If you were to have a melanistic version of the leopard or the jaguar, it would be the pather.
Their black shiny coats with their bright gold eyes make them a beauty to behold. Who wouldn’t want to have such beauty for a pet?
Even though it is not possible to have the panther as a pet, you can still keep a cat that looks like a panther – and that’s where the Bombay cat comes in.
In this post, we will introduce you to this amazing feline that looks like a miniature panther. Keep reading to find out more!
History
There’s a reason the Bombay cat looks like a miniature panther – it was specifically bred to resemble one.
The Bombay is a relatively new breed of domestic cat, developed in the 1950s by an American breeder, Nikki Horner.
Horner attempted to create a cat that resembled a black panther through cross-breeding between sable Burmese and black American shorthair cats.
The result was a gorgeous and slender-bodied cat with a beautiful satin-like black coat that resembles that of a black panther.
Bombay quickly gained popularity in the United States and was recognized as an official breed by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1976.
It wasn’t until 1984 that Bombay made its way to Europe, where it has since become just as popular.
Appearance
The Bombay is a medium-sized cat, often described as muscular and compact.
They typically weigh between 8 and 12 pounds. Male Bombays tend to be larger than females.
The most notable feature of the Bombay is its beautiful, lustrous black coat. The coat is short and very fine, with little to no undercoat. This gives the Bombay’s coat a unique satin-like texture that is exceptionally soft to the touch.
The Bombay also has large, expressive eyes that are typically gold or green in color.
They have a medium-sized head with prominent cheekbones, and their ears are relatively small and set wide apart.
Personality
Bombays are very intelligent, active, and playful cats. They are known for their love of water and often enjoy playing in their owner’s sink or bathtub.
Bombays are also quite vocal and have been known to “chirp” or “trill” instead of meowing like most other cats.
While they enjoy spending time with their human companions, Bombays are not overly clingy or needy.
They are relatively independent cats that are content to entertain themselves when their owners are busy.
Care
The Bombay’s short, fine coat requires very little maintenance.
Weekly brushing is all that is needed to remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Due to their love of water, Bombays should always have access to a clean drinking bowl and a water source that they can safely play in, such as a sink or bathtub.
It’s also important to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied when they are not being cuddled by their human companions.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – if you have been thinking of getting a cat that resembles a panther, the Bombay cat is what you are looking for.
These intelligent and active cats are relatively low-maintenance, and their love of water makes them especially fun to watch.
Be sure to use a reputable breeder to get a healthy cat.
Hi! I am Eleanor Price. I started this website after my cat, Louie, almost died from a case of botulism (a type of food poisoning often caused by bacteria that grow on food items). Turned out that my cat’s diet was the problem. I have made it my duty to provide the best information and recommendations about everything cat lovers need to know about their felines’ health and wellbeing. My goal is to find the most informative content on anything feline-related and share it with fellow hardworking kitty lovers.