Japanese Bobtail
The lucky tricolour cat with a pom-pom tail
The Japanese Bobtail is an old Japanese breed, with a short, kinked tail that looks like a rabbit’s pom-pom. Cats like this have lived in Japan for centuries, and they appear in old artwork and folk tales. The tricolour mi-ke is considered lucky, and is often said to have inspired the beckoning cat figure, the maneki-neko.
It is a lively, chatty, friendly cat that suits an active home.
Japanese Bobtail at a glance
- Origin
- Japan
- Size
- Small to medium
- Weight
- Usually 2.5 to 4.5 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 12 to 16 years
- Coat
- Short or semi-long, silky, with little undercoat
- Colours
- Many; the tricolour “mi-ke” (calico) is the best known
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 4 out of 5
- Affection
- 4 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 4 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 slim, medium cat with high cheekbones, big oval eyes, large upright ears, and long hind legs. The tail is short and curled, and each cat’s is unique, like a fingerprint. The coat is silky and comes in short and long versions, and in many colours, with mi-ke (white with black and red) the most famous.
Personality
Active, vocal and social. Japanese Bobtails are playful, clever, and often chat in a soft, musical voice. Many enjoy water and games of fetch, and they are usually good with children and other pets. They love company and attention.
Care and grooming
Minimal grooming for the short coat, a weekly comb for the long. They need play, climbing, and attention. Measure meals, and keep up with dental checks.
Health to know about
Generally healthy and robust. Unlike some other short-tailed cats, the bobtail gene is not known to cause spinal problems, but any cat with a short or kinked tail should still have its spine checked by a vet. Ask breeders about health testing.
Could suit
- Active families
- Homes where someone is around much of the day
- People who want a chatty, playful cat
Think twice if
- If you want a quiet, calm cat
- If you are out all day with no other pets
- If you want a widely available breed
“My tail is a pom-pom. I have never been so well dressed.”
Name ideas for a Japanese Bobtail
- Mochi
- Sakura
- Koji
- Kiku
- Hana
- Miso
- Tofu
- Yuki
- Maneki
- Suki
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
Why do Japanese Bobtails have short tails?
A natural gene change gives them a short, kinked, pom-pom tail. Every cat’s tail is unique.
Is the maneki-neko a Japanese Bobtail?
The beckoning cat figure is often said to be based on a tricolour Japanese Bobtail, though the history is not certain.
Are Japanese Bobtails chatty?
Yes, they are known for their soft, musical voices.
Do Japanese Bobtails like water?
Many enjoy playing with water, though not every cat does.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
