Personality and Temperament
The American Bobtail cat is renowned for its friendly, almost doglike personality as well as its wild appearance. This incredible breed does have feral ancestors, but its behavior is purely domesticated.
American Bobtail cats are highly intelligent, with a reputation for being talkative. They are known to develop wide vocabularies that include a variety of meows, chirps, and purrs.
Despite the American Bobtail's feral cat ancestry, members of the breed are known to develop strong bonds with their human families. In addition, they have a reputation for getting along very well with other pets.
In addition to being outgoing, American Bobtails are also incredibly active, with an appreciation for jumping, climbing, and exciting games. These cats are highly trainable, too. Favorite activities include playing fetch and walking on leashes with their family members.
American Bobtail cats are wily escape artists, easily making their way out of confinement even when placed in closed carriers. If you have an American bobtail cat and you need to transport them, you'll want to make sure that the carrier is latched!
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
American Bobtail cats do not have any special dietary requirements, other than a nutritious meat-based diet that satisfies their needs as obligate carnivores. Feed measured meals rather than leaving out food all day so your cat does not overeat and become obese.
American Bobtail cats come in both short coats and medium-length long coats. Both coat types are fairly easy to care for. Regular brushing will help keep your American Bobtail cat looking good, and they'll love the attention. Since these cats are robust climbers, keep their nails trimmed regularly.
American Bobtail cats are highly active and are very playful. These curious cats love games, and will play and climb with intensity. If you've always wanted a cat that enjoys human interaction, and you like the idea of walking your cat on a leash, then the American Bobtail might be the ideal breed for you.
Treat your cat to a high-quality climbing tower and a window perch, as well as multiple scratching posts and a basket full of toys. If you can find toys with shiny surfaces, it's likely that they'll become some of your cat's favorites.
American Bobtail cats are notorious for their good health. The breed is not predisposed to any known health conditions.
History
The American Bobtail cat is a relatively new cat breed, having been developed in the 1960s using a feral brown tabby male with a naturally short tail and a seal point domestic female.
Although many cat breeds are formed using exclusively pedigreed cats as foundation stock, this breed stands out for its development through natural selection. The foundation stock was almost exclusively made up of feral domestic cats with natural bobtails.
Several different breeders from different parts of the United States worked together to develop the American Bobtail cat as we know it. Even though the foundation cats had no known common heritage, they were all alike in type. The result is a strong, vibrant cat breed with a distinct appearance and no known genetic defects.
The gene that gives the American Bobtail cat its signature shortened tail is dominant. This is an important difference between the American Bobtail cat and the Japanese Bobtail cat. The Japanese Bobtail cat has a recessive gene for its short tail.
The International Cat Association (TICA) officially recognized the American Bobtail cat in 1989. Since then, the breed has been accepted for championship competition by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). It is also sanctioned by the Cat Aficionado Association of China. The World Cat Federation recognizes the breed but does not accept it for competition.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
The Breed Standard
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
FAQ
How much does a American Bobtail cat cost?
American Bobtail cats cost between $600 - $1,000.
How big do American Bobtail cats get?
American Bobtail cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown American Bobtail cat might weigh between 7-18 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 10"-14" inches tall.
How long do American Bobtail cats live?
The Average lifespan for American Bobtail is 12-15 years.
Do American Bobtail cats shed?
American Bobtail are long-haired cats, so you do have to expect a certain amount of shedding from this breed, but they don't shed as much as other cat breeds.
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this past October, I adopted a stray kitten, which I thought may have had either American or Japanese Bobtail; when I was younger, I had a part Manx cat, named Jinx and, at two years of age, he weighed to be about 25 lbs. I took Bobbi, my recently adopted kitten, to the veterinarian and he, like I, believed her to be one, of the Bobtail breeds, that I suspected. I looked up this information because, though I’ve seen pictures, and videos, of Japanese Bobtails, they looked lighter, in physique and body appearance, to Bobbi. I never had seen an American Bobtail, but, when I saw her outside my neighbor’s garage, they had remarked that she looked like a Bobcat kitten, but was apparently friendly. I got her checked, microchipped, and spayed by my veterinarian. Bobbi is the youngest of my six feline roomies, who range in age from 8-9 mos. [Bobbi] to 14 years [Pumpkin] and range in weight from 6.7 lbs. [Ebony] to 24-25 lbs. [Pumpkin]. Bobbi is very active and plays with her ‘adopted siblings’. I wanted to thank you for the information, regarding a breed which is a part of Bobbi’s lineage.
