Bombay: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

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21 Mar 2024

The Bombay cat is a sturdy feline with jet-black fur and brilliant golden eyes that make them look like a miniature panther. These are hybrid cats, a mix of the American shorthair and the Burmese breeds, who are friendly and sociable.
Learn more about these big-cat doppelgängers, the Bombay.

Breed Overview

PERSONALITY: Affectionate, sociable, needy, playful
WEIGHT: Up to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 20 inches
COAT LENGTH: Short hair
COAT COLORS: Black
COAT PATTERNS: Solid
EYE COLOR: Gold or copper
LIFESPAN: Up to 20 years
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: USA

Characteristics of the Bombay Cat

Cats are known for being independent, but it seems Bombay cats missed the memo. Bombays make lovely pets, craving human company and even venturing into Velcro cat territory.1 If you work long hours away from home or travel a lot, then Bombay might not be the best choice. They simply need too much interaction and will get depressed if left alone.

Because they are outgoing and sociable, Bombay will greet strangers with curious interests and are happy to play with kids as long as they are gentle.1 Bombays even get along with friendly dogs and other cats, especially when raised together.
Affection Level High
Friendliness High
Kid-Friendly High
Pet-FriendlyHigh
Exercise Needs Medium
Playfulness High
Energy Level Medium
Intelligence High
Tendency to VocalizeMedium
Amount of SheddingLow

History of the Bombay Cat

The Bombay was developed by a U.S. cat breeder named Nikki Horner, who sought to create a cat breed that looked like a miniature panther in 1953.2 Although it took her many years, meticulously planned breedings of Burmese and American shorthair cats eventually resulted in the midnight-black, muscular Burmese. Horner chose the name Bombay as a nod to India’s storied black leopard.1 (At the time, Bombay was a city in India. It's now Mumbai.)
The Bombay inherited various traits from its two founding breeds. Their body resembles the Burmese but is slightly longer and less compact.2 It's also curious and sociable like the Burmese. The Bombay’s laid-back personality is credited to its American shorthair ancestry.1
The Bombay was accepted for championship status with the Cat Fanciers Association in 1976. The International Cat Association accepted the Bombay in 1979.
Volchanskiy / Getty Images

Bombay Cat Care

Bombays' coats are short, so you won't have much grooming to do. On the other hand, you will need to make sure your cat has plenty of options to burn off their physical and mental energy.

Grooming

The Bombay’s short, fine satiny coat couldn’t be easier to groom. Simply brush this cat's fur once a week or rub it with a soft chamois cloth to bring out the coat’s patent-leather shine.
The Bombay is a very clean cat who sheds very little. Occasional baths keep the coat looking and feeling soft and glossy. Trim the nails every two weeks or so, and peek inside your Bombay’s ears every week or two to make sure they are not red or excessively dirty. Only clean your cat's ears if necessary to avoid disturbing their naturally healthy bacterial balance.

Exercise

The Bombay cat is playful and curious. Bombay kittens have seemingly endless amounts of energy, but as they age, they become more mellow and are happy to cuddle up on your lap after a brief bout of exploration and play.
Bombay cats are intelligent, so they appreciate puzzle toys, which encourage them to physically manipulate devices to get treats or food. Bombays are relatively trainable cats and sometimes behave a little like dogs. Some enjoy playing fetch and are comfortable walking on a leash and harness.
Scratching is a natural behavior that’s good for all cats’ physical and mental health, but you want to show your cat the right places to scratch (not the couch). Offer your Bombay a variety of acceptable surfaces for scratching, including vertical surfaces (scratching posts or cat trees) and horizontal surfaces (cardboard or sisal scratchers that lie on the floor).

Common Health Problems

Though the Bombay is generally a healthy and long-living cat, a few genetically linked diseases3 are present in the breed, including:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (which causes thickening of the heart walls and is the most common form of heart disease seen in cats)
Respiratory issues and congestion (common in breeds with shorter noses)

When searching for a cat breeder, ask if they offer a health guarantee for their kittens.

Appearance

The Bombay has a stocky, muscular build and rounded head, resembling a mini leopard or jaguar. Their ears are medium-sized, and their large eyes range in color from rich gold to copper. The coat is fine and short, with a satin-like texture and shimmering, patent-leather sheen.4

Diet and Nutrition

Obesity is a concern for all cats. Because the Bombay has a stocky build, they are vulnerable to weight gain. Staying lean helps prevent weight-related health issues like diabetes and arthritis, as well as heart disease, which affects Bombay at higher rates than other breeds.
Free feeding (leaving food out all day) can lead to too much snacking and weight gain. Instead, serve measured amounts of food twice a day for adult cats (kittens should eat three to four smaller meals per day). Ask your breeder or veterinarian for a recommendation for high-quality food for your Bombay.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Bombay Cat

There are a handful of Bombay breeders in North America, so it might take a little searching to find a kitten. It is not unusual for Bombay breeders to also breed Burmese cats. The Cat Fanciers' Association and The International Cat Association both maintain lists of active breeders.
You can also visit a cat show in your area to connect with reputable breeders and meet many different cat breeds in person.
Although it’s not unheard of for a Bombay to end up in an animal shelter, purebred Bombays in need of re-homing are often placed into new homes by breeders. Luckily, there are many beautiful black cats similar to Bombay in shelters across the U.S. who need loving homes.