Bombay cat - description of the breed, maintenance and care features (video + 125 photos)


The black Bombay cat has nothing to do with the ancient Indian city. She looks like a mini-panther, and owes her appearance to the crossing of two breeds - the Burmese and the American Shorthair. For superstitious people, this cat personifies something terrible, since its color from the tip of its nose to the pads on its paws is jet black. It is worth mentioning separately about the coat of the Bombay cat - its smoothness, shine and density, as well as its impenetrable ink color, are more reminiscent of patent leather than just short hair.

Americans even call representatives of the Bombay breed “shoe polish beauties with eyes like shiny copper coins.” Our compatriots, seeing this cat, will most likely exclaim in admiration: “Bagheera!”

Origin of the Bombays

The first to develop the Bombay breed was an American breeder from Louisville (Kentucky) named Nicky Horner. Her goal was to create a “miniature panther.” To do this, she crossed the sable Burmese and the American Shorthair, which has a solid black color. The first results of selection appeared in the late fifties, but they were not successful. But after several years of working with different breeding samples, things started to improve. The result was a cat with excellent muscles and a short, smooth-lying, black “fur coat”.

Over the next 18 years, the breed gradually became recognized. In 1976, Bombay were admitted to the CFA Championship.

Bombay breeders often reuse Burmese for mating to preserve the structure of the coat and constitution. As a result, there is a similarity between Bombay and Burma. Breeder Nikki Horner is inclined to believe that the Bombay breed is the Black Burmese. But many breeders note some differences. For example, Bombays are somewhat larger, have longer bodies and legs than Burmese, and also have a less pronounced nose break.

There is an opinion among breed connoisseurs that when a person wants to have a cat, a dog and a monkey, then he wants to get a Bombay. These animals can walk perfectly on a leash, usually love games, and are always trying to invent new games to entertain themselves and their owners. Bombays have an excellent appetite; they love to eat hearty and tasty food. These are friendly cats, with high intelligence, capable of becoming excellent companions. They are loyal to children and get along well with other pets, including dogs. In Bombay, prudence is combined with calm. Moreover, the first quality is typical for the American Shorthair, for the inquisitive Burmese.

History of the breed

In the 1950s, US breeder Nicky Horner, who adored the beauty and grace of wild felines, decided to create a breed that looked like panthers living in India. Selection activities continued for 20 years; Burmese and American shorthair cats were used for crossing.

Felinologists rejected the selection result, and the breed turned out to be unrecognized. Niki Horner gave up, but the initiative was taken up by the Zwecker breeder family. Selection work continued, the result was the appearance of the ancestor of the Bombay cat breed, nicknamed Luv It Black. In 1985, the cat was awarded second place in the ranking of CFA representatives.

Bombay cat breed description

The cat's body is medium, strong and compact.

The coat is smooth and shiny, it should always be short and jet black in color.

Round head, without corners or protrusions. The chin is strong and the muzzle is short. Wide-set and slightly tilted forward, as if alert, ears with rounded ends. Round eyes can range in color from gold to copper. The nose has a pronounced break, but without snubness.

Those Bombays are subject to disqualification if there are spots or marks on their skin, or if their paw pads or nose are not black. A green tint to the eyes is considered unsuitable, as is an overly pronounced stop, which can make breathing difficult and sniffling observed. For Bombay cats, a perfect bite and a certain number of toes are required. Tail defects are also considered reasons for disqualification. If the animal’s muscles are weak, it is too heavy, or rough, then a fine is imposed. Judging by the exhibition samples, the quality and shade of the wool makes 55% of the assessment of Bombays.

Bombay is considered an unusual cat. To increase the number of these amazing animals, many breeders are uniting.

Standard and description of the breed.

Completely black “anthracite”, right down to the nose and pads on the paws - this is a Bombay cat. Her short fur coat lies tightly on her body. At the same time, it is shiny and so alive that it can be mistaken for patent leather. Thanks to the shimmering depth of black coat and golden or copper eyes, this cat is mesmerizingly beautiful.

Where to buy kittens and how much do they cost?

On the Internet you can find advertisements offering to buy Bombay kittens for 1–1.5 thousand rubles. Such a price should alert anyone who wants it; an ordinary black kitten will be sold for it. People who do not understand the intricacies of the breed will not notice the substitution. When the pet grows up, it will be too late to make a claim.

