Bombay Cat Insurance | Cat Breed Guide

Bombay cat breed

Playful, loving and intelligent, Bombay cats make excellent family pets. Learn about the Bombay cat characteristics, personality and care tips in this guide.

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Bombay cat breed information and advice

Bombay cats with their jet-black coat and sparkly green eyes are rare in the UK. But, if you’re looking for a striking, playful cat breed, a Bombay cat could be for you. Read our guide below for facts, care guide, health and more.

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Bombay cat facts
Lifespan	12 – 16 years
How much	£50 – £250
Size	28 – 36 cm
Weight	3.6 – 6.8kg
Colours	Black
Grooming	Low
Temperament	Intelligent, playful, attention-seeking
Exercise	Moderate

Pet insurance for your Bombay cat

It’s always a good idea to take out cat insurance for your Bombay cat, to help with the cost of any unexpected illnesses or injuries. The Bombay is generally a healthy breed, but they can suffer from some health problems that need ongoing treatment and medication.

Some common health conditions in this breed include:

Getting pet insurance for your Bombay cat could save you quite a bit of money in the long run.

How to care for a Bombay cat

Bombays are beautiful cats with striking eyes and a sleek, glossy jet-black coats (even their paw pads are black). You’ll want to make sure you keep your Bombay in tip top shape, so we’ve pulled together some handy tips on caring for a cat.

Feeding and nutrition

Like all cats, make sure your Bombay has a balanced diet. And if you pick up a Bombay kitten, it’s best to continue the routine set out by the breeder. They’ll be able to give you the mealtimes your new kitten is used to, and the type of food they’ve been eating. If you want to change anything about their routine, do it gradually over time. Cats can be creatures of habit and don’t necessarily cope well with sudden change.

It can be easy to get carried away and indulge your cat, but keeping your Bombay at a healthy weight will cut down the risk of diabetes, arthritis and other problems.

Grooming

Bombay cats are low maintenance – a brush once a week will do the trick. And baths are rarely needed either. Cats self-groom, so you’ll only need to bath your cat if it gets particularly dirty. If your cat goes outside, keep an eye out for any signs of fuel or oil on their fur. This type of toxic substance should be cleaned off before your cat has a chance to lick it.

Exercise

Bombay cats are lively, so make sure they have interactive or puzzle toys to keep them from getting bored. If they don’t have something to keep them occupied, they may well take it out on furniture and walls. Bombays are known for being attention seeking, and you’ll need to be able devote time each day to play with them.

Playing with toys that let them release their hunting instinct is a great way to keep them engaged and burn off excess energy. There are plenty of interactive toys you can buy, but you’ll probably find a piece of string with something tied to the end is just as fun.

As an intelligent breed that enjoys human company, you might find you’re able to train your Bombay cat. Games like fetch will keep them entertained for hours.

Training

Bombay cats are intelligent and will quickly pick up on toilet or litter training. Like all cats, they can be fussy about bathroom hygiene, so you’ll need to keep their litter tray clean.

Temperament and behaviour

Bombays are outgoing and easy-going, but these sociable cats love attention to the point of demanding it. And they can be quite vocal about it. They make good family cats and form strong bonds with their humans, often with one particular member of their family. They usually get along with cat-friendly dogs, but if there are other cats in the household, your Bombay will want to be the dominant cat. Introduce other pets slowly to avoid any potential disputes.

Bombays are best kept as indoor cats and like to be in the warmest area of the house, like by a fire or on your lap. Being a social butterfly, they don’t enjoy being left alone for too long. Get them used to being apart from you for short periods of time and give them plenty of toys to keep them entertained while you’re away.

So, is a Bombay cat right for you?

If you want a lap cat a Bombay could be a good match for you as they love attention. They’re happy indoors, but you’ll need to keep them entertained and exercised for the sake of your furniture.

Being sociable means that they’re a good fit for busy households and families with children and other pets.

Frequently asked questions

How to identify a true Bombay cat?

There are many solid black cats, so identifying a Bombay on first glance can be difficult. You’ll know a Bombay from their bright copper or green eyes, jet-black coat, black paw pads and their distinctive panther-like sway.