Are Manx cats clumsier than cats with tails?

Question

My Manx seems super-clumsy. Does having a tail give a cat better balance?

Answer 1

Yes it does. I also have a manx kitten, and he is so clumsy. Tails are used for balance with cats. Thats why they have walk on such small spaces, and not fall...My manx seems to fall off everything. Dont worry about it too much. As long as she isn't hurting herself.

Answer 2

First, Manx cats can have tails.  Manx can be born with a full tail, a partial tail (called a Stumpie) or no tail (called a Rumpie).  Irresponsible breeders know that cats without tails sell the best. so some just cut off their tails after birth to make them look more "Manx".  

A cat with an amputated tail is different than a cat with a tail that is short or ends at the rump.  The vertebre taper off and end naturally.  Manx are incredibly agile, although they have a stocky build.  Unfortunately, many are declawed as kittens and because they already are sort of bunny shaped with those bigger back legs, they walk even heavier on the front.  The declawing seems to give them more problems than the everage cat.

Manx that have been docked (tail chopped off) seem to have more challenges than those born that way.  An x-ray can show the difference if you are interested!

Kittens are learning to use their bodies and can seem clumbsy as they test their limits.  If you really think that your cat is more than just kitten clumbsy, I would suggest a vet visit.  Manx kittens can have a genetic issue that is called "manx syndrom" where the spine does not properly close up and can lead to problems with the rear legs, paralysis or even death.  I lost an entire litter of Manx except for the 2 with tails (rescues from a shelter).  The defect does not show up until 5-6 months, so most good breeders don't sell them until they are older.

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