Bombay

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, close-lying, glossy black coat

A compact, muscular cat that surprises people with its weight when lifted. Nearly everything about it is rounded: the head, ear tips, chin, feet and the large eyes, which shine gold to deep copper against the coat. The short, satiny coat is black right to the roots and has a high gloss often compared to patent leather, and the nose leather, paw pads and whiskers are black too.12354

Personality what they are like

Bombays are warm, outgoing cats that want to be where their people are, often greeting visitors as though the guests came just to see them. They mix the easygoing nature of the American Shorthair with the curiosity of the Burmese, happily taking over laps, shoulders and beds. CFA sums them up as part cat, part dog and part clown.1245

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Kittens and young adults are busy and inquisitive, while mature cats become calmer and like to watch from a perch. They still enjoy daily interactive play, climbing and jumping, and many love to fetch.154

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very easy care. Shedding is light to moderate; a rubber curry brush or soft brush every week or two keeps the coat gleaming, with occasional baths if needed. Expect a little more shedding in spring and autumn.214

Home where they are happiest

Settles well as an indoor cat. Offer cat trees, window perches for watching the world and a range of interactive toys.35

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced cat food suited to life stage, fed in measured meals about twice a day rather than free-feeding, with fresh water always available. Keep an eye on portions if the cat is not very active.45

Company who they like around

Strongly attached to its family and not happy being left alone for long. Generally good with children and friendly with guests.143

The story where it all began

The Bombay was created by Nikki Horner, a breeder from Louisville, Kentucky, who wanted a small domestic cat that looked like the black leopard of India. She began crossing sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs in the 1950s (TICA says 1953, other sources 1958), and after early attempts that did not work out, her programme succeeded from 1965. The name nods to the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai) and the black leopards of the region. CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1970 and granted championship in 1976, and TICA followed with championship status in 1979, helped along by breeders Herb and Suzanne Zwecker. In Britain a similar-looking black cat developed separately from Burmese and black shorthair matings and is shown as the black Asian Self. The breed has remained uncommon.12356

Recognised by the official bits

CFA

Accepted for registration in 1970, championship status in 19762

TICA

Championship status in June 19791

GCCF

The UK type is recognised as the black Asian Self within the Asian group, which had championship status by 20036

FIFe

Preliminary recognition only3

Popularity Rare: FIFe registered only 13 Bombay kittens in 2024, under 0.1% of its registrations3