Bombay cat - a little panther on your sofa

History of the Bombay cat breed

The Bombay cat is an artificially bred breed originally from America. In the first half of the 20th century, the American breeder Nikki Horner managed to get a litter from a Burmese cat and an American smooth-haired cat. The woman had experience working with Siamese, Himalayan, Persian and other cats, so she expected that the new hybrid would be similar to a black panther. However, the kittens that were born did not live up to the breeder's expectations, and she continued working.

Contrary to their name, Bombay cats have nothing to do with India.

Three generations of kittens later, Nikki managed to turn her expectations into reality. In 1958, the breeder submitted documents to register a new breed of cats, but experts did not recognize Bombay kittens as representatives of a fundamentally new breed. By 1965, the breeder received new kittens that seemed more “finished.” This time Nikki decided to take her time and carried out a few more matings to make sure that the necessary qualities were consolidated. The breed was recognized in 1970, and 6 years later the Bombay cat became a champion (CFA).

The name of the new breed was given by Nikki Horner herself. The fact is that the black panther (the desired appearance of the new breed) is a type of jaguar or Indian leopard. A gene was discovered in wild animals that is responsible for the manifestation of melanism, that is, animals are born dark-colored. "Bombay cat" is a modified name for the Indian leopard species.

At the moment when Nikki Horner stopped her work on the Bombay breed, black cats received recognition from felinologists and simply lovers of mustachioed animals. The baton of developing the breed was “picked up” by enthusiastic breeders. This group was led by Herb and Suzanne Zwecker. During their breeding work, breeders of Burmese cats lost the right to protest, and Bombay cats began to fully participate in all kinds of championships and shows. One of the cats, Luv It Black, received the title of second best breeding cat (CFA). It was Luv who contributed to the breed being recognized by other authoritative organizations (WCF - World Federation, ACF - Australian Federation, TICA - International Association, ACFA - American Amateur Association).

Back in the 20th century, Bombay cats were recognized by the largest associations of felinologists

At the moment, the breed is still in an active stage of development, breeders are trying to strengthen its best features. But their primary task is to increase the number of representatives of the breed, as well as to popularize beautiful cats with a “wild” appearance. To achieve this goal, it was allowed to cross Bombays with Falcon Burmese and American Shorthair cats.

Habits and character of Bombay cats

The black-haired beauty loves attention to herself and is very inquisitive, therefore, as can be seen from the owners’ reviews about the character and characteristics of the cat, she sticks her curious nose into all the owner’s affairs. Although cats of this breed show love for the whole family, they still single out one owner

The authority of the owner is highly valued by cats, so the process of education and training does not cause any trouble. The Bombay baby masters the tray quickly, to the delight of the owner.

Although cats of this breed show love for the whole family, they still single out one owner. The authority of the owner is highly valued by cats, so the process of education and training does not cause any trouble. The Bombay baby masters the tray quickly, to the delight of the owner.

The Bombay can be easily compared to a dog; his habits are almost identical: he eagerly greets his owners from work, and has a devoted and loyal character. An attentive and obedient pet easily adapts to the mood of the person with whom it communicates.

The description of the character of the domestic panther can be supplemented by the fact that they greet strangers kindly, but if negativity comes from them, then the cat can show aggression.

Description of the Bombay cat breed

The breed has two modifications:

• British Bombay cat;
• American Bombay Shorthair.

The British Bombay type was developed by crossing Burmese cats with British Shorthairs, and the American type is a cross between the American Shorthair and the Burmese.

Appearance of Bombays

According to the standard, British-type Bombays can have eyes of both green and golden colors. American Bombays can only have amber eye color (bronze, yellow), and green in this type is considered a defect. Otherwise, these cats are similar: the body is elongated, muscular, small, proportional. The Bombay's head is small, round, with a noticeable stop (curve of the nose). The ears are set wide apart, medium in size, slightly rounded and directed forward. The eyes are large, round, bright in color. The cat's limbs are muscular, of medium length, but slender. The paws themselves are round in shape. The tail is straight, not very long.

