Bombay
The mini panther with a patent-leather coat
The Bombay was created in the 1950s in Kentucky by a breeder who wanted a small, black cat that looked like a panther. She crossed a black American Shorthair with a sable Burmese, and the result was a cat with a jet-black, glossy coat, round copper eyes and a sweet, clingy nature.
In Britain, a “Bombay” is a different type, essentially a black Burmese.
Bombay at a glance
- Origin
- Kentucky, USA (and a different British type)
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- Usually 3 to 5.5 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 12 to 16 years
- Coat
- Short, fine and glossy, like patent leather
- Colours
- Black only
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 4 out of 5
- Affection
- 5 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 3 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 1 out of 5
- Good with children
- 4 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 4 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A medium, muscular cat with a rounded head, a short nose and big, round eyes that are gold to copper. The coat is jet black from root to tip, short, fine and glossy, and the nose and paw pads are black too. Kittens may look a little brown at first, as the coat takes time to turn truly black.
Personality
Affectionate, attention-loving and playful. Bombays follow their people around, sit on laps, sleep under covers, and enjoy a game of fetch. They are usually good with children, dogs and other cats, and are unhappy being left alone for long.
Care and grooming
Easy care: a weekly rub with a soft cloth keeps the coat gleaming. Provide company, play and climbing. Measure meals to keep weight healthy, and keep up with dental checks.
Health to know about
Generally healthy, but the Burmese ancestry means some of the same concerns: the contemporary Burmese craniofacial defect has been reported in some Bombay lines, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and breathing problems in short-nosed cats can occur. Ask breeders about health testing and choose a cat with a moderate nose.
Could suit
- Homes where someone is around most of the day
- Families and homes with other pets
- People who want a loyal, sociable lap cat
Think twice if
- If you are out all day with no other pets
- If you want an independent cat
- If you want a very active climber, although they do like to play
“I am a panther. I am also asleep on your pillow. Both can be true.”
Compare the Bombay
Name ideas for a Bombay
- Panther
- Shadow
- Onyx
- Jet
- Midnight
- Bagheera
- Raven
- Salem
- Noir
- Cosmo
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
Are Bombay cats the same as black cats?
No. A Bombay is a specific breed with a glossy black coat and copper eyes, created from Burmese and American Shorthair cats. Many other cats are simply black.
Are Bombay cats clingy?
Yes, they love company and tend to follow their people around.
Are Bombay cats good with children?
Usually yes, as they are sociable and playful, though children should always be gentle.
What is the difference between a Bombay and a black Burmese?
In Britain, the Bombay is essentially a black Burmese, while in America the breed was created from a Burmese and a black American Shorthair.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
