Bombay
The Good
- Incredibly affectionate and devoted companions
- Stunning patent-leather black coat with minimal shedding
- Excellent with children and other pets
- Highly intelligent and trainable
The Real
- Requires constant attention and can develop separation anxiety
- Rare breed with limited Australian breeders
- Prone to heart and respiratory issues
- Can become overweight without careful portion control
Gallery
Breed Overview
Picture a miniature black panther curled up on your Melbourne apartment sofa, and you've got the Bombay cat perfectly. These stunning felines are the result of deliberate breeding between Burmese and American Shorthair cats, creating a muscular, medium-sized cat with an absolutely gorgeous jet-black coat and striking copper eyes.
What makes Bombays truly special isn't just their panther-like appearance – it's their dog-like devotion to their families. These cats will follow you from room to room in your Brisbane home, want to be involved in every activity from cooking dinner to working from your home office, and absolutely thrive on human interaction. They're the ultimate "velcro cats" who form incredibly strong bonds with their chosen person.
Bombays are brilliant conversationalists too, with a moderate voice that they'll use to tell you all about their day when you return from work. They're equally happy playing fetch in your backyard or snuggling on the couch during those chilly Canberra evenings. Their intelligence makes them wonderfully trainable – some even walk on leashes and ride in backpacks for adventures around the Gold Coast.
If you're looking for an independent cat who's happy being left alone, the Bombay isn't your match. But if you want a devoted, interactive companion who'll be your shadow and best friend, these remarkable cats are absolutely worth considering.
History
The Bombay's story begins in 1950s America with a determined breeder named Nikki Horner who had a fascinating vision – to create a "parlour panther" that looked exactly like a miniature black leopard. Working in Kentucky, Horner spent years carefully breeding sable Burmese cats with solid black American Shorthairs, aiming to capture the sleek elegance and muscular build of wild panthers in a domestic package.
The name "Bombay" was inspired by the black leopards of India, with Bombay being the former name of Mumbai. Horner's breeding program was meticulous and patient – it took several generations to achieve the perfect combination of the Burmese's social, curious personality with the American Shorthair's laid-back temperament and solid black colouring.
The breed inherited wonderful traits from both parent breeds. From their Burmese ancestry came their social nature, intelligence, and those gorgeous copper eyes, while the American Shorthair contributed their calm disposition and sturdy build. The result was a cat that looked wild but had the perfect temperament for family life.
The Cat Fanciers Association officially recognised the Bombay for championship status in 1976, followed by The International Cat Association in 1979. Today, Bombays remain a relatively rare breed worldwide, including here in Australia, where only a handful of dedicated breeders work to maintain these stunning cats. Their rarity makes them special, but it also means Australian families often wait months to welcome one of these "mini panthers" into their homes.
Traits & Characteristics
Bombay characteristics and temperament traits.
Caring Guide
Bombays are generally healthy cats with lifespans ranging from 9-20 years, though many live well into their teens with proper care. Like all breeds, they do have some health considerations that Australian owners should be aware of, particularly given our varied climate conditions.
The most significant health concern for Bombays is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that causes thickening of the heart walls. This is the most common form of heart disease in cats, and Bombays may be at slightly higher risk. Regular veterinary checkups with your local vet are crucial for early detection, and many Australian pet insurance policies now cover cardiac screening.
Respiratory issues can also affect Bombays, particularly during Australia's extreme weather periods. While they don't have the flat faces of Persians, some Bombays may experience breathing difficulties during hot, humid Brisbane summers or bushfire smoke events. Ensure your home has good air circulation and consider air purifiers during poor air quality days.
Australian Seasonal Care:
During summer temperatures above 35°C, keep your Bombay cool with air conditioning, cooling mats, and plenty of fresh water. Watch for signs of overheating like excessive panting or lethargy. In cooler regions like Tasmania or the Blue Mountains, provide warm bedding and draft-free sleeping areas during winter months.
