Why does a Manx cat have no tail?

Question

Does anyone know why a Manx cat has no tail. Is it in the genes or what?

Answer 1

Actually the Manx can have a full tail and often does. It is not the tail or lack of tail that determines a Manx cat from another. There are several physical attributes that are noticeable such as the taller hind quarters than the standard cat. Very round feet and broad chest in addition to the ears. Manx ears are placed wide on the side of the head as opposed to the top of the head as most cats. Also note that the genetic mutation of taillessness is actually in nearly all breeds of cats just more prevalent in the Manx. The three tail types outside of full tail are the Rumpy (no tail at all missing last vertebrae in most cases) the Rumpy Riser (this will have a very short nub that when stroked down shows no indication of a tail) and the Bob tail (which is generally only couple of inches in length on average).
Hope this helps clarify some of your questions.
just one more note, just because a cat does not have a tail in no way indicates it is a Manx. All the other attributes need to be first confirmed with the obvious being hindquarters roughly 2 to 3 inches taller than the shoulders.

Answer 2

this breed resulted from a spontaneous mutation that eliminated the vertebrae that form the tail. The origins are uncertain. manx litters are usually small, some come with out tails, others with tails varying from small knobs to stubby or shortened tails.The true show manx is tailless and known as a rumpy.the popularity of the manx in britain has declined, but they are still shown in the USA.

Answer 3

Most breeders will have the tails of Manx kits docked at 4-6 days of age. This is not so much for cosmetic reasons as it is to stave off another manifestation of the Manx gene. In adult cats of around 5 years, the tail vertebrae may become ossified and arthritic, resulting in pain for the cat. The pain may grow so severe that amputation is necessary--a difficult operation for an adult cat. It is much less painful and recovery is much swifter for a very young kitten to have its tail docked.

Answer 4

The Manx will tell you it's because it's tail was caught in the ferry door as it was being closed as well as other stories! There are as someone said 3 types, there are rumpies, stumpies and true Manx (no tail at all, and hind legs like a hare!).

Answer 5

Actually its a genetic mutation but there are a lot of stories. Some believe the Manx cat resulted from a cat mating with a hare, the result is a Cabbit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manx_%28cat%29

Answer 6

This will tell you about the Manx cat:
http://www.scattycats.com/Manx.html

Answer 7

Yes, it is genetic and doesn't happen only in pure-bred cats. Actually there are three types of "tailless" cats depending on how much of a tail they have. The three types have names and maybe someone here call tell you what they are.

Answer 8

Yep, in the genes. It's a cat breed and its bred to not have a tail.

Answer 9

Genetic

Answer 10

It's the same as Manx man with three legs (I had a third leg once.....)