Bombay Cat: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Bombay is a cross between the Burmese and the black American Shorthair cat breed, and they were specifically bred to look like the Indian Black Panther. The result is a large, ebony black cat that does indeed resemble a smaller version of a black panther—without sharing any genes in their pedigree, of course!

Breed Overview

With the combination of traits from their two parent breeds, the Bombay has many desirable characteristics, such as being loyal, intelligent, highly sociable, and affectionate, with a luxurious black coat, bright eyes, and a solid build.

Bombay Cat Characteristics

Bombay Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bombay Cat

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

This social and affectionate cat breed is a great choice for families with children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs. The Bombay cat loves the attention they receive from children and family members who will gently interact with them. They tend to be highly attached to their families and crave attention. The Bombay can become vocal when it comes close to feeding time, and they may even rub against or follow the family member that feeds them until they finally receive their food!

Bombay cats are generally docile and intuitive and tolerate cuddles from their human family, and it’s easy to form a close bond with this cat breed, especially if you spend a lot of time with them. It’s not uncommon for a Bombay cat to form a closer attachment to the owner who cares for them the most, and they will let this person cuddle and handle them more often.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Bombay generally lives peacefully with other cats and some dog breeds who respect their space requirements. If you do plan to keep the Bombay with other cats, make sure that you have multiple litter boxes around the house so the Bombay can have the privacy of their own litter box. If you do choose to keep this cat breed with other dogs, it’s important that the dog is well socialized with cats, as excessive barking and hyperactivity can cause your Bombay cat to become irritated or fearful.

Always introduce new pets that are joining the household in a controlled environment so that both animals can learn how to tolerate one another and live peacefully together.

Things to Know When Owning a Bombay Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Bombay should receive a balanced and protein-rich diet to fuel their energy levels and help them maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a concern for almost all cat breeds, and the Bombay is no exception. Since they already have a stocky build, it’s important that the Bombay does not gain too much excess weight. Keeping this cat breed lean helps prevent weight-related issues like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, which seems to affect the Bombay at a higher rate than other cat breeds.

Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) is not recommended and can cause your Bombay to snack throughout the day. It’s better to serve them food at least twice a day in controlled portions (kittens should eat three to four times a day, whereas adults can eat twice a day). Their food should be of high quality and contain a guaranteed analysis high in animal-based protein, low in carbohydrates, and low in fat.

Exercise 🐈

Bombay cats like to engage themselves in activities such as playing with a toy or using a scratching post to release some energy. This cat breed seems to get isolated bouts of energy where they will search for an interesting toy or activity to engage their interest for a few minutes.

To please their affectionate nature, it is recommended to spend at least 15 to 25 minutes a day cuddling or playing with your Bombay to ensure that they are satisfied with daily interaction. You can entice them to play with you by wiggling around their favorite toy or sitting with them while they engage with an interactive cat toy.

Ensuring that your Bombay cat receives adequate exercise will help them stay lean and fit while keeping their mind stimulating to prevent them from getting bored.

Training 🧶

Due to the Bombay’s high intelligence, it makes it easy for them to be trained. This cat breed is always interested in engaging in new activities and learning new things, especially if they are rewarded for their good behavior by being fed treats.

Positive reinforcement is an important key to successfully training your Bombay cat. Many owners of this cat breed express that it’s easy to litter train them, especially from a young age. Bombay cats can also be taught to walk on a lead in a secured area where they will not be put in danger.

Grooming ✂️

The Bombay cat’s short, fine, and satin coat is easy to groom and should take no longer than a few minutes a week. Simply brush this cat’s fur once a week with a soft brush made for cats with short coats so that you do not scrape their skin. Since their coat is so fine and short, you do not have to worry about the Bombay getting knots and tangles in their fur.

The Bombay may not be a hypoallergenic cat breed (no cat is truly hypoallergenic), but they are very clean because they spend a good portion of their day grooming themselves, meaning they do not require washes unless their fur has become extremely dirty and dry. If you do decide to bathe this cat breed, it’s recommended to use a gentle cat-safe shampoo, along with a moisturizing conditioner to help retain their coat’s luxurious shine.

However, the key to keeping your Bombay’s cat shiny and healthy is through their diet. A diet rich in omega oils and minerals for skin and coat health will give the most dramatic shine and soft feel to your Bombay’s coat.

Nail trimming is another important consideration for their grooming routine. If your Bombay is not regularly using a scratching post to file down their nails, it is essential to take them to a grooming parlor or veterinarian for a monthly nail trim and file.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Male vs. Female

Male Bombay cats are usually larger than females. This larger size can be seen through a male Bombay’s longer legs and more defined neck, whereas female Bombay’s have a smaller build with shorter legs. Both genders are affectionate and loyal to their families, but it’s believed that female Bombay cats can be more independent and less likely to form a tolerance to being cuddled by family members.

3 Little-Known Facts About Bombay Cats

1. Bombay Cats Are Completely Black

At first glance, the Bombay may look like every other breed of a black cat. However, Bombay cats differ because they have an entirely black coat (to the roots), and their nose, whiskers, and paw pads are also black in color, unlike other black cats. The only bright feature of this cat breed is their eyes, which are usually a vivid yellow color.

2. This Is a Rare Cat Breed

Bombay’s are a rare cat breed, making them uncommon to own and difficult to find. Any black cat should not be assumed to be a Bombay cat because there are a variety of cat breeds that closely resemble the Bombay but lack the specific genes.

3. The Bombay Was Bred to Look Like a Black Panther

This domesticated cat was bred to look like a wild cat, and they closely resemble a black panther with their strong build, lithe movements, and beautiful copper eyes.

Final Thoughts

The Bombay is an intelligent cat that loves to play and interact with its family. If you plan to own this cat breed, it’s recommended to ensure that you are prepared to plan this cat breed’s diet extra carefully to ensure that they are being fed a healthy diet that will improve their coat and skin condition, while not contributing to excessive weight gain. Since the Bombay is so affectionate and intelligent, they do require more time and attention from their owners.

Featured Image Credit: dien, Shutterstock