🐱 Cat · size Medium
Bombay
Medium feline breed, balance between independence and affection.
Photo · Bombaykatze (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Weight
3–5 kg
Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 ans
Energy
Moyen
Maintenance
Faible
Training
Faible
The Bombay is a cat breed originating from the United States. Created in 1965 with the aim of obtaining a miniature black panther, the breed results from crosses between black American Shorthairs and Sable Burmese. The Bombay is recognized by the two most renowned American breeding registries, the CFA and TICA, in the 1970s. In the United States and Europe, the breed is of average to low popularity. The Bombay is characterized by its uniformly black short-haired coat.
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The body, of cobby type, is muscular and compact. The face is characterized by a short and swollen muzzle with a well-marked stop, well-spaced ears. The eyes, large, round and spaced far apart, are golden to copper in color. The maintenance of the Bombay is limited to regular brushing and lustration of its coat. In France, breeding is maintained between 2003 and 2015 at around fifty births per year.
Compatibility
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Modéré
Trainability
Faible
Maintenance
Faible
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Medium size (6.6–11 lbs) — balance between presence and practicality.
- 2Life expectancy: 12 to 18 years on average, depending on hygiene and diet.
- 3Moderate energy — 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day sufficient.
- 4Minimal maintenance — low shedding, occasional brushing.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Bombay
Origins & history
A story told
This breed was created by Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky (United States) to resemble a miniature black panther. Owner of the Shawnee Cattery since 1945, she bred Burmese and American Shorthair there. In 1958, she crossed a black American Shorthair with a Sable Burmese, in order to obtain a black cat with the morphology of a Burmese. The first results of her crosses were disappointing, as the kittens retained the morphology of the American Shorthair. In the 1960s, Nikki Horner obtained cats with the desired appearance, by notably crossing a large Burmese champion with a black American Shorthair. Among the various names that circulated to describe the breed, the Bombay was named 'Black Burmese', 'mini-panther' and 'The patent-leather kid with the new-penny eyes'. The name 'Bombay' was chosen in reference to the city of Bombay and the black panther that the breeder thought to find there. Between 1966 and 1972, after 27 litters totaling more than a hundred kittens, Nikki Horner is satisfied with the Bombay. The appearance of the Bombay has been slightly modified, notably for the shape of the head, which moved away from that of the American Burmese. In the United States, the CFA recognized the breed in 1976, then TICA as of its creation in 1979. The breed is rare, even in the United States: according to CFA statistics, the Bombay is the 35th most popular breed in 2014 out of 43 breeds. In Europe, the first quality breeding programs according to Christiane Sacase are Swiss breeding programs. In France, with an average of fifty Bombays registered each year, the breed is the 32nd most popular breed in France out of a total of 55 breeds in 2015. In Europe, the Bombay is recognized neither by the International Feline Federation nor by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Character
Daily temperament
Character traits are not described in the standards and constitute temperaments generally observed in the breed.
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According to Bruce Fogle, the Bombay is a very sociable cat that will seek human contact to warm itself. Its voice would be pleasant. According to Christiane Sacase, the Bombay is a homebody cat, sociable, very playful and agile and less talkative than the Burmese. It would like children and dogs, and would know how to retrieve objects and walk on a leash. Desmond Morris notes several recurring terms to describe the Bombay: confident, kind, talkative with a soft voice, intelligent, sensitive, active, playful, friendly and patient.
Physical
Breed standard
Apart from coat color and eyes, the Bombay standard is identical to that of the American Burmese for LOOF and TICA.
Chapter 2
Daily life
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Bombay of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of bombay (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a bombay ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 12–18 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
Equivalent human age
28years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AAFP/AAHA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +4 per year.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Alert
To avoid for cat
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- chilliModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a bombay ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for cat. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
52 g
per day · 198 kcal
26 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
Maintenance
Daily care
The Bombay requires regular brushing during the molting period. Weekly lustration of its coat with a grooming glove keeps it shiny. According to LOOF, the color of the Bombay does not risk reddening in the sun, unlike other black-coated cats.
Appears in
Bombay in our rankings
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Bombay
Does the Bombay adapt well to apartment living?+
How long does a Bombay live?+
Does the Bombay shed a lot?+
Does the Bombay tolerate solitude?+
If you like this cat
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For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Bombay.
SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.