Precious 'Grumpy-Faced Kitten' Is Actually a 13-Year-Old Cat with Dwarfism

Does size actually matter? People who gasp in wonderment over the unexpected enormity of Maine Coon cats may be proof that it does, at least when it comes to expecting animals to be a particular size. But the opposite is also true. When animals are smaller than expected, it elicits a different response—one that is programmed into the most primitive parts of our brains.

This grumpy-faced kitten is actually a senior cat of over thirteen years. His unusual appearance is due to the condition of dwarfism, which makes him look like an eternal youngster, even though he’s actually fully-grown.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Francis the cat was first found wandering a construction site in 2010. He was adopted by a family who thought he was just a normal kitten, but soon noticed that he wasn’t growing. When they took him to the vet, they learned that he had dwarfism, and would never grow very much. Moreover, his condition also caused a host of other health problems, and the vet estimated he wouldn’t live much more than five or six years.

Related: Video of Dwarf Cat Reacting to a Fly in the Room Has Everyone Obsessed

Fortunately, the medical opinion was a severe underestimate, and today Francis is over thirteen years old and still thriving. Though he still resembles a tiny kitten, he doesn’t let his diminutive size bother him, and explores both his house and his garden with the enthusiasm of any full grown cat.

Though at first glance he appears to be a kitten, if you look closer you’ll see certain signs of his condition, such as his bowed legs and large head and shortened snouts which only further contributes to his “kitten-like” appearance.

Dwarfism in Cats

In cats, dwarfism has similar causes as what produces the conditions in human beings, being caused both by genetic disorders and by pituitary malfunctions. Depending on what kind of dwarfism the cat exhibits, the cat may experience other, related health problems. However, some breeders have chosen to exploit certain types of genetic mutations that can produce dwarfism to produce designer breeds of cats, such as the Munchkin Cat and the Scottish Fold cat (whose genetic mutation produces bone and cartilage malformations).

Francis, however, is all-natural.

Cuteness in Animals

The reason that designer breeds like Munchkins and Scottish Folds are so popular is the same reason that we ooh and aah over any cute baby, baby animal, or even cartoon creature—and the instinct is buries deeply in our evolutionary past.

As mammals, we’re programmed to give care to our young, who are relatively helpless when they’re born. Studies have shown that cute creatures—be they animal or human—activate pleasure and emotional centers in our brains, and we’re more likely to be caring towards them.

Other studies have shown that when we domesticate wildlife like foxes, they often take on characteristics that humans find cuter, such as shorter snouts, floppier ears, and curly tails. Similarly, the “cute” appearance of some domestic breeds of dogs (agains, shorter snouts, larger eyes, etc.) might have something to do with the fact that it makes them actually look more like human babies.

When we take cute domestic animals into our homes, there’s a part of our brain that literally sees them as our babies.

And if Francis is a forever baby, he’s certainly a cranky one!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.