How Big Do Bombay Cats Get? Average Size and Growth Milestones

Written by Baylee Bunce
Updated: October 9, 2023
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Bombay cats came about thanks to the unique mixture of a sable Burmese and a black American Shorthairs. The result was a panther-like housecat with a muscular build and an all-black coat. Everything from their nose to their paw pads features a deep, midnight-black color. But how big are these miniature, jungle-like cats? Discover how big Bombay cats get and Bombay cat’s size on average.

How Big Do Bombay Cats Get?

Bombay laying outside

A medium-sized breed, a Bombay cat’s size is more like a housecat than a panther.

©antonella.lussardi/Shutterstock.com

Classified officially as a medium-sized breed, Bombay cats typically grow between 8 to 15 pounds. They will be 13 to 20 inches long. Commonly, males will be larger than their female counterparts due to sexual dimorphism. Despite their categorization as medium-sized cats, Bombay cats may be heavier than anticipated, considering their compact build. They have their muscular bodies to thank for that!

Mixed Breed Cats and Variable Sizes

The nature of many mixed breed cats means that Bombays may exhibit slightly smaller or bigger individuals. A Bombay cat’s size depends on many complicated factors, especially if the result of the cross between a Bombay and another breed (such as a Burmese). Mixed breed cats like Bombays are much more likely to have variable sizes, which makes maintaining breed standards more difficult. For example, the American Cat Fanciers Association does not list an average weight or length beyond denoting the “medium” body type on their Bombay breed standard sheet.

Differences Between Bombay Cats and Regular House Cats Size

A Bombay cat’s size matches what many people would expect of a regular house cat. They are not very large, like Maine Coons, nor are they significantly small in size. Their personality is very outgoing, which means a Bombay cat can be a lively addition to a household. However, not every all-black house cat is a Bombay. Bombays have distinctive eye colors, black fur down to the roots, and a muscular build.

Bombay Kittens

Cute black Bombay kitten sitting in a flower pot.

As kittens, Bombay cats have lovely all-black coats from birth but often darken as they become adults.

©Lux Blue/Shutterstock.com

Nothing unusual sets Bombay kittens apart from other cat breeds. They follow the usual growth patterns of cats in their first year of life, including steadily gaining weight and growing into their paws and ears. You might notice as a kitten how big your Bombay cat will be as an adult as you analyze their growth.

How Big Will My Bombay Be Full Grown?

Bombay black cat on a white background with a climb up the tail

Bombays are muscular cats that have friendly personalities.

©Kucher Serhii/Shutterstock.com

As a fully grown cat, a Bombay can be anywhere between 8 and 15 pounds, as well as 13 to 20 inches in length. A male Bombay cat’s size averages between 8 and 10 pounds, while a female Bombay’s size averages between 6 and 8 pounds, according to The International Cat Association (TICA). An adult Bombay will have a compact body with a long tail.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © antonella.lussardi/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Baylee Bunce is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily covering cats, gardening, travel, and geography. Baylee has been writing and researching about animals for 3 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Purdue University, which she earned in 2018. A resident of Indiana, Baylee enjoys working in her backyard garden and spending time with her cats, Stormi and Lady.

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