Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

3.6-5.4 kg

Length

20-23 cm

Lifespan

9-12 years

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About the Japanese Bobtail Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Named Maneki-Neko in Japan, or the beckoning cat, the Japanese Bobtail is a short-tailed Asian breed. They are extremely outgoing even when they’re older and love to make friends with humans and animals alike.

We have gathered all the Japanese Bobtail cat information available in one handy guide below. So whether you want to learn more about this melodic breed or you are planning on becoming Japanese Bobtail pet parents, be sure to read on!

What Is the History & Origin of the Japanese Bobtail Cat?

The history behind the Japanese Bobtail is incredibly impressive. Believed to have originated in the 1600s, they were once used by Japanese traders to prevent rodents from damaging their vast silkworm stores.

However, recent research has suggested that Japanese Bobtails may not originate from Japan. It can be hard to know the exact origins of the Japanese Bobtail as, due to Western crossbreeding, the genetics of this Bobtail feline are still a mystery.

Wherever this cat may have originated from, today, it is a loveable breed that is extremely outgoing and will make a great addition to any family!

What Is a Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed?

The Japanese Bobtail is a short-tailed cat breed with an inquisitive but caring personality. Their appearance is perhaps their most notable feature, but they are also known for making singing like noises due to their melodic meows and chirps.

Who Is a Japanese Bobtail Cat Best For?

As they are very curious, Japanese Bobtails are perfect for families or outgoing owners. They love exploring new environments and making friends as long as they are given the space they sometimes crave.

Their small size and affection make them perfect lap cats, so you can grab your blanket and cuddle up with your Bobtail on a cold day. However, keep in mind that they don’t enjoy being left alone, so they are best suited to pet lovers who are regularly home.

What Does a Japanese Bobtail Cat Look Like?

Perhaps the most notable feature of the bobtail’s appearance is its bunny tail. This short stump tail has quickly become the central defining trait for this cat breed; even in the breed name, these are definitely not long-tailed cats!

Bobtails have strong hind legs, perfect for leaping, with tall ears and a combination of both long and short hair. Their eyes are regularly light colours, such as blue and light green, but darker coloured eyes are also common.

Coat

The coat found amongst Japanese Bobtails can vary largely. There are short, medium and even longhaired varieties out there. Their coat tends to be especially fluffy around their ears and towards the stub of their tail.

Colours

Japanese Bobtails are one of the most colourful cat breeds available. They possess a fantastic selection of coat colours, from pure white and cream to darker colours such as browns and even tortoiseshell.

Patterns

Alongside the vast selection of coat colours, the Cat Fanciers Association has also noted a range of patterns available amongst Japanese Bobtails. Patterns such as tortoiseshell or the more common tricoloured coat can extend from their head to their hind legs.

Generally, the lighter their coat, the more likely they are to have a multi-patterned skin. Darker coats tend to stick with tortoiseshell patterns or even a smoky shade across their body.

Japanese Bobtail Cat Grooming & Shedding

The Japanese Bobtail is commonly a short-haired cat breed, but it doesn’t shed too often. This means that you shouldn’t need to brush your Japanese Bobtail to get rid of knots and tangles more than once a week.

There are a few longhaired varieties to look out for which will require grooming more often. Be sure to groom your long hair Japanese Bobtail more often to avoid shedding throughout your home.

Much like all cat breeds, however, you will need to trim your Japanese Bobtails nails regularly. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, consider checking out professional pet groomers!

How Do Japanese Bobtail Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

The Japanese Bobtail is known for being an extremely affectionate and sweet cat breed. Much like how they are portrayed in the famous Maneki Neko Japanese statue, these felines are extremely friendly and love to make new friends.

They love to communicate with other pets and have garnered a reputation for being talkative but affectionate cats. This is perfect if you are looking for a feline friend to cuddle up to whilst you watch your favourite films.

Living Needs

These felines aren’t particularly fussy, so they don’t have any special living requirements. However, they tend to get along best with their own litter mates, so new pet parents may wish to adopt more than one Bobtail at a time.

