Bambino cat - everything about the breed: description, history, features and character

Origin story

The starting point in the development of the breed is considered to be 2005: it was then that the Osborne couple from Arkansas acquired an unusual-looking kitten: tiny, with short legs and a complete absence of hair on the body.
The baby was named Bambino for his sweet appearance. Time passed, the kitten grew, but remained the same miniature and short-legged. The couple realized that the matter was clearly a genetic mutation, and decided to try to establish a new breed.

Experimentally, it was possible to find out that the parents of the first bambino were munchkins and Canadian sphinxes. The work began to boil and already in 2005 the first “samples” began to appear at exhibitions. The breed received experimental status and geneticists were involved in the matter.

Many people condemn such crossing: it is believed that interspecific breeding is unsafe for the offspring, causing external deformities and genetic abnormalities. However, the bambino had so many fans that the social activists were unable to stop the work. They started breeding these cats in Russia, and at the same time. But, since they had no family ties with the Osborne pets, the breed line received its own special set of genes.

A bambino cat is expensive: a pet cat will cost about 90-100 thousand rubles, a breeding cat will cost over 200 thousand rubles. An elite cat will cost a cosmic sum. Also take into account upcoming expenses on food, cat cosmetics, etc.

Health

One breed that combines 2 mutated genes is a “ticking time bomb”, the only question is time. For any “rough” selection work, animals pay with their health.

Although “breed diseases” are not officially named, the obvious cannot be hidden:

• An elongated body shape and short legs are a factor contributing to the development of hip dysplasia.

• Individuals with improperly developed pelvises and crooked tails are discarded from breeding, which means there is a possibility of the birth of defective kittens.

• Dermatitis is a constant problem for hairless cats.

• The tendency to develop malignant tumors due to empty heats is a common phenomenon for hairless cats. For prevention purposes, all non-breeding animals are sterilized before the first heat.

Standards

Bambino cats are elegant and graceful creatures, although not without features that are unusual for the human eye. Outwardly, they resemble dachshunds: they are just as long, strong, with a rounded back and a belly as round as a ball. They weigh little: 2.5-4.5 kg. Females are visually smaller than males.

The bambino's skin is very thick and wrinkled. The neck, muzzle, shoulder area and between the ears have the most folds.

Character and behavior

The character of the Bambino matches its name: cats of this breed are infinitely kind and devoted to their owners. They have no desire to hunt at all, therefore, no matter who lives in your house - a chattering parrot, a panting hedgehog, a restless hamster, another cat or dog - the bambino will quickly find a common language with him. Do not let your cat walk alone: ​​he is in danger in the form of unfriendly animals. Bambino will not be able to repel an opponent even of his own size, so do not let your pet out of sight.

A smart and quick-witted bambino quickly learns all the rules of the house in which he lives. He runs to his litter box not only when he needs to, but also when he feels sick, so buy a container with low sides so that it is convenient for him to climb into it.

They love people and company, feel extremely uncomfortable alone and begin to break into closed doors with all their might. These are eternal children: they need constant attention, affection, lots of toys and control. Curious cats can jump from a height, stick their nose into a hot oven, try an electric wire on their teeth - in general, they have plenty of worries. Sometimes their attention is attracted by things that other cats are not interested in, so hide small and dangerous things away.

Feeding the cat

To ensure that the short-legged hairless cat receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals, he is provided with a balanced diet. Many breeders recommend feeding bambino high-quality premium or super-premium dry food.

When choosing a brand, you should give preference to products from trusted global manufacturers, which do not add soy, corn, dyes or preservatives. The following foods fully meet these criteria:

• Royal Canin;
• Farmina;
• Pro Plan;
• Gemon.

If a bambino eats natural foods, its diet should contain at least 70% meat. Twice a week, chicken, beef or turkey is replaced with ocean fish and offal. Also, representatives of the Bambino cat breed must be given vegetables, eggs, cereals and dairy products.

In order not to harm the animal, the following are completely excluded from its diet:

• fat meat;
• river fish;
• sweets;
• smoked meats;
• baking;
• sausages;
• any food from the master's table.

Care instructions

Bathing

These babies should be bathed regularly 2-3 times a week, or even more often (depending on the intensity of sebum secretion). When it accumulates on the skin, it causes an unpleasant odor, so when you bring home a new resident, immediately buy a special shampoo for cats. If your pet has a cold and cannot be bathed, use wet wipes (without alcohol or fragrance) to clean it.

To make the animal comfortable during the procedure, lay a thick diaper in the bath or place a rubberized mat. Then the cat will not slide its paws along the bottom. The water temperature is no higher and no lower than +23-25 ​​degrees.

Ears

The ears are cleaned once a week using a cotton swab and chlorhexidine. Eyes - daily in the same way. Teeth – 2 times a month using cat toothpaste and a brush (you can also buy a children’s brush).

Claws

If a cat sharpens its claws on its own, it will not need your help. Otherwise, trim the claws once a week with a nail clipper, being careful not to damage the blood vessels or scratch the skin on the paw.

Do you trim your pet's nails?

Yes, he’s lazy with us. No, he sharpens himself.

Catering

Accelerated metabolism is another feature of bambino cats, but this also poses a danger, namely gluttony, which can lead to obesity and related problems. Therefore, do not react to your cat’s plaintive meowing and paw slap on an empty bowl: feed her exactly as much as required by her weight, and do not indulge her with snacks between main meals.

Keep bowls clean. They need to be washed after every meal and the water changed 2 times a day in the mornings and evenings.

Kittens up to 4 months eat 6 times a day, over six months - 3-4 times, over a year - at least 3 times.

