Information on the Bombay Cat

With the black Indian leopard as its namesake, the Bombay cat has a lot to live up to. The man-made cross between black American shorthairs and sable Burmese has been dubbed the "patent leather kid with the copper penny eyes" for its pantherlike appearance. But unlike real panthers, this mini version will settle effortlessly in your home thanks to its friendly, easygoing disposition.

  1. History

    • It began with the ambition of Nikki Horner, a breeder from Kentucky, to produce a pantherlike cat. She meticulously bred a black American short-hair male with copper eyes and a sable Burmese female, which resulted in the black short-haired cat with copper eyes that is known as the Bombay cat today.

    Appearance

    • The Bombay retains much of its Burmese physical characteristics. The head is round and the medium-sized body is lithe and well muscled. Its short, glossy coat that it is famous for is jet-black to the roots--even its paw pads are black. The bright eyes with vivid copper color look conspicuous against the black background. No wonder they call the Bombay the "patent leather kid with the copper penny eyes."

    Behavior

    • Bombays have inherited the American shorthair's sturdiness and the Burmese's love for social contact. As a result, they are curious, outgoing and affectionate. Bombays are friendly to visitors and get along well with dogs and other pets. They have endearing doglike characteristics and can often be trained to walk on a leash and play fetch.

    Health

    • The Bombay inherits a genetic disorder from the Burmese, which results in occasional kittens with skull defects that have to be euthanized at birth. While unfortunate, this condition does not affect the health or suitability of surviving kittens as pets. The average Bombay cat has a life expectancy of 15 years, although some have been known to live longer than 20 years. The short hairs on Bombays need only minimal maintenance as they rarely shed.

    Getting a Bombay

    • These mini panthers don't come cheap; expect to pay around $600 to bring home a Bombay cat. The Fanciers Breeder Referral List has the contact details of breeders you can contact.

      Due to its Burmese ancestry, Bombay kittens with sable-colored fur may be born from black Bombay parents. While these cats may not qualify for some cat shows, they will still make good pets.