Height
25 x 35 cm
Adult Weight
3-8 kg
Life Span
12-15 years
Origin
United States
Personality and Temperament
The American Bobtail is famous for its friendly, almost dog-like personality and striking, wild appearance. While the breed does have feral roots, its behavior is thoroughly domesticated.
These cats are highly intelligent and often quite talkative, developing an impressive range of vocalizations, including various meows, chirps, and purrs.
Despite their wildcat heritage, American Bobtails are known for forming deep connections with their human families. They also tend to get along well with other pets, making them great companions in multi-pet households.
Care
Nutration:
American Bobtail cats don’t have any specific dietary needs beyond a balanced, meat-based diet to meet their requirements as obligate carnivores. To prevent overeating and potential obesity, it’s best to feed them measured meals rather than leaving food out throughout the day.
Grooming:
American Bobtail cats have both short and medium-length coats, both of which are relatively low-maintenance. Regular brushing will help keep their fur in top shape, and they’ll enjoy the bonding time. Since these cats are skilled climbers, it’s also important to trim their nails regularly to keep them comfortable and avoid any potential damage.
Exercise:
American Bobtail cats are full of energy and love to play. Their curious nature means they enjoy intense games and climbing, making them the perfect fit for active households. If you’re looking for a cat that thrives on human interaction and are even interested in walking your cat on a leash, the American Bobtail could be the ideal companion. To keep them happy, provide a high-quality cat tree, a window perch, and several scratching posts. A basket of toys will also keep them entertained, and toys with shiny or reflective surfaces are often their favorites.
Health:
American Bobtail cats are known for their robust health and are not prone to any specific hereditary conditions. This breed tends to be strong and hardy, making them a generally low-maintenance choice in terms of health.
History
The American Bobtail is a relatively new breed, emerging in the 1960s. It was created by breeding a feral brown tabby male with a naturally short tail to a seal point domestic female.
What makes the American Bobtail stand out is its development through natural selection, rather than relying solely on pedigreed cats. The foundation stock consisted primarily of feral domestic cats with natural bobtails, each contributing to the breed’s distinctive look and traits.
Several breeders from across the United States collaborated to shape the American Bobtail as we know it today. While the foundation cats had no common ancestry, they shared a similar type, which helped create a strong, healthy breed with a unique appearance and no known genetic defects.