Obesity is a particular concern for this breed due to their stocky build and love of food. With Australia's indoor cat movement gaining momentum, ensure your Bombay gets adequate exercise through interactive play. Kidney and pancreatic issues may develop in senior years, making regular blood work with your Australian vet essential for early detection and management.
Due to their Burmese ancestry, Bombays can carry the gene for a congenital craniofacial deformity known as Burmese Head Defect. This is a severe, typically fatal condition. Reputable breeders in Australia conduct genetic testing on their breeding cats to ensure they are not carriers of this gene. Always ask for health clearances to confirm that the parents have been screened and are clear of this condition.
Bombays have hearty appetites and absolutely no sense of portion control, making weight management crucial for Australian owners. These muscular cats can easily become overweight, which is particularly concerning given their predisposition to heart disease and the sedentary indoor lifestyle many Australian cats now lead.
Feed measured portions twice daily rather than free-feeding, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Adult Bombays typically need 200-300 grams of high-quality wet food daily, divided between morning and evening meals, though this varies based on age, activity level, and individual metabolism. During Australia's hot summers, wet food helps maintain hydration, while the protein supports their muscular build.
Choose foods that meet Australian pet food standards and display nutritional adequacy statements. Look for foods with real meat as the first ingredient and avoid those with excessive fillers. Many Australian veterinarians recommend a mix of wet and dry food, with wet food making up 70-80% of the diet for optimal hydration, especially important during our dry climate periods.
Monitor your Bombay's body condition score regularly – you should be able to feel their ribs without pressing hard, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above. If working long hours in Sydney or Melbourne, consider puzzle feeders or timed feeding systems to prevent boredom eating.
Kittens require 3-4 smaller meals daily, while senior cats may benefit from easily digestible senior formulas. Always provide fresh water, particularly during Australian summers, and consider a water fountain to encourage drinking. Consult your local Australian vet about appropriate portion sizes, as individual needs vary significantly based on activity level and metabolism.
Here's the brilliant news for busy Australian households – Bombays are incredibly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming! Their short, fine coat has an almost magical quality that stays clean and glossy with minimal effort, making them perfect for families juggling work and school schedules across Australia's major cities.
A gentle brush once or twice weekly with a soft-bristled brush or rubber grooming mitt is all your Bombay needs to maintain that stunning patent-leather shine. Many Bombays actually enjoy being brushed, turning grooming time into bonding time. During spring and autumn, you might notice slightly increased shedding, but it's nothing compared to longer-haired breeds.
The occasional bath every few months helps maintain their coat's lustrous appearance, though most Bombays keep themselves impeccably clean. Use lukewarm water and cat-specific shampoos, particularly important during Australia's humid coastal summers when skin can become sensitive.
Pay attention to their eyes, as some Bombays experience mild tearing. Gently wipe with a damp cloth or vet-recommended eye solution, especially during windy Adelaide days or when dust levels are high. Check ears weekly for redness or debris, though ear infections are uncommon in this breed.
Coat Specifications:
- Coat Length: Short and fine with a satin-like texture
- Coat Colours: Solid black only, including nose leather and paw pads
- Coat Patterns: Solid colour pattern exclusively
- Hypoallergenic: No, but minimal shedding makes them suitable for some allergy sufferers
Regular nail trims every 2-3 weeks and dental care complete their grooming routine. The black coat shows dust and lint easily, so keep a lint roller handy for your furniture and clothes!
Bombays are among the most trainable cat breeds, combining high intelligence with an eagerness to please that's almost dog-like. Their social nature and strong human bonds make them excellent candidates for interactive training sessions, perfect for Australian families looking for an engaging pet experience.
Start with basic commands like "sit" and "come" using positive reinforcement techniques. Many Bombays excel at fetch – they'll happily retrieve toys across your Perth living room or Sydney apartment for extended periods. Some even learn to walk on harnesses, making them great companions for exploring Melbourne's cat-friendly cafes or Brisbane's riverside paths.
