At a glance the quick version
CFA gives Manx males an average of 10-12 lb with females a little smaller; Hill's lists males as over 12 lb and females 8-12 lb; Wikipedia gives up to about 5 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
semi-long, dense, padded double coat
A compact, solid, rounded cat that feels heavier than it looks, with a round head, round eyes and a rounded rump that sits higher than the shoulders. Tails range from none at all (rumpy) to short stubs (stumpy) and occasionally full length. The medium-long coat is thick and well padded, growing longer from shoulders to rump, with a collar-like ruff and full britches.241
Personality what they are like
A quiet, sweet and easy-going cat that bonds closely with one or two people. It is smart and loving, not easily ruffled, and many enjoy fetch and interactive games in a way that reminds owners of a dog.24
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Often content to lounge, then suddenly races around or jumps impressively high; daily play helps.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Comb at least weekly with a wide-toothed comb, focusing on the underarms and cheeks where tangles form; brush more often in moulting season. Portion food carefully as they tend to have a hearty appetite.24
Home where they are happiest
Indoor home with space to run and high places to jump to.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Measured portions of a complete cat food; they enjoy eating and put on weight easily.4
Company who they like around
The story where it all began
Tailless cats have been recorded on the Isle of Man since the 1500s, and longhaired kittens occasionally appeared among them, possibly from Norse-era longhaired ancestors. In the 1960s breeders in Canada started breeding the longhaired type on purpose, and it became popular from the mid 1970s. Registries differ on whether to call it a breed of its own or a longhaired Manx.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Longhaired kittens born on the Isle of Man were once set aside as oddities, until breeders in Canada in the 1960s chose to develop them.1
- 2
Tail types have names: rumpy, rumpy riser, stumpy and longy.1
- 3
With their round shape they are said to look like bowling balls when they run.4
- 4
Manx cats have been registered by the CFA since 1906.2
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- Shown as the longhair division of the Manx, same standard2
- TICA
- Treated as a Manx variety, not a separate breed1
- FIFe
- Fully recognised as Cymric, Category 3, code CYM5
- CCA-AFC
- Recognised as a separate breed1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Cymric, Manx Longhair. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia - Cymric cat en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, recognition, weight, tail types, name
- CFA - Manx cfa.orgused for recognition, weight, coat, colours, temperament, grooming, activity, history
- Wikipedia - List of cat breeds en.wikipedia.orgused for origin
- Hill's - Cymric hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, colours, temperament, grooming, diet
- FIFe - Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.