The Japanese Bobtail has the potential to be one of the great darlings among cat lovers! The exotic-looking feline with a short tail has a lot of energy and is a great companion for any family. Of Asian origin, this kitten is super intelligent and loves to explore. You wanted to know more about him, right? Patas da Casa has prepared a complete guide about the cat breed and let's go!tell you everything from their origin to the care needed to keep this pet happy and healthy.

Origin of the Japanese Bobtail: sit down, here comes history!

When you hear the name Japanese Bobtail, your first impulse is to deduce that the breed originated in Japan. But, as incredible as it may seem, that's not the truth! The felines appeared in China, approximately 1,000 years ago, naturally - that is, without any human intervention. It is believed that the Emperor of China gave a Bobtail kitten as a gift to the Emperor of Japan in the 7th century. Since then, the animalcarries an association with prosperity!

Still in Japan, the breed had a hard time because Bobtail cats were released onto the streets in an attempt to contain a plague that was hitting the country. As a result, the breed lost its position as a royal cat to live on the streets.

The felines were brought to the United States in the late 1960s, when breeder Judy Crawford sent Bobtail kittens to Elizabeth Freret, and were officially recognized as a breed in 1976. Initially, TICA (The International Cat Association) admitted only the short-haired Japanese Bobtail for cat competitions in 1979. A few years later, in 1991, the short-haired feline was added to the list.Long has also been accepted into contests and competitions.

Japanese Bobtail cats can have short or long coats

Japanese Bobtail cats can be found in two varieties: the long-haired and the short-haired (whose coat is still considered medium in length). The kitten's hair has a silky texture and can be single-colored or even tricolored, with a huge plurality of patterns. The traditional color is the tricolor mi-ke (mee-kay), formed by a combination of red,black and white.

The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat with a long body, a triangular head and a straight muzzle. Its ears are high and slightly inclined forward. The eyes, in turn, are rounded when viewed from the front and oval when observed from the side. This shape brings an oriental look to the cat and is very appreciated by fans of the breed! Females weigh from 2kg to 3kg, while females weigh from 2kg to 3kg.Males are usually larger and reach up to 4.5kg on the scales.

Bobtail physical characteristics and other curiosities

A very striking feature of the Bobtail cat is the presence of a very short tail, similar to the appearance of a pompom. This small part of the feline's body rarely exceeds 3cm and, thanks to its twist and the presence of hair, creates a look similar to the tail of a rabbit.

Although it is reduced, the tail of the Japanese Bobtail is complete and has the same vertebrae found in the anatomy of long-tailed cats. An interesting detail about the breed is that the tail works as a kind of fingerprint, being unique for each animal. This happens because of the different flexions and twists, which make it impossible to have two identical tails.

Temperament of the Japanese Bobtail: feline is quite intelligent and full of disposition!

The personality of the Japanese Bobtail is one of the breed's strong points! The cats are very confident and have intelligence to give and sell. Quite curious and energetic, cats of this origin usually have a great ability to communicate, especially with their favorite people. It is not uncommon to find a Bobtail kitten who answers by his own name and spends hours talking (with meows, of course).of course) with your guardian.

Being very intelligent, the cat has a reputation for chatter and usually uses a melodious and soft tone of voice to communicate with its guardians. Another great advantage of the feline is its ability to adapt. The pet easily gets used to new situations and environments, which can be a great feature for families who move or travel very often.

How does the Japanese Bobtail get along with people and other animals?

The Japanese Bobtail is the right cat for those who have children at home. The animal's friendly and playful personality makes the feline a great companion for both humans and other animals. Although it has its favorite people (like any good pet), the pet is quite sociable and relates well to visitors. It will be difficult to find a Japanese Bobtail being a pet.particularly hostile towards someone.

Although not a lap cat, the cat feels more comfortable in the presence of its owners. It will not be difficult to notice the animal's preference for sitting near the owner or even sleeping on the bed of its owners.

The Japanese Bobtail assumes the role of protector of the house and is not intimidated by possible invaders. If there is a dog in the same room, the feline will make a point of showing that he is in charge. However, do not confuse the behavior with antipathy! The cat knows how to make lasting friendships, especially with pets introduced since childhood.

Bobtail: cat of the breed needs exercise on a daily basis

Possessing great hunting skills, the Japanese Bobtail tends to love the outdoors. However, this does not prevent the feline from being happy in an enclosed space, provided there are opportunities for entertainment and physical performance.

If you have a Japanese Bobtail, you need to invest in different types of games to entertain the animal. The catification of the environment helps to instigate the exploratory side of the Bobtail: these kittens are very willing and are known for their adventurous spirit. The Japanese Bobtail is that pet that loves to discover new hidden corners or spend the whole day at the window watching what happens around.

How should the Japanese Bobtail cat be fed?

Feeding the Japanese Bobtail does not require anything very special. The feline is considered a puppy until 12 months of age, so, at this stage, the amount of food should vary between 30g to 60g per day. From one year on, the animal is already considered an adult and, therefore, the amount becomes a little higher and can reach up to 50g daily.

Like any other pet, your kitten should have constant access to a well-stocked food bowl and drinking fountain. Give preference to running water, if possible. Pets tend to drink more fluid when this is possible, which can prevent various kidney diseases. Choose quality food that is nutritionally balanced and appropriate for your pet's age and routine.

Bobtail: cat of the breed is in good health

The Bobtail kitten usually lives a long time, between 15 to 18 years. The feline has a strong health, without predispositions to specific diseases and is quite resistant. There are no records of health problems associated with the Japanese Bobtail, not even spinal or bone changes possibly caused by the animal's short tail (one of its most striking characteristics). It is worth keeping an eye on iton issues common to cats in general, such as progressive retinal atrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, deafness (in the case of white cats) and other such ailments.

Caring for a Japanese Bobtail cat: should I take any special measures?

You can already tell that the Japanese Bobtail is not a very problematic breed, right? Not so much special care is needed in feeding the animal or a very specific routine to keep the feline's health up to date. However, some measures can be taken to make the pet feel more and more comfortable indoors.

A great example is the care of the animal's coat! In the case of short-haired cats, the guardian can dedicate one day a week for brushing. In the case of long-haired cats, it is recommended that this maintenance happens at least twice a week. In addition to avoiding hairballs, the owner still earns points with the pet thanks to the extra attention.