The Bombay cat breed is a great option for a little feline with a panther appearance. The sable Burmese and the black American shorthair were crossed to create this kind of cat, which is slim, muscular, and has a shiny black coat with beautiful golden or copper eyes. The Bombay cat is beautiful, but that’s not all it’s good for. Learn about this rare and refined breed, from its background and temperament to its health and upkeep, with Canvas Personalized!
1. The Background of the Bombay Cat Breed
Breeder Nikki Horner from the United States designed the Bombay to create a cat that resembled a little panther. She spent years carefully breeding Burmese and American shorthair cats to create a new breed with the muscular frame of a Burmese and a jet-black coat. Horner named the new breed Bombay in honor of India’s legendary black panther (like Bagheera from The Jungle Book).
Different characteristics of Bombay can be traced back to the two parent breeds. It shares the Burmese’s inquisitive and sociable personality traits and body shape. However, it is significantly longer and less compact. The Bombay’s easygoing, “go with the flow” nature likely stems from its American shorthair parentage.
The Cat Fanciers Association recognized Bombay as a champion breed in 1976. In 1979, Bombay was officially recognized by the International Cat Association. Out-crosses with sable Burmese or black American shorthairs are accepted under the Bombay breed criteria.
2. Personality of the Bombay Cat Breed
If you’re looking for a loving, smart, and devoted cat, go no further than Bombay. They have an extreme need for interaction with their owners and are highly social creatures. They’ll be at your side wherever you go, whether sitting on your lap or sleeping in bed. They use a characteristic purr or meow to communicate with you.
The Bombay cat does not have a sedentary lifestyle. They are lively, inquisitive, and playful felines who enjoy games, riddles, and playthings. Teaching them tricks and walking well on a leash is possible. They can get along in different places and situations if they have enough to do and people to talk to. They get along well with children, other cats, and friendly dogs if they are taught when they are young.
3. Physical Characters Of The Bombay Cat Breed
The Bombay looks like a small leopard or jaguar with its stocky, muscular physique and rounded skull. It has huge eyes that can be a variety of colors, from rich gold to copper, and medium-sized ears. The coat is short and silky smooth, with a patent leather gloss.
4. Food & Diet Requirements
Bombay needs a protein diet to sustain active lifestyles and ideal body weight. The Bombay shares this problem with the vast majority of cat breeds today. Given their stocky physique, Bombay should avoid putting on too much weight. Weight-related health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, appear to strike Bombay at a higher rate than other cat breeds; keeping this cat breed trim can assist.
Avoid free-feeding (leaving food available all day) in your Bombay, which may encourage excessive snacking. You should feed them at least twice a day in measured servings (kittens need to eat three to four times a day, while adults can eat once daily). Their diet should be of excellent quality and have a guaranteed analysis that prioritizes animal protein, restricts carbs, and minimizes fat.
5. Exercise
The energy of this Bombay cat breed can be expended through play with a toy or scratching on a scratching post. This type of cat appears to experience spurts of energy occasionally; at this point, it will seek out a novel pastime or toy to occupy its attention for a few minutes.
To satisfy your Bombay’s need for affection, you should spend at least 15–25 minutes interacting with it in some way every day. Involving yourself in your cat’s playtime can be as simple as wriggling their favorite toy or sitting with them as they play with an interactive cat toy.
Ensuring your Bombay cat gets plenty of activity can help them maintain a healthy weight and keep their minds active and stimulated so they don’t become bored.
6. Training
The Bombay’s superior intelligence makes them simple to instruct. This type of cat is constantly eager to try something new, particularly if it will be rewarded with tasty treats.
Using positive reinforcement effectively is crucial to educating your Bombay cat. Many owners of this breed of cat report that they had no trouble training their kittens to use the litter box. Bombay cats can also be trained to walk on a leash in a safe environment.
7. Grooming
Due to its short, silky, satin coat, the Bombay cat requires only a few minutes of grooming per week. To avoid scraping the skin, brush this cat once a week using a gentle brush designed for cats with short coats. The Bombay cat breed is immune to knots and tangles thanks to the short, fine hair on its body.
While the Bombay isn’t a hypoallergenic cat breed, it is exceptionally clean since it spends so much time grooming itself daily; therefore, it rarely needs to be bathed unless its fur becomes extremely dusty and dried. If you must bathe your cat, use a mild, cat-safe shampoo and a hydrating conditioner to protect its lustrous coat. Nutrition is the most important factor in maintaining the health and luster of your Bombay cat. If you want your Bombay coat to look its best and feel its softest, feed it a diet high in omega oils and minerals for skin and coat health.
Their grooming routine also includes cutting their nails. A monthly trip to the groomer or veterinarian for nail trimming and filing is necessary if your Bombay is not utilizing a scratching post to keep its nails short.
8. Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Bombay usually gets along well with other cats and some dog breeds as long as they give them the room they need. If you want to keep Bombay with other cats, make sure you have more than one litter box around the house so Bombay can use their litter box in private. If you decide to keep this cat breed with other dogs, ensure the dogs know how to act around cats. A dog that barks too much or is hyper can make your Bombay cat angry or scared.
Always introduce new pets to existing pets in a safe and regulated setting so everyone can adjust to living together.
9. Is the Bombay Cat Breed Right for You?
The Bombay cat breed is perfect for anyone who wants a beautiful, exotic-looking cat that is also nice, pleasant, and fun to play with. They are good for families with kids or other pets and single people or pairs who can give them enough time and care. They can adjust to different lifestyles and surroundings with enough stimulation and company. They are also easy to care for and generally healthy, with no big genetic problems.
However, not everyone should get a Bombay cat. Cat allergy sufferers should avoid them because they are not hypoallergenic. People who spend much time away from home for work or travel should also avoid them because they are prone to depression and loneliness. They are also not a good choice for people who want a quiet cat that doesn’t need much attention.
10. Purchasing Or Adopting A Bombay Cat
If you’re looking for a purebred cat with a documented lineage and a clean medical history, a Bombay from a breeder may be the way to go. You can choose the kitten you think would best fit you.
However, a Bombay cat’s price tag can be hefty due to the breed’s scarcity and great demand. A Bombay kitten can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500, varying prices widely by the breeder, geographic region, and the individual kitten’s perceived quality.
Finding a trustworthy and respectable breeder who uses only healthy, happy, and well-cared-for cats in their breeding program is essential to bring home a beautiful Bombay of your own. In most cases, cats purchased from pet stores, kitten mills, or backyard breeders are not properly screened for health or socialized.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid them. Also, make sure to inquire about the parents’ and kitten’s registration papers, immunization records, and results of any genetic testing done. Before making a purchase, visiting the breeder’s location and meeting the kitten and its parents in person is a good idea.
| Name | Website |
|---|---|
| The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) Breeder Referral Service | https://cfa.org/breeders/ |
| The International Cat Association (TICA) Breeder Directory | https://tica.org/breeds/find-a-breeder |
| GoKitty | https://gokitty.com/kitten/listing/breed/bombay/ |
| Petfinder | https://www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/breeds/bombay/ |
| Adopt-a-Pet | https://www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-a-bombay |
| Rescue Me | https://bombay.rescueme.org/ |
>>Read more:
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The Bombay cat breed will captivate you with its beauty and grace. Anyone who can give one of these friendly, outgoing, and lively felines the attention they deserve will surely get a loving companion. The Bombay cat breed can fool you into thinking it’s a little panther but a friendly, devoted companion.
