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There is something a little bit wild and untamed about cats. For some time, cat fanciers have been inspired by that wildness to breed cats that look like their undomesticated kin. The Bombay is one such breed, intended to look like a tiny black panther. Despite the family resemblance, these friendly felines are much more at home in a cozy bed than an exotic jungle.
A Long Way from India
The cat fancier who conceived of breeding mini-panthers was a woman named Nikki Horner who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, USA [1-5, 7, 8]. She began breeding sable Burmese and black American Shorthair cats together in the 1950s [1-3, 5, 7]. Horner named her new breed the Bombay after the city in India, now known as Mumbai, as a nod to the country’s black leopards [4-7].
Another line of Bombay cats was started in the United Kingdom that crossed Burmese and British Shorthairs [1, 6]. Although they are still considered Bombays, they look a bit different from the ones that come from the American breeding program [1, 6].
The Patent Leather Kid with the New Penny Eyes
The only color Bombays come in is black, and they are black all over–whiskers, paw pads, and nose leather, too [2, 6, 7]. Their coat is short, dense, and has a shine like patent leather [1-8]. Their eyes vary from gold to deep copper [1-8]. The Bombay is a muscular, medium-sized cat with a round head and short muzzle [1-8]. Their ears are rounded at the tips [1, 6, 7].
The Bombay personality is that of a total attention sponge [2-8]. They are real extroverts who get along well with all sorts, including children and other pets [2-5, 7, 8]. Because Bombays are so social, they can get stressed and lonely when left alone for long hours [4, 7, 8]. Fortunately, they are happy to play with another cat or a different animal friend.
The Bombay is a smart, playful kitty who likes to learn tricks, play games, and solve puzzles [3, 4]. They often enjoy playing fetch and going for walks on a leash [2-4, 7]. This is not a highly active breed that will keep you up all night, but they certainly appreciate some quality playtime [2-4]. They are in fact quite the lap cat and love a good cuddle [2, 4, 5, 8].
Pampering Parlor Panthers
Bombays are a pretty easy breed to care for. Their short, low-shed coats require very minimal grooming, just the occasional brushing to get rid of loose hair [3, 4, 7]. They are more prone to obesity than most cats, so it’s important to keep their food intake measured and monitor their weight carefully [3, 4, 7]. They also have a genetic propensity toward gingivitis and dental disease, so brushing their teeth and providing dental treats are good ideas [7].
The Bombay is slightly flat-faced, which makes them prone to excessive tear production and sinus and breathing problems [3, 4, 7]. They also have somewhat higher rates of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats [3, 4]. On the whole, however, Bombays have a rather low incidence of health problems and are considered quite hardy for purebred cats.
The Bombay is a rare breed that can be hard to find. They may still end up in shelters or need to be rehomed, though, so check with your local shelter or with Bombay and Burmese breeders to see if a cat is in need of adoption before trying to buy one.
Fun Facts
- Bombays tend to reach puberty early yet don’t finish growing until they are almost two years old [3].
- Bombay kittens can be born with tabby stripes that disappear as they grow up [1].
Works Cited
- Alderton, D. (1992). Cats: The visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world. Dorling Kindersley: London.
- Bombay. (n.d.). VCA Animal Hospitals https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/bombay
- Bombay. (n.d.). VetStreet. http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/bombay#overview
- Brown, J. (2021, October 12). Bombay: Cat breed profile. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/bombay-cat-full-profile-history-and-care-5202250
- Cat Fanciers Association. (n.d.). About the Bombay. https://cfa.org/bombay/
- Edwards, A. (2006). The ultimate encyclopedia of cat, cat breeds, and cat care. Hermes House: London.
- Taylor, C. & Guthrie, C. (2021, October 12). Bombay. DailyPaws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/bombay
- The International Cat Association. (2018, August 13). Bombay breed. https://tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=827:bombay-breed&catid=79
Published April 17, 2022
Updated June 27, 2022
