Manx Cat: Tailless Breed, Temperament and Spinal Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

The Manx is a cat of legend, with a round body and a missing tail, and a bounding, rabbit-like walk. It comes from the Isle of Man, and it is both a beloved companion and a breed where responsible breeding matters a great deal.

Origins

The Manx developed on the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea, where a natural mutation for taillessness became common in an isolated cat population. The cats were prized as mousers and appear on the island's coins and stamps. The breed was among the first recognized at early cat shows.

Appearance

Manx cats are medium and sturdy, with a rounded head, a broad chest, a short back and hind legs longer than the front, giving a high rump. The coat is dense and double, with short and longhaired varieties, the longhaired often called Cymric. Tail length varies: rumpy, with no tail, rumpy riser, stumpy and longy. All colors and patterns are seen.

Temperament

Manx cats are intelligent, playful and strongly attached to their families. Many fetch, follow people and greet them at the door. They are good jumpers and enjoy high places, and they get along with children and cat-friendly dogs. They tend to be calm with a moderate voice, and they are tolerant of handling.

The Manx gene and health

The gene that causes taillessness is dominant, and a kitten that inherits two copies does not survive. Even cats with one copy can have spinal malformation, called Manx syndrome, which may include:

• Spina bifida
• Deformed spine or vertebrae
• Bowel and bladder control problems
• Hind leg weakness or abnormal gait
• Constipation and megacolon
• Recurrent urinary or skin infections near the tail area

Signs often show up in the first months of life, and severity ranges from mild to life-limiting. Breeders try to reduce risk through careful selection, and some prefer to breed Manx to tailed cats, but there is no reliable test for severity. Ask breeders what screening they do and about their kittens' health history. Our emergency warning signs guide lists signs of urgent trouble.

Other health notes

• Arthritis, common as Manx cats age.
• Corneal dystrophy, reported in the breed.
• Dental disease.

See our cat health guides for more information.

Grooming

The dense double coat sheds moderately, with heavier shedding in spring. Brush weekly, and more often in season. Longhaired cats need combing two to three times a week. See how to brush a cat. Trim nails, clean ears and brush teeth.

Living with a Manx

Provide cat trees and play, and monitor litter habits closely, since they give early clues to bowel or bladder trouble. Keep litter boxes clean and easy to enter. Maintain a healthy weight to protect joints and the spine.

Is a Manx right for you?

A Manx suits families who want a playful, devoted cat and are prepared for veterinary monitoring and potential costs. It may not suit someone who cannot afford possible long-term care. For a similar sturdy shorthair without the gene, see the American Shorthair, and use the cat breed finder. Our guide to cat vet visit costs can help you plan.

A day with a Manx

A Manx is often described as a hybrid of cat and dog. It wakes you, follows you to the kitchen and waits by the door for you to come home. During the day it naps, plays fetch with toys and sits near the family. In the evening it wants to be involved, bouncing along with its distinctive hop and watching everything from a lap or a tower.

Questions to ask a Manx breeder

• Do your breeding cats include tailed Manx, and how do you manage the gene?
• Have any kittens in your lines had spinal, bowel or bladder problems?
• What veterinary checks do you do on kittens before sale?
• What happens if a kitten develops Manx syndrome, and do you offer support or a take-back?

Mistakes to avoid

Do not buy a Manx kitten without a veterinary exam, including checks for bowel and bladder function. Do not ignore constipation or leaking, which may signal spinal problems. Do not let a Manx become overweight, because arthritis risk rises with weight. Keep an eye out for any changes in how your cat walks, jumps and uses the litter box.

Warning signs to watch

Contact your vet if your Manx shows leaking urine or stool, straining to defecate, a weak or wobbly rear end, a bunny-hopping walk, reluctance to jump or repeated constipation. These can be signs of spinal and nerve problems. Constipation that does not resolve can lead to megacolon, which is serious. See the emergency warning signs guide.

Ownership and costs

Manx cats with spinal problems can need lifelong care, including medication, manual bowel management or surgery. Pet insurance purchased early may help, but check exclusions for hereditary conditions. See cat vet visit costs and the US vet directory.

Finding one

Choose breeders who raise kittens in the home and are honest about the condition. Rescues sometimes have tailless cats. Ask for a veterinary check before adoption.