Mekong Bobtail
The Mekong Bobtail is a naturally occurring colourpoint bobtail breed from Southeast and East Asia — populations of short-tailed colourpoint cats have existed across the Mekong River basin (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar) for centuries, and similar cats appear in historical records of the Thai royal court.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Thailand
Lifespan
15–18 years
Weight
3–4.5 kg (6.5–10 lbs)
Height
23–28 cm (9–11 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Mekong Bobtail is a naturally occurring colourpoint bobtail breed from Southeast and East Asia — populations of short-tailed colourpoint cats have existed across the Mekong River basin (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar) for centuries, and similar cats appear in historical records of the Thai royal court. The breed is essentially a traditional Siamese with a natural bobtail — sharing the colourpoint colouration and sociable personality of the Siamese family but with a distinctive pompom-like short tail. Historical Thai records suggest that bobtail cats were valued alongside the straight-tailed Wichianmat (Siamese).
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, elegant cat of traditional Siamese type — moderate foreign body, rounded head, and vivid blue eyes. The coat is short, fine, and close-lying in colourpoint pattern. The defining feature is the naturally bobbed tail — kinked, curved, or pompom-like, unique to each individual.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Affectionate, sociable, and dog-like — combines the sociability of the Siamese family with a slightly calmer, less demanding temperament. Forms strong bonds with family. Intelligent and trainable.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 32°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
vocalisation, clinginess, over-grooming, spraying
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming. Sociable nature means pairs recommended. Regular dental care. Leash training adapts well.
Nutrition Notes
Original royal Thai bobtail. Unique recessive bobtail gene (different from Japanese Bobtail). Very healthy. No spinal issues.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Very few health issues. No spinal problems from bobtail (recessive gene). Colourpoint pattern. Blue eyes. Tamra Maew documented. Dog-like temperament. 15-18 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Generally a healthy breed. The bobtail gene does not cause health problems (different gene from Manx). HCM may occur. Long lifespan typical of natural Asian breeds.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Original Thai royal bobtail. No spinal issues. India: perfect climate fit.
Purchase Price
$600 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
Historical records from the Thai royal court describe bobtailed colourpoint cats alongside the standard Siamese — some researchers believe the Mekong Bobtail may be one of the original "royal Siamese" cat types before selective breeding eliminated the bobtail gene from Western Siamese breeding lines.
The Mekong Bobtail's bobtail gene is recessive and different from all other known bobtail mutations — it is unique to Southeast and East Asian cat populations and is not found in the Manx, Japanese Bobtail, or American Bobtail.