At first, feed the baby the same thing that the breeder fed him, and introduce new food gradually. Whether you switch it to natural food from industrial food or vice versa - it doesn’t matter, the main thing is that the products must be of high quality, without chemical additives. What is suitable for humans is not suitable for animals, so remember a few nutritional rules.

Natural products

Bambino cats, like other cats, should not be fed from your table. Human food - fried potatoes, rolls, fatty soups, etc. - causes serious health problems in animals. But they don’t taste sweets at all, they can eat it with great appetite and become seriously poisoned in the future.

The basis of natural nutrition is lean meat, dairy products, cereals, vegetables and eggs. Meat (beef, veal, rabbit, turkey, lamb) should first be kept in the freezer for a couple of days, and scalded with boiling water or boiled before serving.

It is mixed with porridge cooked in water (oatmeal, rice, corn, buckwheat, millet or semolina), adding some vegetables (zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets, beans), fresh herbs (parsley, dill, green salad) and a spoon of any vegetable oil (sunflower, olive, flaxseed).

3-4 times a week the cat should be given dairy products: hard unsalted cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, fermented baked milk, natural yogurt. From time to time, meat can be replaced with offal, stewed chicken hearts, liver, gizzards, ground into minced meat. The eggs are boiled and only the yolk is given from chicken eggs, whole quail eggs.

The following products should not be given:

• Salted (including pure salt), smoked, pickled, fatty;
• Condiments, sauces, spices, seasonings, aromatic herbs;
• Offal, lard, bones (including boiled chicken, especially dangerous);
• Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, fruits (exception: apples, pears, melons and watermelons);
• Human drinks;
• Dog food.

Recommended food

Economy class cat food: Wellkiss, TerraCot, 365 days.

Premium: Zoogurman, Mnyams, Native food.

Super premium: Mealfeel, Pronature Life, Summit, Vet Life.

Holistic: Orijen, Power of Nature, Wildcat.

Below are recommended super-premium foods. Links with the names of the food are clickable, on them you can, within our website, read the descriptions of the food and read reviews from owners of Bambino cats.

The vitamin and mineral complex is selected taking into account the individual needs and parameters of the animal (age, weight, activity, concomitant diseases, etc.). Popular: “Agrovetzaschita”, “Farmaks”, “8 in 1”, “BEAPHAR”, “Doctor ZOO” can be bought at any veterinary pharmacy. In addition to vitamins, the cat should be given dry brewer's yeast in courses, according to the instructions.

Interesting Facts

The unusual appearance and habit of freezing in a standing position gave bambino funny nicknames: kangaroos, monkeys, dachshund cat, gnome, dwelf. They jump in height weakly and cannot climb onto a cabinet or refrigerator like other cats. Be sure to provide stepped lifts to ensure vertical movement and prevent health problems.

Some felinologists recognize the bambino as a hybrid, and not a separate breed. Therefore they are not kept in Germany. They look awkward, but have excellent control over their atypical body. They retain a playful disposition for a long time; restraint appears by the age of three.

An interesting alternative to the bambino is the elf, a cross between the American Curl and the Canadian Sphynx. The pet has an easy-going character and a cute curl on its ears. Catteries specializing in breeding hairless cats offer elves and bambinos of unusual colors, providing them with decent care.

Diseases

Bambinos are not long-livers: today, since the breed is still very young, the upper limit does not exceed 12 years. But everything can change: breeders are confident that if the breed is rid of hereditary problems, individuals will be able to live several years longer.

We managed to overcome the first problem, or rather, learn to cope with it with minimal losses. We are talking about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a pathology of the heart muscle that leads to the sudden death of a pet at a very young age. Most often, the disease occurs in males.

The animal becomes lethargic, refuses to play and does not want to run, it develops shortness of breath and coughing, fainting, and paralysis of the limbs. This pathology was inherited from the Canadian Sphynx and, unfortunately, it is impossible to cure it. But improving the quality of life with the help of drug therapy and regular medical supervision is quite possible.

The second problem also causes bambino owners a lot of trouble: weak immunity. Breeders especially recommend that owners not allow pets to come into contact with street animals, and also carefully plan the menu and ensure that the animal does not become hypothermic.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Many felinologists believe that the use of immunomodulators is not justified: they are expensive and do not have the desired effect. In any case, only a doctor should prescribe them.

Naturally, you should not refuse preventive vaccinations: against rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirosis, and the like. These diseases can lead to the death of your pet, and you can easily introduce pathogens into your home on your hands or the soles of your shoes. Please remember that you cannot:

• Use low-quality vaccines or expired vaccines;
• Vaccinate cats weakened after illness, exhausted, wormed (with the exception of extreme necessity), pregnant and lactating females, and babies;
• Individuals who have been in contact with suspicious and sick animals.

Vaccination against shingles is not mandatory, but is advisable if your cat lives in the same room as a dog.

Female bambinos successfully give birth and raise their offspring. Cats reach sexual maturity at 7-8 months, but it is better to introduce them to a cat within a year and a half. Usually no more than 4 kittens are born in a litter (every 4th embryo does not survive when mating such miniature individuals). If you do not plan to breed, have your cat spayed. “Empty” heats often lead to the formation of tumors.

Breeding

Breeding bambinos is not an easy task. It is better to do this in a nursery than in an apartment on an amateur basis. A cat rarely brings more than four babies, since every fourth embryo when crossing dwarf individuals is usually not viable.

Some newborn kittens will have long legs. They are well suited for crossing as they increase the likelihood of producing healthy offspring. Breeding with other breeds is not recommended. To prevent outside breeding, many breeders offering elves and bambinos neuter bambino kittens before sale at 4 months of age.