The 60-second version of the Bombay: what they're like, what they need, and whether one would suit your home — written for Australian owners.
Bombay at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Breed group | Shorthair |
| Weight | 3–5 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Energy | Moderate to high |
| Coat | Short, glossy jet-black |
| Grooming | Weekly rub-down |
| Shedding | Low |
| Good with kids | Excellent — playful and tolerant |
| Kitten price (AU) | $1,200–$2,200 |
| Insurance (AU) | ~$30–$55/month |
Living with a Bombay in Australia
The Bombay was engineered in the 1950s to look like a pocket panther — Burmese crossed with black American Shorthair — and the result is pure house-leopard: black to the paw pads, copper eyes, and a swaggering walk. Temperamentally they’re all Burmese: sociable, heat-seeking, talkative and devoted to the point of following you room to room. They suit Australian families wanting an interactive cat that’s happy indoors, plays fetch and sleeps under the doona.
Health watch-outs
Shares the Burmese watch-list:
- Craniofacial defect — a serious inherited condition in some lines; buy only from tested breeders.
- Dental disease and obesity — both preventable with routine care.
- Otherwise robust — a healthy, long-lived breed overall.
Budget at a glance
- Kitten price: typically $1,200–$2,200 from a registered breeder — much lower offers are often scams.
- Insurance: around $30–$55/month — see our pet insurance cost guide for what shapes premiums.
- Low grooming, modest appetite — an affordable pedigree to keep.
Is a Bombay right for you?
Great fit if you… ✅
- Families wanting a playful, people-focused cat
- Indoor-cat households
- Anyone who ever wanted a panther but has a landlord
Think twice if… ⚠️
- Needs company — solo all-day life doesn’t suit
- Their warmth-seeking means they’ll be under your doona
Keep exploring
🍖 Best food: See our cat food picks — chosen for Australian conditions and budgets
🛡️ Insurance: What pet insurance costs in Australia — breed-by-breed premium guidance