Mustang Bombays

I have a Black cat, could it be a Bombay?

While it’s possible that a cat you got from the shelter or one that “found” you is a Bombay, the chances are very remote. Bombays are the result of many years of careful breeding. They are a man made breed, using pedigreed examples of its two parent breeds, the Black ASH and Sable Burmese as well as Bombays, and do not occur naturally. The only way to be sure you have a Bombay is if you got it from a breeder and have registration papers stating the cat is a Bombay. See also Creating a Bombay

What other colours do Bombays come in?

As a certain car maker once said, “you can have it in any colour you like, as long as it’s Black.” In an ideal world this would also apply to Bombays, after all, that is the goal. But because of its Burmese heritage, many Bombays inherit the Sable gene as a recessive. When both parents carry a Sable gene, some Sable kittens may occur, these kittens have a strong resemblance to their Burmese cousins.

Are Bombays very affectionate?

Yes, Bombays are a very affectionate and people oriented breed. They have an intense desire for your attention and as their creator once said, “They will dog you for it!” They can almost always be found on, near or around their people, and will follow you from room to room to be with you. Even when sound asleep, if you go into another room, don’t be surprised if you soon have a visitor offering to “help” with what your doing.

Are Bombays very talkative?

Like any part of a cat’s purrsonality, this is very much an individual thing. Some are very quiet and hardly have anything to say, while others will gladly let you know when they want something. It’s not unusual for one to “talk back,” especially when you tell them they can’t do something, sometimes even the quiet ones will sit there and literally “argue” their case. They are not as talkative as some the oriental based breeds, nor as quiet as a Persian, but fall somewhere in the middle, generally speaking, they only talk when there’s something important to say. Some people feel they are slightly less talkative than their Burmese cousins.

Are Bombays a very active?

Bombays are a moderately active breed, they are less active than an Abyssinian or one of the Oriental based breeds, but more active than a Persian based breed. Bombay kittens, like most kittens, are set to warp drive. They do settle down as they approach their first year, but remain playful well into adulthood.

Can Bombays be leash trained?

In many cases, yes they can. When leash training a cat, choose a place that is quiet, and unlikely that you will encounter any dogs. If the cat’s first experience in traumatic, it’s unlikely that you will be able to leash train them. Keep the trips short at first, and the distance short, be prepared to pick the cat up and take it inside if it appears overly frightened. Go slowly and let the cat set it’s own pace, it will literally want to stop and smell the roses. Once they discover all the different things to explore, they will probably be begging for you to get their leash.

Do Bombays need much grooming?

Not really, a weekly brushing with a stainless steel flea comb helps minimize shedding and any undercoat that might be present. If they’ve gotten something on themselves or are a little dusty, a damp washcloth should clean them right up. While not absolutely necessary, I find that the an occasional bath helps minimize any dandruff that can occur, and keeps their coat in top condition Unless the cat has gotten especially dirty, every 1 to 3 months should be sufficient. For those with cat allergies, weekly bathing has proven to be successful for one family. Check the Cat Care and Bathing pages for more on grooming your Bombay.

Can you ship a kitten or do I have to pick it up?

Picking up a kitten in person is certainly preferable, but shipping is not a problem if you can not pick the kitten up. Most airlines will allow you to fly with a cat in cabin if the carrier meets their requirements. Shipping is done with one of the major airlines and the kitten can be picked up at your local airport the same day, it usually takes no more than about 8 hours in transit depending on your location. See also Adoption & Shipping

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