Bombay

Bombay Cat Breed

Appearance:

• The Bombay is a medium-sized breed with a muscular and compact body.
• They have a sleek and shiny coat that resembles black patent leather, giving them a panther-like appearance.
• Bombays have short, fine, and close-lying fur that is uniformly black. The coat is known for its lustrous and glossy texture.
• They have medium-sized, rounded eyes that are typically copper or gold in color.

Temperament:

• Bombays are known for their affectionate and social nature. They often form strong bonds with their human companions and enjoy being a part of the family.
• They are typically playful and intelligent cats, often enjoying interactive play sessions and engaging in puzzle toys that challenge their minds.
• Bombays are generally easygoing and adapt well to different environments. They have a calm and patient demeanor, making them suitable for families or individuals seeking a relaxed and loving companion.
• They are known for their gentle and sweet temperament, often enjoying lap time and cuddling with their favorite humans.

Care and Health:

• The Bombay's short coat is relatively low maintenance and requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing helps to remove loose hair and maintain its glossy appearance.
• They are generally a healthy breed with no specific breed-related health issues. However, regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure their overall well-being.
• Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation through playtime and interactive toys are essential for maintaining the health and happiness of Bombay cats.

The Bombay is a sleek and affectionate breed known for its striking black coat and friendly personality. Their loving nature and easygoing temperament make them wonderful companions for those seeking a devoted and elegant feline friend.

History

Cat breeders are an experimental group that creates distinct new breeds, either by building on natural genetic mutations or by crossing breeds to achieve a new look, color or pattern. Bombay, named after the exotic port city of India, has no connection to the subcontinent, but was created from crosses between the saber Birman and black American shorthair to resemble a black panther in miniature.

Breeder Nikki Horner from Louisville, Kentucky is credited with developing Bombay, which began in the late 1950s. Her target was a slim, shiny black cat with a muscular body and friendly temperament. British breeders achieved the same look and personality with crosses of Burmese and native black shorthairs.

The Cat Fanciers Association gave Bombay full recognition in 1978. Today, the breed is known by all cat associations. To preserve their body type and fur structure, Bombays can be coated with sable birman. The CFA also allows crossing with black American shorthair, but this is rarely done due to differences in physics.

Size

Bombay usually weighs between 8 and 15 pounds. Males are generally larger than females.

Personality

Lively and affectionate, Bombay loves people and adapts to many different environments and lifestyles. His calm demeanor makes him a good apartment dweller and he is open to living with other pets, although he definitely wants to be a top cat.

Expect Bombay to shrink the hottest spot in the house. This includes under the duvet before bed. Most will speak to their people with a distinct but not loud voice.

Bombays are often good at playing fetch, and some have learned to go on a leash. This is a smart cat who loves to play and will enjoy a family that is willing to teach her tricks, play games with her and give her lots of interactive toys.

Health

Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. Bombays are generally healthy, although one of the genetic diseases seen in Burmese has also been seen in Bombays: skull and facial defect.

It is sometimes called a Burmese head defect, the craniofacial abnormality is sometimes seen in newborn kittens that may have severely deformed heads. These kittens are killed so that people who buy Bombay kittens will not encounter the problem, but breeders should carefully examine the pedigree to make sure that they do not breed cats that carry the defect gene.

Maintenance

The short, smooth coat of Bombay can be cared for in a few simple steps or at most weekly brush or rub with a chamois leather to remove dead hair, distribute skin oil and polish the coat to a high gloss. A bath is rarely necessary.

Brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection. Check their ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton swab or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear.

Keep the litter box completely clean. Like all cats, Bombays is very careful about bathroom hygiene.

Plan to castrate or castrate your Bombay at 6 to 9 months of age. It is not uncommon for Bombays to reach sexual maturity as early as 5 months of age.

It is a good idea to keep a Bombay indoors — just to protect it from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and other dangers that cats face when walking outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Bombays who go outside also risk being stolen by someone who wants such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Fur color and grooming

Apart from the dramatic black coat, Bombay looks a lot like the Burmese, but with some physical differences like a bigger, longer body and longer legs. It has a round head with medium-sized ears that are wide apart, eyes that vary in color from gold to copper and a straight, medium-length tail. The short, fine coat feels silky smooth and shines like patent leather.

Although the black rock gene is dominant, a saber-colored kitten is sometimes born in a Bombay litter. Some associations allow these kittens to be registered as Burmese.

Bombay is a medium-sized cat; When lifted, it feels stronger than it looks. The breed develops slowly and the males do not reach their full size and muscles until they are 2 years old.

Children and other pets

Departure from Bombay is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He loves the attention he gets from children who treat him politely and respectfully. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority. Always introduce pets slowly and under controlled conditions to ensure that they learn to get along with each other.

Characteristics

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