American Bobtail

Despite their somewhat wild appearance, American Bobtails are devoted companion cats who fit perfectly into families. Social and easygoing, they get along well with children and other four-legged pets. Confident and friendly, Bobtails are highly intelligent pets with dog-like personalities. They love games like fetch and hide-and-seek, and even enjoy walking on a leash with their people.

The American Bobtail possesses a striking resemblance to a bobtailed wildcat. Every aspect of her appearance, from her unique markings to her alert and focused hunter's gaze, contributes to this resemblance, creating the impression of a smaller, domesticated version of the untamed wild cat. One of the most distinguishing features of the American Bobtail is her short and expressive tail, which further reinforces the visual connection to her wildcat counterpart.

13 to 15 years

The American Bobtail’s coat can come in any pattern, including black, brown, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac, fawn, red and cream, with or without white.

The American Bobtail is a moderate shedding breed. Whether medium or long, her coat requires brushing only a couple of times a week to remove loose hair.

American Bobtails are a very strong and healthy breed, with little known about genetic predisposition to health problems. However, they may develop hip dysplasia, and tailless American Bobtails can have spinal problems that affect their ability to control defecation.

American Bobtails will generally thrive on the nutrition of a quality adult cat food. For Bobtails who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula. American Bobtail kittens should eat a kitten food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development.

Initially, the American Bobtail developed through natural selection. The breed’s foundation lies in feral domestic cats that had natural bobtails. Purposeful development of the breed began in the late 1960s, when John and Brenda Sanders were vacationing in the American southwest. They brought home a brown tabby kitten with a short tail, whom they found during their travels. The kitten later mated with the couple’s non-pedigreed domestic color point cat. Their kittens inherited the distinctive short tail, and attracted the attention of cat fanciers, who saw the possibility of a new breed of cats. Through selective breeding, the American Bobtail breed was officially established.

The American Bobtail breed is characterized by its unique and naturally short bobtail, which is visibly prominent above the back when the cat is alert. While each bobtail possesses its own distinct tail, the average length typically ranges from 2 to 10 centimeters, adding to their individuality and charm. In addition to their physical traits, American Bobtails are renowned for their exceptional qualities as therapy pets. Their calm and gentle nature, combined with their ability to form strong bonds with their human companions, make them well-suited for providing comfort and emotional support to those in need. Their presence can bring joy and alleviate stress, making them invaluable assets in various therapeutic settings. It is important to note that American Bobtails have a slower rate of maturation compared to other cat breeds. It takes them approximately two to three years to reach their full adult size and development. This extended growth period allows them to gradually develop their distinctive features and unique personalities, resulting in a well-rounded and fully matured cat.