American Bobtail: Character, education, health, price - The right cat for you?
The American Bobtail is a breed of cat that stands out for its wild look, semi-cobby figure, shaggy fur and above all, its flexible tail that is quite short and curved over the back. Of recent appearance, it is especially popular in the United States but has recently aroused the interest of cat enthusiasts in Europe, and in France in particular.
The American Bobtail's education and easy training have earned him the qualification of a cat-dog. But he is best known for his solid health as well as his gentle and affectionate temperament, although he turns out to be quite a pot of glue. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about this native American cat, as well as everything he needs to be happy and fulfilled.
The ideal cat for whom?
The American Bobtail is a gentle, calm cat who is easily satisfied with an indoor life. Nevertheless, it is necessary for him to have access to the outdoors from time to time to relax and breathe fresh air. So, whether you live in an apartment or in a house, this little feline will find a suitable space in your home. Naturally, a balcony or a garden are additional spaces that will please him.
In addition, this cat is sociable and tolerant of children as much as its congeners or other pets. This makes it an ideal cat for people living with families, with little cabbage or other four-legged companions.
Its short coat does not require special care and although it is relatively independent, the American Bobtail cannot stand loneliness. The ideal teacher must therefore be an available person, ready to offer him the attention and tenderness he needs to be happy.
Origin and History of the American Bobtail
As its name suggests, the American Bobtail is a breed of cat that originated in America. However, its discovery is still very recent. Indeed, it was not until 1965 that this unusual looking feline was found by chance near an Indian reservation in Arizona by the couple John and Brenda Sanders.
Having brought him back to their farm, he will be crossed with a Siamese cat to obtain a litter of which some kittens had the same specificity as the male, namely a fairly short tail. Subsequently, these will serve as the basis for the development of the breed. But it was not until 1989 that the American Bobtail received recognition from the TICA.
Although the breed is very popular and prized in America, it still remains rare and little known in Europe and France. However, the American Bobtail tends to come out of the shadows to make itself known to cat lovers around the world. In addition, it is interesting to note that the breed is the subject of continuous development, with a view to perfecting its physical characteristics in particular.
Physical characteristics of the American Bobtail
The American Bobtail has a fairly large head without a flat surface, with pronounced cheeks, a strong chin and a powerful jaw. He has a slightly curved nose with a slight stop, as well as large oval eyes that match the color of the dress. A blue coloration is generally seen in those with a colourpoint dress. As for its ears, they are medium in size, wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tip. They are bushy and carried low on the head.
Also, the size of the American Bobtail varies from medium to large. His slightly elongated body displays powerful muscles and bones. Its equally sturdy and powerful short legs appear disproportionate to the size of the body. One of the distinguishing features of the American Bobtail is its relatively short, thick and flexible tail. Measuring 2.5 cm or even 10 cm for the longest, it has the particularity of being tied or curved over the back in some individuals.
Depending on the aspect of the fur, you will notice that there are 2 varieties of American Bobtail: the one with short hairs and the one with medium hairs. In this last variant, the coat is shaggy and appears fuller on the neck, stomach, breeches and tail. Finally, all coat colors are allowed in this breed, and in all possible shades.
Behavior of the American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is an affectionate cat and very attached to its adoptive family. He has a special love for his master to whom he is constantly glued. Aggression and violence are not part of his temperament. On the other hand, he is gentle with the little ones and cohabits peacefully with other animals. He is fairly calm, but he often meows.
Home life hardly altered his natural hunting instinct. Lively and intelligent, the American Bobtail is relatively discreet and independent. However, he does not adapt to loneliness. It is a more or less active cat and perfectly suited to games, although it tends to prefer squatting on sofas for long hours.
The Health and Care of the American Bobtail
The American Bobtail has the advantage of being a robust cat with iron health. No hereditary or genetic disease has been detected. In addition, with effective protection (vaccination, deworming, grooming, food, etc.) this little feline shows good resistance to pathologies common to all cats. However, it is not immune to possible accidents that may occur at home or outside, during a walk for example.
Faced with these vagaries of life, subscribing to a mutual insurance company for cats represents the ideal solution (and therefore that we strongly recommend you) to guarantee your American Bobtail access to the best health care while preserving your finances.
Does the American Bobtail need a specific food?
The American Bobtail does not need specific food for its breed. Like all its congeners, a diet consistent with its exclusively carnivorous diet is all it requires. However, it is recommended to adapt it to his lifestyle, taking into account for example his appetite, but especially his pace of activity, to avoid undernourishment or conversely overweight detrimental to his well- to be.
Clearly, you must offer your American Bobtail high quality food, rich in varieties of meat and / or fish and made without cereals, without food supplements or any other product contrary to the ancestral diet of felines. Whether it is mash or croquettes, the ideal is that they are sufficiently rich in animal proteins and vitamins and that they have a low fat and carbohydrate content so as not to harm your health.
What budget to have an American Bobtail?
The purchase price of an American Bobtail strongly depends on several criteria. Among the latter we generally find conformity to the standard of the breed, the sex, the pedigree of the parents, the reputation of the breeder, but also the supply and demand (due to the rarity of this breed on the European market), etc…
As an estimate, note that you will have to pay between 800 and 1500 € for the adoption of a female American Bobtail kitten and 700 to 1200 € for a male American Bobtail kitten. Likewise, you will have to count more or less 300 € over the year to cover expenses related to maintenance.
Accessories adapted to the American Bobtail
Like all other cats, the American Bobtail requires a certain number of accessories (of good quality, solid, adapted to its morphology,…) perfectly adapted to its needs in order to be happy and fulfilled. These include a bowl (or an automatic dispenser) and a water fountain, which are essential to facilitate its diet and better hydrate it on a daily basis. He will also need a litter box and a grooming kit for short or medium-haired cats, to ensure his daily hygiene.
To meet exercise needs and pique this feline's interest in the activity, stimulating toys like candy balls or a fishing rod will do the trick. Finally, if you want to further improve his agility and satisfy his pleasure of heights, you will also have to install a cat tree or a perch.
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Where to adopt a American Bobtail?
For the adoption of a purebred cat like the American Bobtail you can go to catteries or cat shelters. But of all the options available, professional breeding is still the best route if you wish to be protected from any disappointment (kitten not having received better care and sometimes not meeting all the standards of the breed, etc ...)
Although it is possible to adopt an American Bobtail from 'a private individual, this is an option that we do not recommend to future owners, due to the risk of animal trafficking. For your safety, if you ever choose this solution, we recommend that you deal with a close person whom you know, rather than with a stranger.
