Mekong Bobtail Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

3.5-4.5 kg

Length

17.7-22.8 cm

Lifespan

15-18 years

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About the Mekong Bobtail

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Are you searching for a rare cat breed with a cute pom-pom bobtail that looks similar to the beautiful Siamese?

The Mekong Bobtail, also known as the Thai Bobtail, is truly a special feline once considered cat royalty!

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about owning one of these remarkable kitties – from their grooming requirements to their unique personalities and more.

What Is the History & Origin of the Manx Cat?

The Mekong Bobtail breed, named after the Mekong River, is thought to have originated from Thailand, with a rich heritage throughout the Southeast Asia region, including Vietnam, Laos, China, and Iraq.

In the 19th century, these beloved felines expanded into Russia and soon became royal icons. It is rumoured that the King of Siam (Thailand now) gave the Russian Tsar, Nikolai II, roughly 200 stumpy-tailed Mekong Bobtail cats as a gift!

It’s assumed that these beautiful cats descended from Siamese cats.

What Is a Manx Cat Breed?

The Mekong Bobtail, also known as the Thai tailless, is a natural cat breed. That means they developed purely without the need for any human intervention.

These elegant cats typically have short hair and a short tail. In fact, the breed standard states that the true breed’s tail should be a minimum of 3 vertebrae but not longer than a quarter of the cat’s total body length.

Mekong Bobtails are both friendly and inquisitive, quickly becoming attached to all their human family members, including children.

Despite this feline’s exotic appearance, they are considered a fairly low-maintenance breed without complicated care.

Who Is a Manx Cat Best For?

These kitties are extremely loyal, kind, and gentle, often showing similar behaviour to a dog. This makes them the perfect option for families with small children.

Mekong Bobtails love to play, so owners or those with children who have time to engage in playful activities with their furry friends will be a great match.

These highly social cats don’t do well regularly being left alone for long periods of time, so if all the members of the household tend to be out all day on most days, the cat is likely to become lonely and despondent.

This cat breed is typically very accepting of other pets, including other cats and dogs in the household, thanks to their social and affectionate nature.

As with all cat breeds, Mekong Bobtails are natural born hunters, so it’s essential that you keep your fish, hamsters, rats, and birds totally out of reach!

What Does a Manx Cat Look Like?

Ever seen Siamese cats? Well, the majestic Mekong Bobtail cat could easily be mistaken for one if it wasn’t for the stubby kinked tail, which makes this breed so unique.

They have large, intense blue oval eyes and a slender yet muscular physique, with medium-length legs.

Coat

The Mekong Bobtail is a shorthair breed. Their shiny coat has distinct light body fur and a point pattern.

Colours

The Mekong Bobtail’s coat can come in a variety of beautiful pointed colours, like chocolate point, blue point, and seal point.

Patterns

Mekong Bobtails have typical point markings, meaning they have light coloured body fur, with their ears, snout, legs, and tails being much darker in colour.

Manx Cat Grooming & Shedding

This kitty has short hair with a thin undercoat, which means they don’t require much effort in the grooming department!

Weekly brushing is all these low maintenance cats need, as well as occasional nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Did you know: The Mekong Bobtail is one of the only few cat breeds that cannot retract their rear claws?

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

The Mekong Bobtail cat is super smart and just as savvy, so their human companions need to make sure they can keep up with their feline friend’s demands!

If you’re looking for a Garfield-type cat that just lazes the day away by sleeping for hours on end, this kitty might not be well suited for you!

Their highly active brains need plenty of stimulation, whether learning to solve a food puzzle, playing with a catnip toy, or learning a new trick. Mekong Bobtails thrive off interaction and entertainment.

Besides being playful and intelligent, these cats are incredibly loyal, and they quickly form strong, loving bonds with their human families. (Sometimes so strong that they’ll want to follow you in and out of every room in your house!)

With that being said, this breed is prone to suffering from loneliness and abandonment if often left in an empty house all day, so busy homes with active families are essential for a Mekong Bobtails to live a happy life!

Living Needs

In terms of maintenance and care, these cats are extremely easy-going. They aren’t particularly demanding of their owners, and they can even be kept as outdoor cats.

