Bombay
Origin
United States
Height
8"-10"
Adult Weight
6-11 pounds
Life Span
12-16 years
TEMPERAMENT
Playful, easygoing, intelligent, sociable
OTHER NAMES
Black Mamba, Mini Panther
Group
Medium-sized short-haired
Price
$400-$2,000
Personality and Temperament
Stunning looks and an intriguing personality make the Bombay cat a charming addition to any household. These medium-sized shorthair cats are absolutely gorgeous thanks to their pure black coats and their brilliant copper-colored eyes.
Similar to the Burmese cats that make up the breed’s foundation, Bombays tend to be chatty. At the same time though, they are less vocal and far less demanding than their Burmese cousins – probably due to the calming influence of the American and British shorthair cats that make up the other half of the Bombay hybrid.
As family pets go, Bombay cats are outstanding. Rather than bonding with a single individual, they are affectionate toward everyone they know – and they have a tendency to get along well with other pets.
Care
- NUTRITION
- GROOMING
- EXERCISE
- HEALTH
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.
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.
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.
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.
Characteristics
Affection Level
90%
Activity Level
70%
Pet-Friendly
70%
Kid-Friendly
80%
Sociability
90%
Intelligence
90%
Playfulness
90%
Independence
30%
Vocality
30%
Grooming
30%
History
The 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.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be well formed and proportionate to the body and tail. The paws should have a rounded profile.
Tail
The Bombay cat’s tail should be of medium length, with a slight taper.
Coat
The coat should be short with a fine, satiny texture. Hair should be very shiny throughout.
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.