The Bombay cat is undoubtedly one of the most popular and beautiful cat breeds around. If you are thinking of adopting a cat of this breed, do not hesitate to properly inform yourself about all its characteristics, the character it usually has as well as the basic care it requires. We'll also talk about food and common he alth issues, what you need to know before you bring it home.
Keep reading this breed file from PlanèteAnimal to learn all about the Bombay cat, a breed that begins its history by taking inspiration from the wildcats of India.
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- Thick Tail
- Big ears
- Strong
Size
- Average
Average Weight
- 3-5
Life expectancy
- 18-20
Character
- Extrovert
- Affectionate
- Smart
- Calm
Climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
Origin of the Bombay cat
" The origin of the Bombay cat dates back to 1950, in Louisville, Kentuky (USA), thanks to breeder Nikki Horner. His main goal was to create a panther-like cat with black, short, shiny hair. For this, he is inspired by his favorite panther, the black Indian leopard Bagheera, taken from the famous film and children&39;s book The Jungle Book."
Beginning in 1953, Horner began the selective breeding of Bombay cats from an American shorthair cat and a burnet cat with a cibelino coat. It is therefore a hybrid breed and in no way of wild descent. It took some time to properly define the breed standard, but finally, in 1976, the Bombay cat was created: a black cat with shiny hair and copper eyes.
Physical characteristics of the Bombay cat
The Bombay cat is distinguished by its muscular and compact body, but at the same time more agile than the Birman cat, from which it comes.He is medium sized and has a medium sized tail. We can highlight its rounded face and very short muzzle, as well as its totally black legs, a characteristic of the breed that makes it unmistakable.
The Bombay cat's coat color is jet black (from root to tip), short, smooth and extremely shiny. It may look satiny. They emphasize on the rest of their features two copper-colored eyes, which can sometimes be golden, always very shiny.
Bombay cat character
The Bombay cat is generally a very sociable and affectionate cat, it greatly appreciates the company of its loved ones and deeply hates loneliness. In some cases, if you spend too much time alone, the Bombay cat can suffer from separation anxiety, a psychological condition that can affect its well-being. He likes to meow to communicate his mood or to ask for something, always with a pleasant and soft tone of voice.
Although usually a nice lazy cat (he spends long hours sleeping and resting), the Bombay cat is a great lover of games and fun, he is particularly suitable for families with children and to other cats, as we said before. They adapt well to all lifestyles of the family, provided they are able to give regular attention to the affectionate Bombay.
In addition, it is a particularly intelligent cat, which can learn different tricks and exercises if positive reinforcement serves as a basis for their education.
Bombay cat care
The Bombay cat doesn't require a lot of grooming because with a short coat, their hair doesn't tend to suffer from tangles or dirt buildup. Two weekly brushings will be enough, this will help remove dead hair and maintain the shiny coat that characterizes it.
Remember that cats clean themselves, so there will be no need to bathe them. However, in some cases, especially if your Bombay cat is excessively dirty or has something stuck to their fur, you can wash them, but it is always advisable to use wet shampoos or towels for dry cleaning. For a better shine of his coat, you can also use dry cleaning conditioners.
It will also be important to pay attention to the cat's diet, which must always be of high quality. You can buy commercial croquettes or opt for natural food with homemade recipes.
Remember that you should regularly take care of keeping their ears clean, having their nails filed naturally (if not, it is convenient to cut them yourself) and cleaning their teeth.
Bombay Cat He alth
The Bombay cat enjoys excellent he alth because it is one of the breeds least exposed to disease and therefore has a great life expectancy. They can reach 20 years! Apart from this, some Bombay cats may suffer from skull deformities, a he alth problem inherited from their ancestors, the Birman cats.
To prevent any he alth problem, it is essential to follow the cat's vaccination schedule and external and internal deworming, especially if you take it outside. Finally, we recommend that you consult the veterinarian every 6 to 12 months, to ensure that your Bombay cat is in good he alth.
Photos of Bombay
