Manx Cat: Cat Breed Information, Characteristics And Facts
The Manx Cat is a delightful and somewhat uncommon sort of cat to have around. The primary thing that you will take note of in a purebred Manx cat is that most of them have a lack of a tail. However, this does not stop this lively and loving cat from doing anything and they will soon become a big part of the family.
History of The Manx Cat
The Manx cat is an old cat breed that was created on the Isle of Man hundreds of years ago. The Manx lack of a tail is caused by a genetic mutation that possibly originated between the island’s shorthair cat inhabitants and, as lack of a tail is a dominant gene, it spread to all the other cats on this island in the Irish sea. Even though the island cats were all originally shorthairs, a rule of the Island by the Vikings meant that longhaired Norwegian cats may have mingled with the native cats and so the Manx was born. The Manx cat is very much a working cat on the Isle of Man so even today they have a strength, amazing intelligence, and a character that is lively.
The name “Manx” denotes to the place of its origin of the Isle. It is a popular belief that the Manx cat may also have simply survived a shipwreck of some of the Spanish Armada, and the cats succeeded to reach the Island and stayed there. All Manx cats have a gene for a full tail. Consequently, if two cats carry the tailless gene, they may still create a full-tailed cat. Additionally, even kittens that inherit the Manx gene can produce variable tail lengths, from full to no tail. It will be conceivable to have varying tail lengths in kittens from a single cat. Only the rumpy Manx which has no tail is usually eligible to take part in competition in cat shows.
Quick Facts About the Manx Cat
- Manx cats will weigh between 8 to 12 pounds.
- They are available in many colors except chocolate and lavender.
- The Manx cat has a round face, large ears with round tips, big eyes, short round body, long hind legs and short front legs.
- Manx is identified as being either a rumpy which has no tail, a rumpy riser which has a stub of a tail, as a stumpy which has a partial tail, or a longy which has an actual tail.
- Manx are approachable, loving, intelligent and spirited cats. They are appropriate for families with children and get on well with other pets.
- Manx act like dogs. They like to play fetch, act like a watchdog, play with other dogs and they will follow you around the house.
- Manx cats are the official animal and can be seen on coins used on the Isle of Man.
- Manx has a usual lifespan of anything up to 14 years.
Things You Should Know
The Manx cat has a body which is dense and solid, with a wide chest and a petite back. The legs up front are short and strong, and the back legs are usually to some extent longer than at the front. The Manx’s coat has a double thickness with a dense undercoat and a glossy longer overcoat. Any mixture of markings on the coat can be seen with the exclusion of the Siamese cat traditional patterns.
If there is one cat breed that is predisposed to being sociable and playing, then it is a Manx. The Manx cat will involve themselves with your family activities for hours at a time.
There are several old theories that the Manx cat might have come about after being cross-bred with a rabbit. The theory is this is what has caused the tail that the Manx has, in addition to some of its their playful inclinations. From time to time Manx cats do like to hop when they walk around. The short spine that the Manx has, and their long back legs add to this rumor too.
Manx Health
A lack of a tail in a Manx cat can cause problems. These cats can have spinal defects which show itself when a kitten starts developing issues with defecating or urinating. Lots of Manx kittens will show these issues before 6 months old. It is important to wait before taking a new kitten home to ensure that they do not suffer from this Manx specific condition. Evade kittens who have difficulty walking or who seem stiff when walking. Sometimes Manx cats can be disposed to more general issues with their spine as they get older due to their breed and this occasionally results in difficulties with mobility later on in life.
Manx cats due to their short front legs can make it look as if they are overweight, but this is usually not the case. Their skeletal structure simply makes them look round in the body which can be a little confusing. Add to this their fondness of laying on their side as often as possible, it is easy to mistake their body shape as them being fat. Overall, they are just stout in shape. The Manx cat usually does not have a disposition to any other hereditary health problems. Their general health is usually good. Ensure that you speak with your Manx breeder at length before you bring your kitten home about the cat’s parents health to see if they will be passing anything on.
Feeding
Most cat owners ask themselves what the best cat food for their pet will be. Knowing exactly what to feed your Manx cat is vital since you will want to care for your cat in the best way imaginable. When feeding your cat, you may want to make food for them from fresh produce if possible so that you will then know precisely what is in it. When time just does not make this possible, then try to make sure your cat gets a natural type of pre-prepared food. Think about what is good for your Manx cat and try to keep its meals free from harmful chemicals and additives.