Ideally, a Mekong Bobtail would thrive on a property with a garden or a balcony with safety mesh.

Being the friendly cats that they are, you could consider bringing two under your wing, as they will thoroughly enjoy having a feline companion too!

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Manx Cats?

Habits

Mekong Bobtails are generally extremely curious, so be prepared to have a furry friend by your side no matter where you are or what you are doing in your house – using the restroom, doing the dishes, or watching TV – you will be followed!

Activity level

Even though these cats have a whole lot of energy, they are relatively low maintenance when it comes to activity or exercise.

Thanks to their curious and playful nature, they will explore on their own – and you’ll soon notice that they LOVE to climb and jump!

As much as they enjoy being left to their own devices, they do like to get attention and play with their owners. A scratch post and interactive toys like laser beams will be very beneficial to keep this kitty entertained.

Vocalness

The Mekong Bobtail certainly is not a timid (or quiet) cat breed, possibly thanks to their Siamese ancestors.

If you don’t give them the attention, food, or affection they require, you can expect a whole lot of noisy meowing! And a bored Mekong Bobtail won’t hesitate to let the whole world know!

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

Height

A fully grown Mekong Bobtail cat is usually between 17.7cm and 22.8cm tall.

Weight

Most cats of this breed will weigh roughly 3.5kg to 4.5kg. However, this can vary dramatically depending on different factors.

Size

The Mekong Bobtail cat is typically medium in size.

Are Manx Cats Easy to Train?

Thanks to Mekong Bobtails being highly intelligent and fast-learning cats, they can easily be trained, just like dogs. Plus, these felines aim to please their owners.

You can teach them to play fetch, learn tricks, and even walk on a leash if you want to take them for a stroll in the park!

Despite their intelligence, most cats need a lot of patience and consistency from their owners to be successful with training. (It takes a lot more effort than training a dog.)

Does the Manx Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

In general, Mekong Bobtails are considered to be a very healthy breed with minimal health concerns. But it’s always good to seek veterinary advice for peace of mind.

Some common health problems that the Mekong Bobtail cat might experience include:

Eye Issues: Manx cats can experience various eye issues, including genetic conditions that may affect vision.
Gastrointestinal Conditions: They may be prone to gastrointestinal conditions, which can impact their digestive health.
Cancer: Manx cats can develop cancer, such as mammary tumors, particularly in unspayed females.
Urinary Tract Diseases: They are also at risk for urinary tract diseases, which can lead to serious health complications if not addressed promptly.

What Is the Lifespan of a Manx Cat?

The average life expectancy of the Mekong Bobtail is 15 to 18 years, which is relatively long compared to other breeds of cats.

How Much Does a Manx Cat Need to Be Fed?

Even though Mekong Bobtails have a slender build, they are fairly energetic cats that require sufficient nutrition to fuel their active lifestyles.

They will need nutrient-dense, protein-rich cat food that supports their energy needs.

Whether you choose dry or wet food – a high-quality cat food will list meat as the first ingredient, with a good source of carbohydrates, such as grains or fruit and vegetables.

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

A reputable breeder will sell Mekong Bobtail kittens for $1200 and up (even more for kittens with unique markings).

Yes, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet, but for a good reason! This breed is considered a rare cat breed in Australia; therefore not easy to come by.

Most Mekong Bobtail breeders are actually found in Russia.

Manx Cat FAQs

Are Mekong Bobtail cats rare?

Originally bred in Asia, the Mekong Bobtail is a relatively rare breed but is recently growing in popularity across the globe.

It has unique features, including a short stumpy tail and distinct pointed colours.

When was the Mekong Bobtail accepted into the WFA?

Although the Mekong Bobtail breed is relatively ancient, it was only officially recognised in 2004 by the World Cat Federation (WFA).

This breed’s name was changed from Thai Bobtail to Mekong Bobtail, after the Mekong River that flows across SE Asia.

Do Mekong Bobtails get along with other pets?

Thanks to their affectionate and social nature, Mekong Bobtail cats get along well with other pets, including dogs and other cats in the house.

These cats are hunters at heart, so any small animals, including fish, hamsters, birds, rabbits, and ferrets, will need to be kept in a secure place, out of reach for your feline friend.