Bombay
The Bombay is a breed created in the 1950s by Kentucky breeder Nikki Horner with the explicit goal of creating a miniature black panther — a domestic cat with the sleek, jet-black coat of a panther and the personality of a Burmese.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
15–20 years
Weight
3.5–5 kg (8–11 lbs)
Height
23–28 cm (9–11 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Burmese heritage means good appetite — monitor weight.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Bombay is a breed created in the 1950s by Kentucky breeder Nikki Horner with the explicit goal of creating a miniature black panther — a domestic cat with the sleek, jet-black coat of a panther and the personality of a Burmese. Created by crossing Burmese with black American Shorthairs, the Bombay is exclusively black — not just the coat, but the nose leather and paw pads are also jet black. Named after the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai) for its resemblance to the Indian Black Leopard, the Bombay is a particularly relevant breed for India.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Bombay has a distinctively sleek, panther-like appearance — a medium-sized, well-muscled body, a rounded head with a short, broad nose, large round gold or copper eyes, and a coat that is entirely jet black from root to tip with a patent-leather gloss. The nose leather and paw pads are also black. The coat lies very close to the body and has an unusual satin-like sheen.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Bombays are affectionate, people-oriented, and sociable — inheriting the Burmese's love of human company. They are curious and playful. They tend to be heat-seekers — sleeping under covers and seeking warm spots. They adapt well to indoor life and are sociable with children and other pets.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
5/5Attention Need
5/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 30°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
50%
Attention
50%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
clinginess, excessive vocalisation, over-grooming, hiding
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The glossy black coat requires minimal grooming — weekly polishing with a soft cloth or chamois to maintain the characteristic patent-leather sheen. Regular dental care. Monitor weight — inherits the Burmese's good appetite.
Nutrition Notes
Burmese heritage — same diabetes risk. Craniofacial defect from Burmese. Obesity-prone. Named after Bombay (Mumbai) for resemblance to Indian black leopard. Always jet black.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
HCM. Craniofacial defect (Burmese heritage). Obesity. Breathing issues in some lines. Named for Mumbai — "miniature black panther." Copper/gold eyes always. 12-16 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from Burmese heritage. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is elevated in the breed. Craniofacial defect — a birth defect causing skull deformities — occurs in some Bombay lines (particularly those with Burmese breeding). Diabetes mellitus from Burmese lineage. Generally a long-lived breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Named after Mumbai — "mini black panther." Always jet black. India: excellent climate fit and cultural connection.
Purchase Price
$500 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Bombay was specifically named after Bombay (Mumbai) because the breed's creator, Nikki Horner, wanted to evoke the Indian Black Leopard — making it one of the only cat breeds explicitly named for an Indian city.
The Bombay's patent-leather black coat should have a shine so intense that it reflects light like polished metal — breeders polish the coat with a chamois cloth or their palms to achieve the ideal show finish.
Bombay cats can sometimes be confused with black British Shorthairs or black domestic cats, but the Bombay's rounded head, large copper eyes, and distinctive coat sheen are distinguishing features.