The average price of a purebred Bombay is 70 thousand rubles. Fluctuations up or down depend on the pedigree and class of the pet:

  • Pat. The kittens have minor deviations from the standard; their participation in exhibitions is out of the question. They are usually sold without documents.
  • Breed. The exterior fully complies with the standard. Animals often produce show-class offspring.
  • Show. The pedigree contains titled ancestors. Top-class pets are used for breeding and participate in exhibitions, where they often become winners.

To purchase kittens, it is recommended to contact one of the nurseries included in the state register. The staff of the organizations will provide documents for the animal, familiarize them with its pedigree, features of maintenance and nutrition. If conflict situations arise, customers can count on their claims being handled competently and fairly.

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Care and maintenance

The Bombay requires grooming to keep its coat sparkling clean. The first molt can be observed at about one year of age. At this time, the downy brownish coat, which does not have an undercoat, must be combed out with a brush. And, even if the animal seems “undressed” for some time, then pretty soon it will grow new hair. Combing with a special brush is carried out weekly, and during the molting period this will have to be done more often. After brushing the cat, you need to run a damp hand over its body to collect individual fallen hairs. To add shine, the cat's fur coat is “polished” with suede cloth.

These cats are not great lovers of water, so bathing them is not recommended. It is enough to do this once every six months. The shampoo must be chosen so that it matches the type of coat, otherwise the cat may develop dandruff and irritation, and the coat may become dull.

Claws should be trimmed as they grow, but for cats that actively use a scratching post, this procedure is not necessary.

The cat's ears and eyes should be examined regularly; any contamination found should be wiped with a slightly damp cotton swab. If there is unusual discharge from the eyes, you should immediately contact your veterinarian for treatment. Since gum problems are not uncommon for Bombays, you need to pay special attention to the oral cavity, remembering to regularly brush your pet’s teeth with a special brush and paste.

A pleasant bonus of this breed is its cleanliness. If the cat's litter box is washed in a timely manner and the filler in it is changed, then there will be no unpleasant odors. Veterinary pharmacies sell special sprays that quickly deal with the unpleasant odor.

Also, do not forget about the necessary vaccination of the animal and prevention against worms.

In order for the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract to be well-functioning, the cat should be given only balanced food, and in no case should it be overfed, even if it is trying to “hypnotize” you with its gaze with the most hungry look. High-quality dry professional food is preferable. For adherents of “natural” it is necessary to control the balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. For animals prone to obesity, this is especially important.

Bombays' diet may include: turkey or chicken, lean boiled meat and offal. Periodically, but not often, the cat is given a boiled egg yolk. For kittens, porridge made from oatmeal and buckwheat is useful. At the same time, river fish, salted and smoked foods from the owners’ table are absolutely prohibited.

In winter, the cat especially needs vitamins, so it is recommended to give it fish oil capsules. It contains OMEGA-3, thanks to which the cat will not suffer from dry skin, and its coat will become shiny and strong.

For Bombays, a sense of absolute security is important, especially when they are sleeping or just relaxing. Therefore, the cat’s sleeping place should be arranged in the most secluded place where it will be calm. The animal needs to be provided with a sufficiently large bedding, since these cats do not sleep in the usual way, like their counterparts - curled up in a ball, but stretched out to their full length. At the same time, it is of great importance for a cat to be close to members of the household, which means that the bed needs to be placed in a place where the pet can not only rest, but also comfortably observe everything that is happening around.

The excessive activity of cats of this breed indicates that they simply need a sufficient number of different toys and “entertainment”. Otherwise, bored alone, the Bombay cat will easily start playing with any object that comes into its paws.

Bombays are very thermophilic, so the temperature in the apartment must be strictly defined. If there is a draft in the rooms, the cat may catch a cold.

Thanks to its fairly developed intelligence, it is not difficult for a Bombay cat to get used to a litter box, walking on a harness, as well as various hygiene procedures, such as combing and bathing. Already from childhood, the cat must be accustomed to the place where it will sleep (it should be quite spacious and without drafts), and also behave correctly - not climb on the table and, especially, not carry food from there.

Bombays are passionate about pleasing their owners, so they learn quite quickly. Performing simple tricks is easy for them and even gives them pleasure. For example, when following commands, they can stand on their hind legs, make a voice, jump over an obstacle, or bring a toy in their teeth. If the owner plans to train a cat, then this should be done starting from an early age, reinforcing commands with affection or treats. If a cat is forced to perform tricks or raised his voice at her, then she may refuse to perform them forever.

