Tail-less kitten/cat - Is this normal?

Question

Ive been feeding 4 feral, fixed cats for over a year now. A little kitten recently showed up during the daily scheduled feeding time. I will admit, i was a little discouraged since ive TNR(trap neuter, returned) all four cats, and not sure where this cat could have came from, the last one was spayed months ago Also, I thought one of the benefits of TNR was not only to stop the breeding, but and also to keep other outside cats from coming into thier territory. Anyways, this kitten has made it into the fold, shes come by the last four nights, and the other have accepted her so have I
I realized that this kitten has no tail!?!?From observance, the cat seems healthy, full of energy and doesnt show any marking that there ever was a tail? Is this normal? I feel so bad for her and tried for the past three nights trying to catch her, but she way to fast and wild, so im going just wait till shes a little older and TNR her as well. (sorry i know there alot aside info in this question

Answer 1

There isn't any need to worry, since you don't see any indication that there ever was a tail--there probably wasn't. If it had been ripped off or something like that, it would probably have left an uneven stump and would probably be bloody or just yucky looking. The kitten very likely just has some Manx mixed into her--Manxs are domestic tailess cats.

I'm happy you're helping out with a TNR program--I wish we'd adopt one in my area!

Answer 2

Manx cats are known for not having a tail (the Manx can have no tail--which is common for this breed, a bobbed tail, or a regular tail--which is a bit rare for the breed).

There is also a Japanese breed of cat that has a bobtail rather than a long tail.

The cat could have Manx genes and the tailess feature just kicked in for him/her.

Answer 3

There are tail-less cats, but no way to be sure about the kitten until you capture it to have a look. It may have been born that way or some thing happened to it. In either case, you are doing a great thing for the cat colonies, and as a cat lover, I applaud you.

Keep up the good work.

Answer 4

It can be a genetic aberration and for the most part the kitten is normal in the sense that there is nothing physically wrong with her. Taillessness means the spinal cord has been shortened and the cat can have physical problems because of it. If the kitten has survived this long she is probably fine.

Answer 5

yes that is normal to have a cat with no tail. There are breeds like that. You should invest in a cat book. I think that a cat with no tail is so cute..anyway best of luck to you......

Answer 6

it might have been frost bit.. might have lost it in a fight or something or she might have been born like that.. MANX cats can have different lenghts of tails or be tailess so she might have some manx genetics..

I would suggest catching her and taming her - infact she might even have an owner so call the local SPCA and report finding her before you let her get more wild....

Answer 7

some breeds of cats dont have tails because thats the way their made, but she also could have got it caught on something but if it doesn't look infected or bloody its probably her breed

Answer 8

there is a breed of cats that don't have a tail, the manx: http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/manx.html

Answer 9

my grandma has a cat like that ther called linxes well in the form of one or like bob cats if it it probobly has instinkes of a wild cat or it probobly has been abused. stand there and let her come to youu walk slowly to her and talk why you do let her know ur not there to hurt her.

Answer 10

I'm thinking a manx.