The Bombay - or Bombay cat, as it is also called - is a black cat that looks like a miniature panther. It has a peculiar and unique appearance, but it does not only charm because of its dark hair: the breed's temperament is also adorable. Contrary to popular belief, black cat is not synonymous with bad luck and Bombay is living proof of that! Only those who have the pleasure of living togetherwith a kitty of this breed know what we're talking about.

If you don't know the panther cat yet, but you want to have a docile, affectionate and very playful kitty, the Bombay will surely not disappoint you. The Paws of the House has prepared a guide with everything you need to know about the cat breed!

The origin story of the Bombay cat

The Bombay is one of the black cat breeds that originated in Kentucky, in the United States. It all started in the 1950s with Nikki Horner, an American breeder who was determined to create a short-haired, yellow-eyed black cat that resembled a panther. To do this, Nikki crossed two famous cat breeds: a Burmese and a copper-eyed American Shorthair Cat. In other words,despite the inspiration, the "panther" cat is not a hybrid breed of wild cats with domestic cats.

With several successful crosses, the Bombay cat became popular among American families and soon began to participate in some competitions. In 1979, The International Cat Association (TICA) officially recognized the breed.

The Bombay black cat has striking physical characteristics

It is not very difficult to recognize the Bombay: cat has an elegant look with black, short and silky hair covering the entire length of its body. To complete, the yellow and golden eyes guarantee a differentiated and striking contrast for the breed. It is a medium-sized cat with a slightly rounded head, muzzle and ears. It also has a compact body, which does not usually exceed 30 cm in length.It is worth noting that the coat color of the completely black cat is the only one accepted, there can be no spots or combinations of other shades.

Bombay's personality and temperament are charming

There is a lot of prejudice against black cats, mainly due to superstitions and popular beliefs that associate this coat color with bad luck. But believe me: this is far from true! It only takes a few days of living with the Bombay to be sure that everything they say is just a myth. Unlike most cats, the Bombay cat is attached, affectionate andHe's not that kind of aloof and reclusive cat, but he is a participative kitty who loves to share good times with his owners - even a common scene is to see the cat following the owner around the house.

It is a cheerful and fun breed, as well as being super intelligent and expressive. The Bombay likes to interact, play and be stimulated constantly. In fact, the intelligence is such that training Bombay cats is a possibility that should be considered, since they feel challenged and love to learn new things. They are also communicative, with frequent cat meows, but that are not annoying.

House catification is a great idea to keep them even more entertained indoors. They are curious animals and born explorers, so they will not hesitate to take advantage of every "corner" that is directed to them - be it shelves, niches or different scratchers scattered around the rooms.

4 curiosities about Bombay

1) Bombay originated in the United States, but was named after a city in India of the same name.

2) The inspiration for the creation of the Bombay cat was the fictional character Bagheera from the 1967 animation "Mogli: The Wolf Boy".

3) Intelligent and curious, the Bombay cat learns commands easily and is a great candidate for feline training.

4) There are several names for black cats that can be used to call the animal of the breed taking into account the tone of its hair and its personality.

Bombay cat kitten: how to care for and what to expect from the kitten?

The Bombay cat is already a very smart cat, and in the first few months, it is good to take extra care with feeding and positive stimuli. This is a breed that likes attention, and the guardian should have some free time to devote to it. Some play with cats is also welcome, helping to strengthen the relationship between the two - and the Bombay cat will certainly love itto spend that little extra time by your side.

They are tolerant and friendly cats, but if there are other pets in the house, it is necessary to do the proper socialization with the Bombay kitten. In addition, one cannot fail to adapt the house for the arrival of the pet and not forget the first veterinary consultations to apply the doses of vaccine and dewormer in the kitten, which are indicated in the first months.

Bombay cat routine care needed

Hair brushing: despite having a short coat, weekly brushing is recommended to prevent the formation of hairballs in the animal's body and keep the Bombay looking good.

Teeth: tartar in cats is more common than you think, and can be very dangerous. One way to prevent it is by brushing your pet's teeth frequently (at least three times a week).

Ears: the Bombay's grooming includes weekly checks of its ears, and regular cleaning of the area is indicated to prevent inflammation such as otitis in cats.

Nails: your cat's nails should never be too long, or they may end up being a danger to your cat and to those who live with him. Therefore, leave scratching posts available for your Bombay cat and trim his nails monthly.

What you need to know about Bombay's health

The Bombay is one of the black cat breeds that tend to be very healthy and do not get sick so easily. However, it is important to take special care with the pet's diet and encourage feline hydration, essential care to strengthen the cat's immunity and avoid kidney problems.

Veterinary follow-up is also essential, especially since some hereditary diseases can manifest themselves in the Bombay Cat prone to the development of pathologies such as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and respiratory problems. In addition, like any other pet, the guardian must not forget to apply the booster doses of the cat vaccine annually, orThis can compromise the health of the animal, exposing it to various dangerous diseases. Castration, as well as deworming and administration of anti-parasitic drugs, are also indicated.

Price of Bombay cub varies between R$ 4 thousand and R$ 7 thousand

It is very easy to fall in love with the Bombay cat: it leaves nothing to be desired and is a totally amazing four-legged friend! But those who are interested in the breed should plan financially before deciding to have one. The price of the Bombay cat is at least R $ 4 thousand and at most R $ 7 thousand, and may have small variations according to the cattery chosen.

Sex is one of the factors that most influence the final value, so male cats cost cheaper than females. In addition, the genetic lineage and other factors - such as vaccination and deworming - can also make the Bombay kitten more valued in terms of price. When it comes to safely acquiring a pedigree cat, choose a trusted place that respects animals! Besides, it's a good idea to choose a place that respects animals!Another option is to adopt a black cat (and there are plenty of good reasons to do so!).

Bombay cat x-ray

• Source: United States
• Coat: short, thin, smooth and shiny
• Colors: black
• Personality: docile, curious, intelligent and attached
• Energy level: moderate
• Life expectancy: from 12 to 16 years