Bombay Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

3.6-6.8 kg

Length

23-33 cm

Lifespan

15-20 years

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About the Bombay Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Bombay cat is a beautiful breed that’s playful, loving, and would be perfect for any family household looking for an active pet for their home.

When looking for the best cat breed for your needs, you should know that a Bombay cat is one that gets on easily with most other cats and dogs.

In this guide, you’ll get the full breakdown of the Bombay cat, from their appearance to their living needs and habits. If you’re after a new pet for your home, then the Bombay breed is one to certainly consider.

What Is the History & Origin of the Bombay Cat?

Cat breeders love to experiment, and as a result, the Bombay was created from crosses between black American Shorthairs and sable Burmese cats. Ultimately, a cat that resembles a black panther was created.

Cat breeder Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky, is responsible for developing the Bombay back in the late 1950s. British breeders did the same with this breed by crossing Burmese with black domestic shorthairs.

In terms of cat associations recognising the breed, the Cat Fanciers Association gave it full recognition in 1978. The International Cat Association recognised the breed one year later, in 1979.

What Is a Bombay Cat Breed?

The Bombay is quite a stocky and compact cat with a muscular body. It’s a character of a breed with personality traits that will have you falling head over heels in love with them. Reminiscent of the Indian black leopard, these black cats are beautiful to observe and are nicknamed the ‘patent leather kid with the new penny eyes’.

It’s a domestic feline that has a lot to give to its human owners, and these pedigreed cats are a wonderful option for those who are looking to welcome a fun-loving cat into their home!

Who Is a Bombay Cat Best For?

A Bombay is suited for pretty much any household. They love family environments where there’s a lot of activity, but they’d just as easily get on in a quieter environment with older humans.

What Does a Bombay Cat Look Like?

Due to its black coat, many will get other black cats confused with the Bombay. As a medium-sized cat, you’ll find that the Bombay’s body is muscular and heavy boned. It’s round all over; the head, the tips of the ears and even the feet.

Coat

The coat of a Bombay is relatively short, which makes it good for those who don’t want too much cat hair around the home.

The coat texture is short and glossy, which is beautiful when in perfect condition. The deep black lustre that’s created looks like patent leather – hence their nickname.

Colours

Whilst it might be limited in its colour – there’s only black, the cat’s eyes can vary between copper and gold. These colours dynamically contrast with the dark coat colour and are guaranteed to have you mesmerised!

Patterns

There are no patterns with the Bombay cat, but a good way to tell if the cat is a Bombay is to look for black paws, the gold or copper eye colour and a very glossy black coat. Bombay kittens will be born with light tabby stripes, but these disappear as they get older.

Bombay Cat Grooming & Shedding

The Bombay’s coat is one that will have you green with envy. It’s an impressively shiny black coat, and it doesn’t need that much grooming. You’ll want to groom them with weekly brushing to get rid of cat hair and to trim their nails whenever it’s needed. This will help prevent any claws from painfully breaking or getting caught on furniture or in the carpet.

Alternatively, a scratching post can be helpful to keep the nails filed down.

How Do Bombays Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

A black cat like the Bombay has a lot of its personality from its sable Burmese roots. It’s a highly intelligent cat that’s sociable and driven by people. You’ll find that it gets on with most people that it meets, as well as other animals.

They also make for a good lap cat, despite their playful energy.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Bombay Cats?

What can you expect their habits and activity levels to be in comparison to other cats?

Habits

The Bombay is a social cat, meaning it wants plenty of interaction and attention throughout the day. It’s a suitable pet for those who have a fairly active household throughout the day, whether that be humans or other pets in the home.

Activity Level

The activity level of the Bombay cat is fairly high. They’re very playful and need things to do in order to release their energy. It’s worth spending some time with them where you can with a variety of toys. If not, leave toys out for them to play with when they get bored.

Vocalness

A Bombay cat is only likely to get vocal when it needs to. If you don’t want a cat that is meowing at all hours of the day, then this is the breed that is perfect for you. They’ll only let you know when they need you by vocalising; other than that, they’ll remain fairly quiet.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Bombay Cat?

When it comes to the Bombay’s height, weight and size, what is deemed to be normal or average? Here are some figures to be aware of when it comes to making sure your Bombay is similar to others.

Height

The average height for this domestic cat is between 23-33 cm.

Weight

The weight of this cat is around 3.6 – 6.8 kilos. It’s a good idea to monitor their food intake as the cat’s coat can be deceiving on how much weight they’re carrying.

Size

Bombays are classed as a medium-size cat. Its pet parents or ancestors are around the same size too.

Are Bombays Easy to Train?

Bombay cats are very smart creatures, meaning they’ll be able to pick up commands and train with a clicker very easily. It’s always good to introduce this training from a young age in order to help domesticate the pet and to help them get on with other pets that you’ve trained around the home.

Does the Bombay Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

For the most part, the Bombay is a healthy breed. However, they can be prone to genetic diseases such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Craniofacial Defect. Other possible health issues can be from their short snout, which causes breathing problems, often as they get older.

In order to look after your cat and to help avoid genetic health problems, you want to buy from a reputable breeder and to look out for early signs of these issues.

What Is the Lifespan of a Bombay Cat?

A healthy Bombay should live to around 15-20 years. When it comes to cat breeds, that’s a substantial amount of time and plenty of time to make memories as a family.

How Much Does a Bombay Cat Need to Be Fed?

The right amount of food is important because the Bombay is one breed that tends to develop a lot slower than other breeds – it might not reach full maturity until around two years old. It’s good to provide them with a balanced diet until that point at least.

Focus on plenty of animal proteins when feeding your cat in general.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Bombay Cat in Australia?

For Bombays, you’ll expect to spend around $500 for this breed from a reputable cat breeder. It’s always important to go with reputable breeders and to also make sure that what you’re buying is actually a Bombay cat and not any other similar-looking breed.

Bombay Cat FAQs

Do Bombay cats snore?

The Bombay cat has a short snout in comparison to other cat breeds. As a result, the breed is more prone to issues with breathing, and you may notice that the cat breathes loudly or snores.

Are all Bombay cats black in colour?

With a Bombay cat, you’ll find that all of them are black. However, not all black domestic cats you see are going to be Bombays.

Do Bombay cats get along well with other household pets?

Yes, Bombays can adapt very well to live in any household, whether that’s a family of four or a family with other household animals.

Are Bombay cats a rare breed?

The Bombay remains a rare breed, which means that you might struggle to find this type of cat when searching for breeders or looking on adoption sites.

Are Bombay cats hypoallergenic?

One of the benefits that come with owning a Bombay is that they have short hair. However, that doesn’t mean they’re hypoallergenic. As low shedders, they may not irritate allergies as such, but they will still cause allergies in some, so it’s worth acknowledging and being aware of this.