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O manx cat, also known as mane or tailless cat, is one of the most peculiar breed cats due to its tail and overall physical appearance. Owner of a tender look, this feline breed won the hearts of many people for its balanced and affectionate character.
However, for the animal to be happy it is necessary to know all the cat characteristics Manx, basic care, temperament and possible health problems. That's why, here at PeritoAnimal, we'll share everything you should know about the Manx cat if you want to socialize or adopt one.
Source- Europe
- UK
- Category III
- small ears
- Strong
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- 3-5
- 5-6
- 6-8
- 8-10
- 10-14
- 8-10
- 10-15
- 15-18
- 18-20
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Curious
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Short
- Medium
- Long
Manx cat: origin
The Manx cat originates from Isle of Man, which lies between Ireland and Great Britain. The feline's name is shared with the island's natives as "Manx" means "Mannese" in the local language and is used to define the nationality of the locals. this cat breed is one of the most popular worldwide.
There are several legends about the main characteristic of the cat, the taillessness. One of them tells that when Noah closed the doors of his famous ark, he ended up cutting the tail of a cat that had been delayed because it was hunting a mouse that he wanted to give to the biblical hero. Thus would have emerged the first Manx cat in history. Other legends say that the tail was lost due to a motorcycle that ran over it in the Isle of Man, where the number of motorcycles circulating is high. The third story is that this breed of cat would be a cat-rabbit crossing.
Leaving aside the myths surrounding the origin of the Manx cats, it is believed that their existence is linked to the ancient Spanish galleons, who always took cats on board to hunt rats. These vessels would have reached the Isle of Man and there these cats suffered a natural mutation which was transferred to the following generations.
manx cats: characteristics
One of the main characteristics of Manx cats is the tail. Traditionally, they have always treated the Manx cat like a feline whose tail is missing. However, nowadays, since the presence and length of the tail can vary depending on the specimen, five types of Manx cats can be distinguished according to the tail they have.
- Rumpy: in these cats the tail is completely absent, with a hole at the end of the spine.
- Rumpy riser: in this case, what might be thought of as a tail is really just an upward-inclining enlargement of the sacral bone.
- Stumpy: these are cats that have a tail or vestigial structure of up to 3 centimeters, whose shape tends not to be uniform and which varies in length depending on the specimens.
- Longy: it is the Manx cat with a tail that is normal, but smaller than other breeds.
- Tailed: in this case, more rare, the cat's tail has a normal length in relation to other breeds.
Even though there are all these types of tails, only the first three types of Manx cats are allowed in contests.
In keeping with the characteristics of the Manx cat breed, the height of its hind extremities is greater than its forelegs, so its hind legs appear slightly longer than its front legs. O Manx hair is double, which will make them look very cute and is a source of insulation from weather conditions. Regarding colors, it can be any color and the same can be said about designs and patterns. Also, because of the coat, the Cymric cat, type of house cat, is considered by many to be a long-haired variety of the Manx cat, rather than a separate breed.
The Manx cat is a average cat breed with rounded head, flat and large, muscular body, strong, robust and also rounded. Small, slightly pointed ears, long nose and round eyes.
The face of the Manx is not tapered, as the face of the Manx can be. common european cat, and it looks more like that of the English cats, like the british shorthair, as cats from England tend to have a wider face.
Finally, and as can already be seen in all Manx varieties, it is worth highlighting the genetic mutation that this cat has in the spine. This mutation is completely natural and occurs when the tail gene, instead of being totally predominant, is recessive by an allele, which does not develop the tail in its entirety, resulting in a cat with these characteristics. That is, Manx cats are heterozygous for a mutation that results in the absence of a tail.
Manx cat: personality
These cats usually have a very marked character, they always show themselves very sociable, both with people and with other animals, and there are many smart and loving, especially when they were raised by the same people since they were a puppy, always looking for their tutors to play and receive pampering.
When raised in more rural areas, living abroad, the Manx cat has great gifts such as rodent hunters, a feat that makes it a breed of cat both for those who live in the countryside and for families living in urban areas, as it adapts perfectly to the apartment life.
Manx cat: care
The care of the Manx cat breed is simple, it comes down to being attentive during the development of the puppies, since the first days will be vital to detect possible health problems inherent to the breed. These are strong cats that are in good general health.
Even so, during the first few months of life, you should work at kitten socialization so that he can get along well with all kinds of people, animals and places. Due to its short fur, it is only necessary comb it once a week to avoid the creation of annoying hairballs. Grooming is usually not necessary in Manx and bathing should only be performed when strictly necessary.
On the other hand, as with any breed of cat, it is important to have your cat's eyes, ears and mouth checked periodically. In addition, it is also recommended to follow the vaccine calendar established by the veterinarian.
As it is an intelligent animal with a great hunting instinct, it is very important to pay attention to the environmental enrichment and spend time doing game and play sessions that simulate hunting. For this, it is vital not to use your hands during these times, as felines can quickly associate them with play and start biting and scratching them without warning. The best thing is to always use the right toys. And, in case the Manx cat is exercising at home and not in a more open environment where he has room to run, it is important that you have scrapers and other obstacles toys of various levels.
Manx cat: health
The peculiarities of the Manx cat are due to its particular genetic mutation, which alters the shape of the feline column of this breed of cat, as we have already mentioned before. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to Manx cats during development as they may present spinal malformations. These types of malformations can affect several organs and cause notable disorders, such as spina bifida or bifurcated, and hydrocephalus, and in symptoms such as convulsions.
Those affected by these malformations are classified with the disease called "Isle of Man syndrome". Due to this, veterinarian appointments should be frequent during the puppy's growth. In order to avoid inbreeding that breeds with more problems due to genetics are born, it is advisable to cross these cats with other breeds that have a normal tail.