The fur of domestic panthers is short, with a hint of shine, perfectly fitting to the body, with a “varnished” effect. The color of such cats is exclusively black. The tip of the nose and paw pads should also be completely black. Even a small inclusion of a different color is a serious deviation from the standard.

Bombay kittens are born with spots, the eye color may be blue, but after a while these external features change, gradually fitting into the standard. Bombay cats are larger than cats (females weigh 3–4 kg, males 5–6 kg). The height of an adult cat at the withers is 25–30 cm.

Photo gallery: Bombay cat in all its glory

Bombays have a graceful figure

Bombay cats have either green or amber eyes.

Bombays are short

Bombays are distinguished by a slightly “sunken” bridge of their nose

Character of black cats

Bombay cats have inherited the best character traits of their ancestors. They are as balanced and sedate as American Shorthairs, but despite this, they are as sociable as Burmese cats. They are very devoted, love their person, have a hard time with separation, and can become sad when alone, so they constantly require attention to themselves. It is better to get such cats for people who can spend a sufficient amount of time at home.

The domestic panther controls itself and does not respond to provocations; it prefers to spend more time at home rather than outside. However, she is quite energetic, active and playful. Children will easily find a common language with a black cat, and the pet will respond with affection and purring, sitting on the lap of its little owner. In addition, she will make friends with another cat if both have to share the love of one person. Bombays are conflict-free, so they get along well with dogs.

Bombay cats have remarkable intelligence, thanks to which they can adapt to almost any proposed conditions. They are also trainable and know how to understand their owner.

Bombay cats can be adopted by families with small children.

Character of the breed

Bombay cats have a proud, arrogant appearance that does not correspond to their character traits. Pets are affectionate, gentle, endlessly devoted to their owner, they love to lie, purring peacefully, on their owner’s lap.

The Bombay pet is not talkative, communicates with a quiet, calm purr. The voice is soft, velvety.

When the owner is away for a long time, the cat gets bored. Loneliness is unbearable for a pet. The main character trait of the Bombay cat is playfulness, so purchasing toys is a must. You cannot place fragile things on surfaces accessible to the animal, or hang long curtains or drapes. A cat that has become naughty should not be beaten or scolded; representatives of the breed are touchy. To calm it down, just spray your pet with water.

The cat does not dislike children and willingly shares the fun. The attitude towards pets is non-aggressive and peaceful, although there may be a desire for dominance and attracting the owner’s attention. Strangers make the Bombay wary, the animal refuses to contact.

Bombay cats are smart, understanding, and quickly learn to use the litter box and hygiene procedures. It is possible to teach simple commands: standing on hind legs, bringing objects, jumping. Training is carried out in a playful way, successes are reinforced with treats.

We love the boxes

Positive characteristics of the Bombay breed:

• endurance;
• non-aggressive, flexible, conflict-free character;
• livability with household members and domestic animals;
• quick adaptation to home;
• pliability to training.

Flaws:

• the desire to lead among animals;
• wary attitude towards strangers;
• the presence of genetic pathologies.

Bombay breed video

Buying a Bombay kitten

There are not so many representatives of the Bombay breed. By the way, finding such a nursery in a small town will not be easy. Even if some breeder has a purebred Bombay, the kittens are probably in great demand. And where there is demand, there is a high price. The cost of one kitten depends on its qualities, career prospects, gender and can range from 20 to 120 thousand rubles.

Bombay breeders are sensitive to their “graduates”: their future fate is monitored, and in cases where the kitten was not provided with appropriate conditions, it can be taken back. In some foreign nurseries, purebred kittens are microchipped. The purpose of such a tag is to be able to locate the pet if it gets lost, although some believe that it is necessary to track the individual.

To choose a good kitten for yourself, you will need to take several steps:

1. Find a nursery (if you're lucky, in your city).
2. Study the breeder's website (conditions for selling kittens, rules, documentation, reviews from former clients, etc.).
3. Call the nurseries you like and arrange a visit.
4. Go to the breeder and look at the available kittens.

The choice of a kitten must be approached with the utmost seriousness.

