Bombay cats are well known for their sleek black coats and great personalities. A close cousin of the Burmese cat, Bombays have captured the attention of cat lovers everywhere with their elegant good looks and endearing personalities.
Bombay cats come in two varities, Amercian and British. The American Bombay was introduced in 1958 as a result of breeding a domestic short hair cat with a Burmese in the hopes of creating a cat that would resemble a black panther. It took several generations of breeding to achieve the desired results, but now these cats with their sleek black coats are very popular in America and have the earned the affectionate nickname of Parlor Panther.
Bombay Cats Eyes and Coats
British Bombay cats are nearly identical in appearance to their American relatives. The best way to tell the two apart is by their eyes; British Bombays have greenish or coppery colored eyes, while the American breed’s eyes are more orange in appearance.
A Bombay cat’s solid black coat, sleek and shiny, is the signature mark of the breed. He is a small to medium sized cat with a proportionate body, not too long or gangly, but he is quite muscular. His head is round and his nose and muzzle are relatively short. His ears are medium sized and set far apart on his head. The Bombay’s tail should be proportionate to his body, not too long or too short. His eyes should be rounded, and the color of his eyes will be greenish if of the British lineage, or orange if he is American. His distinctive eye color will develop as he matures. The average lifespan of a Bombay is 13 to 15 years.
The Bombay cat tends to shed less than other breeds. He is a low maintenance cat as far as grooming needs, and does not require daily brushing or bathing. High quality foods will help keep his coat shiny and smooth.
People who are owned by Bombays are impressed with the cat’s temperment. This breed of cat enjoys interaction with his humans and is quite affectionate with all of them, though he can form a close bond with one individual in the household. His friendly attention seeking personality makes him a popular choice for households with children as well as for the elderly. Caring for Bombay Cats is relatively easy but if you are interested in making his life easier, get a copy of Liz Barton’s *Cat Secrets Revealed. I use my copy often when I’m looking for specific information for my own cat or for cats belonging to my friends.
Bombay Cat Personality
With a distinctive meow and a loud purr, the Bombay cat is very vocal about his needs. As a rule he does well with dogs in a household, but might not always get along with other cats. He is playful and energetic, but just as content to find a warm lap or blanket for a nap. These cats are considered very sensitive and possess great intelligence. Bombays have none of the aloofness associated with most felines and will follow their humans all around the house, craving attention and affection.
Bombay cats are often considered a great choice for first time cat owners.
With a unique blend of sleek, stylish good looks and a distinctly un-catlike personality, Bombay cats will quickly win the hearts of their owners.
Continue reading about Bombay Cats – A Unique Blend Of Personality And Elegance
The American Curl Cat gets his curious name from his ears, which tend to curve backwards and toward the center of his head. A relatively new breed, the American Curl was established in 1981 when Grace Ruga of Lakeland, California found two cats with curled back ears on her doorstep. One of the cats disappeared shortly after her arrival, but the other one, Shulamith, remained and gave birth to a litter of kittens. Two of those kittens shared their mother’s trait of the curled ears. At first, it was considered that they were of Scottish Fold heritage, another breed of cat with a distictive ear formation. It was discovered, however, that Shulamith was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation, and a breed unto herself.
American Curl Cat Appearance
Currently, the American Curl Cat has no set physical characteristics apart from his whimsical ears. He is generally a small to medium sized cat, but all color variations and coat lengths are possible. American Curl breeders have until very recently continued to cross breed cats with the distinctive ear feature to American Shorthair domestic cats in order to keep the gene pool open and free of inbreeding; thus, no set physical coat standards have been established. He should have a proportionate head, slightly longer than wide, and his front legs should be slightly shorter than his back legs. his tail will be as long as his body. It is is ears, however, that are his defining feature. Curling back from his face, his ears will have the appearance of a lynx’s with tufts of hair growing from them.
An American Curl kitten is born with upright ears, but within the first week, his ears will begin to fold back, away from his face and toward the center of his head. It takes almost five months for his ears to reach the shape he will carry throughout the rest of his life. It is considered a disqualification in the show world if his ears bend too far back and touch the top of his head.
These cats are hardy and healthy, but their ears will require special attention; great care should be taken while handling these very delicate ears to prevent damage to the cartilage. Occasional, gentle ear cleanings are needed to prevent possible ear infections. He is not a big shedder and will do well with only weekly brushing. For any health concerns, I recommend and use myself Dr Andrew Jones’ *Veterinary Secrets Revealed. It has saved me considerable amounts in vet bills.
American Curl Cat Personality
American Curl Cats generally have even tempered, friendly and energetic personalities. They do not reach full maturity until two or three years of age, and carry their kitten playfulness with them throughout their lives. They are so playful, in fact, that they are commonly called the Peter Pan of Felines. This breed of cat is affectionate, loyal, and gentle; American Curls do very well in households with children or as companions for the elderly. They also tend to get along with other household pets. The average lifespan of an American Curl Cat is around 15 years.
The American Curl Cat is as lovable and loyal as he is unique in appearance, and he is considered a great breed for a first time cat owner.
