Cat Breed · United States
Bombay
A panther-black cat bred to resemble a miniature black leopard.
By WARN Research & Conservation TeamLast updated
In brief
The Bombay is a sleek, jet-black cat bred to resemble a miniature panther, with a glossy patent-leather coat and striking copper or gold eyes. Affectionate, social and famously 'velcro', it loves close human contact and follows its people from room to room.
What are the key facts about a Bombay?
The Bombay is a cat breed from United States: medium (3–5 kg), affectionate, social, velcro. A panther-black cat bred to resemble a miniature black leopard.
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium (3–5 kg) |
| Weight | 3-5 kg (6.5-11 lb), with males often noticeably heavier and surprisingly dense for their size |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years |
| Coat | Short, fine, close-lying and very glossy, often likened to polished patent leather, in solid black to the roots. Low-shedding and easy to care for, it needs little more than an occasional rub with a hand or chamois, or a weekly stroke with a rubber brush, to keep its shine. Bathing is rarely necessary. |
| Temperament | Affectionate, social, velcro |
| Good with | An excellent family cat that suits children, other pets and both first-time and experienced owners thanks to its sociable, adaptable temperament. It is content in flats or houses and is more of an affectionate companion than a high-octane athlete, though it enjoys play and games. Its main need is company; it does not like prolonged solitude. |
Is a Bombay a good cat for you?
A Bombay is a good cat when your home matches an excellent family cat that suits children, other pets and both first-time and experienced owners thanks to its sociable, adaptable temperament. it is content in flats or houses and is more of an affectionate companion than a high-octane athlete, though it enjoys play and games. its main need is company; it does not like prolonged solitude.. It is a affectionate, social, velcro medium (3–5 kg) breed from United States.
A panther-black cat bred to resemble a miniature black leopard. That one-line pitch is not a care plan. Factor grooming (Short, fine, close-lying and very glossy, often likened to polished patent leather, in solid black to the roots. Low-shedding and easy to care for, it needs little more than an occasional rub with a hand or chamois, or a weekly stroke with a rubber brush, to keep its shine. Bathing is rarely necessary.), typical adult size (3-5 kg (6.5-11 lb), with males often noticeably heavier and surprisingly dense for their size), and the health issues listed below before you pay a deposit.
Meet adults of the breed, not only puppies or kittens, and prefer rescue or health-screened homes. A Bombay that looks right in a photo can still be the wrong animal for a small flat, a full-time office job, or a household that wanted a low-energy companion.
What is a Bombay?
A panther-black cat bred to resemble a miniature black leopard. Origin is United States; coat or markings are described as Short, fine, close-lying and very glossy, often likened to polished patent leather, in solid black to the roots. Low-shedding and easy to care for, it needs little more than an occasional rub with a hand or chamois, or a weekly stroke with a rubber brush, to keep its shine. Bathing is rarely necessary..
Kennel and registry labels describe a type. Individual Bombays still vary, and rescue animals may be mixes.
Where does the Bombay come from?
Bombays come from United States. The Bombay was created in the United States in the 1950s by Kentucky breeder Nikki Horner, who set out to produce a domestic cat resembling a small black panther.
She crossed sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs to achieve the deep black coat, copper eyes and muscular Burmese-style body. The breed was named after the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai) to evoke the black leopards of India, though it has no Indian origin. It gained championship recognition with US registries in the 1970s.
How much care does a Bombay need?
Plan 13–17 years of food, vet care, grooming and time. A Bombay is medium (3–5 kg) (3-5 kg (6.5-11 lb), with males often noticeably heavier and surprisingly dense for their size) from United States, with coat care described as short, fine, close-lying and very glossy, often likened to polished patent leather, in solid black to the roots. low-shedding and easy to care for, it needs little more than an occasional rub with a hand or chamois, or a weekly stroke with a rubber brush, to keep its shine. bathing is rarely necessary..
Match daily exercise to the affectionate, social, velcro temperament rather than to Instagram.
Grooming follows the coat, not a generic clip: Short, fine, close-lying and very glossy, often likened to polished patent leather, in solid black to the roots. Low-shedding and easy to care for, it needs little more than an occasional rub with a hand or chamois, or a weekly stroke with a rubber brush, to keep its shine. Bathing is rarely necessary.. Keep the animal lean; extra weight is a joint and heart tax, especially in a medium cat.
Budget for unexpected vet bills. The health section below is why “cheap to buy” is not the same as cheap to keep.
What surprises people about the Bombay?
A few details about the breed, alongside the practical care information in this guide.
- It was deliberately bred to look like a miniature black panther, earning the nickname 'the patent-leather kid with the new-penny eyes'.
- True Bombays are black everywhere, including the nose leather and paw pads, not just the fur.
- It feels heavier than it looks, as its compact, muscular body is surprisingly dense, sometimes described as a 'brick wrapped in silk'.
- It descends from Burmese crossed with black American Shorthairs, and shares much of the Burmese's warm, people-loving character.
What health issues should you know about in a Bombay?
Health concerns to discuss with your vet, including changes to watch for and everyday care. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Thickening of the heart muscle that may cause sudden illness or heart failure.
Care: Breeding cats should be screened; affected cats may need lifelong medication under veterinary care.
Sinus problems
Sinus problems can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Dental disease
Plaque and tartar build-up leads to gum infection and tooth loss.
Care: Brush teeth regularly and schedule professional dental cleanings as your vet advises.
Who should skip a Bombay?
Skip a Bombay if you are homes that cannot match a affectionate, social, velcro medium (3–5 kg) cat from United States. This United States cat is medium (3–5 kg) and affectionate, social, velcro — the mismatch is usually lifestyle, not a missing accessory.
This page is allowed to say no. Skip if you are homes that cannot match a affectionate, social, velcro medium (3–5 kg) cat from United States.
A different cat breed on this site may fit. Wanting “a Bombay” after a film or a colour photo is not a reason to ignore the skip list.
What are the hidden catches with a Bombay?
The hidden cost of a Bombay is usually not the purchase price. It is years of care, the health list on this page, and the mismatch between a affectionate, social, velcro animal and a busy home.
The impulse-buy catch
A Bombay from United States is often sold on looks. Coat, colour and size are not a temperament test. Meet the adult animal, ask about health screening, and walk away from pressure sales.
The hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hcm) catch
Thickening of the heart muscle that may cause sudden illness or heart failure. Breeding cats should be screened; affected cats may need lifelong medication under veterinary care.
The sinus problems catch
Sinus problems can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
How does a Bombay compare with Turkish Van and Maine Coon?
A Bombay is not interchangeable with Turkish Van and Maine Coon. Compare origin, size, lifespan and temperament before you choose — those four lines prevent most regret.
| Cat fact | Bombay | Turkish Van | Maine Coon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | Turkey | United States (Maine) |
| Size | Medium (3–5 kg) | Large (4–8 kg) | Large (5–11 kg) |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, social, velcro | Energetic, water-loving, independent | Gentle, sociable, playful |
What is the verdict on the Bombay?
Choose a Bombay only if the care, skip-if and health sections still look like your life after a week of thinking. Otherwise pick a different cat or wait. Rescue is usually the better first door than a waiting-list puppy or kitten.
If the match is real, budget for 13–17 years of vet care and do not skip health screening. If it is not, walking away is the kind choice — for you and for the animal.
Every cat deserves a chance
Whatever breed you love, countless cats live without a home or care. A symbolic adoption or a gift to WARN funds community-cat welfare — neutering, vaccination and treatment for cats most people never see.