How to choose a Bombay kitten

If during a personal visit to the nursery you liked a certain kitten, try to pick it up. He should not bite, scratch or hiss - an aggressive kitten may not be adapted to communicate with people. In some cases, this behavior may mean that his former owners treated him poorly, so he is now afraid of people. In addition, you need to examine the kitten more closely. His nose and eyes should be clean, not "sour", etc. If there is dirt in his ears, he may not be well looked after. The baby should not cough or sneeze. Listen to your breathing - there should be no wheezing.

Look around the area. Cages (beds), bowls of kittens and other animals must be clean. Pets should look healthy, well-groomed and happy. Make sure that the kitten has a litter box (this means that he is already potty trained). Ask the breeder to show the mother cat. She should look healthy, with clear eyes and shiny fur.

When the kitten is chosen, he is favorable towards you, and the price has been agreed upon in advance, you can ask for documents. The breeder must provide the kitten’s veterinary passport with notes on all preventive vaccinations and operations performed, if any, and in cases where the baby’s parents are purebred, also a pedigree.

When I took a kitten from the nursery, the staff themselves offered all the necessary documents. In addition, we were given all the cat's things, as well as souvenirs with his photo. By the way, I heard that the kitten’s things need to be taken with you to the new home.

If you take home an unhealthy cat, it may grow up sick or with behavior problems.

The chosen kitten's coat should be smooth and shiny, like faux fur. There should be no abrasions or wounds underneath. But small scratches on the kitten’s neck are normal, because the mother cat could have injured him, dragging him from one place to another, holding him by the scruff of the neck with his teeth. The presence of insects (fleas, lice, etc.) is unacceptable.

Age of the kitten, when is the best time to adopt it?

By three months, the baby is ready to move away from his wet nurse, because with the cat’s milk he almost no longer receives the antibodies necessary to strengthen the immune system - he will begin to be vaccinated through vaccinations. It is not recommended to take kittens away from their mother before three months, because a sudden change in feeding can lead to intestinal dysfunction. If your baby has already been vaccinated against plague, calcivirosis or rhinotracheitis, this does not mean that he will never get sick from these diseases. You will still need to get a booster shot.

Some veterinarians believe that if a kitten is “forcibly” taken away from its mother, it will suffer severe psychological trauma, and this will subsequently negatively affect social behavior. A cat can push her baby away on her own. This usually happens when the kitten can do without it.

In addition, the cat teaches the kitten to communicate with humans and other animals, visit the litter box, eat from a bowl, etc. - without these skills it will be difficult for him to adapt to adult life. Kittens observe their mother’s behavior and try to imitate her: if the baby sees that the cat is not afraid of humans, then he himself will behave in the same way. For these reasons, it is recommended to adopt kittens no earlier than at least three months. Of course, you want to take a kitten very young and watch how it develops and becomes prettier, but you can wait a month or two.

Kittens should not be separated from their mother too early - this can negatively affect their health and subsequent development.

Pet care

The black panther does not require much expense, effort or time to take care of itself. On the contrary, it can be done casually, for example, when the cat is lying on your lap, you can use a special rubber glove, caress it, and at the same time comb and remove excess dead hair. This should be done for any animal, since licking fur contributes to the formation of a hairball in its stomach, which can negatively affect the health of the pet.

Therefore, to prevent the formation of such lumps, you should promptly comb out all the hairs that the cat has not yet begun to lick.

Considering that the Bombay panther's coat is short, smooth and shiny, it can be washed no more than once a month, using special wool shampoos and conditioners. About once a week you should examine your eyes and ears and wipe them with a cotton swab if necessary. In the same way, you need to trim your nails once a week. The scratching post, of course, should be in the most visible and favorite place for the cat, so that she does not have the urge to scratch with her claws any other thing other than the one specifically designated for this.

Features of keeping Bombay cats

Bombays are real homebodies, they are much more comfortable at home than on the street, so it is not necessary to walk such cats, but if it so happened that you had to go outside with her, then you need to do this with a harness or leash. The animal may become frightened, panic and run away. The cat will not be able to hide under a nearby bush; it will definitely climb somewhere (for example, onto a tree), and to remove it will require some effort.

