The Manx cat is one of the most distinctive due to its tail and general physical appearance. With a tender look and a thick coat, this feline breed has won the hearts of many people thanks to its balanced and affectionate nature. However, to make the animal happy, it is necessary to know all the characteristics of the Manx cat, its basic care, temperament and possible he alth problems. That's why, in this PlanetAnimal article, we share everything you need to know about the Manx cat!
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
FIFe Rating
- Category III
Physical Characteristics
- Little ears
- Strong
Size
- Average
Average Weight
- 3-5
Life expectancy
- 18-20
Character
- Affectionate
- Smart
- Curious
Climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- Medium
- Long
Origin of Manx
" The Manx cat originates from the Isle of Man, located between Ireland and Great Britain. Its name is shared with the inhabitants of the island, since Manx means manés, in other words, the name of the inhabitants of the island, moreover, it is one of the most popular breeds in the world ."
There are several legends about the cause of his lack of a tail. One tells that when Noah closed the doors of his famous ark, he grabbed the tail of a cat that had been delayed by the search for a mouse to entertain Noah, becoming the first Manx cat. . Others claim that he lost his tail because a motorbike passed him, which is explained by the large number of motorbikes circulating on the island. Another legend says that the Manx came from a cross between a cat and a rabbit.
Apart from the myths and legends that surround the origin of the Manx cat, it is believed that the existence of these cats dates back to the days of the old Spanish galleons which always carried cats on board to hunt mice.It is believed that they came to the Isle of Man and underwent a natural mutation there, which they then passed on to subsequent generations.
Physical characteristics of the Manx
One of the most distinctive physical characteristics of the Manx is its tail. Although it is traditionally a cat whose tail is absent, currently and since its length and presence vary from one specimen to another, we can distinguish five types of Manx depending on the tail they have:
- Rumpy: in these cats the absence of a tail is total, with a hole at the end of the spine.
- Rumpy riser: in this case, what may be considered a tail sign is actually an elongation of the sacral bone that tilts upwards.
- Stumpy: it is the presence of a vestigial tail that measures no more than 3 cm, the shape of which is generally not uniform and the length of which may vary between different specimens.
- Longy: it would be a normal tail but shorter than in other cats.
- Tailed: in this case the tail would be a standard length.
Although there are these types of tails, all within the breed standard, only the first three would be accepted.
According to the physical characteristics of the Manx, its hind legs are higher than that of its front legs, so the hind legs appear slightly longer than the front legs. Its fur is double, which will give it a fluffy appearance and at the same time serve as protection against the weather. The color of the latter can cover the entire possible spectrum, all colors being accepted as well as all the different possible symbols.
This is a medium-sized breed with a rounded, broad, and large head, muscular, strong, sturdy, rounded body, small, slightly pointed ears, long nose, and round eyes .So the face of the Manx is not as pointed as that of a common European cat, but rather that of English cats, such as that of the British Shorhair, in fact, cats coming from England tend to have the face more wide.
Finally, and as we have seen in the Manx varieties, it is worth mentioning the genetic mutation that this cat has in the spine. A completely natural mutation that occurs when the tail gene, instead of being dominant, is a recessive allele that does not develop the entire tail, giving us a cat with these characteristics.
Manx character
These felines tend to have a very marked character, even if they are very sociable both with people and with other animals, they are very intelligent and affectionate especially when they have been raised at home from an early age ! They will always be looking for their guardians to play and receive cuddles.When raised in more rural areas and living outdoors, they possess great rodent hunting skills, making them an excellent choice for both urban and rural dwellers.
Manx Care
Manx care is simple, it boils down to paying attention to their development as kittens, as the first few days will be key in detecting possible breed he alth issues. By removing this, they are strong and enjoy good general he alth. Likewise, it is during these first months of life that we must work on the socialization of the kitten so that it learns to establish relationships with all kinds of people, animals and environments.
As its fur is short, it will be enough to brush it once a week to avoid the formation of hairballs. Bathe them only when absolutely necessary. On the other hand, as is the case with all other breeds, it will need to have its eyes, ears and mouth checked periodically.In addition, it is strongly recommended to follow the vaccination schedule established by the veterinarian.
However, since it is an intelligent animal with a strong hunting instinct, it is very important to pay attention to the enrichment of its environment and to devote time to stimulate its instinct of hunter. To play with him, it is essential not to use your hands because the Manx could quickly assimilate this behavior and thus start to moderate your hands without warning. Always use an appropriate toy. Thus, in the absence of land to make it run, it will be necessary to make it play sports at home and have scratching posts at different levels.
Manx He alth
" The peculiarity of the Manx breed is due to its particular genetic mutation, which changes the shape of the kitten&39;s spine. This is why special attention must be paid to Manxes when they are growing up because they could present spinal deformities.This type of malformation can lead to notable disorders such as spina bifida or hydrocephalus, with symptoms such as seizures, as well as affecting multiple organs. People affected by these malformations are classified in a condition called Isla Man syndrome. In fact, veterinary examinations must be quite frequent during its growth."
To avoid inbreeding causing specimens born with more genetic problems, it is advisable to cross these cats with breeds with long or normal tails.
Pictures of Manx
