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Manx

Manx

The Manx cat closely resembles the British Shorthair in type with the obvious exception of the tail. The body is compact and solid, with a broad chest and short back. The rump is rounded and should be higher than the shoulders. The legs are short and powerful, with the back legs being slightly longer than the front. In the show cat there must be absolutely no tail and the rump should be completely rounded but stumps of varying lengths are allowed in the breeding or pet cat. The Manx cat's coat has a double quality with a short thick undercoat and a slightly longer overcoat. Any combination of colour and markings is seen with the exception of the Siamese cat breed's pattern.

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Manx cat is lying on the floor
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Personality

The Manx cat breed is good natured and affectionate. They love a cuddle and are very adaptable to family life.

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Manx cat is getting ready for dinner
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History and Origins

Country of Origin: Britain (Isle of Man)

The tail-less Manx cat has been known for hundreds of years in the Isle of Man and there are various myths surrounding its exact origins. One even claims that Noah closed the door of the Ark too quickly and chopped off the tail. Another says that tail-less cats swam ashore to the Isle of Man from the wrecked galleons of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The lack of tail is undoubtedly the result of a genetic mutation possibly caused by inbreeding among the small population of British Shorthair cats on the island. The true or 'rumpy' Manx cat has only a small hollow where the tail would have been, although cats with residual tails are born. These are called 'stumpies', 'stubbies', or 'longies' depending on the length of the tail. The mutant gene that causes the taillessness may also be responsible for other skeletal deformities but despite this the Manx cat can be shown at all major UK cat shows.

The lack of a tail is a severe genetic defect and the Manx cat's 'deformed' spine may cause problems. If misshaped vertebrae affect the spine the cat may be prone to arthritis from an early age. In some cats the anal passage may be narrowed and this can cause bowel blockages. The mutant gene that causes the taillessness may also be responsible for other skeletal deformities and when two completely tail-less 'rumpies' are mated together the offspring are often born dead or die shortly after birth. The spines of Manx cats almost always show other deformities, sometimes the vertebrae are shorter than normal and in the lower part of the spine they tend to fuse together and they may be fewer in number.

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

The Manx cat's coat does not require excessive grooming and these cats are quite capable of looking after their coat themselves. As with all cats, regular vaccination and parasite control is recommended.

While this breed tends to be excellent with kids, each cat has a different personality based on training and life experience. Please consult the adoption organisation, if you are adopting, for details on a specific cats character.