However, the cat will still need physical activity, so you should make sure in advance that the house has everything necessary for the proper development of the pet. The following things are required:

• house or bed;
• 2 food bowls and 1 water bowl;
• tray (small at first, then can be replaced with a larger size);
• filler (for kittens or universal for small animals);
• toys;
• scratching post and/or nail clipper;
• brush with natural bristles;
• special shampoos and conditioners for cats.

Some save on buying gaming complexes, because it is believed that they take up too much space. I made a small wall set for my cat. It doesn’t take up much space and costs a penny: I cleared out the bookshelves, connected them together with a scarf, just showed the cat once how to use this structure, and now this is her favorite place.

Pet food

Bombays have a wonderful appetite and can eat all day long. Even if the pet is full, it will resort to various tricks just to be fed again. Males of the Bombay breed are prone to obesity, so the owner of a black cat will have to regulate the amount of the cat's diet. They cannot be given food from the master's table. When feeding naturally, you need to remember the same balance of microelements and nutrients. Usually the menu is made up of pure products:

• lean meat;
• vegetables fruits;
• cereals (buckwheat, rice, oats, etc.);
• fermented milk products (unsweetened yogurt, kefir, etc.);
• specially grown grass for cats or sprouted oats.

For a cat to grow active and strong, it needs to be fed properly.

Kittens are fed 3-4 times a day, and adult cats - 2 times a day. It is advisable to feed your pet at the same time every day. A cat's body can get used to a clear schedule. It is not recommended to combine natural food and ready-made food - dry food is already balanced in accordance with the needs of the animals. Between feedings, you can occasionally give fresh lean meat (frozen or boiled). If the main diet consists of dry food, then this should be the best food you can buy.

Cats are strictly prohibited from eating anything spicy, smoked, salty or sweet. But I occasionally give my cat a quarter of candy. She usually begs for chocolate, but I'm afraid of allergies, so I give her simple fudge or butterscotch. Our veterinarian scolds me for this, he says that sweets are harmful to the animal’s teeth, but when she asks so pitifully, I am unable to refuse her.

Appearance care

Bombays may have watery eyes (this is due to physiological characteristics), so you need to remove the discharge daily with a cotton swab or a piece of cotton wool dipped in tea or distilled water. You need to clean your pet’s ears in the same way (once a week), but instead of tea, Vaseline or special oil is usually used. The animal's teeth are cleaned only with a special toothpaste using a small toothbrush (1-2 times a month).

Domestic cats take care of the hygiene of their claws themselves. For this they have a scratching post. But this does not mean that there is no need to trim your nails. The tip of the claw will be sharp even after a scratching post, and this promises scratches on the owner, furniture and walls. It is these ends that need to be cut off (1–2 millimeters). To do this you must have a nail clipper. If you yourself are afraid to carry out this procedure, or the cat protests, then you can turn to professionals (grooming masters).

How to comb and bathe a Bombay

The appearance of any purebred cat requires careful care.

Bombay cats have short and smooth hair, so they do not need complex treatments using a lot of brushing. To comb such a pet, a rubber massage mitten will be enough. During the molting period, you can brush your cat’s hair with a brush with soft bristles - it will be pleasant for her. You can bathe your cat once a month; for this you need a special shampoo for animals. You cannot wash your cat with human shampoo.

When my cat first came into the house, she was terribly afraid of water. I gradually introduced her to water. By the way, when you put a small towel (rubber mat, rag) on ​​the bottom of the basin, cats are not so afraid, because their paws feel the bottom. At first I poured a little water (3-5 centimeters), in which she simply wet her hind paws, convulsively grabbing my neck with her front paws. Gradually I increased the volume of water. Now the cat sits calmly even in the bath. My cat has 2 requirements: the water level should be a maximum of 15–20 centimeters from the bottom, and its temperature should be comfortable. We don’t have such a thermometer, so I check it as follows: I put my hand in the water (about up to the elbow), “listen” to the sensations in the wrist area. If the water is hotter than I usually pour for myself, it means the cat won’t freeze. But the water should not be very hot.

