Cymric Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired

Weight

3.6 -5.4 kg

Length

35-45 cm

Lifespan

9-13 years

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About the Cymric Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

This fluffy bundle of fur is not one to be judged by its appearance. When you welcome a Cymric cat into your home, it’s considered a ‘watchcat’ breed that will react and grow to any threats that might present themselves in and around the home.

Despite them having this somewhat stand-off attitude, they are a cat breed that is found in many homes across Australia and beyond.

In this guide, we’ll explore this tail-free cat breed and all it has to offer as a potential feline friend in your home.

What Is the History & Origin of the Cymric Cat?.

It’s quite the sight when it comes to the Cymric breed, which is pronounced as kim-rick, for any of those interested. Many do a double-take when looking at this breed because it seems to be missing a tail. Whilst many may see this type of cat on the street and consider it to have lost the tail in an accident, it’s actually a feature across all Cymric breeds.

They’re apparently the cause of a natural genetic mutation that intensified from the location of the breed’s birthplace, the Isle of Man (found just off the coast of Great Britain).

These cats are thought to have been around since 1750, although the origins of the tailless cats and when they occurred are unknown. The tailless cats got the name Manx, and it was this breed name that was recognised by the Cat Fanciers Association, as well as The International Cat Association. In some of the cat registries and associations, the longhaired Manx is referred to as a Cymric and is considered a separate breed.

What Is a Cymric Cat Breed?

A breed of domestic cats, the Cymric is similar to a semi-longhaired Manx. Except for their length, they’re considered to be similar breeds than separate. Originating from the Isle of Man, they’ve come a long way in cat breed history, despite its remote location.

Who Is a Cymric Cat Best For?

These cats are best suited for single-person households and families, depending on when you get them and how much attention you can provide to them.

What Does a Cymric Cat Look Like?

Cymric cats are fairly muscular and compact, providing a sturdy structure that’s fairly rounded in appearance. They have large eyes and ears that are spaced out quite widely.

Coat

As tailless cats, their coat requires daily grooming due to their double coat. If that’s not possible, at least two or three times a week to help prevent matting and too much shedding around your home.

Colours

There are a variety of colours that you’ll find this cat to come in, from white, blue, black, red, tortoiseshell, blue cream, brown, cream and silver.

Patterns

There are a number of patterns that you’ll find with this cat that you’ll be able to decipher if looking for Cymric kittens. They tend to come in solid colour, bicolour, tri-colour, tortoiseshell, calico, tabby, ticking, smoke and shaded.

Cymric Cat Grooming & Shedding

The grooming of Cymric cats is fairly easy to do as long as you’re brushing or combing a few times a week at a time. This helps remove dead hair and ensures the cat’s natural oils are distributed evenly across the coat.

Brush their teeth periodically to help prevent any teeth and gum diseases. It’s worthwhile wiping the corners of the cat’s eyes with a damp cloth to remove any debris. Checking the ears weekly is also important to help remove dirt and prevent ear infections.

How Do Cymric Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

As long as they’re introduced to other family members and pets, the Cymric is a perfectly sociable cat that will get on with almost anyone. Adult cats might be more difficult to socialise with family members, but you might find that with time, this gets easier.

They live peacefully but do like to be respected by both humans and fellow felines. Like dogs, always introduce children slowly to your pets.

Living Needs

Living requirements for this tailless cat are that they’ll need to be kept mainly as an indoor cat. This is due to potential diseases that this type of breed can be prone to. They’re also high-value cats for those who might want to steal them, so it’s always good to keep them indoors where you can.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Cymric Cats?

As a breed, like the Manx cats, the Cymrics love to run about and play. They enjoy playing with toy balls or anything that rolls. It’s a game of chase that they prefer to play as it provides both the chase part and the retrieval of their toy.

Habits

Cymrics are people-orientated and therefore won’t enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. With that being said, it’s important that you’re at home most of the time or at least check in on them regularly to ensure they’re doing well without you.

Activity level

Activity-wise, they’ll like a variety of fun games and toys to keep them engaged. They have a fairly active level of energy, so it’s good to give them plenty of attention to help burn off that energy as and when it’s needed.

Vocalness

Do you want your cat to be meowing actively, or would you prefer them to be a little quieter unless they need attention? The level of vocalness is something to consider when it comes to getting a cat.

This cat type is much quieter than some cat breeds can be.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Cymric Cat?

With this breed of cat, they tend to vary only slightly between length and weight. As long as you’re looking after them when it comes to diet and exercise, you should have little problems with keeping them healthy and at an average weight.

Height

The length of this cat type is between 35 and 45cms long. For their height, they’ll typically come in at around 28 to 35cms tall.

Weight

The average Cymric cat will weigh around 3.6 to 5.4kgs, which, again, with care and attention to their diet, is easy enough to maintain.

Size

The Cymric cat is a medium-sized cat, making it appropriate for those within any household, whether that be a house or a small apartment.

Are Cymric Cats Easy to Train?

When it comes to training, this cat breed is very intelligent and, therefore, will enjoy the attention and entertainment that comes with learning new tricks. Clicker training is often considered the most effective, and some owners like to go as far as training their cats to walk on a leash.

This can take time, even with intelligent felines, so it’s important to have patience.

Does the Cymric Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Whilst most cats will have to deal with some sort of health issue or issues in the future, you’ll find that this cat type is fairly healthy. However, some diseases have been known to be common with the Cymric.

Arthritis of the tailbone tends to be a problem for those that have a partial tail. Manx syndrome is also common and often comes as part of a birth defect. This involves problems with the bowels and digestion. Corneal dystrophy, which leads to cloudiness in the eye, can also develop from a young age and is worth looking out for when getting kittens.

It’s recommended to take your pet for regular check-ups, vaccinate them and treat them for parasites.

What Is the Lifespan of a Cymric Cat?

Many cat breeds tend to have a fairly long lifespan, which is important for many cat owners who want a pet that will provide years of love and memories.

With the Cymric cat, you’ll likely see a typical lifespan of around 9-13 years on average.

How Much Does a Cymric Cat Need to Be Fed?

With all cats, feeding is important to get right. After all, they might not get as much exercise outdoors as dogs do, which means they’re more prone to weight gain and becoming overweight.

With that being said, you’ll likely need to measure out cat food to give them two to three times a day, depending on their age. Avoid leaving food out where possible to prevent continuous snacking, and ask your vet for advice on feeding them the correct food for their nutritional needs.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Cymric Cat in Australia?

The Cymric cat prices can vary depending on the breeder, but as far as affordability goes, they’re fairly cheap in comparison to other cat breeds. If you’re looking for a Cymric kitten, you’ll expect to pay anywhere between $300 to $600.

You may find them available to adopt, less so from a kitten age, but they’ll likely only cost around $75 to $150 in this case.

Cymric Cat FAQs

Are Cymric cats mean?

The Cymric, despite its watchcat tendencies, is a sweet and fairly relaxed cat. They’ll only become suspicious and stand-offish when it comes to potential dangers or situations and sounds they may perceive as being threatening. Typically, they’ll love most people and their families.

Are Cymric cats hypoallergenic?

Shedding can often occur with this cat breed; however, despite this, they are considered to be hypoallergenic cats. For any cat owners that might be looking for cat breeds that cater to allergies, the Cymric might be just what you’re looking for.

Are Cymric cats rare?

As part of the Cat Associations ACFA and TICA, their prevalence within the cat world is rare. If you’re to come across these cats, then you might be part of a fairly exclusive club of cat owners.