bombay
Playful, easygoing, intelligent, sociable
Overview
Origin
United States
Life Span
12-16 years
Height
8"-10"
Weight
6-11 pounds
Group
Medium-sized short-haired
Price
$400-$2,000
History
If the Bombay cat reminds you of a miniature black panther, you’re not mistaken! Nikki Horner, founder of the Bombay cat breed, started out with the intention of developing a cat that looked like a small panther. She crossed a black American shorthair male with a female Burmese and eventually the Bombay came into being.
The breed took more than a decade to develop, with American shorthairs and British shorthairs contributing to the cat's medium size and robust nature. The first breeding took place in the 1950s and despite the cat's stunning appearance and appealing personality, CFA did not grant official acceptance for registration until 1970.
Care
Nutrition
The Bombay cat does not have any special nutritional requirements. At the same time, it's important to offer a high-quality diet to ensure that your pet stays healthy for years to come.
Grooming
Bombay cats are low maintenance thanks to their shorthair coats. Still, you may want to give your cat a quick brush once a week or so, simply to remove loose hair and reduce the potential for the excessive shedding and hairballs that come with it.
Exercise
The Bombay cat is frisky, with a strong play drive. These cats enjoy games of all kinds and they love to climb. A well-stocked basket of toys, multiple scratching posts, and a stout cat tree are essential for keeping this lively feline entertained.
Health
These cats typically enjoy good health and has a fairly long lifespan that averages about 15 years. Even so, Bombays can occasionally have health concerns including breathing problems caused by their short nose, excessive tearing in the eyes, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Breed Standard
Body
The Bombay cat is medium-sized, with a short coat. The body should be well proportioned and muscular.
Head
The head should be round, without any sharp angles. The muzzle should be broad and well-developed, maintaining the head's rounded profile. There is a slight indentation at the bridge of the nose, leading to a rounded muzzle.
Eyes
Bombay cats have rounded eyes that are set far apart. The color is always gold or copper in American cats and green in British cats, with deeper colors being preferable.
Ears
The ears are rounded and set well apart. They should be broad at the base with a slightly forward-facing tilt.
Color
Bombay kittens often display deep chocolate coloring that darkens with age. Adult Bombay cats should have black hair from tip to root. Nose leather and paw pads should be black.
Coat
The coat should be short with a fine, satiny texture. Hair should be very shiny throughout.
Tail
The Bombay cat's tail should be of medium length, with a slight taper.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be well formed and proportionate to the body and tail. The paws should have a rounded profile.