The Cat Of The Isle Of Man: A Big Cat Without A Tail But Very Sweet
The Isle of Man cat is one of the best known cat breeds in the world. These cats are particularly famous for a very special and distinctive feature: they do not have a tail. On top of that, they are very loving and playful pets, ideal to have at home.
We will give you some tips, general information and we will tell you how to take care of this cat breed and we will help you to keep them in top condition. Let’s see together the characteristics of the Isle of Man cat.
Characteristics of the Isle of Man cat
The Isle of Man cat (also known as Manx in English and in Mannese as Kayt Manninagh or Stubbin ) is one of the oldest felines in the world. Think that there are testimonies of the existence of this cat dating back to much before the 18th century. The first cats of this species inhabited the Isle of Man, located in Great Britain, from which they take their name. The Isle of Man cat is one of the seven cat breeds that have no tails.
As mentioned above, the most distinguishing feature of these cats is the absence of a tail. On the other hand, the hind legs are considerably longer than the front legs and have a rather broad chest and a shorter back. In terms of size, Isle of Man cats can be quite large.
After many years of research, scientists have found that the lack of a tail in these cats is due to the absence of a dominant gene that belongs to the spinal column. As a result, serious alterations can occur that affect the health and well-being of the animal.
Basically, if two tailless cats mate, the litter of kittens will be born deformed and die shortly thereafter. So it is essential to get them to mate with cats with tails.
Isle of Man cat: behavior
Isle of Man cats usually have a very docile and playful demeanor. It is a very intelligent and very affectionate animal, so it is ideal to have around the house. Usually the Isle of Man cat shows a certain predilection for a particular person, to whom he shows all his love.
Although he is an extremely docile cat, it is advisable to have an open space for him to go out and play and where he can hunt freely.
Another important aspect to consider is that these cats walk more like a rabbit than a cat. Therefore, when going on vacation, the owner may have trouble getting the Isle of Man cat accepted into a cat residence or hotel.
In general, however, the behavior of these cats is very good. They have a great ability to adapt, are very loving, playful, highly intelligent and get along well with other animals, especially dogs. They are also very affectionate with children and have a lot of energy.
How to take care of this breed
The life expectancy of these cats is very high: think that they live on average between 10 and 15 years. When it comes to the care they need, one of the most important aspects to consider is the eyes.
In this sense, Isle of Man cats tend to suffer from eye irritation, so it is advisable to clean them frequently with a gauze moistened with water.
One of the most beautiful physical characteristics of these cats is their fur, which does not need to be brushed all the time. On the contrary, just brush it from time to time to keep it shiny.
Nail care is another of the most important aspects to consider. For this reason, it is advisable to buy a nail sharpener and the animal will keep them the right size. However, another option is to cut them.
In general, these cats don’t get sick easily. However, like any other pet, you need to take them to the vet regularly for routine checkups, especially when you notice changes in your cat’s physical or emotional state.
The Isle of Man cat is, without a doubt, one of the best pets you can ever have in the house. Of all the cat breeds, this one is particularly affectionate and playful, as well as intelligent and very loyal to those who care for her and show her love every day.
