Bombay
A solid black "miniature panther" with a sociable, dog-like nature.
Bombays are sleek, jet-black cats developed to resemble miniature panthers, with copper or gold eyes that contrast strikingly against their black coats. They are sociable, playful, and dog-like — happily walking on leashes and following their humans from room to room.
Key facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 8–15 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Energy | Medium |
| Vocality | Medium |
| Grooming | Brush weekly |
| Shedding | Low |
| With children | ●●●●● |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●● |
| For beginners | ●●●●○ |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Striking black appearance
- Sociable and easy to live with
- Dog-like personality
- Low grooming
✗ Things to know
- Demanding social needs
- Can be vocal
- Limited color variety (always black)
Ideal owner
A Bombay may suit you well if you:
- Are a first-time cat owner looking for a forgiving, adaptable breed
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
- Have mild cat allergies and need a more allergy-friendly option
A Bombay may not suit you if you:
Health considerations
Bombays are generally considered a robust, healthy breed with no well-documented breed-specific conditions at this time. As with all cats, annual vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention are the best health investments you can make.
Is a Bombay right for you?
The best way to find out if a Bombay suits your lifestyle is to take the What Cat? breed quiz — it weighs your living space, schedule, household, and preferences against all 68 breeds in our encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Bombay a good cat for first-time owners?
Yes — Bombays are an excellent choice for first-time cat owners. They are adaptable and forgiving, with a temperament described as: sociable, playful, and intensely people-oriented.
Are Bombays good for apartments?
Yes — Bombays adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Bombays good with children?
Bombays are generally excellent with children. They are patient, tolerant of handling, and social enough to enjoy the energy of family life including young children.
Are Bombays hypoallergenic?
Bombays are considered more allergy-friendly than most breeds. Short low-shedding coat is often tolerable for mild allergy sufferers.
Does a Bombay suit your lifestyle?
Take the free 18-question What Cat? quiz to find out — and get a full ranked list of breeds matched to your real life.
Take the free quiz →Further reading: Bombay on Wikipedia