Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair Cat

Roughly 25 percent of all households in the U.S. keep cats as pets. While some people don’t stop to think about their cat’s breed like they would with dogs, some substantial differences exist between cat breeds. Today, we will explore the Bombay cat vs. the American shorthair.

We’ll show you the physical differences between these animals and some additional differentiating factors. By the end of the article, you’ll know where they come from and how to tell them apart, even if they both have black fur.

Comparing a Bombay Cat and an American Shorthair Cat

The 2 Key Differences Between a Bombay Cat vs. an American Shorthair

The two key differences between a Bombay cat and an American shorthair are their coloration and body features. The Bombay cat has a black fur coat, an athletic body, a short nose, rounded parts of its body, and eyes that are typically yellow or copper. Meanwhile, the American shorthair can appear in dozens of colors and combinations while having a broad chest, a stocky body, and a developed muzzle compared to the Bombay cat.

These are some of the biggest differences between the two cat breeds. Yet, they’re not the only ones. Let’s take a closer look at both cats and discover their other unique features.

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Size

The Bombay cat is larger than the American shorthair in average weight and length. The average Bombay cat weighs between 8 and 15 pounds, while the American shorthair reaches weights of 6 to 15 pounds. The difference between their weight is small, but it’s important to consider that the Bombay cat often looks lighter than the scale says.

The Bombay cat can grow between 13 and 20 inches, compared to the American shorthair, which can grow between 12 and 15 inches long.

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Fur Type

As their name suggests, the American shorthair has short, dense, and thick fur. Their fur can appear dull or glossy depending on the colors that they have. For example, a black American shorthair will have glossy fur.

The Bombay cat only has black fur but can sometimes have a small white tuft on its chest. Their fur is short and glossy.

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Colors

The Bombay cat’s black coat is one of its defining features. Typically, this breed will be entirely black, including its feet pads and nose. However, they can have a white patch on their chests. Meanwhile, American shorthair cats can have over eighty different combinations of colors and patterns.

American shorthairs can be red, white, cream, blue, black and white, and many other colors. They can even appear all black, like the Bombay cat. After all, the Bombay cat was partially derived from the American shorthair.  

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Features

The Bombay cat is known for having round features. For example, its paws, tail, eyes, ears, and head are rounded off, giving the cat a lithe appearance. This breed’s body is medium-sized, athletic, and somewhat muscular.

They’re known for having short noses, muzzles, and yellow or copper eyes. Their eyes can be green, but it’s rare. Also, this breed is black everywhere on its body, including its nose and the pads of its feet.

Meanwhile, the American shorthair is also a medium-sized cat, but it’s compact and muscular. This breed has a well-developed muzzle, a broad chest, a stocky appearance, wideset eyes, and eye colors that include green, gold, and hazel. They also have various colors on their nose and foot pads.

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Personality

The American shorthair was a working cat that helped to hunt mice on ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. These cats are bold, curious, and playful. They’re also affectionate and easygoing, making them great pets for people that don’t want incredibly independent cats.

The Bombay cat stems from the American shorthair, so it’s no surprise this breed is social and adaptable. They’re known for their propensity to “talk” to people by meowing, along with being loyal and getting attached to their owners. The Bombay cat is a great lap cat.

Bombay Cat vs. American Shorthair: Lifespan

The Bombay cat lives as long as the American shorthair cat. The average Bombay cat can live from 15 to 20 years with good treatment; the same can be said about the American shorthair. Since the breeds are closely related, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that they’re both long-living cat breeds.

To conclude, these cats have many similarities, which can lead to difficulty in telling them apart. However, knowing the differences in their bodies, colors, and other elements we’ve gone over will help you tell differentiate them. You’ll need to check their eyes, foot pads, and muzzles to distinguish one from the other.

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• Top 10 Most Beautiful and Prettiest Cats

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