Originally developed as a hybrid between the Burmese and American Shorthair, the Bombay is a handsome cat, with sleek jet-black fur and gold or copper eyes. With its striking appearance and swaying walk that resembles the Indian black leopard, it is often described as panther-like.
Despite the Bombay’s distinctly wild appearance, this is a breed which is highly affectionate and one which makes strong attachments to its family.
Description and Characteristics
The Bombay is a medium-sized cat with a compact, muscular build making it surprisingly weighty for its size. The head is rounded with no sharp edges, including rounded ears and a broad muzzle which maintains the contours of the head. Its eyes are set far apart and are large and round and of striking gold or copper. The fur of the Bombay is short and sleek and always jet-black, with a shimmering patent-leather sheen.
Bombay cats are highly social and confident cats which thrive in the company of their owners. They generally do well with children, dogs and other cats, and slot into an array of households where there is plenty of human company. These are active and curious cats which love to explore and they adore opportunities to play. They bask in the attention of their owners and enjoy being stroked and petted by pretty much everyone, making them ideal family cats.
Health and common issues
Bombays are generally healthy cats and can live around 15-20 years and beyond. There have been some reports of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in this breed.
