Manx

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Size

Medium

Life span

13 Years

Group

Manx Overview

The Manx cat breed is best known to be the cat that has no tail. There are some cat breeds that have very small tails, but the Manx is completely tail-free. However, this doesn’t apply to all Manx cat breeds; some are known to have long tails and others to have a stumpy tail. This is not their only distinguishing feature; they also have a round head with round eyes. Their body is compact and their chest is broad. The Manx has long rear legs which give off the appearance of a rabbit. They have two different coat lengths: the long-haired double coat and the short double coat. Both lengths of coats come in a variety of colours, such as lavender and chocolate.




Thinking of buying or adopting a Manx?

Manx Characteristics

History & Origin

The Manx cat first originated on the Isle of Man. The Manx are thought to be descendants from a mainland stock that is not known but like all house cats, they are still relatives of the African wildcat.

Manx Temperament

The Manx is a social and friendly cat and they're known for becoming very attached to their owner. They're very intelligent, playful and their behaviour resembles a typical dog behaviour at times. For example, they like to play fetch like dogs.

The Manx makes a great watch cat. If they feel threatened by something out of the ordinary they will growl and may even go into attack. If they see that you’re not alarmed they will calm back down. When they’re not protecting the family, they like to relax and enjoy cuddling up with their favourite person. They’re an active cat breed and love play-time. The Manx needs lots of mental stimulation, so it's best that they have lots of interactive toys to choose from.


Grooming

The Manx cost is very easy to groom. They require their coat to be brushed twice a week to remove any dead hair. They also require more grooming during the change of seasons. 

As well as brushing, they also require their teeth to be brushed on a regular basis and their nails clipped short to prevent them from becoming overgrown. 

Health

The Manx cat suffers from a few health concerns because of the genetic mutation which causes many kittens to be born with small stubby tails and in some cases no tail at all. its worth noting that professional breeders are able to do genetic testing during the breeding process to help eliminate this health condition.

There are other health conditions such as:

  • Bladder problems
  • Digestive problems 
  • Crippled gait 
  • Bowel problems
As with all cat breeds, the Manx also requires a healthy diet and frequent visits to the vets to help them maintain a healthy and happy life.

 

Children and other pets

The laid-back Manx is great with children as they love to play and take interest in what their human family are doing. They can also get on well with dogs provided they are socialised and trained correctly from an early age.