How to choose the right kitten

In order not to fall into the trap of scammers and become the owner of a mongrel animal, it is better to look for a Bombay in specialized nurseries or from trusted breeders. It is more advisable to choose a kitten in person, rather than from a photo or video. This way, it will be possible not only to personally verify the availability of documents confirming the origin of the babies, but also to evaluate the conditions of their detention.

On a note. As a child, the Bombay kitten has quite fluffy fur, the color of which does not always correspond to the standard. The baby may have gray hair and white spots.

A healthy Bombay kitten should have clear eyes, a soft belly, evenly growing hair without bald spots, smooth skin without rashes or scratching. He should not have a foul odor from his mouth or dirt in his ears or under his tail.

Kitten care

Until the age of three months, Bombay kittens grow up next to their mother and by the time they move to a new home they become completely independent. Since competent breeders teach babies to use the tray and scratching post in advance, the owners can only show the pets where the bowls and litter box are, and also give them a little time to get used to the changed conditions.

To protect the little Bombay from accidents, wires, flowerpots with indoor plants, household chemicals, and fragile and small things are hidden from him. Also, for safety reasons, special nets are placed on the windows, and the oven and washing machine doors are kept closed.

To prevent the Bombay kitten from experiencing stress from a sudden change in diet, at first it is fed what the breeder advised. The meal schedule depends on the age of the animal:

  • up to 2 months – 5-6 times a day;
  • 2-5 months – 4 times a day;
  • 5-12 months – 3 times a day.

From the age of one year, the Bombay black cat is transferred to two feedings a day.

Bombay cat - CFA standards

The head should have a pleasant roundness, with no angles. Bombays have a fairly full muzzle. There is quite a decent gap between the eyes. It smoothly transitions into a massive, developed muzzle, maintaining the roundness of the contours of the head. The nose is slightly rounded at the bottom

The eye shape is round. The ears should be of medium size and spaced farther apart, and a slight forward tilt is encouraged. Their base should be wide and the tips slightly rounded.

The chin should not protrude, which indicates the correct bite.

With medium dimensions and good muscles, the cat should not appear lean or too compact. Large dimensions are allowed for cats.

There is only one requirement for the paws - proportionality to their tail and body. The round ends of the paws should have five toes at the front and four at the back.

A straight tail of medium length should not be short.

The coat ideally has a satin texture, is short and lies fairly close to the body. It is characterized by a shiny shimmer, reminiscent of leather with a varnish coating.

Disadvantages include too short or, conversely, elongated hair. There is an abnormal curvature of the tail, as well as an incorrect number of toes. Sometimes there are individual hairs or spots of white color. A different shade of pads on the paws and skin of the nose, except black. Green shade of eyes. Overbite and overbite may also occur.

Color options

An adult cat's coat is fully colored, right down to the base. In kittens, it acquires a darker shade and smoothness only as they grow older.

The nose and paw pads are exclusively black. Eye shade can vary from gold to copper, and the brighter and deeper it is, the better for the breed.

Advantages and disadvantages


You often have to sign up on a waiting list for a purebred kitten.
Clear disadvantages of the breed include the need to carefully monitor the pet’s diet and be regularly observed by a veterinarian.

The breed is not suitable for people suffering from allergies to animal fur.

Main characteristics of the breed:

IndexHighAverageShort
Aggression+
Communication skills+
Stress resistance, adaptability+
Training+
Intelligence+
Playfulness, activity+
Noise+
Need for attention from the owner+
Hunting instinct+

Bombay cat - character

These are very affectionate cats.

Since the Bombay cat was bred by crossing a Burmese cat with an American Shorthair, which has a black color, the resulting animal has character traits from both breeds.

Based on this, the disposition of Bombay cats is a certain differential of calm and poise, characteristic of short-haired “Americans,” with the playfulness and sociability of Burmese.

The orientation towards people of Bombay cats is simply amazing - they, like the Burmese, are insanely devoted to their owner, but, at the same time, they are not inclined to harass him with constant demands for “talking”, as American Shorthairs do.

True connoisseurs of this cat breed are sure that Bombays can easily win the heart of absolutely any person, even if he has never noticed a special love for cats in himself. He will not be able to remain indifferent to the magnificent combination of glossy black fur and the hypnotic gaze of copper eyes. And, considering that a pleasant personality is also attached to all this, it is almost impossible to resist.

Of course, deep down, Bombays crave attention from their owners, which is why they try to accompany them everywhere, like little black shadows. They always have a desire to be the center of attention and take a place on their master's lap. If you are one of the people for whom the constant presence of a cat nearby is undesirable, then you should think about choosing a different breed.

