- History and origin of the breed
- Appearance and Character of Bombay Cats
- Importance of grooming for this breed
- Conclusion
History and origin of the breed
The pocket panther is what you might call these wonderful cats, due to their visual resemblance, except for size, to their distant wild ancestors. The breed’s origin story is quite fascinating. It began in the late 1950s in the United States, Louisville, Kentucky. Nicky Horner, who was a cat lover and feline enthusiast, set herself the goal of breeding a cat breed that would look like a miniature black panther with golden eye color and, at the same time, become an irreplaceable family friend. She worked for 8 years to breed the Bombay Cat, but there were many trials along the way that made her put her hands down and stop working on breeding the tiny panther. But her efforts were redeemed in 1958 when a successful line of this breed was born. It was this achievement that brought Nicky Horner success in her career, making her a well-known figure despite all the obstacles.
Why exactly the name “Bombay”, as this breed does not have Indian roots? The word “Bombay” is the old name of modern Mumbai, where many panthers live. According to the breeder, this name reflects the exotic associations of these “black pearls” with Indian panthers.
Appearance and character of Bombay cats
Bombays are medium-sized short-haired cats, so if you are not a big fan of oversized and overly fluffy pets, this is the animal for you. The normal life expectancy of these cats is 12-17 years. The weight of an adult cat reaches 4-6 kilograms, while a cat weighs 3-5 kilograms. Interestingly, visually they look smaller than their weight, however, these cats are quite muscular, which is the reason for this weight. Externally, Bombay cats are very reminiscent of a panther. This is exactly the result that the breeder wanted to achieve. For this purpose, a black short-haired American cat was crossed with a Burmese cat, which had a dark brown or, as they say – sable-color. This is why the Bombay inherited such a glossy black color. Thanks to the Burmese genes and careful selection, the eyes of these cats have acquired a golden color, which is their characteristic appearance among other cats.
If we talk about the character of the breed, then there is also something to catch your eye here. Bombay cats have inherited a number of good character traits from their forebears. In particular, compared to other cats, they are very attached and loyal to their master and in general to the whole family in which they live. These cats are very positive about new acquaintances, so if you decide to buy another Tails, the cat will only be happy about it. This is due to the fact that Bombays are hard to tolerate loneliness, and if the owner is often not at home, they are happy with any company, even if their companion is a dog. Also these cats contrast against the background of others quite high level of curiosity, are observant and like to know and understand everything. Bombays are moderately talkative, so they won’t bore you too much with their meowing. With the Bombay cat will not be bored, for them the active is an integral part of life. Say Bombay cats are wonderful family friends in every sense of the word.
Note that this breed easily gains extra grams, or even kilograms, so do not feed them from your table and do not forbid them to “run on the ceiling” sometimes. Also important for them is care and timely inspection, because Bombays are prone to some diseases, about which we will talk further.
Importance of grooming for this breed
The short but dense coat of the Bombay needs grooming, although it is much easier than that of long-haired cats such as Persians, Maine Coons, Angoras and others. As a rule, cats are not very fond of bathing, Bombay is not an exception, so it is necessary to bathe them not too often, correctly selecting the care of hair and skin. With the use of improperly selected means, the wool can suffer and become dull and coal-black color will lose its luster and color saturation, and visually healthy appearance of the animal’s coat, you can say, is his calling card. Also, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to certain means, so you need to pick up a special hypoallergenic shampoo. Your cat can be washed, as already mentioned, not too often, especially if he lives in the house. In this case, it is enough to bathe about once every 1-2 months, but look at the situation, if your cat is too inquisitive and often gets into trouble, the frequency of bathing can be increased.
Don’t forget to set aside time for regular brushing. It will do a lot of good for your cat and for you in particular: it will significantly reduce the shedding of the cat, which will save the owner from many inconveniences and unnecessary hassle with cleaning; brushing removes dead hairs that prevent the growth and development of new ones, as well as, although rare in relation to this breed, but the lack of care can cause the appearance of coils, under which harmful bacteria and parasites multiply, skin infections appear, significantly spoil the quality and appearance of wool in general; massaging helps to improve blood circulation, which has a beneficial effect on the skin, wool, and also helps the cat to relax. The Bombay cat should be combed 1-2 times a week.
Another important area of care is the Tail’s oral cavity. These cats are prone to tooth and gum disease, so it is important to brush regularly with special products. Human toothpastes are not recommended; they can be toxic to animals. Usually, oral care products can be helped to be selected by a groomer or veterinarian, taking into account all the features and needs of your Pet. Brushing frequency is 2 to 3 times a week. For the procedure, you should have a brush or silicone finger brush and toothpaste without fluoride and with a flavor pleasant to the cat, for example – meat. If the kitty refuses the brush, there are several alternative oral care options. These include: powders that are added to food and reduce the formation of plaque on the teeth, sanitary napkins, oral sprays and gels.
The eyes of the Bombay Cat also need care. They are prone to inflammation, because of which they are often watery and sour, so it is necessary to wash them with a special solution in time and correctly. If you rinse them for prevention, it is enough 2-3 times a week, if the tail is prone to this problem or during its exacerbation, you need to repeat the procedure every day.
The psychological background of the importance of grooming is explained by the fact that Bombays are very much in need of attention and contact with a person. This helps him feel needed and important, and will strengthen the bond with the owner. Also during grooming, in particular such procedures as brushing or massage, it is easier for the cat to relax and rest psychologically. Therefore, you should not neglect grooming, it has a positive effect on the psychological health of Tails.
Grooming of Bombay cats is important and for preventive purposes. A specialist will always notice something wrong and give advice that will help to avoid the appearance of serious skin diseases or other undesirable health defects. Especially when it comes to the weaknesses of this breed. Grooming also helps to identify “uninvited guests” such as fleas, ticks and worms.
To maintain your cat’s natural beauty, physical and psychological health, quality grooming is essential. Remember that everything should shine in a Bombay cat – eyes, coat, and mood, and regular grooming can ensure this.
Conclusion
So, from all the above mentioned, it is safe to assume that Bombay breed cats are the best option for those who love the combination of elegance, agility and fun. In all aspects, you can consider these little panthers as the best solution to your loneliness. Besides their wonderful character, which is a balanced playfulness, friendliness, loyalty, affection and inquisitiveness, they also have a number of physiological advantages that are pleasing to the eye and also simplify their care. However, don’t forget that they deserve regular grooming treatments that emphasize their luxurious coat and keep them healthy. In our V.O.G. DOG SALON salons we treat every Pet with care, because we know that even a “pet panther” needs affection, care and professional skill. If you want your Bombay Cat to always feel great and be carefully groomed, we invite you to visit us and we will gladly help you achieve this goal.
