Origin Story
Japanese Bobtail cat’s naming comes from its natural habitat of Japan and Southeast Asia. The second part of its name comes from its naturally kinked and curved tail.
This breed is well known and has been showcased in ancient Japanese arts. Its origin can be dated back to the 6th century. It was thought that Buddhist monks owned them at that time. It was also known as “the street cat of Japan.” At one period when the Japanese silk business was booming, rats would often devastate the silkworms. The Bobtail cat breed helped to eliminate the vermin for the betterment of Japanese people. This breed was kept in ships to protect goods from vermin. The imperial family and the ruling classes adored this cat breed.
But scientists now believe that this breed is not originally from Japan. Rather, they originated from China or Korea. The Buddhist monks brought them to Japan to protect temples’ important scrolls, rice, and other grains.
It is now a highly valued domestic cat. The cat was first brought to America in the 20th century. They are currently found throughout the world. The breed is considered a lucky breed that brings prosperity and happiness in Japan. The tricolored Bobtail cat called Mi-Ke is considered the luckiest of them all. You can find various antique ceramic statues, woodcuts, paintings, etc. of this breed in tourist attraction places if you visit Japan.
Appearance
Their head is kind of shaped like a triangle. Their ears are quite large and far apart. The muzzle of this cat breed is large, and it’s not too flat. This cat has beautiful high cheekbones that are outright visible. They have long noses and large eyes that are oval-shaped.
If we look at the body of this cat breed, we can be even more impressed. As it has a long torso, which is elegant and muscular. Maybe that is why the cats of this breed can jump so high.
They have a well-proportioned neck. The breed has five toes on its front legs and four toes on its back legs. They also have the luxury of having long and lean legs. The hind legs are slightly longer, but the cat has an outstanding balance in its feet. Their paws are oval-shaped like their eyes.
The fascinating short tail is curved. It is usually shorter than 3 inches. The tail is a result of a mutation in the breed. Scientists are not sure how this mutation occurred, but the mutation is not harmful in any way to the cat. An unusual fact about this cat is that no two cats’ tails are the same, just like snowflakes.
All in all, people who care about appearances will find the cat very pleasing to look at. Looking at this breed, one can find a reason as to why the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats. Its elegant, slender body and majestic appearance, along with its behavior, is a sight to behold.
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Colors
The breed comes in many colors. They can be white, black, red, brown, blue, etc. Though you will find mostly white Bobtails with beautiful patterns. Their eye colors are also varied and can be aqua, blue, green, gold, amber, hazel, etc. They can even be odd-eyed. This odd eye effect is called heterochromia. Japanese Bobtail cats often have this trait. For some, it can be unsettling. But in actuality, it was quite a charming trait and is highly sought after among pet owners.
The contrasting color patterns can be quite beautiful. Their vibrant color can be attributed to their popularity. As ancient Japanese royalty was quite the art connoisseur, this breed fed their vivid imagination well.
Coat
Their coat is medium to long and gorgeously silky. You can find this breed in two coat types. The shorthair Bobtail and the longhair Bobtail. The shorthair kind has a medium coat and the longhair kind has a slightly longer coat. Both these types have very little undercoating.
They require some amount of grooming, but it’s generally easy to maintain their coat. They shed in the spring and fall season. A concern might be the fact that they are not hypoallergenic. Meaning if you are allergic to cats, it can be quite dangerous for you to have this breed as a pet.
To summarize, the Japanese Bobtail cat’s coat is easily maintainable. They have seasonal shedding and can be well-groomed with just a little bit of attentive care. This makes for a very good apartment cat, as you will not find too much fur lying around on your furniture, clothes, or food.
Size & Weight
The Japanese Bobtail cat can be considered a medium-sized cat. They tend to be 8-10 inches in height. And they only weigh 6-10 pounds. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
The advantage of owning a cat of this size is that you can live in a tiny apartment. It can be a great lap buddy even though this breed is not known for such. A cat door will be perfect for your cat to go from room to room if it so wishes.
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Health
You can rest assured knowing this cat breed is generally healthy, as they are a diverse and naturally occurring breed. Unlike another short-tailed cat called the “Manx cat,” our Japanese Bobtail breed is robust.You can expect an average lifespan of 10-12 years out of your pet Bobtail cat.
The kittens are also quite strong and grow fast. They are born naturally bigger, can learn to walk faster, and have a low mortality rate. The kittens are not born with the full tail, but they grow that glorious tail throughout their long lifetime.
They naturally exercise enough that you don’t need to be worried about their weight. But they are also partial to treats. It is easy to fall into the charm of the Bobtail cat and make them gain weight. You can give them high-quality cat food and they will remain in good health without any worries. But make sure sometimes to change up their food. As we humans like variety, your cat would like that too. Before changing their diet, however, make sure with your vet that it is okay.
