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Cats › Breeds › Bombay

🐈 Bombay Cat — Complete Breed Profile

✓ Profile verifiedSources: CFA · PetMDVerified: Oct 18, 2026
Bombay cat breed profile photo

Photo: File:Bombay Cat - Head.jpg by en:User:Luckyblackcats, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Believe an image infringes your rights? Report it — we remove within 24 h.

Lifespan9–15 years
Coat & colorShorthair Characteristics: Glossy, black coat
RecognitionCFA-recognized
Origin of profileCFA + PetMD

How long do Bombay cats live?

9–15 years is the typical range. 9–15 years is the expected range for this breed (PetMD breed profile). Individual cats vary — lean body weight, dental care and regular checkups move the number more than anything else.

Personality & temperament

"Look out, there's a panther in the parlor!" — CFA official breed profile

Do Bombays need a lot of grooming?

Moderate shorthair shedding — a weekly brush keeps it (and your sofa) under control. A simple weekly routine covers most of it.

Health notes for Bombays

The CFA breed profile discusses health considerations for this breed; review it with your breeder and vet. Every cat, purebred or not, needs: annual vet exams (twice-yearly after age 7), dental care, parasite prevention, weight watching, and vaccines on your vet’s schedule.

Is a Bombay right for you?

Can fit family life if introduced calmly — supervise young children and teach gentle handling. Cats are obligate carnivores: they must get certain nutrients (taurine, arachidonic acid, preformed vitamin A) from animal tissue, so a complete, balanced cat food should always be the base of the diet.

Before adopting, read the cat care library — and consider that adult shelter cats also "come in breed-ish packages" without the breeder price tag.

People also ask about Bombay cats

How long do Bombay cats live?

Bombay cats typically live 9–15 years. 9–15 years is the expected range for this breed (PetMD breed profile). Indoor life, lean weight and routine vet care are the biggest longevity levers owners control.

Do Bombays shed a lot?

Shedding: Moderate shorthair shedding — a weekly brush keeps it (and your sofa) under control.

How much do Bombays weigh?

Breed-specific published weight data is limited — most adult domestic cats weigh between 8 and 12 lb, and your vet can tell you where your cat sits on the healthy curve.

Are Bombays good with kids?

Can fit family life if introduced calmly — supervise young children and teach gentle handling.

Are Bombays friendly with strangers and other pets?

Affectionate with their people — expects to be included, not just housed. Slow introductions and vertical space (cat trees, shelves) make multi-pet homes smoother.

Sources & verification