Guess which member of the household will be the first to welcome guests! Of course it will be a Bombay cat, because she is completely sure that the guests have come to her.

This cat is considered “sweet” and gentle, she will gladly accept any offer. Especially if it concerns the game. Such a pet does not choose one person from the family to give him his love - he adores the whole family. Animals of this breed are curious, playful and quite active.

Those who know this breed well claim that Bombay cats, despite some wariness towards children, can still find a common language with them. But most importantly, this is one of the few cat breeds that get along quite well with dogs.

Character and behavior

The Bombay cat is a very balanced and peaceful creature. From her ancestors she inherited such traits as restraint, calmness, non-conflict and contact. All family members are her best friends. She does not single out a leader for herself, but on the contrary, she herself strives to take the dominant place in the house, but she does this very gently and unobtrusively.

She is quite a talkative person: her voice is an opportunity to convey her desires to others and share her problems. Females are more “chatty”, and their purring is much more melodic and gentle than that of males.

They get along well both in an apartment and in a private house. They don’t need a lot of space, but their own play corner is desirable. Buy a small play complex with pipes and shelves of different heights - this will be quite enough. In the warm season, it is advisable to take the animal for a walk. If you teach your pet to use a leash from early childhood, you will not have problems in the future.

Name the cat who always wanted to live together

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Bombay cats quickly establish contact with other cats and dogs, sometimes even becoming truly friends. But birds and small rodents are prey for them, so don’t be surprised why your cat sits for hours near a cage with a parrot, not taking its eyes off it.

Cats of this breed are lenient towards children: they can tolerate pranks for quite a long time, but at a certain moment they can crack their paws.

Bombays always run to meet guests, but at first they treat them very, very warily: after sniffing their hands, they won’t allow themselves more. And if a person has bad intentions, they will immediately feel it and will behave even more carefully and may show aggression: start hissing at the guest and hiding from him in a secluded corner.

Young Bombay residents are very inquisitive and love to stick their satin nose into all the nooks and crannies of their home, but with age they become more sedate, choosing an observation post somewhere on the windowsill or the back of the sofa, and observing those around them from there.

Diseases

Bombays may suffer from various diseases. For example, heart defects with genetic determination, defects in the structure of the skull and spinal canal. By the way, many bloodlines have a deformation of the skull. A common defect is difficulty breathing through the nose, which is a consequence of the stop being too pronounced for this breed.

Bombay cats are generally in good health, and if cared for properly, they can live up to 20 years. In addition to cardiomyopathy (enlarged walls of the ventricles), problems with breathing and gums, they may experience obesity due to too good an appetite, or a disorder of the digestive system.

To understand that a cat has a heart disease, it is enough to notice that it is drowsy, breathes quickly, has a rapid heartbeat, and sometimes faints. If such signs occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. If treatment is started on time, the animal’s condition can be significantly alleviated and its life extended.

The specific structure of the cat's nose is such that Bombays often have runny noses and lacrimation. On the advice of a veterinarian, the nose can be washed with a special solution, and the eyes can be instilled with drops.

Education and physical activity

Bombay cats have an active temperament. To redirect your pets’ energy in the right direction, it is advisable to play with them more often. Cats can be invited to run after a laser pointer or warm up on a specially equipped complex with numerous ladders and multi-level platforms.

Bombay naturally has high intelligence and a good memory. A smart cat quickly understands what they want from him and gets used to the established regime without any problems.

On a note. In the process of raising a Bombay cat, rudeness and cruelty should not be allowed. To punish a pet of this breed, just spray water on it.

Bombay cat photo

Health and susceptibility to disease

The average life expectancy of a Bombay is 12-15 years. But there are cases where representatives of the breed died at an older age. In general, Bombay cats have good health and good heredity.

But they are also predisposed to certain pathologies:

  • violation of nasal breathing;
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
  • gum disease

Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment

To prevent Bombay from becoming a victim of viral and infectious diseases, he is periodically vaccinated. The complex drug stimulates the development of stable immunity to panleukopenia, calcivirosis and rhinotracheitis.

The first vaccination is given to a kitten at the age of 7-8 weeks. After 4 weeks, the Bombay is vaccinated against the same diseases and against rabies. Subsequently, the cat is vaccinated annually.

To prevent diseases carried by parasites, Bombays are periodically treated for worms and fleas. Anthelmintic drugs are given to a representative of the breed 2 times a year with mandatory repetition after 10-14 days.

Bombay cats are treated against fleas with special shampoos or drops. And if the animal is taken for walks, it is protected with an anti-parasitic collar.

