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The Bombay is a striking breed with a loving nature and glossy black coat. They were first bred in the 1950s by cat breeder Nikki Horner who was looking to create a cat that resembled the sleek panther but without the wild behavioural traits. After several attempts, she finally succeeded by crossing a sable Burmese with a Black American Shorthair.
Meet the Bombay
The Bombay is a medium-sized cat with a stocky and compact muscular build, long tail, and stunning large eyes of copper or gold. The legs are well proportioned to the rest of the body, with rounded heads and ears that are rounded at the tips and set wide apart on the head. These cats only come in one colour β a rich black, which has earned them the name of mini panther. The coat is short and incredibly glossy, with each hair jet black from the root to the tip. Even their paw pads are black. The coat lies very close to the skin which shows off their slender body structure. When their coats are in good condition, they are said to resemble the appearance of patent leather. Due to their short fur and lack of a thick undercoat, these cats are easy to groom. They should only need a brush once a week but there is no harm in doing it more often to increase the cat-human bond and keep the coat shiny. These cats also have a characteristic sway when they walk, which makes them look just like the Indian jungle panther. So much so, that when Nikki Horner first produced the breed, she decided to call them Bombay, after the Indian city. Despite being bred for their luxurious satin-like black coat, some kittens are born white. They usually develop the jet-black colour when they are 1-2 years old.
Bombay Temperament
Bombay cats are known to be incredibly affectionate, and form very strong bonds with their owners. They are extremely intelligent cats so they love the mental stimulation that comes with clicker training and learning new tricks. These cats are known to be very laid back compared to many other breeds however they do tend to be very playful so they enjoy playing regular interactive games with the family. They also have a reputation for getting along well with other pets, including dogs. However, as with all cat breeds, it is important to supervise all interactions with children and other pets just to be on the safe side.
The Bombay is a fairly chatty breed that has no issues telling you exactly what they want and when! However, they are still a lot quieter than their Burmese cousins. Bombay cats are confident, outgoing, and extremely lovable. They make fantastic pets for families as they are known to be very tolerant of young children.
10 Reasons to add a Bombay to your Family
1. Their glossy black coats β With the Bombay cat you can literally have a stunning mini panther in your home without the wild behavioural traits! These beautiful cats are famed for their luxurious and shiny black coats which make them the centre of attention wherever they go!
2. Their loving natures β Bombay cats are incredibly affectionate and devoted to their human companions. They crave attention so you will always have a pet that you can lavish with love and fuss. A Bombay cat will happily curl up with you at the end of the day for a cuddle!
3. Their high intelligence β these cats are known to be incredibly intelligent so they respond well to clicker training. These cats can also learn to play games, learn commands, and can be taught a wide variety of tricks with ease!
4. They are very social β Bombay cats thrive on being around humans which makes them the ideal family pet. They are also incredibly tolerant of young children and will choose to walk away rather than scratch when play gets a little too rough.
5. They are playful β Bombay cats love to play games! They are famed for their care-free outgoing natures and enjoy regular play sessions with members of the family.
6. They are chatty without being demanding β These beautiful cats have relatively quiet voices compared to their Burmese counterparts. This is thought to be down to the calming influence of the American Shorthair. For this reason, Bombay cats will interact and chat with you but they do not often become destructive, demanding, or over-clingy.
7. They do not require much grooming β The short, close-lying coat of this breed makes them very easy to maintain when it comes to grooming. A short brush once a week is perfectly fine for these cats. They also do not shed much which means they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions than many other breeds.
8. They get on well with other pets β Bombay cats generally get along well with other cats and dogs due to their laid-back personalities. They have also been known to get along with smaller animals however all interactions should still be supervised just to be safe.
9. They are very adaptable β Bombay cats go with the flow! So, they tend to be more accepting of strangers in their home compared to many other cat breeds. This personality trait also makes them idea cats for people living in apartments as they do not require much space, as long as they have toys and humans to play with!
10. Their stunning copper eyes β The eyes of this breed are truly striking! They are large, round, and only come in a vivid copper or gold colour. Alongside their jet-black coats, their eyes have earned them the nickname βthe patent leather kid with the new penny eyes.β
Best Homes for Bombays
Due to their laid-back natures, Bombays can adapt well to most environments. They make suitable pets for people living in apartments, houses, and houses with gardens. However, it is important to keep their minds and bodies stimulated with a variety of toys and interactive games. These cats are highly social so they do not like being left alone for long periods. For this reason, they are best suited to households where someone is home for most of the day. These cats are known to suffer from depression if left alone for too long so this must be factored in if you are considering adopting a Bombay cat.
If given the attention they crave, Bombay cats can easily become a much loved and devoted companion for years to come.