Pet Wiki

Japanese Bobtail

Also called JBT, Mi-ke (tricolour variety)

Japanese Bobtails are lively, bright and affectionate.

SizeMedium
Weight2.7 to 5.4 kg (6 to 12 lb)males 3.6 to 5.4 kg, females 2.7 to 3.6 kg12
Lifespan9 to 15 years12
CoatShorthair and longhair, soft and silky with little undercoat
OriginJapan; bobtailed cats are thought to have arrived around the 6th century, probably via Korea or China.321
Recognised breedShort profile
active, playful and clever
chatty with a soft, sing-song voice
easy to train for tricks, fetch and harness
312

Personality what they are like

Japanese Bobtails are lively, bright and affectionate. They love to join in, follow their people around and 'talk' in soft chirps and trills. They solve problems readily, excel at cat agility and usually fit in well with children and dogs, though a new cat may need time to be accepted.312

Coat and looks how to spot one

shorthair and longhair, soft and silky with little undercoat

A slim, well-muscled medium cat with long legs, a triangular face, high cheekbones, big upright ears and large slanted oval eyes. Its short tail, no more than about three inches from the body, is kinked or curved under a fluffy pom-pom of fur, and no two tails are exactly alike. The coat is soft and silky in both the shorthair and the longhair, which may have a light ruff.321

Coloursany colour or patterntraditional mi-ke (red, black and white tricolour), especially lovedsolids, tabbies, smokes, bicolours, tortoiseshells, pointed321

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Japanese Bobtail. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

  • Brushingevery week
  • Nail trimevery 3 weeks
  • Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
  • Litter scoopevery day
  • Litter changeevery week
  • PlayDaily playevery day
  • Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
  • Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. Great jumpers that need perches, cat trees and daily interactive play such as feather wands and fetch.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy. Comb a shorthair a few times a month; a longhair needs more frequent combing and an occasional bath.31

Home where they are happiest

Happy indoors with plenty of high places to climb and perch.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced cat food in portions that keep this athletic cat lean.2

Company who they like around

Very social and wants company most of the time; bonds strongly with its family and gets on especially well with other Bobtails.13

The story where it all began

Bobtailed cats have lived in Japan for well over a thousand years and appear in centuries of Japanese art. They were once kept by the nobility, but a 1602 decree freed cats to protect silk production from rodents, so they spread throughout the country. Elizabeth Freret brought the first ones to the United States in 1968, and CFA granted the shorthair championship status in 1976.32

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The bobbed tail is natural, caused by a dominant gene, and each cat's tail is unique like a fingerprint.3

  2. 2

    The beckoning-cat (maneki-neko) good-luck figures seen in shops are modelled on the Japanese Bobtail.2

  3. 3

    The tricolour mi-ke is traditionally considered the luckiest colour.1

  4. 4

    A diary kept by Emperor Uda in 889 contains one of the earliest written mentions of cats in Japan.2

  5. 5

    US breeders are allowed to bring in Japanese street cats to keep the gene pool broad.3

Where the name comes from the story behind it

The breed is named after Japan, where it originated, and 'bobtail' refers to its distinctive short, kinked tail.4

Name ideas for your new friend

SakuraYukiMochiSushiTaroKikoHanaNoriMimiKumaChibiSora

A day in the life told by a Japanese Bobtail

I chirped good morning and followed my human to the bathroom. Then I solved the puzzle toy she gave me in two minutes. I spent the afternoon leaping from shelf to shelf, chasing a feather wand. When she came home, I trilled and walked figure-eights around her feet. After dinner, we played fetch with a crumpled paper ball. Another happy day.

A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.

Recognised by the official bits

CFA
Shorthair Championship status 1976; longhair 19933
TICA
Recognised breed2
FIFe
Japanese Bobtail Shorthair (JBS) fully recognised, Category 4; standard last modified 20255

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Cat-Friendly Pancakes

A simple, no-bake treat that is high in protein and low in fat, making it a suitable occasional reward for cats who gain weight easily.

You need

  • 1 tin of tuna in water, no salt added
  • 1/2 cup finely diced cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup pure sweet potato puree (no added sweeteners)

How

  1. Drain the tuna and place it in a mixing bowl.
  2. Break the tuna into small bits with a fork.
  3. Add the diced chicken to the bowl.
  4. Slowly stir in the sweet potato puree until the mixture binds together, being careful not to make it too watery.
  5. Shape the mixture into mini pancakes.
  6. Serve to your cat as an occasional treat.