My American Bobtail is now 12 and going strong, Thank the Lord! I partially hand reared him and he point blank refused to give up his bedtime milk bottle until he was 8 months old. He loves three individuals …. His Mum and Dad, and his baby dog sister (they are a Mission Impossible team and thick as thieves sharing my side of the bed) ….. It took him six years to even acknowledge our cat loving gardener. Additionally, he loves the great outdoors and has “nests” around the garden and field spending 18 of 24 hours a day on patrol ….. In Texas, he came in each night at 10pm …. Slept quiet and safe …. Woke me up at 6am to eat breakfast and go out. He emigrated to the UK with us where he realised that life was less dangerous with no coyotes, packs of wild dogs, rattle snacks, fire ants etc ….. He loves sleeping out on a warm night and has created “nests” under windproof hedges, in the greenhouses, under the rose arbour ….. And now uses a microchip recognising cat flap. He’s probably the most intelligent cat (saving for two Orientals and a Turkish Van) that I have ever had ….. Definitely Head Boy of the School. He has his own “estate” and aside from one Tom buddy, no cat steps on his land ….. Very dominant. He does however, check daily on the two old ladies in their 80’s who live down each end of the lane. His weakness? The occasional prawn!
Fabulous breed of cat!
What is the difference between American Bob tail and the Kurilian . How to tell ?
Hi Ron,
Good question, the American Bobtail usually has a longer, twisty tail, while the Kurilian Bobtail has a shorter, poofy tail. Also, the American Bobtail’s head is more pointy, and it comes in lots of different fur lengths and colors, while the Kurilian Bobtail’s head is rounder, and its fur is thicker.
We have an American bobtail kitten,she is most affectionate and loving to all. She loves playing fetch and she waits for you at the door when you come home. She meows and chirps. We may want to breed her once since the breed is rare.
That would be irresponsible to bring kittens into a world filled with kittens and cats in shelters looking for homes,shelters are overflowing and kitten season is right around the corner,I have a four year old female American Bobtail and I would never breed her for money!
We adopted a American bobtail 6 yrs ago. She came from a reservation and we were told she didn’t like other cars, dogs or small children. She’s not very playful but does like to sit in my lap or next to me. She won’t do that with my husband although she will play on the floor with him. She also doesn’t meow. Don’t know what happen to her in her first 6 months but she is sweet in her own way.
Love my little bobtail. She plays fetch and walks on her leash for as long as I will let her. Absolutely loves little fake mice and will jump and bat them out of the air. I almost wish I could have found another to breed her but unfortunately I got her spayed. Will be my little friend for life.
I have two bobtail cats (siblings). I have had a number of cats in the past. These bobtails are the most affectionate cats I have ever had. They love to be pet and often cuddle up with me. They are also strongly bonded- they groom each other and sleep next to each other all the time. I adopted these bobtails from humane society and consider myself extremely fortunate!
Thanks for sharing, Heather!
Hey my name is Brittany Johnson Daniel and I’m looking for a female bobtail cat
Due to the passing of a friend I now take care of 3 bobtails. The. Daddy and 2 babies. My friend lived up the hill from me and after she passed the dad brought his 2 bobtail babies to my house. One is a gray stripe tabby female.
I have a female that had kittens. She made a good mom, they just showed up at my door . Been feeding them . 3 kittens 1 has no tail (like mom)
Looking for American bobtail with a long tail just lost mine had him for 12 years. When I purchased him they called it a throw away maybe because his tail was long not bob. If someone can back to me and recommend a breeder I would appreciate it. Thank you
A Bombay cat is a really great cat but they don’t drink much water and gets really bad uterine infections which can kill them if they don’t get spayed. They follow you around every where and if you leave them alone a lot make sure she has toys everywhere and they get depressed when their person isn’t around my cat goes in the bath with me to keep me company in the tub. They love water playing and snuggling under blankets. I have an orange bobtail and a Bombay
That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard lol. Bombay cats don’t drink less water than any other breed. And they, along with any breed of cat can get URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS if they don’t drink enough water not uterine infections! So spaying is not a factor whatsoever! Eliminate dry kibble completely from their diet (read catinfo .org) and invest in a water fountain and whether your cat is spayed or not (though they should be) this will insure they won’t suffer urinary tract infections.
I currently have 2 (almost ferrel) kittens that are ready to go.