Bombay

What you Need to Know about the Bombay

The Bombay is a muscular, powerfully-built, and medium-size cat.  They have huge copper eyes and a midnight-black coat that shines like slick leather. This Bombay black combination is spectacular. It resembles a miniature panther or wild black leopard.

However, the Bombay is a docile, domestic human-made hybrid breed. It was first developed by crossing a black American Shorthair with a sable Burmese. Heavy for its moderate size, Bombay kittens grow quickly. Bombay cat weight varies, with adult males weighing as much as eleven pounds. Females are smaller at five to nine pounds.

Overall, the Bombay is a sensitive, intelligent, and elegant cat. They are perfect for a first-time cat owner or an old pro cat fancier.

Appearance Matters. What does a Bombay look like?

The Bombay has a face to melt your heart. This cat’s sweet expression is enhanced by its large loving eyes. Copper-colored eyes are very common with the breed, but you might see Bombay cat green eyes as well. 

The Bombay comes in only one color, the deepest, darkest black imaginable. Imagine black patent leather with a high gloss sheen. That’s what you'll see with this cat's lovely coat.

Can a Bombay cat have a white spot?  

With the Burmese being a close relation, Bombay kittens can occasionally be seen with white spots. 

These might be visible on the ears, tail, or chest. This is quite rare for the breed and is caused by the white spotting gene.

Their coat is short and stretched over the cat’s muscular frame. Maturity will determine true characteristics, which can occur around the age of two.

The skin-tight coat accentuates the ripple of muscles as this adorable panther stalks its prey in your living room.

It's all Personal. The Bombay Personality

The Bombay cat personality has the easy-going, relaxed nature of the American Shorthair. It combines this with the inquisitive, loving personality of the very social Burmese. 

Bombays enjoy human camaraderie. They will greet you joyously at the door, along with any visitors you bring home with you. 

Your Bombay will yearn to take part in everything you do with the greatest enthusiasm. 

It will show affection to everyone in your home. In particular, the Bombay will warm to children and enjoy endless playing. If you are a single owner who works all day, this cat will be lonely in your absence and will crave a companion.

The Bombay shares many of the behavioral characteristics of the Burmese. Generally calm and good-natured, a Bombay will often accept dogs in the household. It might take more time to adapt to other cats and usually wants to be more dominant.

They are intelligent, actively seek interaction with humans, and love to play games. Many retrieve and will learn new tricks and some have been successfully leash-trained.

Bombays have loud purrs and very distinctive voices. Some Bombay cats can be quite talkative and meow a lot. Others can be remarkably quiet.

Bombays prefer to live indoors, avoiding the outdoors where real wildcats may prowl. They seek comfort and warmth and will attempt to sleep next to you under the covers.

Caring for your Bombay

With no undercoat, the Bombay is very easy to care for, and hair shedding shouldn't be a problem.

Is the Bombay cat hypoallergenic?<question/>

While no cats are completely hypoallergenic, this breed has a very short coat. They're a better choice than many other cats if you have allergies.

Its preferred grooming technique is the stroke of your hands. Doing this, natural oils will contribute to the coat’s lovely sheen. You may also choose to bathe your cat or use a rubber brush to keep it in championship condition. A quick polish with a chamois cloth is also recommended.

Other grooming activities include:

• Teeth brushing. Do this frequently with a pet toothpaste.
• Nail trimming. A weekly check of the nails and a trim is advised,
• Ears. If they look dirty, give them a wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid putting anything into their delicate ear canals.
• Eyes. Check their eyes regularly for tearing and signs of infection. Use another soft, damp cloth to wipe away any buildup. 

As with most pets, if you start these routines with a young animal, they'll be a lot calmer with them as adults.

The Health and Happiness of your Bombay

Bombays are happy cats that are generally healthy. One thing to be aware of is their love of food. They can pack on weight quickly, so keep an eye on what you feed them and their activity levels.

They love to play, and if you keep them entertained with some of their favorite toys, cat obesity shouldn't become a problem.

Like all breeds, they do have the potential to develop some health conditions, though. These include:

• Breathing difficulties. They have a short muzzle and can be prone to problems with breathing. If this becomes excessive, then seek vet advice.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition is the most common form of heart disease in cats. Symptoms can be vague but look for labored breathing lethargy or the cat going off its food. 
• Eye tearing. Cat's eyes tear to remove debris and bacteria. If this becomes prolonged or excessive, then vet intervention will be required.

What is the Bombay cat lifespan?

For a happy and healthy Bombay cat, expect them to live for between 15 and 20 years.

How Expensive is a Bombay Cat?

These powerful cats can be found at reasonable prices so if you are looking for one you’re in luck. For pet quality Bombay kittens for sale, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $700.

On the other hand, those looking for a show cat should prepare a bit more money, since these can cost between $1,000 and $2,000. This naturally depends on the pedigree of the cat in question.

You have a choice with Bombay cats, and we’re sure that most will be happy with the more affordable version of these intelligent cats.

Feline History. Where does Bombay come from?

The Bombay cat origin is attributed to a breeder from Kentucky. In 1958, Nikki Horner set out to create a 'fantasy' cat. The plan was to have a domestic feline with the magnificent aura of the black leopard of India.

Her goals included the short, tight coat of the Burmese, in the darkest black color, with the American Shorthair. Eyes that dazzled like shiny new copper pennies would complete the look of this stunning cat.

Her early efforts were unsuccessful. Undeterred, she kept trying to fulfill her vision, and in 1965, she achieved success. 

She named her dream cat the 'Bombay' because of its resemblance to the black leopard of India. The CFA accepted the Bombay for championship showing in 1976.