Bombay

The Bombay is one of the most visually dramatic pedigree cats: solid black from nose leather to tail-tip, with a high-gloss coat that catches the light like polished patent leather. Developed in the United States in the 1950s to resemble a miniature black panther, the breed pairs this bold appearance with a warm, affectionate personality inherited from its Burmese lineage.

In South Africa the Bombay is a genuinely rare breed. The South African Cat Council (SACC) recognises it, but active local breeding programmes are extremely limited, and most South African owners who have acquired a Bombay have done so through TICA-affiliated breeders abroad or through international contacts facilitated by the SACC.

Who it suits

The Bombay suits households that can offer steady company and interaction, including families with children and other cats or cat-friendly dogs. It adapts well to suburban homes, apartments, and townhouses across South Africa, and its short coat and manageable size make it a practical indoor companion. Because it bonds closely and dislikes being left alone for long stretches, it is a better fit for households where someone is regularly around, or where a second pet can provide company.

Nikki Horner, a breeder in Louisville, Kentucky, began developing the Bombay in the early 1950s with a deliberate goal: a domestic cat with the muscular, glossy black appearance of a miniature black panther. She crossed sable Burmese cats, valued for their solid build and affectionate disposition, with solid black American Shorthairs, and selected over many generations for a uniformly black coat with a high-gloss satin finish, a broad rounded head, and an outgoing temperament.

Horner named the breed Bombay after the Indian city (now Mumbai), as an allusion to the black leopards of India, though no Indian or other Asian cats were ever part of the programme; the Bombay is entirely American in origin. The Cat Fanciers' Association granted the breed full championship recognition in 1976, and TICA also recognises it. Permitted outcrosses to Burmese and solid black American Shorthairs remain in place under both registries to maintain genetic diversity within a relatively small gene pool.

The Bombay has no established breeding history in South Africa. Unlike British Shorthairs, Bengals, or Maine Coons, which have active local breeding communities, the Bombay has not been established here. The South African Cat Council (SACC) recognises the breed, but prospective owners will in most cases need to source a kitten from an international breeder, primarily in North America, and work through South African veterinary import requirements.

The Bombay is a medium-sized cat of surprising solidity, muscular and heavier than its size suggests because of its Burmese heritage. The coat is short, fine, and lies flat against the body, producing the high-gloss sheen that distinguishes the breed. There are no ghost tabby markings, no white hairs, and no variation in colour: every hair is uniformly jet black from root to tip.

The head is broad and rounded with a short muzzle and wide-set, large, round eyes. Eye colour ranges from deep copper to vivid gold; green eyes are a disqualification in the show ring. The nose leather and all four paw pads are solid black, giving the overall impression of a compact, gleaming miniature panther.

Coat and colours

Even a single white or rusty-toned hair is a fault in the show ring, and the standard calls for a coat that is black to the roots with no shading or pattern. Kittens may display faint ghost tabby markings or lighter eye colour when young; both usually fade as the coat darkens and the eyes deepen toward copper, and this is normal in pet-quality kittens rather than a concern.

The Bombay inherits the Burmese breed's deep need for human company and the American Shorthair's calm adaptability. The result is a devoted companion that is interactive and warm without being highly strung or destructive. It follows its owner around the home, seeks out a warm lap, and involves itself in household routines rather than watching from a distance.

For South African households, whether a suburban home in Johannesburg, an apartment in Cape Town, or a townhouse in Durban, the Bombay makes an adaptable indoor companion; it does not need outdoor access and is content living entirely indoors with adequate enrichment. Because its social needs are strong, it can develop anxiety if left alone for long stretches, so it suits homes where someone is regularly around or where a compatible feline companion is present.

Coat care

The Bombay's greatest practical advantage is its low-maintenance coat. A weekly wipe with a chamois leather or a damp soft cloth removes loose hair and restores the satin sheen; bathing is rarely necessary and the coat does not mat or tangle.

Climate considerations in South Africa

South Africa's climate varies considerably by region, but summer temperatures in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal frequently exceed 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. The Bombay's jet-black coat absorbs solar heat, so the cat will actively seek out shade or cooler surfaces during hot spells; cool, shaded indoor areas and fresh water should be available at all times in summer, and air conditioning or a strong fan helps during the hottest weather. An indoor lifestyle is generally recommended in South African urban areas, both for climate reasons and for safety, since risks such as traffic, dogs, and wildlife vary by neighbourhood, and unsupervised outdoor cats face a real risk of infectious disease.

