Manx vs Farm Cat - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known also as the Barn Cat, this domestic cat is of a mixed breed. The very name ‘farm cat’ is referring to a general kind of cat that lives in an almost wild state on farms and agricultural properties.

Possibly, their role in keeping rodents at bay was how they came about – domesticated to keep rodents away from grain crops.

When you do research you find that there is archeological evidence to suggests that these farm cats have been around since about 7500 BC. Most barn cats fall under the domestic shorthair or domestic longhair categories.

These cats live in a variety of conditions and some of them get their food solely from the rodents they catch. Others are tame with access to supplemental cat food as well as veterinary care.

The Manx cat is a domestic cat originating on the Isle of Man, with a short tail. It is one of the oldest cat breeds.

The cat is actually known as being a tailless cat. This is the cat's most distinguishing feature. They've been seen at cat shows since the 1800s.

These cats are descended from mainland stock, whose origins are unknown. It is said these cats are descended from the African wildcat.

The Manx is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association as well as other cat associations.

Farms cats are also members of domestic cats but it’s just that they are usually not socialized and they run away from people.

Farm cats have different histories and there is really no one-size-fits-all description of them.

They can weigh anything from 2 to 8kg. They can live to be anything between 10 and 20 years of age. Some of them are large, some small, some are solid colored while others are bi-colored and patterned. Their coats differ too and you can find short- and long-haired varieties among your farm cats

Their eyes and ears will also be in any shades and sizes and these cats are usually not spayed or neutered and can produce kittens that nobody is sure how they’ll turn out.

Temperament:

If you were to stumble across a farm cat born of unknown parents, there is no knowing what the small feline will behave like. Socialization and lifestyle play a big role in determining how a kitten will turn out but farm cats left to their own devices could be quiet, aggressive, loving, naughty, reticent, reserved, playful, lazy, shy or nervous.

The Manx cat is a medium-sized cat with a stocky, muscular, heavy build. He can weigh between 3 and 6kg. Manx cats come in all coat colors and patterns.

The coat of the cat can be short or long. The long-haired variety is considered its own breed. The cat has always been popular for helping farmers keep rodents under control.

Besides taillessness, the Manx is described as a round cat and its head is round too. The back legs of the cat are much longer than the forelegs.

The eyes of this cat are large and round and can be in different colors such as green, gold, copper, brown, or yellow.

Temperament:

They are very playful and intelligent cats who are devoted to their families. They can easily learn tricks and he can even be taught to walk on a leash.

They’re cats that love to jump and they’re active, playful cats. Don’t be surprised if you see him playing with the water in his water bowl as he is a cat fond of playing in water. 

These cats are thought to be dog-like as they’re capable of becoming devoted to their human family. They also have a great sense of humor and they become very entertaining. Children love them as they’re so playful and they in turn get on well with children. When you have a Manx cat in your house, there is never a dull moment.

Farm cats are such wonderful animals – they just need a good chance in life like other domestic cats.

Many of them have had a hard life and it can be marvelous to open your home and heart to one or two of them and see the pleasure they bring.

They’re full of character and if you provide them with good food and a warm bed and promise to love them, you’ll no doubt be starting a solid and meaningful friendship that can enhance your life.

The loving Manx cat is such an even-tempered cat as well and wants to get along well with its entire human family. You can be sure of many years of affection and companionship from this cat.

It’s a cat that is fairly placid but it still loves to run and play, It’s an amusing cat too and to round everything off it also has a strange way of walking and running.

Give the Manx cat a warm. Loving home and you’ll quickly discover why the Manx cat is such a popular companion cat for so many people. The Manx is such a social, family orientated cat and you shouldn't bring him into your home if you don't have plenty of time for him.

Farm cats left to fend for themselves can suffer from a host of illnesses. Eye infections are one. The cause of these eye infections is usually a virus, of which herpes, chlamydia, and Calicivirus are the most common.

Your vet will certainly prescribe you some antibiotics for your kitten to help against secondary infections.

Check your farm kitten over as he is likely to have a nose full of snot as well and may even be sneezing. Take the kitten to the vet who can give him a good once-over and put him on the road to recovery.

The absence of a tail with the Manx cat is believed to be a genetic defect and because of the spine that looks deformed, it is thought that this would cause the cat problems.

Arthritis can set in early with the Manx cat. Arthritis or osteoarthritis affects many cats and the signs of arthritis in a cat can actually be subtle. The disease can go undetected. Arthritis is about wear and tear in the joints, although other factors such as injury, infection and genetic makeup come into play as well. Arthritis can affect one or more joints in the body such as the hips, elbows ad spine.

The mutant gene that causes the taillessness in this cat may also be responsible for other skeletal deformities in the Manx cat. As a round-shaped cat, the Manx cat can also battle with bladder control.

These ailments are just possibilities with this cat breed and it is more than likely that your Manx cat will never have any one of these diseases.

Barn cats or farm cats are not likely to have been neutered or spayed and they are just adding to the overpopulation of farm cats that can become feral cats.

The average fertile cat can produce three litters every year, and with as many as 6 kittens in a litter, you can imagine how a small colony of cats can get out of control.

Sometimes cat rescue programs do a steri-drive and spay and neuter cats like this to curb the numbers. Of course, spaying and neutering can prevent many diseases as well.

If you have farm cats that have been spayed or neutered, provide them with good food and water. You can put out wet, canned cat food or dry kibble – they’ll be so pleased as most times these cats don’t even know where their next meal will come from.

You see them drinking out of puddles of water. Unfortunately, these pools are often filled with contaminants and this can also make the cats sick.

Every cat just wants a soft, warm place to sleep, and if you can, provide some warm dry hay for these farm cats. Even a cardboard box can be a haven for a cat that has never known a bed.

If you have managed to catch a farm cat kitten and you want to offer it a home, make sure to start off with veterinary care and vaccines.

One of the most important caring things that you can do for your cat is to provide him with the best diet there is. The Manx cat requires a balanced diet of protein, vitamins and minerals.

The Manx cat is a carnivore and will need a diet high in protein. Learn to read the labels on the packaging of the commercial cat food, whether wet or dry, and ensure that ingredients such as omega 3 fatty acids and taurine are in the ingredients list.

If you are in any doubt as to what to feed your Manx cat, speak to your vet.

The short coat of the Manx is easily cared for by a brush each week to remove dead, loose hair.

With this tailless cat, you need to check the rear end and perhaps clip the hair short in this area to ensure no feces clinging to the fur surrounding the anus.