Top Facts to Know About the Black Bombay Cat

If you are thinking about getting a cat as a pet, there are many cat breeds that you might be considering. If you have ever heard of the black Bombay cat, this is one that you might want to know more about. You can read here to find out more about the best facts regarding black Bombay cats and other types of black cats. 

Wild Side

It might be helpful to know that the Bombay cat has a wild side. Similar to the Bengal or Savannah cats, this breed of cat was bred to have a feral appearance. The American breeders have crossed black American Shorthair cats with the Burmese cats. This is why the Bombay kitten looks so much like a tiny panther. They sway like a wild cat and have a wild-looking appearance, as well. 

Not from Bombay

You might think that because they are called the Bombay cat that they are from Bombay. However, the origin of the Bombay kitten is American. Nikki Horner, an American breeder, developed the first domestic Bombay cat, that looks just like a little leopard. She started this project during the 1950s. In 1965, the first Bombay kitten was born. Since the black leopards in Bombay, India looked like larger versions of this cat, that is where their name came from. Both the International Cat Association and the Cat Fanciers’ Association recognize this breed. 

Completely Black

With some types of black cats, it isn’t easy to recognize the breed because they aren’t fully black. However, it is very easy to recognize a Bombay kitten or cat. Their coats are dramatic and shiny. They are completely black. Even their paw pads and noses are completely black. 

Warm Environment

Bombay kittens and cats like it to be warm. They will seek out the heat. If they are resting, it is usually in the warmest area of the house. You might find them lying near or in a windowsill where the sun is shining through. If you have a fireplace, they will likely be lying near it. They also like to cuddle up to their owners to get body heat. 

Not Much Grooming Needed

If you are thinking of getting a Bombay cat as a pet, it might be beneficial to know that they don’t require much grooming. They are quite low-maintenance. Their hair is short so you don’t have to brush them very often. With many other cat breeds, you might need to brush their hair at least every other day. In addition, the Bombay cat sheds much less than other cat breeds. 

Social Cats

You might also want to know that this cat breed is very social. In fact, they have also been called the velcro cat. This is because they will stick to you like velcro. Bombay kittens and cats loved to be around their owners. They will try to seek out your attention. Many Bombay cats will follow their human around the house. In addition, this type of cat is very good with others who come into the home. They won’t run away and hide because someone they don’t know comes near them. They will probably greet anyone who comes through the door. 

It is important to know that Bombay cats don’t like to be left on their own for a long time. If you are going to be gone from home for a long time, even for hours at a time, you might not want to get a Bombay cat as a pet. If they are left alone for too long, they could become destructive. If you do have to leave the house, be sure your cat has a lot of toys they can play with until you get back. A scratching post would be a great idea, as well. 

Bossy Kitty 

You might not think that a cat can boss you around. However, that isn’t true when it comes to Bombay cats. They want to be in control. While they are quite friendly and social, even getting along with dogs most of the time, they want to be the boss. 

Smart Cats

Bombay cats are very playful. They will interact with humans in more ways than you could imagine. These cats are excellent at learning new tricks and playing fetch. They can even learn how to walk on a leash just like a dog. 

Burrowing

If you have blankets lying around, you can expect the Bombay kitten or cat to burrow into them. If there aren’t any blankets they can burrow into, they will do this in a laundry pile or into anything they can find. You can expect your Bombay cat to curl up into you when you are in bed. If you can’t find your cat, check under your covers. 

American or British

There are American Bombay cats and British Bombays. There were different approaches when both of these cats were bred. The American Bombay cat is a cross between the black American Shorthair and the sable Burmese. The British Bombay cat is a cross between black domestic cats and the Burmese cats. While these cats are quite similar, you can tell the difference between them by looking at their eyes. The American Bombay cats have copper or gold eyes. The British Bombay cat’s eyes are usually green.

Bombay cats are social, cuddly, and adorable black cats. If you are thinking about getting a cat, hopefully, this information about the black Bombay cat will help you to make your decision. 

Are all black cats Bombay?

It is important to know that there are many different breeds of cats that can be black. In fact, there are 22 different cat breeds that are black and recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. With this being said, the Bombay cat breed is one that most people think about with black cats. They are completely black besides their copper or gold-colored eyes.

Are Bombay cats always black?

When it comes to the appearance of the Bombay cats, it is important to know that their coat is completely black. The soles on their feet are black. They also have a black mouth and nose. Depending on the type of Bombay cat, their eyes will be green, copper, or gold.

How long do Bombay cats live?

Bombay cats are one of the cat breeds that has a long lifespan. If you have a Bombay cat, you can expect that they will live between 15-20 years.

Check out our blog and follow me on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date!