Japanese Bobtail: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Historical past of the Japanese Bobtail

The Japanese bobtail is an historic cat breed generally traced to Japan. These cats are a standard sight within the nation at this time and performed a pivotal function in Japan’s silk commerce way back to the 1600s.

Nonetheless, the origin of the Japanese bobtail is shrouded in thriller. Many consultants contend that this cat originated in China or Korea at the very least a thousand years in the past. Some sources consider that the Emperor of China gifted these bobtail cats to the Emperor of Japan within the 7^th century. Others recommend that Buddhist monks have been the primary to convey bobtail cats into Japan as a way of defending rice paper scrolls from rats.

In both case, historical past means that the cats have been launched on the order of the Japanese emperor within the 12 months 1602 to eradicate rodents that have been threatening Japan’s silk commerce. It was unlawful to promote or preserve the bobtails as pets, and in consequence, these felines grew to become widespread avenue cats in Japan.

The breed steadily seems in historic work and is often represented in standard Japanese collectible figurines of a white cat with one paw raised referred to as “the Beckoning Cat.” Even a preferred cartoon character, Howdy Kitty, is believed to be a Japanese bobtail—although no official breed declaration has been made by Sarnio, the character’s creator.

The Japanese bobtail was first launched to the USA within the Nineteen Sixties. The cats gained consideration for his or her interactive personalities and distinctive look. A lady named Elizabeth Freret is credited with importing the primary Japanese bobtails in 1968. Inside a decade, the shorthair variation of the breed was accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation (CFA) for championship standing. The long-haired variation of the Japanese bobtail obtained champion standing in 1993, and at this time each breeds are CFA-recognized. 

Japanese Bobtail Care

The Japanese bobtail is straightforward to look after. They don’t have excessive train wants however do require loads of consideration each day from their people. Additionally, their coat is straightforward to take care of with primary grooming. They don’t have an undercoat, in order that they aren’t suited to outside life.

Grooming

The Japanese bobtail will not be a hypoallergenic breed. With no undercoat, the sleek, silky fur of the Japanese bobtail is straightforward to take care of. Each lengthy and brief hair varieties will profit from a weekly brushing to take away free hair and promote circulation and shine. A effective, long-tooth comb is an efficient possibility that may get the job completed.

Within the occasion that your cat will get very soiled, the occasional bathtub could be wanted.

Train

Like most cats, Japanese bobtails thrive in an atmosphere with each day human companionship. They do not have excessive vitality ranges or train wants, however they take pleasure in video games, together with fetch, and might be taught many methods. After all, in addition they love to twist up for a nap close to you, although they aren’t thought of lap cats.

Additionally, these cats like to leap excessive, so they need to have excessive perches to leap on. And also you shouldn’t preserve necessary issues on counters since they’ll bounce up and knock them over.

As well as, they need to have entry to interactive toys that they’ll play with and bounce round. And interactive puzzles are nice for these clever cats.

Frequent Well being Issues

There are only a few well being issues generally related to this cat breed. Typically, the Japanese bobtail is taken into account to be very wholesome and never overly liable to any explicit dysfunction or illness.

Look

Every Japanese bobtail’s tail will probably be distinctive and actually their very own, very similar to a fingerprint.

The Japanese bobtail is typically confused with the Manx. Nonetheless, you may distinguish the distinction between the 2 breeds by a cat’s physique construction. Manx are sometimes extra sturdy, with heavier bones and rounder options. The Japanese bobtail, alternatively, has a extra svelte body and muscular look. The triangular head of the Japanese bobtail additionally helps to tell apart it from the rounder head of the Manx.

The Japanese bobtail might have both a brief or long-haired coat in a wide selection of colours, together with stable, tabby, and bi-color. Tri-color bobtails are additionally widespread and are known as “mi-ke.” The mi-ke coat is usually a typical calico (a tri-color mixture of crimson, white, and brown) or many different coloration combos together with chocolate, lilac, and smoke colours. 

Food plan and Diet

Japanese bobtails don’t require any particular weight loss plan or feeding regimens. What they do want, nonetheless, is high quality cat meals and a well-balanced weight loss plan. It’s necessary to not let one of many cat’s best enemies, weight problems, creep into the image via over-feeding or too many treats.

The place to Undertake or Purchase a Japanese Bobtail

Adopting or shopping for a Japanese bobtail might be difficult. Breeders are nonetheless comparatively uncommon in the USA, and these cats are recognized to have very small litters—normally simply two to 4 kittens. When you have your coronary heart set on a Japanese bobtail, anticipate to spend time on a ready record and pay upwards of $1,000, relying on coat coloration and markings.

Begin your search with these on-line sources:

• Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation Breeder Itemizing
• Tailless Cat Rescue

Study extra in regards to the Japanese bobtail via the Nationwide Breed Membership, or by talking with breeders and house owners who’re passionate in regards to the breed.

Japanese Bobtail Overview

The Japanese bobtail is a small cat with a cute “bunny” tail that has lengthy been revered in Japan. Immediately, the bobtail makes an incredible pet for single individuals and households alike. They’re pleasant and adaptable, and luxuriate in time spent with people. The one bother is discovering one as a result of the bobtail is a reasonably uncommon cat breed.

Professionals of Japanese Bobtails

• Pleasant and adaptable
• Cute and petite with a fluffy “bunny” tail
• Very wholesome breed

Cons of Japanese Bobtails

• Uncommon, hard-to-find
• Not hypoallergenic, so not good for these with allergic reactions
• Not a lap cat

10 Fascinating Bobtail Cat Breeds You Must Know

Extra Cat Breeds and Additional Analysis

When you’re fascinated with related breeds, take a look at:

• American Bobtail
• Manx
• Cymric

In any other case, take a look at all of our different cat breed profiles.