Japanese Bobtail… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

If you’re looking for a high energy cat that isn’t going to be “opposed” to taking a long nap in your lap, then you may want to consider either purchasing a Japanese Bobtail kitten or better yet, adopting a Japanese Bobtail rescue cat.

But like all cats…

Japanese Bobtails are going to have their own unique “personality” that may or may not be exactly what you’re looking for which is why in this article, we’re going to highlight some of the unique features of the Japanese Bobtail cat breed so that you can get a better idea if owning one might be the right choice for you.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Japanese Bobtail Fast facts

Country of Origin:  Japan

Size:  Medium sized

Weight:  7 to 9 pounds

Eyes:  Oval

Head shape:  Triangular

Life Span:  9 to 15 years

Origin of the Japanese Bobtail.

The Japanese Bobtail, is one of those “ancient” cat breeds whose exact date of origin remains a mystery even today.  That said however, because these cats have been depicted in early Japanese art and literature, we can be sure that the breed has been around for at least 1000 years!

During most of this time…

The Japanese Bobtail breed was considered a “status” animal that was only allowed to be “kept” by the noble elite.  That is until the early 1600’s when it became necessary to call on these animals to help combat the “exploding” rodent population at that time.

You see…

In the early 1600’s the rodent population within Japan became so bad that it was actually becoming a serious threat to the Japanese silk industry.  And as most folks know, Japan has always been known for producing most to the worlds best silk products so when this industry began to be threatened, it no longer became as “important” for the noble elite to keep these animals for themselves.

This is why…

Japanese authorities required all private Japanese Bobtail owners to release their cats into the wild so that they could help reduce the rodent population and thereby help save the silk industry.

From that point on…

The Japanese Bobtail has been celebrated within Japan as not only a great pet, but also as a source of good luck and good fortune to those who own one.

Now it should be noted…

That if you do start to do a bit of research into how the Japanese Bobtail cat plays a role in Japanese culture, you’re sure to find a lot of stories and/or myths about how cats have been revered by the Japanese.  Heck, you only need to take a look at some photos of the Gotokuji Temple to get an idea about how serious some folks are about the good fortune these cats can provide (think good-luck charm).

And who are we…

To judge whether or not these cats can provide their owners with a bit of luck?  We here at IndulgeYourPet believe that we can take all the luck we can get which is why many of us have one of these little guys sitting on our desks…

Japanese Bobtail in America.

Despite the ancient origins of this cat, it wasn’t “officially” introduced to the United States until 1968 and the “officially” recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1976 followed by the longhaired Bobtails in 1993.

Physical Characteristics of the Japanese Bobtail

By all standards, the Japanese Bobtail is generally considered a “medium” sized cat.  Most Japanese Bobtails well be “well” proportioned with strong muscles packed into a slender and lean build.  Their legs will also tend to be long and lean with the hind legs being proportionately stronger than their forelegs

You’ll also notice that…

The Japanese Bobtail will have a triangular head, and oval shaped eyes that can vary in color and combination.  Which means that you shouldn’t be surprised if a few Japanese Bobtail kittens within any given little might have an “odd-eye” combination

But probably…

The first thing that you’re going to notice about the Japanese Bobtail cat is that it has a stumpy tail or “bobbed tail”, which occurs naturally.  You see, the Japanese Bobtail cat breed carry a genetic mutation that causes their kittens to be born with a bobbed tail.

Now it’s important to understand…

That this genetic mutation is a “recessive gene” so that in order for the bobbed tail (or short-tailed) trait to be “passed” on to it’s kittens, both parents need to carry the gene.  Now when both parents have a “bobtail” you can be sure that all of their kittens will be “bobtailed” as well.  But in cases where only one parent is bobtailed, unless the “normal” tailed cat possesses the “recessive gene”, only normal tailed kittens can be produced.

Now the Japanese Bobtail short tailed cats…

Tail and coat itself will be very soft and silky, and like other Manx breeds, its tail will be covered by a thick “fan” of fur that will be very reminiscent of a rabbit’s tail.

They can also have…

Either shorthair or longhair depending on personal preference and come in a variety of colors including calico which is often referred to as “mi-ke” meaning “three-fur”.

Japanese Bobtail Temperament

Now it’s probably safe to say that the Japanese Bobtail wouldn’t be nearly as revered today as it is if it weren’t for the fact that in addition to this being quite a handsome cat, they are also a joy to own.

These little guys…

Tend to have a ton of energy, while at the same time remaining a great companion animal that will love to just cuddle up on your lap with you while you watch TV or work at your desk.

They’re also…

Really good with children as well making them a perfect choice for any family looking to add a new cat to the mix.  This is why of all the short-tailed cat breeds out there; the Japanese Bobtail remains one of our favorites.

Japanese Bobtail Health Concerns

Another added “bonus” of the Japanese Bobtail is that even though it is considered a “pedigree” breed, overall it is a very healthy breed in general.  Which means that provided that you decide to work with a reputable Japanese Bobtail breeder, you shouldn’t necessarily have to worry about your kitten being susceptible to any genetic illnesses.

So…

Just be sure to provide your little guy with a much love as he or she can handle and combine that with a healthy diet (Best Cat Food Companies) and you should be good to go.

But don’t forget…

Even though the Japanese Bobtail is a “healthy” cat breed, that will not guarantee the health and safety of your animal.  Which is why, we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that all new pet owners take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy on your new loved one.

This way…

If anything were to happen to your little guy, you wouldn’t necessarily be on the hook for 100% of the vet bills!

For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies, we would recommend that you check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.