Some cats have a relatively short but celebrated history and others have been around for quite some time. As far as the Manx is concerned, it is a breed that has a rather interesting history and a personality that makes them one of the more popular house cats throughout the world. You may find that the intelligence of this cat is often difficult to keep up with but even though they enjoy honing their hunting skills, they also enjoy being with their family. It tends to be the best of both worlds with this beautiful breed.
Although there are many breeds of cats that claim to not have a tail, the Manx is one of the only breeds that can really say it is true of their breed. The cat has a history of several hundred years but they weren’t necessarily bred to be a specific breed. In fact, it was their remote location on the Isle of Man along with genetic mutations that really help to bring about this cat that we know today. Eventually, it was taken from the Isle of Man to other parts of the world and today, it is a prized and treasured animal.
Originally, the Manx was not bred to be a house cat but rather, was a cat that was able to hunt rodents quite successfully. Because of their abilities as a hunter and due to the fact that they have a very watchful eye, they are often a welcome part of many homes because nothing gets by their attention. Regardless of whether something is amiss during the middle of the day or in the middle of the night, they will catch it and let you know about it. Many people would think that this made them an elusive animal but the fact of the matter is, they love being around humans. You just need to watch them carefully, however, because their intelligence can end up getting them in trouble.
Some of the health problems that are associated with the Manx are specific to the breed, including a short spine and a number of other birth defects. Other problems that may be an issue for the Manx include tailbone arthritis and corneal dystrophy. Not every Manx is going to experience these problems but if they do have an issue with it, veterinary care is the best route to take.
Caring for Manx is not difficult. You need to ensure that you are feeding them on a regular basis and their coat would do well with a regular brushing. One of the grooming issues that tend to be a problem for the Manx is that feces can get entangled in the fur around the rear. Be sure that you check for this problem regularly and if necessary, clean things up.
The Manx is an excellent house pet, both as a “watchdog” and as a companion animal. If you’re looking for a cat that does it all, the Manx may just be what you are looking for.