 Bombay's are the ultimate black cat. Their glossy coat is paired with a set of golden saucer-like eyes, earning the breed its nickname the Patton Leather Kid with the new penny eyes. Aside from its exotic looks, the Bombay is an endearing, playful, and agreeable feline. The lively and affectionate Bombay loves people and is adaptable to many different environments and lifestyles. His calm nature makes him a good apartment dweller, and he is amenable to life with other pets, although he definitely wants to be a top cat. If you're thinking about bringing a Bombay cat into your life, here's what you need to know. Bombay cats have a wild side. Much like the Savannah cat or the Bengal cat, the Bombay was bred with the goal of producing a domestic feline with a feral appearance. American breeders crossed Sable Burmese with black American short-haired cats to achieve Bombay's exotic panther-like look. Their wild cat sway and striking appearance have earned them the nicknames the Mini Panther and the Parlor Panther. They aren't from Bombay. The origins of this breed are credited to American breeder, Nicky Horner, who wanted to develop a domestic breed that resembled a black leopard. Ms. Horner began this project in the 1950s, and the first successful hybrid kitten was born in 1965. Horner named the breed Bombay because it resembled the black leopards of that exotic port town in India. Bombays are recognized as an official breed by both the Cat Fanciers Association and the International Cat Association. Bombays are social butterflies. Aptly nicknamed Velcro cats, Bombays tend to keep close to their beloved owners. They will seek their owner's attention, and have been known to follow their favorite human from room to room. They're particularly good with strangers. You won't find these cats dashing to hide under the bed when company arrives. They're likely to greet you, and anyone else, with a warm welcome at the front door. These highly social cats hate to be left alone for long periods of time, and they're prone to loneliness and depression if left in solitude for too long. This, unfortunately, can lead to destructive behavior. If you're away at work all day, leave plenty of toys for your kitty to enjoy as well as a scratching post. They have a bossy streak. The Bombay is an easygoing and tolerant cat who takes life as it comes. He enjoys greeting visitors and gets along well with children dogs, and other cats, although he will expect to be the one in charge. Make no mistake, Bombays like to be in charge. Although these friendly felines usually get along with other cats and dogs, a Bombay cat prefers to rule the roost. Bombay cats enjoy burrowing. In blankets, that is. These sleek kitties are habitual heat seekers. It's not uncommon to find a Bombay resting peacefully near any heat source. They love to curl up on a sunny window ledge for warmth, or even better, on top of their human. It's not unusual to find a Bombay nestling in a pile of laundry or underneath the covers of your bed. This is the perfect arrangement for pet owners who enjoy snuggling up with their animals at bedtime. Just be careful when you get into bed, there could be a kitty hiding beneath your comforter. American Bombays are different from British Bombays. American and British breeders took different approaches to the creation of their mini panthers. American Bombays was achieved by crossing a sable Burmese with a black American short hair, whereas British breeders paired Burmese cats with black domestic cats. The two breeds are similar, but the main distinction lies in their eyes. American Bombays sport gold or copper eyes while British Bombays eyes are often green. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife, to get 20% off. Bombay Cat Care. The Bombay is a wonderful union of both parent breeds. It loves attention and to be carried around, often on its caregiver's shoulder. In fact, Bombays are true lap fungus. It is very hard to get them off you once they are seated. A Bombay cat is likely to bond most with one family member. Your Bombay will follow you from room to room and will almost always have something to say about what you are doing. If you are looking for an affectionate cat, Bombay is a good choice. But if you are rarely at home, a Bombay may suffer from the lack of attention. Bombays are also wonderful with guests, children, and dogs. You will not find a Bombay hiding under the bed when the company arrives. Your Bombay will be part of the greeting committee. While focusing on a special person, this cat will not be aloof with anybody. Bombays are a good choice for a bustling household as they adapt well to living with people and other pets. When your cat isn't interacting with humans, look for it to be resting near a heating van as they love heat sources. The short coat of a Bombay is easy to care for with a little brushing about once a week. You will rarely need to bay the Bombay. A relatively active breed, the Bombay is always happy to play. The American short hair influence tones down the activity level to a bit less than the Burmese. The Bombay is also a little less vocal than the Burmese, but not always. They are very opinionated and truly have their own idea of how the household should be run. The Bombay is intelligent and trainable. You can play fetch with a Bombay and even train one to walk on a leash. These playful and interactive cats are highly intelligent. They can be successfully trained to perform tricks and to play fetch. Some of them can even learn to walk outside on a leash. The Bombay breed does not have any special dietary requirements. As with all cats, it is recommended that you provide high quality wet food and some quality dry food as well. If your cat is showing signs of obesity, discuss the feeding schedule with your veterinarian. Special diets may be needed for kittens, elderly cats, and cats with health conditions. Be sure to provide fresh, clean water for your cat. Attributes of the Bombay Although at first glance Bombays may look like every other black cat a quick way to tell Bombays apart is that they have an entirely black coat, all the way to the roots, and their nose and paw pads are also black. Another signature trademark of these sleek felines is the infamous and stunning Bombay cat green eyes. Some Bombays can also sport gold to copper colored eyes. The Bombay cat personality can easily be classified as extroverted. These are social cats who like to make their presence known. Not only will these cats follow you around the house like your shadow, but they also enjoy talking to whoever is near and willing to listen. Along with having an extroverted personality, these cats enjoy receiving lots of attention, so they do not do well with being left alone for an extended period of time. If they will be alone while you are at work, it is recommended that you leave a plethora of toys scattered about and even have a scratching post available. By providing entertainment, we'll give your cat metal stimulation and discourage them from scratching the furniture or being destructive while you are away. When you are around, they will gladly play with you, most Bombays will even play fetch or walk on a leash. While their social and kind personality makes Bombays a great choice for people with children or multiple pets in the household, it is worth taking note that these cats enjoy being the ring leader and center of attention. Bombays have a winning combination of good looks and good manners. One thing we know for sure, this is one black cat that won't curse you with bad luck should he cross your path. More akin to a lapdog, this fur baby demands attention and expects to be fussed over by his humans all of the time. Unlike many cat breeds, he is certainly not aloof and loves to be held and stroked. The Bombay can also be leash-trained, further supporting his pup-like personality. He is good with children, as long as little ones are taught how to behave around pets. If you're craving the company of an outgoing, social and loving mini-panther in your home, the Bombay is an excellent choice. They will need either mental and physical enrichment or companionship if left alone for many hours as they are Velcro cats who can easily become lonely. This is a black cat breed that adores people and will be a true snuggling companion.