Manx cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Manx

The Manx comes from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, where a spontaneous mutation shortened or removed the tails of the island's cats. Because the island was small and cut off, the gene became common. Tailless cats there were being given the local name stubbin by the early 1800s, and they appeared at cat shows in the late nineteenth century. The first written breed standard dates from 1903.

The look is round: a rounded head, a broad chest, a short back that rises toward the hindquarters, and hind legs that are longer than the front. The coat is dense and plush, and the longhaired version is the Cymric. Tails vary from none at all (a rumpy) through a small bump or stub to a nearly full tail. Colours and patterns are widely varied.

Temperament and living with one

The Manx is known as a calm, even-tempered house cat that bonds closely with one or two people and takes time to warm to newcomers. It is intelligent and likes to join in with household tasks. Many fanciers call it dog-like, and some will fetch or follow commands. It is also a capable hunter, and the breed has long worked on farms and ships.

Manx cats are usually patient with children and friendly with dogs and other cats. They talk, but not loudly. Most prefer a stable routine and may not settle quickly after a move. They tend to chase toys along the floor rather than leap for them, and they enjoy a scratching post and a window perch.

Care: coat, food and play

The double coat needs little work. Comb a shorthaired Manx once or twice a week and more often in the spring and autumn moult. Keep litter box habits in view, because a cat without a tail can occasionally have soiling around the rear, and a diet that produces firm stools helps. Trim nails, check the ears, and feed measured meals of a complete diet to keep the cat lean. A tall cat tree is a nice extra, though the breed is a better walker than a jumper.

Health

The tailless gene has a cost. Manx syndrome occurs when the spine is shortened too far, and it can harm the spinal cord and nerves. Signs include problems with the bladder, bowel and hind legs, and they usually show before a kitten is four months old. One study found it in about three in ten cats, mostly rumpies. Megacolon, a bowel disorder, is another known risk. Breeders who mix in tailed cats help reduce the problem. Ask the breeder about the lines, ask for health records, and ask your vet if your cat shows any trouble using the litter tray or with its hind legs.

Is it right for you?

Choose a Manx if you want a loyal, calm and sturdy cat with a distinctive shape. It does well in a stable home with children or other pets. Be prepared for possible vet costs, and buy only from a breeder who is open about the health of their kittens. If you want a similar look with long hair, see the Cymric, and for a tailed natural bobtail, look at the Japanese Bobtail.