A Complete Price Guide for the Bombay Cat

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Are you looking to get yourself a family-friendly feline but with feral appearances? Thanks to Nikkie Horner, the Bombay cat is your best shot. Despite the wild cat looks, Bombay cats are the perfect family pet. This is because they are gentle and easy-going, which makes them great with kids and other pets. In this article, we give you a complete price guide for the Bombay cat, which will help you make an informed decision.

What Is a Bombay Cat?

A Bombay cat also referred to as a Parlor Panther, is a medium-sized, attractive-looking cat with emerald copper eyes. According to Rover, this cat is ultimate black given that everything about it is pitch-black, from the tip of its nose to the tail, not to mention its large round paws. It is well known for its short glossy black coat.

When the coat is in good condition, its deep black luster looks like patent leather, and thus the Bombay is often referred to as “the patent leather kid with new-penny eyes.” Bombay cats quite resemble the Burmese cat. This is no surprise as the Bombay breed came about by breeding the Burmese cat with the black American Shorthair, intending to produce a domestic feline with feral appearances.

Its panther-like look and wild cat sway have earned it nicknames like “mini jungle panther” and “black Indian cat.” It has a dense muscular physique and is said to be heavier than they look. Besides their striking appearance, the Bombay cats have a loving personality and are aptly referred to as “Velcro cats” as they tend to keep close to their favorite humans.

They are known to seek attention from their pet parents and love being pets. Younger Bombays are active, curious, and easily adapt to change. Adult Bombays, however, are placid but tend to be very kittenish and love their playtime. They are highly social, outgoing and love to watch the world around them. A typical Bombay cat has a lifespan of around 15-20 years. Why are they called Bombay cats? Ideally, Bombay cats are not ancient to the Indian city, Bombay (now known as Mumbai), but greatly resemble the Indian black leopard the name.

History Of Bombay Cats

Bombay cats originated from Lexington, Kentucky, in the late 1950s. This was when a human, cat fancier named Nikki Horner decided she wanted to create a domestic cat that looked like a mini version of an Indian black leopard. She began a very selective breeding program and crossed a black American Shorthair with bright copper eyes and a Grand Champion sable Burmese cat.

Typically, they get their easy-going and gentle nature from the American Shorthairs and their canny, affectionate side from the Burmese, according to Pumpkin Care. The first attempt to cross the breeds failed, but the second attempt was a success, and eventually, the breed standard all-black Bombay with the copper eyes was accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1970.

The International Cat Association (TICA) followed in 1979, and today, the Bombay cats are recognized by all cat registries. Although the creation of this mini jungle panther is most often credited to Nikki Horner, Bombay was also bred in the United Kingdom. The American Bombays are the original parlor panthers.

They have yellow to orange eyes (copper eyes). British Bombays’ cats are a cross between Burmese and British Shorthair. Despite the crosses being of different cats, the two types of Bombays aren’t that different in appearance nor temperament. However, some British Bombays have emerald green eyes. The British Bombay also has a slightly puffier coat, whereas American Bombay has a very flat coat. Whether American or British, Bombays are relatively rare cats.

Pet Potential

Most cats are notorious for being very independent, some more than others. They do what they want when they want, even when you want them to do something differently. Luckily for you, the Bombay breed is fairly easy to train. It is always recommended to treat train a cat. But Bombay cat breeds are usually easier to train than others. Like their wild, larger look-alikes, the Black Panther, Bombay cats love their packs and are fiercely loyal to their pack. So, if you have a Bombay, they will love you and be loyal to you forever.

What Is the Cost of a Bombay Cat?

Welcoming this lustrous feline into your home does not come cheap. However, you do not need to spend a fortune. The Bombay cat price ideally ranges from $400 – $700. This largely depends on the cat’s age, gender, bloodline, quality, the breeder, or where you are adopting the cat. The price gradually increases from a Bombay kitten to a full-grown cat, according to the Quite Essential Guide. If you find one up for adoption in an animal shelter, which is extremely rare, then they should be relatively cheap, perhaps no more than $200. A show-quality Bombay cat can cost you up to $2000, especially if it is from a prized bloodline. The cost of a retired Bombay cat can come down to $200 if you are lucky enough to find a breeder getting rid of their show cat.

Limited Registered Bombay Cat Price

A limited registration Bombay cat is a cat that can not be raised for breeding but only as a pet. The average price for this cat is approximate $400 – $650.

Fully Registered Bombay Cat Price

As you may have already guessed, this is a cat that has breeding abilities. It goes for $650- $1000 if it is coming from a less repute breeder but is more expensive and goes for $1000- $2000 if it is coming from a reputable breeder. Buying the cat, however, is just the initial outlay.

What Is the Adoption Cost?

While adopting a Bombay cat, a reputable breeder should, at a minimum, include registration paperwork, a health guarantee, up-to-date vaccinations, health records, and a travel crate if your cat is getting shipped.