Cats' fur is covered with natural oil, so they are not bathed too often - usually veterinarians advise performing water procedures only if the cat has soiled itself with something difficult to wash off (oil, gasoline, etc.). But on black cats such dirt is difficult to “calculate”, so the degree of dirtiness can be determined by smell or tactile sensations (dirty fur can stick together).

Care and maintenance

Caring for a Bombay cat is not difficult. Standard care procedures include:

1. Brush the coat weekly with a soft-toothed brush.
2. Wipe the tear ducts with a lint-free cloth every 2-3 days.
3. Checking the ears for dirt. Weekly wipe with cotton wool moistened with boiled water or chamomile infusion.
4. Trimming overgrown nails with a nail clipper if the animal is not accustomed to a scratching post.

It is not advisable to bathe your Bombay pet often, otherwise an allergic reaction will appear on the delicate skin. If the animal does not walk outside the home, one bath per year is enough. For the procedure, use zoo shampoo or baby soap.

For the Bombay pet, they buy 2-3 sunbeds and place them in different rooms of the home. This way the cat will stop wanting to get into the owner’s bed.

Outdoor walking is not necessary if there are enough toys and a cat play area is equipped. If you want to walk your animal, do it on a leash.

Diet

The Bombay cat is voracious and prone to obesity. Therefore, the pet is fed according to the regimen 2 times a day, and is not treated with waste from the owner’s table.

The diet is based either on ready-made premium category food or on natural food. To keep the coat shiny and silky during the winter months, fish oil is included in the cat's menu.

When feeding natural food, the diet consists of:

• meat;
• birds;
• sea ​​fish;
• offal;
• boiled vegetables;
• dairy products;
• cereal porridges;
• egg yolks.

The proportion of proteins and fiber is 4:1. You cannot treat your cat to river fish, smoked meats, pickles, sausages, pastries, or sweets.

Health and diseases

The Bombay cat has good health and a life expectancy of 13-15 years. Common cat diseases are rarely diagnosed, but genetic pathologies are common.

Genetic disease No. 1 is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, leading to the death of the animal. No. 2 is a craniofacial anomaly transmitted from Burmese ancestors. The kitten either dies due to severe distortion of the skull, or is killed.

Representatives of the Bombay breed often experience lacrimation. Eliminate the problem by wiping the teardrops with a napkin moistened with chamomile infusion, weak tea leaves or soda solution (one-third of a teaspoon of soda per 0.5 liters of water).

Bombay cats get sick:

• colds, rhinitis;
• inflammation of the gums;
• helminthiasis;
• parasitic disease (fleas, ticks).

Treatment of diseases is standard. Bombay cats are vaccinated annually and given anthelmintic treatment.

Photo of the Bombay breed

Vices of Bombay cats

Any purebred cat can have defects

Since the Bombay breed is quite young, felinologists have not yet learned to avoid hereditary defects. Physiological defects of Bombays can affect the cardiovascular system, spinal canal, and skull structure. So, a Bombay may have a “Burmese craniofacial defect”. This disorder manifests itself in kittens even in the womb. Babies are born with a severe deformation of the skull, so they are killed immediately after birth - the deformation of the skull will still lead to death. In addition, Bombay cats may have breathing problems - according to felinologists, this is due to the special structure of the foot.

Another common problem in Bombays is watery eyes, which most often occurs due to conjunctivitis. In such cases, the owner can cure his pet himself (using a tea solution), but sometimes you can contact a veterinarian. Veterinarians prescribe medication depending on the degree of neglect: tetracycline ointment (to be applied behind the eyelid) or eye drops (usually those prescribed to people). Conjunctivitis takes a long time to cure (sometimes up to two weeks). In any case, self-medication is contraindicated here, because lacrimation may indicate the onset of a more serious illness.