Mental stimulation is crucial for preventing boredom-related behaviours. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and rotating toy collections keep their intelligent minds engaged during those long Australian work days. Consider interactive apps designed for cats on tablets – many Bombays become fascinated by moving objects on screens.
Create vertical territories with cat trees and shelving systems, particularly important in smaller Australian apartments. Bombays love climbing and surveying their domain from height. Provide multiple scratching surfaces – vertical posts, horizontal scratchers, and different textures like sisal and cardboard.
Social enrichment is equally important. If you're often away from your Gold Coast home for work, consider a second cat or arrange for regular interaction. Bombays thrive with routine, so establish consistent play times, especially important for families with school-age children who can participate in training sessions.
Hide-and-seek games, teaching them to respond to their names, and even agility-style obstacle courses can provide excellent mental and physical stimulation for these clever, active cats.
Who is an ideal owner?
The perfect Bombay owner is someone who genuinely wants a feline best friend rather than an independent cat who does their own thing. If you're working from your Melbourne home office and want a companion who'll supervise your Zoom calls, or you're a retiree in Perth looking for a devoted buddy, a Bombay could be perfect.
These cats suit families who are home frequently – whether that's parents managing school runs across Sydney's suburbs, shift workers with irregular schedules, or couples working flexible arrangements. They're brilliant with children of all ages, making them excellent choices for growing families in Australia's family-friendly suburbs from the Gold Coast to Adelaide.
Bombays thrive in multi-pet households, so if you already have a dog or another cat, they'll likely integrate beautifully. They're equally happy in spacious Canberra homes or compact inner-city Melbourne apartments, as long as their social needs are met. Renters should note that their excellent reputation with landlords often makes pet approval easier.
First-time cat owners often find Bombays ideal because of their adaptable, forgiving nature and minimal grooming needs. However, they're not suitable for people who travel frequently for work or prefer pets who are content with minimal interaction.
If you enjoy interactive pets, appreciate intelligence, and want a cat who'll be genuinely interested in your daily activities – from cooking dinner to watching Netflix during those rainy Brisbane evenings – a Bombay could be your perfect match. Just be prepared to share your favourite armchair and accept that privacy might become a thing of the past!
Interesting facts about the Bombay
Interesting Fact
Bombays are sometimes called "parlour panthers" because of their striking resemblance to miniature black leopards
Interesting Fact
Everything about a Bombay is black – their coat, nose leather, paw pads, and even their whiskers
Interesting Fact
The breed was specifically created to look like the black panthers of India, with Bombay being the former name of Mumbai
Interesting Fact
Many Bombays love to play fetch like dogs and can be trained to walk on leashes
FAQ
Expect to pay $1,500-$2,500 AUD for a Bombay kitten from a reputable Australian breeder. They're rare here, so you'll likely join a waiting list for 6-12 months, and may need to travel interstate to collect your kitten.
Absolutely! Bombays adapt beautifully to apartment living across Australian cities, from Melbourne high-rises to Brisbane units. They're more interested in being with you than having space to roam, making them perfect for urban living.
No longer than a standard work day (8-9 hours). These social cats can develop separation anxiety if left alone too frequently. Consider a pet sitter for longer absences or weekend getaways.
Exceptionally well! They're patient, gentle, and often become devoted playmates for kids. They'll tolerate toddler handling and actively engage with school-age children in games and activities.
A quick brush once or twice weekly is plenty. Their short coat is incredibly low-maintenance – perfect for busy Australian families. You'll spend more time cuddling than grooming!
Yes! Their friendly, adaptable nature and minimal grooming needs make them excellent first cats. They're forgiving of mistakes and eager to bond with their new families.
Generally yes, but provide air conditioning or cooling during extreme heat days above 35°C. Their short black coat can absorb heat, so ensure they have cool, shaded areas and plenty of fresh water.
They're excellent with other cats and dogs, often becoming the social coordinator of multi-pet households. Early socialisation helps, but their naturally friendly disposition makes integration easier than with many breeds.