Nail, dental, and ear care

Trim nails every two to three weeks. Dental hygiene matters for long-term health, so brushing teeth several times a week with cat-specific toothpaste is worthwhile, and ears should be checked and gently cleaned weekly.

Feed the Bombay a complete, balanced diet suited to its life stage. High-quality wet or dry food with a named meat or fish as the primary ingredient is recommended. The breed is prone to overeating and weight gain, so free feeding is generally unwise; two measured meals a day work better. South Africa has a growing range of premium pet food brands available through retailers such as Absolute Pets and Pet Crazy, at vet practices, and online, and any diet chosen should meet recognised standards such as AAFCO or FEDIAF.

Fresh water should always be available and refreshed frequently in South Africa's warmer months. If feeding a home-prepared diet, consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure adequate taurine, an essential amino acid cats cannot make themselves that is critical for heart and eye health.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle that impairs cardiac function, is the most significant hereditary risk in the Bombay, inherited through its Burmese lineage. Many affected cats show no outward signs for years before developing breathing difficulty, lethargy, or sudden collapse, which is why annual cardiac screening by echocardiography is standard practice among responsible breeders; ask for screening documentation for both parents before acquiring a kitten.

Some lines carry a mildly flattened facial structure inherited from Burmese ancestors, which can cause mild breathing difficulty or snoring; this is generally not severe in well-bred Bombays but is worth watching in South Africa's hot summer conditions.

Preventive care

Standard feline vaccinations in South Africa include FVRCP (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus) and rabies. Annual veterinary checks, dental assessments, and year-round parasite control are essential, since South African environments support high flea and tick loads and intestinal parasites are common; FIV and FeLV risk is worth discussing with a veterinarian in relation to the specific area.

The Bombay's intelligence and eagerness for human interaction make it one of the more trainable domestic cat breeds. Positive reinforcement with small food rewards or enthusiastic verbal praise works best; the breed responds poorly to scolding or punishment, which can damage its trust, so a calm, encouraging approach gets far better results.

Basics

The Bombay can reliably learn to come when called by name, perform simple tricks such as sit, high-five, or spin, play fetch with small toys, and accept handling of its paws, ears, and mouth, which is valuable for grooming and veterinary visits. Harness walking is also achievable with patient, gradual introduction, and for South African owners who want to give their Bombay safe outdoor enrichment, whether a secure garden enclosure or a supervised walk on lead, it is a practical option that benefits the cat's wellbeing even though it is content indoors.

The Bombay has not been established as an active breeding programme in South Africa; the South African Cat Council (SACC) recognises the breed, but no dedicated Bombay breeders are currently listed through the SACC or TICA South Africa, and prospective owners will in most cases need to source a kitten from a TICA- or CFA-affiliated breeder abroad, primarily in North America.

Importing a cat into South Africa requires compliance with Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) regulations, including a veterinary health certificate from a government-authorised veterinarian in the country of origin, documentation of current vaccinations including rabies, and an import permit issued by DALRRD; a period of quarantine may apply depending on the country of origin, and the permitting process can take several months. Both CFA and TICA permit outcrosses to Burmese and solid black American Shorthairs to maintain genetic diversity, and kittens from such pairings that do not meet the full Bombay standard are registered accordingly rather than shown as Bombays.

Responsible breeders carry out annual HCM echocardiography screening on breeding cats, provide complete health records and pedigree documentation to buyers, do not place kittens before 12 to 14 weeks of age, and ensure kittens are vaccinated, microchipped, and veterinary-checked before going to new homes.

Registering a Bombay in South Africa

Start with the basics: her name, her colouring, a photo, your cell number. Saved, that is a lifetime record with United Pet Club, and it costs nothing at any point. Cat registration works with or without a microchip in the picture.

A scanner reads your Bombay's chip in seconds; the registry decides whether the reading goes anywhere. Capture the 15-digit number in your free United Pet Club account and it goes straight to your phone. Free for life, every brand accepted, every update free. Microchip registration closes the loop.