Manx

Manx cats originate from the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea between Ireland and England. There are many legends and stories that have been made up or conceived over the years surrounding how and why they lost their tails; however, geneticists believe that the breed's taillessness is a result of a spontaneous mutation within the island’s domestic cat population. The unique tail is a dominant gene for the breed but is a recessive gene in most other species. The Manx cat breed made its way to America in the 1880s.

Ideal Manx owners will enjoy spending quality time playing with their cat. While they do make good family cats, Manx cats feel best in calmer households that will not have a constant stream of visitors.

These energetic cats will need plenty of exercise and playtime. Manx cats love hunting games and interactive food dispensing toys that simulate catching their prey. Manx kittens and cats can jump and climb, so cat trees—the taller the better—are ideal.

The Manx cat would love to spend time outdoors as they are built for it; however, they have hunting tendencies that need to be managed. A cat-proofed yard is ideal so they can get the outdoor time they crave in a safe way.

Manx cats will do most of the grooming work themselves; however, frequent brushing is always recommended to help control shedding and keep their coats clean.

The Manx cat breed is considered relatively easy to train due to the breed’s intelligence, responsiveness, and enthusiasm for learning. With positive reinforcement and patience, they can learn numerous tricks and skills.

Manx cats make great family pets. They are sociable, playful, friendly, and affectionate and do very well with children and other pets.

The cost of a Manx from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.