And these panthers may also have gum inflammation. It is difficult to detect such a sore at an early stage, since the animal’s teeth may always appear white and healthy. The inflammatory process itself usually leads to tooth loss. The disease can be recognized by loss of appetite. Oral antiseptics are usually prescribed for treatment.

Donut (my sister's cat) once had sore gums. The teeth themselves seemed white, but the cat stopped eating, lay there for two days with a pitiful look and practically did not get up. The sister decided that he had eaten something wrong, which is why his stomach hurts and he has no appetite. On the third day, Donut was taken to the vet. The veterinarian immediately determined that it was an inflammatory process and prescribed some kind of spray (and something else). Since diet affects the quality of teeth, he wrote a feeding recommendation.

Any hereditary Bombay disease can lead to serious consequences

Another disease common to many breeds is a genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease usually results in thickening of the walls of the ventricles of the heart. Because of this, myocardial function is disrupted and heart failure occurs. Cardiomyopathy can only be cured with medication, and treatment in the early stages will be most effective. It is worth making annual examination visits to the veterinarian for preventive purposes. Treatment usually includes beta blockers, diuretics, and drugs to prevent thromboembolism.

If the owner of a Bombay cat takes care of his pet, then the animal will delight his person for a couple of decades. The normal life expectancy of the breed is 18–20 years.

Bombay cats have a number of external deviations from the standards. Sometimes such defects lead to disqualification or exclusion of the animal from participation in the championship (exhibition, show):

• presence of marks or stains;
• the nose and paw pads are not black;
• green eyes or excessively pronounced stop, leading to difficulty breathing or wheezing;
• malocclusion;
• incorrect number of fingers;
• tail defects;
• heavy body or weak muscles.

Video: healthy Bombay cats

Breeding the Bombay breed

The first heat of Bombay cats occurs at 6–8 months and lasts about a week. If the cat does not become pregnant during this period, then in a couple of weeks the heat will repeat. However, professional breeders are in no hurry to produce offspring, so the first mating of the pet is carried out when the cat has reached one year. Bombays are a little lazy in terms of breeding, so you need to be able to choose the right time, usually this is the second - fourth day of estrus.

If the owner has decided that the cat must give birth and will not be sterilized, all that remains is to select the right cat. Now there are many different nurseries, finding them will not be difficult, since most professional breeders have their own websites and blogs. But it’s not enough just to find a cat of the same breed; it must suit your cat.

Breeding Bombay cats is an art

How to choose a partner

The owner of a black panther must first decide whether he wants to continue the family of a purebred pet or simply fulfill the animal’s vital needs. After all, in the second case we are not talking about finding the “ideal groom”. The difficulty may lie in preserving the genetic data of the breed. In such cases, you need to look for professionals. An experienced breeder, as a rule, has a client base, so finding out the opinions of other cat breeders about the chosen cattery is not so difficult. The more former clients a breeder has, the more experience he has.

If it turns out that the selected breeder has a suitable cat, you need to visit the nursery premises. This could be the breeder's apartment (this is good, since domestic cats are healthier) or a work area where other animals are kept. It is necessary to inspect the territory, living conditions and appearance of the pets. If the cages are clean and the animals look neat, it means they have been well cared for and are healthy. Particular attention should be paid to the cat’s appearance: the coat should be shiny, the eyes should be clean, and the teeth should be white.

You can ask the breeder for the cat's pedigree. If it is, the animal's parents are also purebred. The more ancestors of an animal are known, the better, because in the Bombay breed there is a possibility of kittens being born with defects incompatible with life. Therefore, you need to be sure that there have never been such litters in the cat’s family. You can also look at the male's parents. Their appearance will make it clear who their grandchildren might look like.

The success of mating depends half on the right choice of partner for the cat.

At what age should a Bombay be given for first mating?

Less experienced owners of Bombay cats give their pets for mating from six months (with the first heat). Pregnancy does not occur and a number of questions arise: why did this happen, is the cat to blame, how to fix it. It is important to remember that Bombays are practically indifferent to the opposite sex, therefore, even if you give your panther under the age of one year for mating, at least let the cat be experienced.

