Cat's Name & Age:
Rocky 1.5 years
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Dog-like loyalty, can take 5 years to fully develop so stay kitten-like
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
SERIOUS health problems in some Manx, especially those with almost no tail
When, Where and How I Got My Manx
I adopted him from a local vet's wife who runs her own home-based rescue and advertises on Petfinders.com. She didn't identify Rocky as a Manx because some people avoid the breed due to possible spinal defect problems. She claimed he'd been treated with Frontline but he was flea infested and has inoperable nasal cartilage damage likely due to an infection before I got him at 12 weeks old. Rocky has a 4 inch tail so I crossed my fingers and adopted him. I got him as a companion to orange American short hair who was grieving after his brother ran away.
I'd Describe My Cat As…
Smart but still kittenish (i.e. Easily spooked but playful 24/7) After a day of Buddy hissing at Rocky (who DID stink at 1st) I bought a Feliway diffuser and soon Buddy became "maternal". They are now EXTREMELY bonded and loving toward each other. More so than Buddy ever was with his aloof brother. Replacing the lost cat with a kitten to provide a companion for Buddy has worked out better than I hoped possible.
Advice
- I've only matched 2 male neutered cats so don't know if same gender accounts for their compatibility. I was a bit skeptical about the Feliway at $20 but it worked like magic with one purchase. I highly recommend this product. They could not love each other more.