What Are the Extra Costs Incurred?

When buying your cat, you also need to factor in recurring costs such as the cat litter, accessories, and toys. In cases where you need to have your cat shipped via air or car, then you need to factor in the shipping costs, which, on average, can be anywhere between $150 to $400. Bombay cats are well known for their calm demeanor on the bright side.

They do not often resort to aggressive or rough play like some domestic breeds. This prevents them from being furniture hostile pets. This saves owners an average cost of $200 for repairing sofas and other soft living room accouterments like curtains and shears. Bombay cats have earned a reputation for being very vocal and their constant need for attention. Thus, a pet owner who isn’t always at home will cause distress for the Bombay cat. Their loud mewling may cause some disturbance to neighbors, particularly if you are living in apartment units. To avoid being relocated, some pet owners would resort to installing soundproof walls. Soundproofing comes down to an average of $190 and $300, including professional labor.

Overall Maintenance Cost

As a pet parent, you should note that the Bombay cat price we have discussed above is just but the initial outlay. Just as any other cat, to keep your Bombay feline healthy, there are necessary costs that must be incurred. As a cat parent, you should always have funds set aside to ensure that you give your little feline friend the best life possible.

Grooming Cost

The basic everyday cat requirements are water, food, and a kitty litter box. However, for Bombay cats, a lot more goes into that cost. When it comes to grooming, the Bombay cat price is minimal as Bombay cats are pretty low maintenance, but you still should have a brush just in case. A rubber brush is highly recommended due to the cat’s glossy-like coat, as this brush will help remove any loose hair after shedding.

Diet Cost

Your cat should always be well fed, with a complete and balanced diet. Cats are obligate carnivores. Therefore, their diet should mainly consist of proteins. Luckily, the annual spending on food can be categorized into three. Low-cost investment, which sums up to $100-$120. Mid-range investments entail around $170 per year, and high-range, which entail about $200 spent on cat food every year. A healthy Bombay cat should have a lifespan of around 15-20 years; hence, for the entire natural lifespan of the Bombay cat, you will accrue a total of around $2,800 on food alone.

Vet Cost

According to the Happy Cat Site, all cats are subject to acute, chronic, and health problems due to lifestyle, hereditary diseases, and sheer longevity issues. Given that they are derived from the Burmese and have a general rounder face, your Bombay cat may be prone to nasal problems such as sinus issues and asthma, which may also be related to allergies or just poor drainage in a less-elongated face. If their dental alignment is somewhat compressed, they may also be at risk of gingivitis or dental disease. Therefore, as a pet parent, you need to pay regular visits to the vet to ensure the well-being of your little feline friend.

The average annual estimate for a visit to the vet clinic is around $50. For low-cost flea control, the annual spending could be anywhere around $50, while expensive treatment sums up to an annual average of $150. For vaccination, pet owners are looking at an average annual investment between $45 to $85 and $15 for the cat’s vitamins.

However, most pet parents opt to buy health insurance that includes medical expenses. Annually, the health insurance of a cat ranges from $500 to $1000. Most pet insurance companies offer the average monthly cost of health insurance for cats, such as Bombay, from $10 to $30. It is important to take note that these prices do not apply specifically to Bombay cats but a wide variety of cat breeds. Given the intrinsic characteristics of the Bombay cat, these estimated annual investment costs may increase or decrease depending on their adjustment to different households. Additionally, if you plan to let your cat go outside, you should consider getting a cat tracking device to ensure you don’t lose it.

Where Can You Adopt a Bombay Cat?

If you’re in demand of the Bombay breed, you’re going to have to find a breeder. There’s a little to no chance that you’re going to find what you’re looking for in an adoption agency, especially since kittens are so highly sought after instead of adult cats. However, if you are willing to go with an adult Bombay, you have a much higher chance of adoption, and you’ll have to do some research at the adoption agencies in your area.

Some of these places have profiles online for the cats that they have, and you can continuously check to see what cats they have. Additionally, there are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Bombay kittens. You can browse the list of Bombay rescues and shelters near you and try your luck.

Nonetheless, your only definite option is a breeder. It is safest to purchase a kitten from a reputable breeder. When working with a breeder, please verify that the breeder you’re purchasing from does genetic testing of their animals, and be sure to verify the puppy’s health information. Also, make sure that the breeder will take back any pets they sell if for any reason the pet cannot stay in their home and that the breeder will commit to finding those pets a new home if needed.

You may have to drive several hundred miles to find a reputable, safe, and dependable breeder to purchase your Bombay, but hey, it is a small price to pay compared to the joy your little parlor panther will bring you.

So How Much Does a Bombay Cat Cost?

We hope you have found our guide on the Bombay cat price. Now that you know what to expect do your research and go get your feline friend.

You can also read:

• A Cute Gallery of Bombay Kittens
• Is The Bombay Cat a Bad Luck Charm?
• 20 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Bombay Cats