The ideal age for the first mating is from one to one and a half years. At this age, the cat’s body is already fully formed and ready to bear healthy offspring.

Veterinarians recommend giving the cat a rest between births: although whiskered animals can breed several times a year, experienced breeders breed their Bombays only once during this period. During the breaks, the mother's body must recover and gain strength - often the giving birth cat will weaken, become thin, and her immunity will fail.

Character

Owners of the Bombay breed often say that their pets are “black in color, but have a golden soul.” And it’s true: Bombays are unusually gentle and affectionate creatures, they do not like loneliness and love to be around people. The hosts are loved with devoted love, and the guests are treated with curiosity and friendliness.

If you take such a creature in your arms, it will not struggle, on the contrary, it will begin to caress and purr... even if you endlessly squeeze a Bombay, this is only a joy for them. And when he gets bored, he will simply quietly leave (but will never show aggression, since this is an extremely patient breed).

The voice of the Bombay cat deserves special mention - it is so pleasant that you can listen to such “songs” for a very long time. Bombays especially love to climb onto their owner’s lap and purr endlessly and affectionately.

They get along well not only with other cats and even dogs, but also with birds (for example, parrots). But they don’t really like the street, preferring the comfort of home – this is their significant difference from their “wild relatives”.

They love to play, even with small children - steadfastly enduring all the “torment”, even if they are squeezed and wrapped in diapers. Plus - ideal companions.

Castration and sterilization of Bombay cats

Castration is an operation to remove the sex glands. Sterilization involves only ligation of the fallopian tubes - the production of hormones will continue, and sexual desire will remain. Therefore, if the owners’ plans do not include reproduction, it would be more humane not to sterilize, but to castrate the animal - in this case, the pet will be insured against the possible development of ailments of the reproductive system, will become calmer and more balanced, and its quality of life will increase.

If a cat is not supposed to give birth, then she needs to be neutered.

If a cat is not bred, but she is in heat, she may get sick. Abstinence in cats usually leads to gynecological diseases (including uterine cancer). If you plan to remove only the ovaries, it is best to castrate the animal before the first heat and signs of sexual desire appear - in the future, this will almost completely eliminate the risk of developing uterine cancer.

Such operations are carried out in animal clinics where there is a veterinary surgeon. The pet is brought in in advance (the day before), he is not fed (not required before the operation), but he is observed and the necessary tests are taken. The surgery itself takes place under general or local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is usually sufficient for cats, but the surgery performed on a cat is abdominal, requiring general anesthesia.

We didn’t wait for the guy’s hormones to start raging. At seven months they took him for castration. He tolerated the operation well. It was a bit difficult to recover from anesthesia: there was weakness and drowsiness. But within a day he was again rushing around the house like a hurricane.

perfectionist, forum user

https://otzovik.com/review_1194188.html

I sterilize all my cats because they are always outbred. I wait until the cat is one year old and start looking for a clinic. I spayed my last cat when she was one and a half years old. The operation itself took about ten minutes, but the most difficult thing was the care after the procedure. The cat recovered from anesthesia for almost a day.

Video: how to care for your pet after surgery

Table: pros and cons of the Bombay breed

Diseases

Bombays may suffer from various diseases. For example, heart defects with genetic determination, defects in the structure of the skull and spinal canal. By the way, many bloodlines have a deformation of the skull. A common defect is difficulty breathing through the nose, which is a consequence of the stop being too pronounced for this breed.

Bombay cats are generally in good health, and if cared for properly, they can live up to 20 years. In addition to cardiomyopathy (enlarged walls of the ventricles), problems with breathing and gums, they may experience obesity due to too good an appetite, or a disorder of the digestive system.

To understand that a cat has a heart disease, it is enough to notice that it is drowsy, breathes quickly, has a rapid heartbeat, and sometimes faints. If such signs occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. If treatment is started on time, the animal’s condition can be significantly alleviated and its life extended.

The specific structure of the cat's nose is such that Bombays often have runny noses and lacrimation. On the advice of a veterinarian, the nose can be washed with a special solution, and the eyes can be instilled with drops.