Shorthair cat Medium size 3-5 kg

Bombay

A sleek, affectionate black cat that is easy to groom and people-focused - happiest with attention and prone to putting on weight.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
3-5 kg, 23-28 cm at the shoulder
Moderate
Activity
Playful in bursts, then settles
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Tolerates some time on its own
Easy
Handling
Sociable and easy to handle
Low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Fine with considerate kids
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with cats and calm dogs
Moderate
Health burden
Obesity, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

The Bombay typically weighs 3-5 kg, stands 23-28 cm, and lives 12-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a people-loving cat that seeks laps and warm spots,
low-maintenance grooming matters - the patent-leather coat needs almost none,
someone is home a fair amount, or another pet keeps it company,
you like a playful, trainable cat that will learn fetch and tricks.

Do not consider this breed if…

free-feeding is your plan - this breed gains weight remarkably easily,
the home is empty most days with no second pet,
you want an independent, ornamental cat that keeps to itself,
you will not ask breeders about heart screening in their lines.

A typical day with a Bombay

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Supervises breakfast, negotiates for extra food
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Follows the sun and the people around
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Long nap on the warmest available human
  4. 17:00 · Afternoon
    Play burst - fetch, wand toys, zoomies
  5. 19:30 · Evening
    Lap occupation, quiet rumbling purr
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Under the covers or against your back

Temperament and training

Sociability Very high
Tolerance of handling High
Playfulness High
Vocality Moderate
Independence Low
Hunting drive Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Free-feeding a food-obsessed breed and calling the result fluffy · Skipping heart screening questions because the kitten looks perfect · Assuming a social cat is fine alone all day, every day

Family and environment

Kids Good
Sturdy and sociable; enjoys respectful kids.
Other cats Good
Usually integrates well; likes company.
Dogs Good
Confident with calm, cat-safe dogs.
Apartment Ideal
An indoor life suits it; add climbing and play.
Seniors Great fit
Affectionate, low-grooming, moderate energy.
First cat Great fit
Easygoing and forgiving; just manage the food bowl.
Busy household Conditional
Long empty days call for a companion animal.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Obesity Indoor cats gain weight easily; watch portions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) Most common feline heart disease; echo screening helps
Kidney Disease Chronic kidney decline, more common with age
Dental Disease Plaque and gum disease; routine dental care helps

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The parent breed - same velcro temperament
Burmese
A people-oriented, dog-like cat that follows you around and is easy to care for - dislikes long days alone.
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The other parent - sturdier and more independent
American Shorthair
A robust, even-tempered all-rounder - one of the easiest cats to live with, though it tends to gain weight.
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Sleek, social and chatty in many colors
Oriental Shorthair
An active, people-focused cat that wants interaction and does best in a busy home - not one to leave alone all day.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bombay cat cost?
Pet-quality Bombay kittens from reputable US breeders commonly run $600-$1,500, with show lines higher; the breed is uncommon enough that waitlists are normal. Over a 12-16 year life, food, litter and routine vet care typically add $12,000-$18,000, and managing a chronic condition like HCM or kidney disease can add thousands on top.
Is a Bombay just a black cat?
No - it is a deliberate breed, created in the 1950s by crossing sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs to make a 'parlor panther': jet-black coat to the roots, copper-to-gold eyes, and a Burmese-style people-focused temperament. That said, if you simply want a loving black cat, shelters are full of them for a fraction of the price.
Are Bombay cats prone to health problems?
The breed is moderately healthy, but its Burmese ancestry brings two things to ask breeders about: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in some lines, and the Burmese head defect, a serious craniofacial deformity responsible breeders test for or avoid through careful pairings. Obesity is the everyday risk - this is a food-motivated, moderately active indoor cat.
Do Bombay cats like being alone?
Less than most cats. This is a people-oriented breed that wants to be in the room with you, on you if permitted; it handles an ordinary workday but does poorly in a home that is empty ten hours a day with nothing living for company. A second cat or a calm dog is the standard fix.