Breed History:

The Bombay Cat is a short-haired domestic cat breed developed in the United States during the 1950s. The breed was created by American breeder Nikki Horner, who wanted to develop a cat that resembled a miniature black panther while retaining the affectionate temperament of a domestic companion.

Horner began her breeding program in Louisville, Kentucky, by crossing an American Shorthair with a sable Burmese. After several generations of selective breeding, she developed cats with completely black coats, copper or golden eyes, and the muscular body type associated with the Burmese.

The breed was named "Bombay" because its appearance was intended to resemble the black leopards of India, particularly the region around Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Despite its name, the Bombay Cat was developed entirely in the United States.

The breed gained recognition from major cat associations during the 1970s. Today, the Bombay is known for its glossy black coat, striking eyes, affectionate personality, and strong resemblance to a miniature panther.

Today, the Bombay Cat is valued as a friendly, affectionate, and social companion known for its sleek black appearance, intelligence, and people-oriented personality.

Considering adopting a Bombay Cat? Check out our page "Best Food for Bombay Cats: Wet Food Guide for Bombay Cats in India" detailing the ideal diet and our recommended products for Bombay Cats. 

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	23 to 28 cm	4 to 6 kg
Female	20 to 25 cm	3 to 5 kg

Size: Medium

Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

Breed Appearance:

The Bombay is a medium-sized, muscular, and elegant cat with a distinctive completely black appearance.

The breed commonly features:

• Rounded head

• Full cheeks

• Short, broad muzzle

• Large, expressive eyes

• Large, rounded or wide-set eyes

• Medium-sized ears with rounded tips

• Strong neck

• Broad chest

• Compact, muscular body

• Medium-length legs

• Rounded paws

• Medium-length tail

The Bombay has a short, fine, dense, and extremely glossy coat. The coat should be uniformly black from the roots to the tips, with no visible patches of another colour.

The breed is particularly known for its striking eyes, which can range from golden to copper in colour.

Its common characteristics include:

• Solid black coat

• Copper eyes

• Golden eyes

• Black nose

• Black paw pads

The combination of its glossy black coat, muscular body, rounded features, and bright eyes gives the Bombay its characteristic miniature-panther appearance.

Breed Type – Companion / Family Cat:

The Bombay is an affectionate, social, and people-oriented companion breed.

It is known for being:

• Affectionate

• Friendly

• Intelligent

• Playful

• Social

• Curious

• Loyal

• Adaptable

The breed generally forms strong bonds with its family and enjoys being involved in household activities.

Bombays are typically good with children and other pets when properly socialised. They often enjoy sitting with their owners and may follow family members around the home.

They can be quite vocal and communicative, although usually less intensely vocal than some Siamese-type breeds.

Training:

The Bombay is intelligent and generally responds well to positive reinforcement.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic handling

• Harness training

• Recall training

• Interactive games

• Mental enrichment

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, reward-based sessions work well and help prevent boredom.

Health & Care:

The Bombay is generally considered a healthy breed but may be predisposed to certain health concerns associated with its Burmese ancestry, including:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Obesity

• Dental disease

• Respiratory problems

• Craniofacial defects in some bloodlines

Responsible breeding and appropriate health screening can help reduce the risk of inherited conditions.

Regular veterinary examinations, dental care, a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Bombay adapts very well to indoor living and can thrive in apartments or houses.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Families with children

• Homes with other cats

• Homes with cat-friendly dogs

The breed enjoys human companionship and benefits from cat trees, scratching posts, interactive toys, and window perches.

Because Bombays are highly social, they may become lonely or bored if left alone for extended periods.

Exercise:

The Bombay has moderate exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Fetch

• Puzzle feeders

• Cat trees

• Climbing structures

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 45 minutes of active play and exercise per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

Regular activity is particularly important because the breed can be prone to weight gain.

Grooming:

The Bombay has very low grooming requirements.

• Brushing once or twice per week

• More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

Its short, glossy coat is easy to maintain and rarely develops mats. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and maintain the coat's characteristic shine.

Advantages:

• Affectionate and people-oriented

• Friendly and social

• Intelligent and trainable

• Distinctive glossy black coat

• Striking copper or golden eyes

• Generally good with children and other pets

• Low grooming requirements

• Adaptable to apartment living

• Playful and interactive

Disadvantages:

• Can become lonely when left alone for long periods

• May be prone to obesity

• Can be vocal and demanding of attention

• Requires regular mental stimulation

• Some individuals may be prone to hereditary health problems

• Needs regular dental care

• May develop behavioural issues if insufficiently stimulated