The Bombay Cat

Bombay cats are solid jet black with amber or gold eyes. They are often referred to by the nick-name "parlor panthers" because they were specifically bred to resemble black panthers. In the late 1950's a Kentucky cat breeder crossed black American Shorthair cats with Burmese cats to develop the breed.  Bombays are small and muscular with a solid feel. The coat should be short,  velvety and  stunning black. These cats seek interaction and don't like to be left alone. They are vocal with a deep unique purr and welcome the company of cats, dogs and especially children.

 Cool Cat Facts...
Occasionally Bombay kittens are born with the rich brown sable color of their Burmese ancestors, but while the brown variety still make lovely pets, only solid jet black Bombay cats are allowed in the show ring!                                                                    

Is a Bombay Cat Right for You?

The Bombay cat is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization. and is a popular pure-bred or "pedigreed" domestic cat. The breed can also be found in Britain, but the British Bombay is believed to have been derived from Oriental Shorthair stock, not Burmese stock. The coat is short and velvety with a limited undercoat. Shedding is usually not high, but regular grooming will keep this beautiful cat glistening black. These are sturdy small-sized cats that have few breed-related health issues. They tend to be easy-going and accepting of dogs and other pets. Because it is relatively active and loves human interaction the Bombay is a great family cat and is one of the best breeds for children. 

Bombay Cat Breed Standards

Head Shape: The head should be nicely rounded, the features should not be angular and the face should be full. There should be lots of width between the eyes. The skull should taper to a short well-developed muzzle with rounded chin. There should be a visible "stop" between forehead and nose, but no pug or snubbed quality. The chin should be firm with a proper scissor bite and full dentition. The ears are medium in size and set well apart. They should tilt slightly forward and be broad at the base with slightly rounded tips. The eyes are wide-set and rounded with color ranging from gold to copper to brilliant orange. Deep color is most desireable.
Body and Tail: Medium sized body, well muscled, powerfully built. This is a cat that should not appear rangy or stout but medium in build. Males are often much larger. The legs should be of medium bone and in proportion to the body. Feet: Five toes in front, four in back. The tail should be straight and of medium length with an average taper. A whip-like tail is not desireable. 
Coat: The fur should be fine and short with a texture like satin . It should lye flat and close and have a remarkable sheen.
Color: The only accepted color for the Bombay is black. The black should be rich without sable or blue tendencies. The color should extend the full length of the hair to the root.  The nose and paw pads must be solid black. Kittens may have a slightly dull or sable quality but should become sleek and darken with maturity.
Overall Appearance: This should be a solid-bodied and muscular cat with the pleasing appearance of a miniature panther.  They should feel nicely weighted when lifted and be neither soft nor thin. A medium size cat with athletic and agile with a calm and pleasant presence and a playful personality.

Inside Cat or Outside Cat?

Wondering if you should allow your cat to go outside unsupervised? Well there are definitely some pure breeds that should never be outside cats. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx are extremely vulnerable and should always be supervised outdoors. Docile breeds like the Burmese may not be able to defend themselves. All cats allowed outdoors are exposed to diseases and parasites that they would not otherwise encounter. Fred Flintstone put his saber-tooth out every night, but the cat jumped right back in the window - and he was a saber-tooth! Still, most of us feel a little envy when we see our domestic companion out on some high perch, sniffing the breeze of liberty, and there is no doubt that cats love their freedom. So what do YOU think ....Inside Cat or Outside Cat? Comment Here...