The best Manx cat food ought to comprise of fish oils as they are central in keeping the Manx double coat in good shape. The meat will always of course be first on the ingredient list as your cat’s main food. But fiber is also needed to keep your Manx cat’s digestion running efficiently and it will help to keep their weight regulated. The important thing that you need to do for a Manx cat is to keep them from becoming overweight as this will place pressure on their spine as they get older. When they are fed thoughtfully, their healthy weight will keep them contented.
For more guides on choosing the right cat food, you may wish to check out our reviews of the best wet cat food, senior cat food, hypoallergenic cat food, cat food for hairballs and cat food for bengals.
Care of a Manx Cat
Their short coat is easily cared for and it is simple to keep it soft with weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Check the fur closely to ensure debris are not left clinging to the thick double coat.
Brush your Manx’s teeth to prevent disease and decay and a weekly brushing is better than nothing if you find it difficult to do. Manx cats need their eyes taken care of too. With a soft moist cloth, wipe the corners of their eyes on a daily basis to eliminate any discharge that forms. Ensure that you use a separate wipe for each eye to eliminate the risk of infection. Good cat care will involve you needing to check the ears of your cat on a weekly basis. Where they look dirty, you just need to rub them over lightly with a soft damp cloth.
Keep your Manx litter box impeccably clean. Like most cats, Manx are extremely specific about bathroom hygiene. Where exactly you place your cats litter box is significant as for some Manx cats’ cleanliness can be tricky. Cats usually use their tails to help release faeces but since your cat might not have a tail, then this could cause a problem for your cat. Faeces can stick to fur and the furniture or carpet as they go around your home. This can especially be a problem as many owners like to keep their Manx as an indoor cat to guard them against illnesses spread by other cats. Take a look at our review of the best self-cleaning litter boxes for more info.
Grooming
The thick Manx coat is surprisingly easy to groom. You will only need to brush it through once a week to remove any dead hair. However, you will need to brush them a little more frequently during the spring and fall when they will be shedding more. It will also help to trim their nails weekly. Brush teeth with an approved cat toothpaste for general health and to keep your cat’s breath fresh. The Manx is known for his lack of a tail, but not every Manx is completely tailless.
The Manx cat can actually come in a choice of two distinct double coat lengths, a short or a longhaired coat. In both lengths of coat, it still comes in different colors, including numerous solid colors and tortoiseshells.
For more help on cat grooming, you may wish to read our guides on the best cat ear cleaners, cat nail clippers, brushes for cats, cat grooming gloves and cat shampoos.
Temperament
Manx cats are very lively and brainy cats who are dedicated to their families. They have tremendously powerful rear legs which permit them to jump and run with quick speed and make joyful quick turns. The Manx has this reputation of being “dog-like” because of their faithfulness to their families and also because of their love of collaborative play. Manx have a good sense of humor and they get on brilliantly with children. They like to play along with other family pets and will even protect their families from danger. When given the opportunity, they still love to hunt, and a home which has a Manx cat will not have to fear about rodents. A house with a Manx cat for this reason will never be boring. Manx cats retain their ancestral hunting skills and alert nature. When they are not protecting your family from mice or strangers, the Manx is a warm and affectionate cat who also likes tranquil settings.
This is a contented, spirited cat who also enjoys to following their favorite person around so they can support whatever they are doing. When it is time for the family to relax, your Manx cat will be straight in your lap, prepared for a comfortable nap. They are always ready to curl up in the adjacent spot available to you which lets them keep their eye on you. They like to carry out a conversation with you talk in a calm purr if you talk to them.
The Manx has a flexible personality, and this can be developed when they exposed to lots of things as a kitten. They enjoy new people and will meet them with a calm cheek rub. This clever cat can learn lots of tricks, as well as play fetch, and is even prepared to walk on leash if you do this from when they are a kitten. They frequently enjoy riding in your car, making them a fantastic buddy on long-distance trips. It’s not rare for your Manx to love playing in water and you might come home to discover them turning on faucets. They are also good at working out how to open all of your doors, so ensure that anything you do not want them to get their paws on is under lock and key. Different to the majority of cats, the Manx is enthusiastic to accept any boundaries that you put in place and will typically respect your wishes as you tell them no when they jump or scratch where they shouldn’t.
Before you choose to get a Manx cat, you must learn everything you can about them as they are unlike most other cats. They are inquisitive and that means that they will want to look over every inch of their family home. The Manx is exceedingly people-oriented so only get a Manx cat if you can give them sufficient amounts of time, love and attention each and every day.
