Bombay cats: characteristics, choice, rules of care
The Bombay cat breed is distinguished by its similarities with the Indian predator - the panther. This is precisely the reason for this name. It is clear that these pets are not so impressive in size, but the dark coat color and copper-colored eyes make the animals truly exotic. It is worth noting that domestic cats are not wild at all by nature. They are very calm and friendly animals.
Description
Unlike panthers, Bombay cats are less impressive in size, the weight of animals can vary from 2 to 5 kilograms. At the same time, the animals look quite graceful, and their movements are characterized by a slight grace.
- Body type. Representatives of this breed of cats have massive shoulders and powerful breasts. Their body is slightly oblong. The muscles are well developed and very strong. The neck is large, slightly arched in appearance. Bombay cats have small, rounded legs. The tail of pets is medium in size, tends to taper towards the tip.
- Appearance. The small head of the bombay has a rounded shape. A characteristic difference is a wide muzzle. The cheeks of the animal are puffy, and the nose is small. The pet's chin is quite strong. The ears of the Bombay cat are directed forward, they are very large in size and are located at a great distance from each other. Their tips are rounded. The eyes of pets are very large, usually painted in a golden or copper tint.
- Voice. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by their sociability, they are characterized by a singing low timbre of voice. Due to this feature, frequent meowing rarely irritates the owners.
- Wool. Outwardly, the wool of a black Bombay cat resembles a luxurious satin fabric.The short hairs fit tightly to the body of the animal, there is no undercoat.
- Color... All representatives of this breed have a rich black color, there are no exceptions.
- Life expectancy. Bombay cats live from 12 to 20 years.
- Puberty. Animals mature very quickly and become sexually mature by the age of five months; later, it is recommended to neuter them. Physical development continues in cats up to two years.
It should be noted that these pets are very sociable and friendly... Bombays fit well into the family, they quickly adapt to new living conditions and are very intellectually developed.
Character traits
Bombay cats are distinguished by their docile nature and friendliness. It should also be noted that pets are very playful, and it is best to provide them with the necessary number of toys. Their presence will distract the animal from damage to furniture. Due to their intellectual capabilities, Bombays are capable of self-learning. They can easily learn to turn on the TV or computer. They usually use this kind of technique when they are bored.
It is recommended to turn off the appliances from the sockets if the cat is left at home alone.
Bombay cats are quite chatty animals. If pets don't like something, they will show their displeasure with their owners. Animals also differ in their lovingness, they become attached to all family members and see them as friends. Moreover, there is only one leader for them. Animals like to play with children, they will never show aggression towards them. Such pets are always open to new acquaintances and are absolutely not afraid of strangers in the house.
Bombay people negatively perceive rude attitude, therefore if the animal misbehaves, do not scold him loudly. Usually it is enough to spray water into the pet and then it will calm down. Pets are very fond of being affectionate towards themselves. They can lie on the lap of their owner for more than one hour and often require attention.
Black Bombay cats are very active animals. Therefore, owners often purchase various devices for pets in the form of cat mazes. So cats have a lot to spend their energy. You can also teach your cat a few tricks. This process will bring your pet a lot of joy.
For example, you can teach them to bring small items to their owner.
How to choose?
Bombay cats are considered quite rare representatives of their species. Not in every city you can find a nursery where these animals are sold. Therefore, they are in high demand on the market among pet lovers. It is worth considering that under such conditions the cost of cats will be high. The price depends on the sex, age, qualities of the pet and its prospects.
In order to choose a good pet, you need to go through several stages:
- find the required nursery;
- study detailed information about the kennel and the Bombay breed;
- make an appointment with the breeder in advance;
- go to the cattery and choose a cat.
Once you have selected a suitable kitten, it is recommended that you pick him up. So you can find out the nature of the animal and the state of health. Bombay should not scratch or bite, this shows his aggressive attitude. Such kittens in the future will adapt for a long time to new conditions and communication with household members. If the pet already had owners before, then this behavior indicates a rude attitude towards him, which provoked a fear of new people.
You should carefully examine the Bombay black cat. The ears must be clean and the nose must be cleaned. Be sure to check the eyes of the animal, they should not be "sour", their presence may indicate poor health of the cat. The pet's coat should be smooth and shiny. The presence of wounds on the body is not allowed. An exception may be scratches on the neck of the animal.Usually, such damage is left by mother cats after dragging a kitten. Be sure to check the animal for various insects.
