Bombay Cat

The Bombay has been described as a 'mini black panther' with a coat of patent leather and copper penny eyes. It has an ideal temperament and personality. It is hardy, affectionate and contented, and seems always to be purring. The Bombay is very easy to groom because of its sleek coat, and so makes an ideal pet in many ways. However, it does not like to be ignored, and therefore should not be left alone for hours at a time, deprived of human companionship. It is good with children and mixes well with other animals. It loves people and much activity, and it would be cruel to own only one if you have to be out all day.

Grooming
The close lying coat needs combing daily with a very fine toothed or flea comb to remove dead hairs. The cat might also enjoy a bran bath occasionally. E rs and eyes should be examined regularly.

Origin and history
The Bombay is a manmade breed, produced by crossing Brown Burmese with Black American Shorthairs, and the resultant cat has the black colour and hardiness of the American Shorthair and the sleek glossy coat, intelligence and affection of the Burmese.

Breeding
The Bombay, although developed as a hybrid, is found to breed true, and Bombay X Bombay produces 100 percent Bombay kittens. In the original crosses black was the dominant colour, and so even with the first cross, all the kittens could be registered as Bombay. Since then type, colour and eye colour have been maintained by careful, controlled breeding programmes.

Kittens
The kittens are lively, full of energy and very affectionate and trusting. They need companionship and should not be neglected. Kitten coats may be rusty coloured at first, maturing to pure black.