Bombay

The Bombay is a medium-sized shorthaired cat bred to resemble a small black panther. It has a uniformly black coat, copper or gold eyes, and a muscular body that feels heavier than it looks. The breed was developed in the United States by crossing sable Burmese cats with black American Shorthairs, and whilst it has no British development history, it is recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and kept by a small number of dedicated UK breeders.

Bombays are sociable and attach closely to their families. They tend to follow people from room to room, sit on laps, and stay involved in household activity rather than keeping to themselves. The breed is talkative without being as loud as some Oriental cats, and it adapts well to indoor living — a quality appreciated in the UK's predominantly indoor cat culture.

Weight usually falls between 6 and 11 pounds (roughly 2.7 to 5 kg), with males larger than females. The short coat needs little grooming, which makes the Bombay a practical choice for owners who want an interactive cat without heavy maintenance.

Who it suits

The Bombay fits households that can give a cat steady attention and company. It does well with families, including homes with children and other pets, and it suits people who want a cat that interacts rather than hides. Because it bonds strongly and dislikes long stretches alone, it is less suited to owners who are away for most of the day without a companion animal in the home. The breed's fondness for warmth means it will make full use of central heating and sunny windowsills throughout the British winter. In Britain, the breed is recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), which maintains the registry that UK breeders work within.

The Bombay began with breeder Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky, who set out in the 1950s to create a domestic cat that resembled a miniature black panther. Her goal was a deep black coat, a muscular Burmese-style body, and bright copper eyes.

Horner crossed sable Burmese cats with black American Shorthairs. Early attempts did not meet her standards, and she restarted the programme before reaching the look she wanted. The name Bombay was chosen as a reference to the black leopard of India.

Formal recognition came first in North America: the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) accepted the Bombay for championship status in 1976. Recognition by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy followed subsequently, bringing the breed into the British show circuit. Because the Bombay's gene pool was established entirely in North America, UK breeders have largely relied on importing stock from American lines, and the breed remains quite rare in Britain as a result. Most UK breeders are specialist enthusiasts, and kittens are seldom available without advance enquiry.

The American Shorthair and Burmese foundation lines remained part of accepted breeding practice to maintain type and health.

The Bombay has a compact, muscular build that gives it surprising weight when picked up. The head is rounded with a short muzzle, the ears are medium and set well apart, and the eyes are large and round. The overall impression is a small, sleek cat that moves with a smooth, deliberate gait.

Coat and colours

The defining feature is a single solid black colour that runs to the roots of each hair, with no shading, ticking, or pattern. The coat is short and lies close to the body, and its fine texture gives a glossy, patent-leather look in good light. The nose leather and paw pads are also black. Copper eye colour is preferred in the show ring, though gold is accepted; green eyes are considered a fault. Kittens may show faint tabby ghost markings or lighter eye colour that darkens as they mature.

The Bombay is one of the more people-focused cat breeds. It seeks out company, often greets visitors rather than hiding, and tends to choose laps and shoulders over solitary corners. Many Bombays learn to play fetch and enjoy interactive toys well into adulthood.

With family members the breed is affectionate and devoted, frequently picking one person to shadow closely. With strangers it is usually confident and curious. Bombays generally get along with other cats and with dogs that accept cats, though they can be assertive about claiming the warmest spot or the most attention.

The breed is moderately vocal. It communicates with a soft voice and stays engaged with what the household is doing. Because it dislikes being alone for long periods, a second pet or a predictable daily routine helps prevent boredom and stress. This makes the breed particularly well suited to households where at least one person works from home — an increasingly common arrangement in the UK.