Another thing besides food is water. Now you might be thinking it’s simple, just give it water in a bowl! But you also have to make sure that you are changing the water a few times a day.
Besides taking care of the coat, you can clean your cat’s ears and brush its teeth. If the ears look dirty, you need to clean them. And talk to your vet to get the proper equipment regarding these tasks. You can also cut their nails every two weeks and wash the corner of their eyes with wet clothes.
Also, after getting your cat, ask your vet to vaccinate the cat. Normally, this has to be done in doses over several weeks. This will prevent your darling pet from getting any horrible diseases in the future, like renal failure.
Personality
If you are a new pet owner, a Japanese Bobtail cat can be a perfect breed for you. They behave well in a family environment. Your kids will love the cat and the cat will love back your kids. They love to be close to their owner most of the time.
As they are an intelligent and highly trainable breed of cat, they can be trained to use litterboxes fairly easily. That is one of the most worrisome things in a pet owner’s life solved. But remember to clean the litterboxes regularly.
Unlike other cats, this breed likes water. You can bathe your cat as you like without scratches on your hand and a lifetime of trauma for your cat.
Remember, they have a high energy level and loves to play around. They maintain this energy level throughout their lives. You can even play fetch with them!If you are thinking about entering a cat show, you can take your trusty Bobtail cat with you.They will do whatever they can to win the show for you.
This type of breed encourages a slightly active lifestyle. You can go out with your cat to walk, play, and do other activities. This breed of cat can be a constant companion to attract other humans to you. A great conversation starter and a mutual friend can be your cat!
They can even travel with you. Have this breed as a pet if you live in a van. But even though this cat breed is energetic, it is best to keep it inside to protect it from diseases and other predators.
So, if you don’t prefer hyperactivity and prefer your cat to sit all the time with you, this breed may not be for you. Although they are not super needy, if you are out of the house most of the time in the day, they can become quite lonely. Thus, affecting their health.
They are very social, even with strangers. You can have parties at home and will not lunge at your guests. They bond well with their littermates. So, you can get whole litter if your love for them is through the roof.
Like all cats, they like the warmth of a bed. So, if you like to take your pets to bed with you, you can certainly do so. Otherwise, make sure you have a warm kitty house ready for your loving pet.
They are not afraid of dogs. This cat breed will make friends with your dogs instantly. Other pets at home will welcome the Japanese Bobtail cat in all its glory!
Be prepared as the cat will run through everything in your house. So, if you don’t want to send unsolicited emails and get pee everywhere, you better mind where you put your furniture.
Japanese Bobtail cat has a very soft voice. The cat won the hearts and minds of Japanese people through this voice. People say its meow is akin to singing. It can be quite nice to hear its voice throughout the day. But if these sorts of things annoy you, then this might be a little bit of a problem.
Why You Should Have This Breed as Your Pet
Firstly, let’s talk about why you should have a pet. A pet can be your companion in a lonely life. These days we just go to work and come home. We do this on repeat until the weekend. A lot of us do not have the time or energy to commit to a human relationship. All the while, a pet is always going to be there for you.
A small apartment will suit a cat the best. A dog needs a lot of space and a lot of walking to maintain its health. So, a cat is preferable. But if you don’t want to be a couch potato along with your furry friend, then you need a Japanese Bobtail cat. This breed of cat has the perfect amount of energy level to keep you interested but not exhausted.
Besides the above qualities, the breed is pleasing to the eye, which your friends and family will appreciate. It never hurts to keep a company of beautiful things.
Where You Can Buy Them
Before going to a breeder, see if you can adopt a cat from a shelter. Those cats are in need and there is no need to splash the cash on a new cat if you can help the ones that are in the shelter.
Always buy from a reputable breeder. A breeder who will communicate with you about grooming habits and health issues is an excellent breeder. Don’t trust the breeders that give a guarantee on their health as no cat is immune to diseases. A 3-4 months old kitten can be a perfect future pet.
They are plenty available in Japan and Southeast Asia. Outside of that region, they are fairly uncommon. But a reputable breeder will have them if you live anywhere in the western world.
FAQ
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How much can they cost?
— They can be relatively costly. Coming at around $700-$1500.
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Will this breed be a good apartment cat?
— Yes, this breed is excellent if you live in an apartment.
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How do I groom this cat breed?
— One suggestion is to remove their dead hairs weekly. You can do this easily with a brush.
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I have a family and I invite a lot of guests. Will my cat be spooked?
— This breed naturally loves company. If you treat your cat well, it will be very friendly.
