Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism, caused by a genetic mutation that affects bone growth. the condition is genetic physical appearance - limbs are disproportionately short compared to the torso - head and body are a normal size however look slightly exaggerated due to the shorter limbs - walking pattern is different, looking more like a waddle than a normal walk - can’t leap as high or as far as average cats so will climb things instead if wanted to get up high - in severe cases, the spine may curve downwards, causing a dip in the back (explained more later) - may have a broad chest, large eyes and slightly bowed legs health conditions - Cats with dwarfism may have arthritis or joint problems as they age > as Cloud gets older, she will start to get arthritis and joint pain. she will likely just ignore it though, pushing through any struggles, not wanting to appear weak or lesser - not common but possible to have spinal deformities like lordosis (curved spine) and Pectus Excavatum/funnel chest (sunken chest) > Cloud will have a very mild version of both of these, meaning it will not affect her health-wise and will be purely looks based, giving her back a strange but small dip and her chest will look slightly sunken in, not enough to cause breathing problems like the severe version of this would cause but enough to be noticeable Cloud's dwarfism wont particularly affect her self esteem however she will push herself very hard in order to prove that although she is small, she is just as good as everyone else, if not better. she does not believe that her dwarfism is a hindrance nor does it make her any less than others. but she doesnt hold a lot of faith in cats' nature and so will strive to show everyone just how powerful she can be despite her difference How it will physically affect Cloud Having short legs means she won't be able to run fast or jump very high. Running will relate to races as a young cat and potentially running away from dangers. She will learn quickly that she isnt very fast and while she will strive to become better, she will always be slower than other cats. She will learn that it is better to hide from dangers rather than outrun them. As for jumping, this applies to hunting and some battle moves. Since she can't jump as high or as far as most cats, she will need to hunt slightly differently than other cats, preferring partner hunting where the prey can be scared towards her. If hunting by herself, she will need to get closer to the prey so the jumping distance is shorter however this risks the prey discovering her much easier. She will always have to be focussed when hunting, watching the wind, where the prey is looking, foliage and objects that can obscure her from the prey's vision. She will have to put much more effort into not being seen so she can get closer. As for the battle moves, she will not be able to utilise them however will develop her own moves that most cats can't replicate, such as easily diving under another cat to reach their belly. For the arthritis as she is older, she will largely ignore it, especially in front of other cats. She will not do anything that makes her come across as weak, that includes making it known that she is in pain or is struggling to walk because of stiff joints. But when nobody is around, she will attempt to do things to make the pain less, such as stretching or going for swims