Be sure to pay attention to the kitten's breathing. It should be clean without any wheezing. When choosing a pet, you should also pay attention to the conditions of keeping the animal. The aviary must be clean. The same applies to the animals themselves. If the kittens have a litter box, then they are most likely already potty trained. Before buying a Bombay kitten, it is advisable to look at the mother cat. She should not look painful, her coat should shine, and her eyes should be distinguished by color saturation and clarity.
When the choice is made, you need to negotiate the cost of the pet, and then proceed to inspect its documents. There must be an animal passport, which contains information about vaccinations and diseases. The passport also contains information about the operations, if they were carried out.
Pedigree must be attached to pedigree pets.
Content
Bombays are not particularly picky about leaving. This process will not be time-consuming and labor-intensive for the pet owner. There are basic rules for keeping and caring for animals of this breed, which must be adhered to.
Eyes
Kittens of this breed often suffer from tearing. In this case, it is recommended to wipe your eyes with a cotton pad, getting rid of excess discharge. After that, the eyes are washed with a special preparation, which will be prescribed by a veterinarian. At home, you can replace the medicine with cold tea.
Wool
The wool needs to be combed from time to time. To do this, you need to purchase a special comb or brush. During the molting period, this procedure is carried out more often.
Nutrition
The Bombay black cat loves to eat well. These animals are famous for their good appetite. This feature also has its drawbacks - a tendency to obesity. To prevent your pet from gaining excess weight, you should develop the correct diet and set the time for meals. It is strongly not recommended to feed the animal with food from your table.
For a pet, you need to select products of exceptionally high quality. Their appearance depends on it. Many bombayers use dry food. In winter, it is necessary to add a product saturated with a huge amount of omega acids and vitamins to the diet of cats. For this purpose, a product such as fish oil is perfect. Supplements are also welcome in pets' diets. Their presence can affect the quality of animal hair.
In addition, they are good at moisturizing the skin of Bombay cats.
You can do without frills, and introduce ordinary foods into the diet, among them there may be:
- fresh meat;
- boiled vegetables;
- poultry fillet;
- dairy products.
List of prohibited foods in the diet of Bombay cats:
- smoked products;
- River fish;
- sausages;
- flour products.
Animals should receive a normal amount of fiber and protein per day (1 to 4). Pets are fed at least twice a day. Food is served in the morning and in the evening. For a pregnant cat, you need to increase the number of meals up to 4 times a day.
Kittens first feed on milk, after which it is advisable to gradually introduce normal food for adult animals into the diet. Usually they are fed with porridge, preference is given to millet and oatmeal. Kittens will also not give up buckwheat porridge. You can start feeding small pets with fruits and vegetables little by little, if they want to. Meat products are given to animals only after heat treatment. It is best to cut them into small pieces before serving. It is recommended to include egg yolks in the diet of animals.
Small pets are happy to eat ready-made food. This option will make life easier for the owners and save time spent preparing food for the animals. These feeds contain all the necessary nutrients for the normal development of pets.
Hygiene
To maintain the luxurious appearance of the coat, proper care of the bombay is essential. Cats of this breed have good resistance to water, but, like many representatives of this species, they prefer to avoid water treatments.
Therefore, you need to bathe your pets at least once a month. If the coat has become dull, it means that it is time to arrange a bath day. At the pet store you can buy a special shampoo for cat hair and use it in the bathing process. In no case should you resort to the use of shampoos intended for humans.... People and cats have significant differences in the structure of the hairline, for this reason the owners' shampoo can harm the pet's skin and villi.
You can also not use household chemicals. Such products can significantly spoil the appearance of the pet, it will develop dandruff and irritation on the skin.
There are times when it is necessary to perform the bathing process out of turn:
- the appearance of parasites on the pet's coat;
- contamination of the fur;
- poisoning of the skin with toxic substances.
Cases in which it is not recommended to bathe animals:
- after operation;
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- at an air temperature below 21 degrees.
If your pet takes part in the exhibition, then it is best to arrange a bath day 3 days before the event. During this time, the wool will acquire the desired shine and even out its texture. On the day of the exhibition, the cover is processed with a piece of suede fabric. If you follow these recommendations, you can not resort to the use of professional fur care products at all.
