Bombay : Character, education, health, price - The right cat for you?
The Bombay is a recent breed of cat which has the particularity of possessing the physique and the allure of a black Indian panther, in miniature version. But unlike this fawn, he is endowed with the gentle, affectionate and sociable character of a domestic cat. This earned him the nickname “living room panther”.
However, he is a pretty pot of glue cat who does not support loneliness. Like most of its congeners, it naturally requires the affection of a devoted and available master, a minimum of care, as well as a certain number of accessories adapted to have a happy and fulfilling life. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about Bombay, plus all the good reasons to adopt it or not.
Who is the ideal cat for?
The Bombay is a medium-sized cat perfectly suited to both indoor and outdoor life. So, whether you live in an apartment or in a house with a garden, your living environment will suit it well. A life in the countryside would be all the better suited to the expression of his predatory instinct.
In addition, with its sociable and docile temperament, the Bombay adapts to the presence of small children as well as other domestic animals. Owners living alone or with family will therefore have no problem with this little feline.
However, it is a cat who particularly likes cuddles and tenderness and who cannot stand loneliness. He therefore needs an affectionate and available master. Therefore, if you are a busy person this little furball will have a hard time thriving and being happy in your home.
Origin and history of the Bombay
The Bombay is an artificial cat breed originating in the United States of America created by Nikki Horner, a breeder living in Louisville, Kentucky. Its birth is motivated by the desire of its creator to have a domestic cat whose appearance is identical to that of a black panther.
To make her dream come true, in 1958 the breeder made crosses between an American Burmese and an American Shorthair with a black dress. But it was not until 1960 that she managed to obtain specimens with the desired physical appearance. The breed was recognized in 1976 and 1979 respectively by the CFA and TICA under the name Bombay, in comparison to the Black Panthers of the Bombay region in India.
Popular in the USA, the breed is relatively less popular in Europe. However, it has recently experienced a resurgence of interest from cat lovers in France in particular, where Bombay has been present since 1980. The statistics from the Official Book of Feline Origins (LOOF) established in 2016 place it at the rank of 32e out of 55 of the most popular cat breeds in France.
Photos of Bombay
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Physical characteristics of the Bombay
The appearance of the Bombay cat is so close to that of a panther that only the size allows you to distinguish these two felines. He indeed has a rounded head, and seen in profile, his forehead appears rounded. He has a round nose with a slight stop, a short and wide muzzle, as well as a strong chin. Its large round and spaced eyes have the particularity of being golden or coppery. As for its ears, they are medium in size, wide at the base, a little rounded at the tip and slightly tilted forward.
In addition, the Bombay has an average height (for a cat) with an athletic physique. Its compact body features powerful musculature and bones. The length of its legs remains proportionate to that of the body. The feet are round and small. As for the tail, it is of medium length and rounded at its end.
Finally, the most characteristic element in the Bombay cat is its dress, short, thin and lustrous, whose texture is reminiscent of satin. Note that the breed standard only admits one color for the coat, namely: jet black, a solid color, perfectly black all over the body, from root to tip of the hair.
Behavior of the Bombay
The Bombay has only the appearance of the black panther, because in reality it is a calm, gentle and affectionate companion. He is a cat who loves cuddles and tenderness, which is why he will generally tend to lie on your lap to be petted and cuddled.
Due to its sociable and peaceful temperament, this black cat tolerates the company of its congeners and / or that of other animals and adapts without difficulty to the presence of children with whom it happens to play. Note also that his intelligence gives him a relative independence. However, he remains sensitive to the loneliness that he finds it very difficult to bear.
In addition, the Bombay is a very curious and more or less active cat, which shows great skill and agility. Moreover, the latter is endowed with an innate instinct for hunting which will often lead him out of the house. Finally, it is a cat that easily adapts to changes (if you move for example).
Health and Care in Bombay
The Bombay is blessed with solid health. Indeed, this feline does not suffer from any hereditary disease or pathology that is specific to its breed. In other words, he is only likely to catch the diseases common to all cats like leukosis, coryza, typhus, rabies, etc.
Thus, you must ensure that your Bombay receives all the recommended vaccines. You will also need to take care of their coat and ensure their overall hygiene. Add to that a healthy diet, and it all comes together to give your 4-legged friend a long, healthy life.
Despite all the care you can give your Bombay, it is not excluded that illnesses or unexpected accidents may affect it. This is why we strongly recommend that you take out cat insurance, in order to guarantee them the best possible care without breaking the bank.
Does Bombay need specific food?
It is important to remember that there is absolutely no need to look for a specific food for a purebred cat. Your Bombay simply needs a healthy diet that fits their strict carnivore diet and lifestyle.
This means that you have to give him premium quality croquettes or mash, which consists mainly of fresh meat and / or fish. Their composition should be devoid of grains, food supplements, chemical additives and other ingredients that are unnecessary and harmful to the cat.
In addition, it is important that these foods are high protein, with sufficient vitamins and a measured intake of minerals, but low in fat and carbohydrates. Calorie intake, frequency and quantity of meals should take into account the pace of activity of your Bombay. Indeed, if they all show a big appetite, it should be noted that some specimens are less inclined to physical exercise and the risk of being overweight is never far away.
What budget to have a Bombay?
Note that the purchase price of a Bombay varies according to certain criteria. In general, it is influenced by sex, age, the pedigree of the parents, the mode of adoption chosen, etc. It is therefore difficult to determine a fixed price.
However, to have an estimate, note that you will have to spend between 600 to 1200 € for the adoption of a male Bombay kitten and 700 to 1250 € for the adoption of a female kitten. And as the Bombay is a cat that does not require great care, you will also count 250 to 300 € per year for the expenses related to its maintenance.
Accessories adapted to the Bombay
Like all cats, the Bombay requires a certain number of accessories adapted to its needs and its morphology to be happy and fulfilled. Among these, the most essential remain: its litter box, its bowls to better serve its meals (or preferably an automatic kibble dispenser), a water fountain for its hydration, as well as its grooming kit for the maintains its fur. If he has access to the outside, you can install a cat flap on the door to facilitate his entry and exit.
Finally, some Bombay cats are great players, while others may be less interested in the activity. In any case, the physical expenditure remains an essential need for the well-being of this feline. Hence the need to install a cat tree, a high perch or a barter to scratch, as well as candy balls, so that he has something to amuse himself while exercising.
Goodies for Bombay lovers
TOP 1
Bombay Strass Cat - Ladies Watch - Bracelet ...
TOP 2
Blechschild With drawstring 30 x 20 cm ...
TOP 3
A little busy being a mother of Bombay chat ...
Where to adopt a Bombay?
Using a professional breeder is the best option for adopting a purebred cat like the Bombay. Indeed, in a recognized breeding, you are sure to adopt a kitten having received the best care and which conforms perfectly to the standards of the breed. But you can also adopt in catteries or cat shelters.
Finally, you can adopt your Bombay from a private individual. However, due to the risk of animal trafficking more imminent in this route, we advise you to deal preferably with a close person rather than a stranger.