How much: Give small amounts occasionally, as treats should not exceed 10-15% of daily calorie allowance. Reduce main meals accordingly.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Tuna Biscuits for Cats

These crunchy biscuits are made with simple ingredients and are a healthier alternative to many shop-bought treats, helping to manage weight when given in moderation.

You need

  • 1 tin of tuna in water (undrained)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 250g plain flour (can be gluten-free)
  • Extra water as needed

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blend the tuna until smooth using a food processor or hand blender.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the blended tuna and beaten egg.
  4. Add the flour and mix thoroughly to form a dough. If too dry, add a little water.
  5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
  6. Cut out small biscuits using small biscuit cutters and place on the lined tray.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes or until crunchy.
  8. Allow to cool completely before storing.

How much: Treats should be given in moderation, not exceeding 10% of daily food allowance. Reduce main meals accordingly.

Recipe from PDSA

Tuna Catnip Biscuits

A vet-approved recipe from PDSA that uses simple ingredients to create a tasty, crunchy treat your cat will love.

You need

  • 145g tuna chunks in spring water
  • 120g plain flour
  • 1 tablespoon dried catnip
  • 1 egg

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
  2. Drain the tuna and mix it with the flour, catnip and egg in a bowl until a dough forms.
  3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
  4. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out biscuit shapes.
  5. Place the biscuits on a greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: One biscuit equals 10% of your cat's recommended daily calories. Reduce their main meal by 10% on treat days.

Recipe from PDSA

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Japanese Bobtail, and at what times?

Feeding times and amounts depend on your cat's age, weight and activity level. Check the food label for guidance and ask your vet for a personalized schedule. Keep your athletic Bobtail lean with measured portions.2

What should a Japanese Bobtail eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Feed a complete, balanced cat food to keep your lively Bobtail lean. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, chives, and xylitol; cats are especially sensitive to onion, garlic and chives.26

Does a Japanese Bobtail need baths?

Japanese Bobtails rarely need baths unless they get very dirty or sticky. Longhairs may need an occasional bath, but generally their silky coat stays clean with regular brushing.317

How often does a Japanese Bobtail need brushing?

For a shorthair, brush a few times a month; for a longhair, brush more often, about every few days. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests weekly brushing to keep the soft, silky coat in good condition.317 Pet Wiki plan

How do I trim a Japanese Bobtail's claws, and how often?

Trim your Bobtail's claws every two to three weeks using proper cat nail clippers. Start slowly, trimming just two claws per session to get your cat comfortable. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests every 21 days.7 Pet Wiki plan

How much play does a Japanese Bobtail need?

Japanese Bobtails have high activity needs and love daily interactive play like feather wands and fetch. Provide cat trees and perches for climbing and jumping. Pet Wiki's starting plan includes daily play sessions.13 Pet Wiki plan

How do I look after a Japanese Bobtail's teeth and ears?

Brush your Bobtail's teeth daily if possible; Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests every two days. For ears, check weekly and clean gently with a vet-recommended solution if needed; ask your vet for specific ear care advice. Pet Wiki plan

How long does a Japanese Bobtail live?

Japanese Bobtails typically live between 9 and 15 years, often enjoying a long, healthy life with proper care.12

Is a Japanese Bobtail good with children and other pets?

Yes, Japanese Bobtails are usually good with children and dogs, and they get on especially well with other Bobtails. Introduce new cats slowly to give them time to accept each other.312

Can a Japanese Bobtail be left alone?

Japanese Bobtails are very social and prefer company most of the time; they may become lonely if left alone for long periods. Consider a companion or plenty of interactive toys to keep them entertained.13

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. Hill's Pet: Japanese Bobtail hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, colours, activity, social needs
  2. Wikipedia: Japanese Bobtail en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, weight, lifespan, recognition, history, fun facts
  3. CFA: Japanese Bobtail cfa.orgused for history, recognition, body, tail, coat, colours, temperament, grooming, fun facts
  4. cfa.org cfa.org
  5. FIFe: Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition
  6. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  7. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.