Manx Cat Breed: The Rabbit Cat With No Tail

Not to be confused with other Bob-tail breeds, the Manx Cat is a domestic Cat breed known for its rounded features, and tailless appearances. The way to tell the difference between a Manx and a Bobtail— Manx have taller hind legs that give them a Rabbit-like stance. Have you seen a Manx before?

The Manx or Manks Cat

The Manx Cat originates from the Isle of Man, as a domestic Cat breed with little or no tail— caused by a natural mutation of a dominant gene. In the earlier years of 1800s, Manx was often spelt as Manks in the English Language. In their homeland, they are lovingly known as Stubbin.

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It is still unknown how the Manx Cat truly came about in the Isle of Man, and there has been tremendous interesting folklore that has surfaced thus far. A popular folklore depicts how the tail of a Manx Cat was accidentally docked off by the closing door of Noah’s Ark, in the midst of avoiding the rain; the Cat had just made it through the doors.

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 Another folktale relates to how the Manx Cat could very possibly be a hybrid of a Cat and a Rabbit, explaining why the hind legs of the Manx Cat is taller than its front, the tail-less stub, and hopping gait of a Rabbit. Birthing the other nickname, Cabbit.

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 Manx Cats have been Show Cats as early as the 1800s, but not many learnt how to appreciate the tail-less feature of the Manx— some viewed it to be a defect, and others thought of the tail to be one of a Cat’s best feature. Without it, some true elegance would be lost. Manx Cats were mostly provided with a “Any Other Variety” division to compete in, until the first known breed standard was found in 1903.

  

Appearance Of The Manx Cat

The Manx is a small to medium size Cat with short and long coat varieties. Long coat variants are known in some other countries as a separate breed named Cymric. Manx Cats are also available in many patterns and colours due to crossbreeding. Often confused with Japanese Bob-tail or American Bobtail Cats, the Manx has a much rounder head, rounder eyes and muscular body. Their hind legs are also notably taller than the front legs, giving them a naturally hunched look.

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 Manx kittens can have tails to completely none at all, and tails are categorized into four different names:

Rumpy — No tail, a tuff of hair may be seen around the area

Riser — Tiny bump, most noticeable when Cat rises “tail”

Stumpy — Tail stump up to 3 centimeters long

Longy — Visible tail, almost usually half the length of a normal Cat’s tail

Fun Fact      Throughout their lives, the length of a Manx’s tail does not change— what you get at birth remains the same!

Grooming A Manx Cat

A Manx Cat has a dense smooth undercoat and a coarse outercoat. To maintain a healthy coat for a Manx (long and short) requires usual combing of once to twice a week, just to rid loose or dead hair. Increase the number of times for long-haired Manx and during shedding period. Check their ears and eyes for dirt build-up and gently clean these areas with a cotton ball and Vet-approved cleanser.

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Make sure to trim their nails and shower them whenever necessary, and practice good dental hygiene with a Vet-approved toothpaste. If you are unsure how to perform these tasks yourself, consult your trusted Groomer or Veterinarian for advice and demonstration! ☺

Manx Cat Personality And Behaviour

This “Cabbit” is a real people-person, and you can expect your Manx buddy to come curl up in your lap when you are having a nice chill out sesh on the couch by the TV. They are gentle Cats that also enjoy a bout of fun activities like a game of fetch or being entertained by brain-stimulating toys. They'd also share a convo with you or two using a soft, twilling voice. 

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Don’t let those tail-less bottoms fool you— tall hind legs give them extra power in leaps and jumps. Get ready those Cat-condos and proper meshing around the home, to keep your Manx Cats happy and safe. They may be small, but don’t be surprised to catch your little Manx darting around the house during their random energy sprints! With proper love and care, the average lifespan of a Manx is 13 or more years.

 You might also be interested in:

Japanese Bobtail: The Cat That Brings You Luck

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Cat Owner

Cat Hotels: Your Ultimate Guide To Cat Boarding Services In Singapore

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Sick or Sad

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Disclaimer

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