They also enjoy living with other cats and love to perch themselves on shelves and bookcases. We highly recommend investing in a few cat toys for this playful breed!

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Japanese Bobtail Cats?

Habits

Each cat is unique, which means no two cats will share the same habits. However, due to their social and outgoing nature, it is quite common for the Japanese Bobtail cat breed to pick up on habits from pets and other animals it lives with.

Their most common habit is perhaps how often they sing. These felines love to communicate with anyone who will listen to their sing-song chirps, so expect to catch your Bobtail singing to itself regularly.

Activity level

Most Japanese Bobtails are reasonably active as they tend to be an outgoing breed. They enjoy playing with a range of toys and exploring their homes, so don’t be surprised if you find your Bobtail climbing onto cabinets.

Vocalness

The Bobtail breed is sometimes referred to as ‘singing cats’ due to the incredible breadth of meows and chirps. They will often sit on windowsills and gently sing to birds and other animals from the comfort of their home.

They will often meow or chirp at you in their sing-songy voices when they want cat treats or even just a stroke!

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

Height

In terms of height, Japanese Bobtails are fairly short amongst medium-sized breeds. Once fully grown, a male Bobtail can measure anywhere between 20 to 23cm!

Weight

The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat, so you can expect its weight to reflect this. An average fully-grown male Bobtail will weigh between 3.6kg to 5.4kg!

Size

The Bobtail is a generally medium-sized cat that has tall ears. Standing upright, it can seem taller than it truly is as this feline breed possesses powerful hind legs.

Are Japanese Bobtail Cats Easy to Train?

This Japanese feline breed is renowned for being a highly intelligent cat. This means that teaching them new tricks, when to eat and even how to use a cat litter tray shouldn’t be too challenging.

Ideally, you should start to train your Bobtail whilst it is still a kitten. Much like many dog breeds, the older your cat gets, the harder it is to teach – so it’s best to start young!

Does the Japanese Bobtail Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Depending on your Japanese Bobtails genetics, it may be prone to a range of health issues. Thankfully, in general, Japanese Bobtails are a fairly healthy breed and don’t run into any particular health issues as they age.

They can be prone to over-eating, especially due to their smaller size. The best way to avoid this is to keep them on a strict feeding routine and avoid feeding your Bobtail fatty foods such as chicken and red meats.

What Is the Lifespan of a Japanese Bobtail Cat?

You can expect many years of cuddling with this beautiful cat as the average lifespan is between 9 and 12 years. Some Bobtails have even reached the age of 15 and upwards!

How Much Does a Japanese Bobtail Cat Need to Be Fed?

Feeding a Japanese Bobtail is much like feeding most domestic cat breeds. Once fully grown, your average Bobtail will enjoy two large meals a day and will happily feed on a diet of both dry and wet foods.

Keep in mind that every cat is unique, so you may need to adapt your feeding plan to suit your cat’s needs!

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

Due to the rarity of this breed, their price can be fairly high. This is particularly true if they are imported due to them mainly being bred in Japan. To adopt a Japanese Bobtail from a reputable breeder, you may need to spend anywhere between $800 to $1,200.

Japanese Bobtail Cat FAQs

How do I tell if my cat is a Japanese Bobtail?

The most prominent feature of the Japanese Bobtail is its short tail. However, if you are unsure what breed your cat is, always ask the breeder from whom you adopted your cat for a family history certificate!

What is the difference between a Manx and a Japanese bobtail?

The main difference between Japanese Bobtails and a Manx is how their body frame. Bobtails tend to have lean muscular bodies, whereas your average Manx cat will have a rounder, slightly less muscular frame.

Do Japanese Bobtail cats make good pets?

Yes, Japanese Bobtails make excellent pets. Their outgoing nature is just one of the reasons why they are such a lovely cat breed, but they can also be extremely affectionate towards their owners and loved ones.