Grooming

• Brush or wipe the coat weekly to remove loose hair and keep the sheen
• Trim claws every two to three weeks
• Check and clean ears as needed
• Brush teeth regularly and schedule dental checks with your vet
• Bathing is rarely necessary because of the short coat

Exercise

• Provide daily interactive play with wand toys or thrown toys, since many Bombays fetch
• Offer puzzle feeders to keep the cat mentally occupied
• Rotate toys to maintain interest
• Allow climbing and perching on a cat tree or shelves

Environment

The Bombay is an indoor cat that favours warmth and tends to seek out heated spots and sunny windows. In the UK, where most cats are kept indoors or given supervised garden access, the Bombay's temperament fits well with this lifestyle. It does best in a home where someone is present for much of the day or where another pet provides company. Scratching posts, perches, and a quiet litter area round out a suitable setup.

The Bombay is an obligate carnivore and does best on a complete cat food with animal protein as the main ingredient. The breed has a strong appetite and can gain weight if fed free-choice, so measured portions and monitoring body condition matter. Fresh water should always be available, and a mix of wet and dry food can help with hydration and dental wear.

In the UK, complete cat foods labelled as meeting FEDIAF nutritional guidelines are a reliable choice; these are widely available from veterinary practices and reputable pet retailers.

Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. Most healthy Bombays on a complete, balanced diet do not need extra supplements; any addition, such as omega-3 fatty acids or a joint supplement for an older cat, should be discussed with a veterinarian first.

The Bombay is a sturdy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 16 years, and many cats live longer with good care. Because the breed shares Burmese ancestry, it can carry some of the same inherited risks, so buying from a breeder who screens breeding stock reduces the chance of passing on these conditions. In the UK, where the breeding population is small and largely derived from imported North American stock, choosing a GCCF-registered breeder with documented health screening is particularly advisable.

Preventive care

• Annual veterinary exams, with more frequent visits for senior cats
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention current; UK cats are routinely vaccinated against cat flu and feline enteritis
• Maintain dental care to prevent periodontal disease
• Monitor weight and adjust food to keep the cat lean
• Ask the breeder about cardiac and genetic screening of the parents

The Bombay is intelligent and eager for interaction, which makes it more trainable than many cats. The breed responds well to short, positive sessions and often learns to fetch, come when called, walk on a harness, and perform simple tricks. Its food motivation helps, though portions used in training should be counted toward daily calories.

Basics

1. Start with the cat's name and reward eye contact and approach
2. Use a clicker or a consistent marker word paired with a treat
3. Teach one behaviour at a time in sessions of a few minutes
4. Practise litter habits early and keep the box clean and accessible
5. Introduce a harness gradually before any outdoor walking; whilst the Bombay is an indoor cat, supervised lead walking can be an enriching option
6. End each session on a success to keep the cat interested

Female Bombays generally reach sexual maturity between 7 and 12 months, though responsible breeders wait until a queen is physically mature and health-tested before breeding. Gestation lasts about 63 to 67 days. Litters typically contain three to five kittens.

Newborn kittens may show faint tabby ghost markings and lighter eye colour, both of which usually resolve as the coat darkens to solid black and the eyes deepen toward copper. Kittens stay with the mother until at least 12 to 14 weeks so they are weaned, socialised, and have received early vaccinations before going to new homes.

In the UK, the Bombay breeding community is very small. Most British breeders have imported foundation cats from established American or European lines, and maintaining genetic diversity is a primary concern. The GCCF permits outcrossing to Burmese and American Shorthair, consistent with international practice, to preserve body type and genetic health. Breeders registered with the GCCF are expected to adhere to the GCCF Code of Ethics, which includes health-testing requirements before pairing cats.

How to register a Bombay in the United Kingdom

Start your Bombay's paperwork with the profile: name, colouring, a photo and your contact details, saved to a registry that never sends a bill. Cat registration works with or without a chip, so there is nothing to wait for.

Until the fifteen digit number is lodged in a registry, your Bombay's chip identifies nobody. Lodge it free with United Pet Club: the lifetime plan takes any brand, keeps every update free, and leaves the record searchable day and night. Microchip registration first, then a free account if you are new here.