bambino cat, including their personalities and how to care for them.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–8 inches
Weight:
5–9 pounds
Lifespan:
8–15 years
Colors:
White, brown, cream, black, fawn
Suitable for:
Families with older children, folks who spend a lot of time at home
Temperament:
Affectionate, playful, vocal, attention-seeking
The Bambino is a cross between the hairless Sphynx and the highly controversial Munchkin cat breed. These sweet little kitties are named after the Italian word for “baby,” which is quite fitting, given their tiny stature. However, don’t let the short legs fool you; these cats are highly energetic, active, and curious. There’s never a dull day when you have a Bambino in your home!
Bambino Cat Characteristics
Bambino Cat Breed Kittens
Finding a Bambino to adopt can be a challenge since intentional breeding is generally frowned upon by most cat registries and cat fanciers. However, there are definitely breeders out there, so it won’t be impossible.
Folks interested in adopting a Bambino must do their due diligence before choosing a breeder. Responsible breeders will provide a health record that proves their kittens received their core vaccines. They should also be able to prove that their breeding pair was tested for genetic and infectious diseases.
Bambino Cat Breed Origin & History
The Bambino is a relatively new cat breed that originated in 2005. Two North American cat breeders named Stephanie and Pat Osborne decided one day to breed the controversial Munchkin cat with the well-loved Sphynx. The resulting mix carries the recessive hairless gene mutation the Sphynx is known for, as well as the dominant short-legged gene mutation of the Munchkin.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Bambino Cat
The Bambino cat is a highly sociable, playful, and intelligent cat breed. These good-natured kitties are attention-seeking and entertaining. They’re likely to be relatively high-energy and rambunctious. Don’t let their small size fool you; these cats have no clue they’re different from cats with longer legs. However, they can’t jump as high as their longer-legged counterparts, but not for lack of trying.
Bambinos are intelligent and curious, which makes them really fun to play with and train. Some can be trained to play fetch, walk on a leash, and perform tricks.
They may be quieter like their Munchkin parent or more vocal like their Sphynx side, who is known for their love of being heard through a variety of vocalizations.
Bambinos are very social cats, requiring a lot of interaction and attention from their human caretakers. This isn’t a breed you can adopt and hope they will entertain themselves. Owners must set aside play time every day to ensure their kitties are mentally and physically stimulated.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
The Bambino can be a good fit for families. They bond very closely with their human caretakers, which may make them prone to separation anxiety. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods, so owners who spend a lot of time away from home may want to consider adopting another cat to keep their Bambino company.
However, we recommend waiting until the children are a bit older before bringing a Bambino home. Their small size makes them extra fragile, and kids who don’t know how to properly handle an animal that size may inadvertently injure them.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Bambino typically gets along very well with other pets—even smaller dogs—as they genuinely enjoy the company of others. As mentioned above, we do recommend getting another cat to keep your Bambino company if you spend a lot of time away from home.
It’s easier to introduce a Bambino to their other furry housemate when they’re both young. However, we realize this isn’t always possible. If you plan on introducing your new kitten to the resident pets, please follow a slow and deliberate introductory process to make it as seamless and easy as possible.
Things to Know When Owning a Bambino Cat
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
Bambinos don’t have specific nutritional requirements but should be fed a complete and balanced cat food that has been AAFCO-approved for their life stage or all life stages. Traditional vets recommend a mixture of wet and dry food to ensure the animal is receiving the benefits of both types. Holistic veterinarians urge us to consider feeding fresh cat food to provide our kitties with the benefits of eating less processed food.
Free feeding is not recommended for the Bambino, as they may be prone to obesity.
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet for any cat breed, and the Bambino is certainly no exception to this rule. Your veterinary team will be the best point of contact to help you determine what and how much your kitty should be eating. They’ll take into account their overall health, size, and lifestyle and provide recommendations based on these factors.
Exercise 🐈
Bambino cats are intelligent, active, and inquisitive kitties that thrive in an environment that encourages them to harness these traits.
