Also called JBT, Mi-ke (tricolour variety) · Japan
Japanese Bobtails are lively, bright and affectionate.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.7 to 5.4 kg (6 to 12 lb)males 3.6 to 5.4 kg, females 2.7 to 3.6 kg12 |
| Lifespan | 9 to 15 years12 |
| Coat | Shorthair and longhair, soft and silky with little undercoat |
| Origin | Japan; bobtailed cats are thought to have arrived around the 6th century, probably via Korea or China.321 |
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
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
A typical home-care rhythm for a Japanese Bobtail. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
High. Great jumpers that need perches, cat trees and daily interactive play such as feather wands and fetch.13
Happy indoors with plenty of high places to climb and perch.12
Very social and wants company most of the time; bonds strongly with its family and gets on especially well with other Bobtails.13
Easy. Comb a shorthair a few times a month; a longhair needs more frequent combing and an occasional bath.31
A complete, balanced cat food in portions that keep this athletic cat lean.2
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
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.24
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.315
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.315 Pet Wiki plan
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.5 Pet Wiki plan
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
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
Japanese Bobtails typically live between 9 and 15 years, often enjoying a long, healthy life with proper care.12
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
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.
Running costs for a Japanese Bobtail, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
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
The bobbed tail is natural, caused by a dominant gene, and each cat's tail is unique like a fingerprint.3
The beckoning-cat (maneki-neko) good-luck figures seen in shops are modelled on the Japanese Bobtail.2
The tricolour mi-ke is traditionally considered the luckiest colour.1
A diary kept by Emperor Uda in 889 contains one of the earliest written mentions of cats in Japan.2
US breeders are allowed to bring in Japanese street cats to keep the gene pool broad.3
The breed is named after Japan, where it originated, and 'bobtail' refers to its distinctive short, kinked tail.6
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.
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
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
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