In addition to bathing, Bombay cats need to clean their ears regularly and trim their claws every week, as they grow very quickly. It is advisable to teach animals to such procedures from early childhood, thanks to this, in adulthood, they will be easier to tolerate.
You can trim the nails of animals in specialized zoological salons, where they will do it carefully, without harming the animal.
Bombay cats are very demanding on dental care. The owner must constantly inspect the pet's oral cavity. The animal should brush its teeth once a week. For this, it is recommended to purchase a special paste for animals at pet stores. The owners' paste is not suitable for cleaning a cat's teeth.
Walking
In case of urgent need, Bombay cats can keep company with their owner while walking on the street. A harness is required for walking. Basically, pets prefer to stay in the house and do not like to go out. But since these animals are distinguished by their vigor, it is necessary to provide suitable conditions for physical activity in the house. It is strictly forbidden to let the cat out on the street alone.
Possible diseases
Breeders working in the field of felinology have recently bred the Bombay cat breed. For this reason, some representatives may have defects that were inherited from their parents. Unfortunately, experts have not yet found a way to avoid such a defect. Kittens are capable of congenital diseases, they can touch the spinal canal or the cardiovascular system. There are also problems with the structure of the skull.
A craniofacial defect can also be found in some members of this breed. Such a defect occurs even during the formation of a kitten in the womb. Newborn bombs can have a deformed skull shape. Immediately after birth, they are killed. This process cannot be avoided, otherwise the kitten will die in the course of the disease.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the foot, Bombay cats may develop problems with the respiratory system.
As mentioned earlier, Bombays suffer from excessive tearing. Usually, such discharge from the eyes provokes conjunctivitis. The disease is treated by treating the eyes with cold tea or special medications. It is best to see a doctor, as watery eyes can be the onset of a serious illness. The maximum treatment time for conjunctivitis is 2 weeks.
If you notice that the animal has lost its appetite, you need to check its gums. In the early stages, inflammation is almost impossible to notice. At first, the teeth look quite healthy. If the disease is started, the pet may lose all its teeth. Here you need to contact your veterinarian. Usually, special antiseptics are used to treat inflammation.
Genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is very common among many felines. In simple words, it is heart failure, which can subsequently lead to a thickening of the walls of the ventricles of the heart. It is better to start treatment at the first stages of the disease, and only with the use of special drugs prescribed by a veterinarian. It is recommended to visit the veterinarian at least once a year for a preventive examination of the bombay. This will help identify diseases and quickly take action to eliminate them.
With proper care, Bombay cats can live up to 20 years.
It happens that animals may not be allowed to participate in various exhibitions. This is because they are rated according to breed standards. For all defects, there are representatives with external deviations, these are:
- underdeveloped muscles;
- excess weight;
- irregular tail shape;
- bite problems;
- spots on the coat;
- not all parts of the body are colored black;
- pronounced feet that lead to airway problems;
- green eyes.
Owner reviews
Today Bombay cats are very popular among pet lovers. On the Internet, you can find many positive reviews about this breed. There is often information that the Bombay are more fond of men than women. Many owners confirm this. They love to bask in the arms of their owner and adore when he strokes them.
The owners also note the behavior and character of the Bombay pets. Cats of this breed are non-aggressive and very friendly. They do not bite people, but at the same time they can always find an object that can be chewed on. Therefore, it is recommended to remove valuable items away from the pet. It is best to provide the animal with the required number of toys. Cats love to play and often run around the house, for this reason it is better to remove objects that can be broken from flat surfaces.
At the same time, many owners argue that this behavior does not cause any discomfort, but, on the contrary, helps to improve mood.
Most pet panther owners are delighted with their behavior and temperament. One cannot but say about their quick-wittedness and ability to self-study. On the forums, you can read that the Bombays have the character of a dog. They become a loyal friend to their owner. They love children very much, they are not afraid of them. They often sleep with household members.
Bombay cats have a number of significant advantages and are quite in demand on the modern market. They quickly adapt to new conditions and become attached to their owners. Nevertheless, it is worth considering the fact that the breed is new and imperfect. Such cats are prone to birth defects, you need to be prepared for this when buying a pet.
In any case, before purchasing, you should carefully read all the nuances of the content of the breed.
For information on what you need to know about Bombay cats before purchasing them, see the next video.