Photo by Zouhair Salama on Unsplash
The Manx is a domestic bobtailed cat hailing from the Isle of Man.History
No one knows the true origin of the Manx cat, although some believe that they’re descendants of the Japanese bobtail that was brought to the Isle of Man by Vikings several centuries ago and adapted to life in the Isle of Man over time, therefore evolving to a whole new breed!
Documentation of the breed dates back to 1807.
The Manx was one of the first cat breeds to be registered by the CFA when it was founded in 1904.
Appearance
The first thing you’ll notice about the Manx is their lack of a tail. Some have a bobtail and others have no tail at all.
Similar to other bobtailed cat breeds such as the American bobtail and the Japanese bobtail, the Manx’s hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs, enabling them to jump significantly higher than other cats.
Technically, all Manx cats have short hair because the longhaired version of the Manx is a separate breed with a different name: the Cymric.
Nearly all colors and patterns are seen in the Manx breed. Eye colors aren’t limited to only a few colors either.
The Manx is a medium-sized breed, typically weighing 8-12 pounds (4-5 kg), and is often heavier than they look.
Manx cats have rounded features.
Personality & Behavior
The Manx cat is sociable and friendly and will grow quite attached to their favorite person, while at the same time being weary of strangers.
They’re also intelligent, playful, and easy-going.
Health & Care
The Manx cat is generally a healthy breed, but the main health concern is Manx syndrome, although they’re prone to other health conditions such as corneal dystrophy, megacolon, and a specific form of arthritis that affects some cats with bobtails.
The breed only requires weekly grooming.
An occasional bath is beneficial for all cats, although it’s not imperative. For cats that dislike water, you can clean your cat with pet wipes that are safe for cats.
Annual wellness exams are very important as cats are good at hiding pain and could be sick for weeks before showing symptoms.
Cats should have their nails trimmed every 2-3 weeks to prevent the nails from overgrowing.
Brushing your cat’s teeth daily is essential for the health of your cat’s teeth just as much as it is ours!
Fun Facts:
- The Manx cat can jump as high as 4 feet in the air.
- A Manx kitten can be born with a bobtail, no tail, or a full-length tail and any length in between!
- The Manx breed was one of the first show cats.
- The breed has been given nicknames over the years such as “Stubbin” and “Rumpy”.
Works Cited
Lesser, Jennifer, “Manx Cat: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care,” TheSprucePets,
https://www.thesprucepets.com/manx-cat-4584387https://www.thesprucepets.com/manx-cat-4584387
Taylor, Chad and Guthrie, Claudia, “Manx Cat Breed Information & Characteristics,” DailyPaws,
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/manx
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