Though they’re short, they have no issues getting around on their tiny legs. However, they won’t be able to jump as high as other cats. Owners may need to make some adjustments to how their cat accessories are set up to cater to their Bambino’s smaller size. For example, shorter cat trees may be necessary to keep them safe and prevent them from trying to make jumps that are far too big for their small size.
Training 🧶
Bambinos are exceptionally smart little kitties, so training them would be a fun venture for owners and pets alike. They’re likely to be highly food motivated, so they make fantastic candidates for training activities. With some patience, a ton of “yummy” reinforcement, and praise, your Bambino can learn how to leash, walk, and even perform tricks.
Grooming ✂️
While a Bambino obviously doesn’t need to be brushed like their furry counterparts, that doesn’t mean they’re a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.
Their naked skin calls for regular baths with cat-friendly shampoos. It’s important not to give too many baths otherwise their skin can become dry and irritated.
Since they don’t have fur to keep them warm, Bambinos may be prone to chills. A cozy kitty sweater can keep them warm, but so will a nice, comfy bed in the sunshine.
While we’re on the topic of sunshine, Bambinos should be indoor-only cats as their lack of fur can make them highly prone to sunburns. Owners might also consider installing UV-blocking films on their windows.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Bambino cat can be prone to numerous health conditions. Like their Sphynx parent, they may be affected by ear infections, skin and coat disorders, and respiratory issues.
The Munchkin breed DNA brings a host of issues relating to their size, including osteoarthritis (due to a defect in cartilage formation), lordosis (an inward curvature of the spine in the lower back), and pectus excavatum (abnormal growth of the sternum and several ribs).
As with any cat breed, the Bambino can be prone to dental disease, obesity, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Early-caught ear infections
- Mild skin or coat disorders
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Lordosis
- Pectus excavatum
- Respiratory issues
- Osteoarthritis
- Obesity
Male vs Female
Male and female Bambinos are quite similar. Males may be slightly larger than their female counterparts, but that is the only real difference between the two sexes.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Bambino Cat
1. Bambinos May Have Long-Legged Littermates.
Litters of Bambinos require the breeding of a Sphynx and a Munchkin cat. This mix can produce both short- and long-legged kittens. When looking at a second or third generation of hairless short-leg kittens, breeders usually breed a Bambino and a Sphynx because breeding two short-leg cats can result in a be lethal for the kittens. This mix can also result in both short and long-leg kittens, so yes, Bambinos can have long-legend littermates.
2. Bambinos Are Not Recognized as an Official Breed and Are Instead Highly Discouraged.
No cat registries have formally recognized the Bambino as they do not want to encourage the propagation of genetic abnormalities simply for aesthetics. The Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association (TICA) consider the Bambino to be an “experimental breed” due to the unknown genetic health conditions that may occur.
3. The Bambino Is Not Hypoallergenic.
There’s a misconception out there that Sphynx cats are hypoallergenic because they don’t have fur. The problem with this belief is that it’s not always a cat’s fur that people are allergic to. Allergens from cats are found in their dander, as well as in their saliva, urine, feces, and sweat. Because Bambinos have all of those things, they can still be problematic for someone with cat allergies.
Final Thoughts
Bambinos are short, hairless cats that combine the best traits of their parent breeds: the Sphynx and the Munchkin. These kitties are highly active, social, entertaining, and affectionate. They get along excellently with pretty much everybody and are always in the mood for a good play session.
They don’t let their short legs hold them back, but owners might want to consider making some adjustments to their home layout to ensure they don’t hurt themselves as they explore and play.
There’s no denying how cute Bambinos are, but the ethics of intentionally creating such a cat are blurry. These kitties may be prone to numerous health and genetic problems, so cat registries refuse to recognize the Bambino as a breed. This may be a red flag for some potential adopters and should be something that they consider thoroughly before committing to adopting a Bambino.
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Featured Image Credit: Peterpancake, Shutterstock