Advantages and disadvantages

Depending on the breed, each cat is individual. In addition, price, care features and other factors influence the decision about whether to buy an animal. The future owner needs to carefully consider his choice, taking into account the pros and cons of the breed.

One of the advantages is the beautiful appearance of the Bombay - a miniature panther will live in the house. At the same time, you will not need to constantly collect wool around the apartment, since the animal practically does not shed. An easy-going character and the ability to learn will help discipline the cat, and it will not jump on the table, cause mischief, or ignore the tray.

Representatives of the breed are undemanding when it comes to care and nutrition, so even a busy person can own a Bombay.

The only negative aspect that can be highlighted is fraud, which is often encountered when selling Bombays. Sometimes people offer offspring from yard black cats, presenting the kittens as representatives of the Bombay breed. Therefore, it is better to purchase a purebred kitten from a nursery. If, nevertheless, you have your eye on an animal based on an ad, it is better to study the reviews about the seller.

Puberty, mating

Bombay cats reach sexual maturity at 6–9 months, although by this time the body and organism are not yet fully formed. Final development occurs only by two years - this is a very decent period. Despite this, some cats give birth as early as 5 months. If mating is not planned, it is better to resort to castration and sterilization; the procedure is carried out in the 6–9th month of the pet’s life.

Mating is carried out on the territory of the male. The Bombay cat's pregnancy lasts 63–70 days from the moment of mating. There are rarely more than four kittens in one litter.

There are rarely more than four kittens in one litter

Mini Panther Standard

Breeders tirelessly improve the breed and popularize it. Getting a Bombay kitten is not easy: when crossing two Bombays, there is always a risk that the offspring will have a sable color (this is due to gene recession). The Burmese cat produces charcoal-colored babies. In England, Burmese were crossed with ordinary black cats, without paying attention to their breed. Because of this, there are two types of Burmese cats:

  • American - descendants of Burmese and American smooth-haired cats;
  • British is the result of crossing domestic black cats and Burmese cats.

Striking eyes are the first thing people notice when they see these animals. In the British type, according to the standard, they can be golden and green. Americans have only amber (green is considered a defect). All newborn kittens have blue eyes, but up to a year they change color.

Appearance

Apart from eye color, American and British Bombay cats are similar in many ways. According to the description of the standard, pets are characterized by the following features:

  • Head. Rounded, moderate stop when viewed in profile. The muzzle is wide, medium in size, moderately rounded. The ears are neat, rounded, slightly tilted forward, which is why the animal seems to be constantly alert. The nose is black, the tip is slightly raised upward. The eyes are set wide apart and round in shape. The chin is strong. The bite is straight, pincer-shaped.
  • Body. Elongated and graceful, medium size. The muscles are developed, sexual dimorphism is expressed. The height of an adult pet at the withers is 25–30 cm, weight is 3–6 kg.
  • Tail. Straight, medium length.
  • Limbs. Muscular and slender, medium length. The paws are rounded with neat claws.
  • Wool. Short and thin. When the animal moves, it shimmers and shines. The texture is satiny and pleasant to the touch.
  • Color. Black, uniform along the entire length (as in the photo). Disqualifying signs are spots and medallions, paw pads and nose that are not black.
  • Breed disadvantages of the black Bombay cat. Stockiness or lankyness.

Character and temperament

Bombay cats have inherited the best character traits of their ancestors. They are balanced and sedate, which is very similar to American smooth-haired cats. At the same time, they are sociable and businesslike, like the Burmese. Pets are playful, inquisitive and cheerful. They do not like loneliness, but they know how to entertain themselves in the absence of the owner and household members. Not only toys help them in this, but also spools of thread, socks, pencils, candies and other items that may arouse interest. They love to jump and climb to heights, so it is advisable to make a play wall for them with tunnels and hanging shelves.

Domestic panthers are characterized by self-control: they do not succumb to provocations and do not enter into conflicts. Often their favorite place is the window, where they can see everything that is happening on the street. With age, Bombay cats become more phlegmatic; representatives of the breed prefer to observe what is happening around them from a distance. Loyal to children: if a child shows intrusiveness, they are removed. They can fight back if they are hurt.

Bombays love to be around people. They do not dislike strangers. However, if they feel that strangers are insincere, they will be wary of them. They always run to meet their family members and love to lie quietly on one of their laps. They love to listen to the owner’s speech and purr in response. Unlike other breeds, whose representatives sleep curled up in a ball, Bombays rest spread out.

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