If you are after a cat with no tail then you can choose a cat from one of the breeds that are naturally tailless. Read on to learn more about cat breeds with no tails…
It might come as a surprise to you, but there are actual cat breeds without tails, or at least bobbed tails! To add to your surprise, they don’t look too bad without tails!
While it’s true that the tail is a hallmark feature of any cat, they’re just as majestic and beautiful without it. This fascinating phenomenon started through a genetic mutation while breeding- typically in different islands.
Bobtail cats aren’t uncommon these days, and even though there’s only one breed of cat that has no tail, there are several other bobcat breeds worldwide.
Alongside the Manx cat breed, we’ve also listed them as cat breeds with no tails. Time for you to give them a quick look!
Pixie-Bob
Among all the bobcat breeds, the Pixie-Bob is by far the most exotic-looking one. It looks like a miniature bobcat and has a very wild look. But don’t worry, most of them are affectionate and easy-going felines.
The tail of a Pixie-Bob can range from non-existent to a small bob. However, there are some exceptions with full-grown tails.
Many of this breed of cats is also unique because they are polydactyl, which means their paws are blessed with extra toes! These domesticated cats generally weigh from 11 to 22 pounds and can grow up to 12 inches tall.
They have a short to shaggy coat that comes with a variety of colors including grey, red and fawn and a variety of tabby patterns. They have a very healthy life expectancy of -14 years.
Manx
Manx is technically the only ‘tailless’ breed of cats in the world. They’re unique, and there’s even a legend that the Manx was late to join Noah’s Ark, and while making a last-moment entry, it got its tail stuck on the door!
They originated from the Isle of Man, which is situated between Ireland and Great Britain. It’s an animal highly in demand there, as it has its face on the island’s currency, company logos, shops, and stamps.
Apart from the distinct no-tail feature, Manx cats are loved for their personalities as well. They’re muscular, stocky cats with a wide jumping range and short backs. Manx are relatively smaller cats with a height of 7-9 inches, weighing 8-12 pounds. They can live up to 14 years.
Some of the Manx cats can still have short tails and they are called stumpies, and a rare few of them have normal, full-grown tails – they are called longies. The Manx cats without tails are called ‘rumpy’ while those with a small tail are referred to as ‘rumpy riser.’ They’re naturally powerful jumpers because of their athletic body.
They come in a full range of colors and patterns.
American Bobtail
The history behind American Bobtails is a fascinating and unique one. Apparently, in the ’60s, an American couple decided to adopt a stray cat with a short tail.
They later bred him to another female cat with a usual long tail. The result? Their kittens turned out to be beautiful furry balls with no or tiny tails! This trait was selectively bred as it became more and more popular in the US.
American bobtails are playful and sweet felines and are pretty easy to take care of. They grow up to 10 inches in height and can weigh from 7 to 16 pounds. This breed of cats has shaggy and short/long coat that comes in different patterns and colors. They can live up to 20 years if taken care of properly.
Japanese Bobtail
We have another relatively stubby cat here in the Japanese Bobtail cat. Weighing only 5-10 pounds, it has a medium-length coat and can come in many different patterns and colors, including white, cream, lilac, black, red, blue, bicolor, etc. They have a height of 8-9 inches and can live up to 18 years if domesticated.
Japanese Bobtails are famous for their small, cute bunny-like tail referred to as ‘pom’ in many places. It’s thought to originate from Japan, but there are doubts that it might have initially come from nearby regions like Korea, Tibet, or China. They have very playful personalities and are very affectionate.
Kurilian Bobtail
As the name suggests, this cat breed lived for a long time on the Kuril Islands, situated between Japan and Siberia. It has a naturally bobbed tail and ranges in length from very small to small.
A very amusing fact about these felines is that they all have different-looking tails- be it the size, color, or length.
Kurilian Bobtail cats are very quick-witted and playful creatures. They have a muscular build, but they are calm and very friendly in nature. These cats get along well with other pets and people. These pretty cats can live from 15 to 20 years if domesticated.
The Kurilian Bobtail cats can weigh from 11-15 pounds and grow up to 12 inches. They have a soft and silky coat that is either short or semi-long in length. Their coat has different color patterns like gray, tabby, red, and many more.
Mekong Bobtail
Mekong Bobtails are one of the most ancient bobtail cat breeds, originating in Thailand many centuries ago. Like the Kurilian Bobcat, they also have a naturally bobbed tail that varies in length. However, their tails can be kinked or curved in many different ways, making each Mekong Bobtail unique from the other.
Tail or no tail- these are athletic cats with a solid body. They’re one of the most agile cats on our list. Mekong Bobtail cats love to jump and climb, so if you pet one, don’t be surprised if you see it in unusual places at times!
They can grow up to 9 inches in height and weighs around 8-10 pounds. These cats can live from 15-18 years and have short, glossy coats coming in different colors.
Karelian Bobtail
Not everyone has heard of the Republic of Karelia, but we’re pretty sure you’ve come across a photo of a Karelian Bobtail and loved these beautiful felines instantly! They’re from Karelia, a country located in between Russia and Finland.
The bobbed tail of this feline is a naturally recessive gene, which means both the parents need to have bobbed tails for the kitten to have it.
The tails of Karelian Bobtails can be kinked, bent, or twisted randomly. Interestingly enough, their small Bobtail contains longer fur than the other parts of their body, giving the cat a pom-pom look.
In general, these are friendly and easy-going felines that would make a perfect companion for you!
Karelian Bobcats can weigh from 10-15 pounds and can grow up to 12 inches in height. They generally live from 15 to 18 years if kept and fed well. These felines have silky and dense long/short coat that comes in several colors and patterns.
Highlander
The Highlander is a fascinating cat breed, mainly because it’s a cross between the jungle curl and desert lynx, both of which happen to be hybrid cat breeds. Highlanders are also known as the Highland Lynx.
They have a wild, exotic look, but they have a very gentle and loving nature. Their naturally occurring Bobtail can range from 2-6 inches in height.
Highlanders often come with full-grown tails as well, and they can grow up to 16 inches in height. They can weigh up to 20 pounds and are relatively bigger than most other bobtail cats. Highlanders have short/long coat that comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors. They have curled ears that can make them look like they have small ears. They live up to 15 years if domesticated.
Cymric
While many breed registries do not recognize them as a separate cat breed, we do classify them as a specific bobcat breed. It’s basically a longhaired Manx, but not entirely the same as the Manx cats in terms of characteristics and looks.
They have a dense double coat and don’t have a tail at all in most of them. Some of them can have full-length bobbed tails- but that’s a rare exception.
Interestingly enough, they have similar parents, so that a litter might include both shorthaired Manx and longhaired Cymric kittens.
Cymric cats are one of the smallest in our list, as it can grow up to only 9 inches in height and weighs around 8-12 pounds. They have long/medium fur, which makes them different from the Manx cats. The fluffy fur can come in many different colors and patterns. Cymric cats can live from 8-14 years in general.
Final Words
So, this was our take on the 9 cat breeds with no tails. If you want a no tail cat we would recommend any of these fine breeds! We hope you’ve learned something new about these beautiful felines from the write-up. Best of luck if you’re planning to adopt them someday!
