Japanese bobtail cat. Description, features, care and price of the Japanese Bobtail

What will you learn from the article?

1. History of the origin of the breed
2. Breed characteristics
3. Description of the Japanese Bobtail cat breed Character

The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of short-tailed cat that is a symbol of good luck in Japan. According to ancient Japanese belief, all evil accumulates in the cat's tail. Therefore, the shorter the tail, the less bad there is in the animal and the more luck the owner has.

Origin story

The history of this breed goes back hundreds of years, and scientists still cannot say exactly where in the world these cats appeared. There is only an assumption that many centuries ago, clever mousecatchers arrived in Japan from China. However, initially their tails were the length familiar to those around them, and only much later, as a result of mixing of blood, did it shorten several times.

The superstitious Japanese only liked this change: they began not only to have bobtails in their homes, but also to depict them on canvas and sing them in poetry, and over time, these cats earned the highest imperial favor and ended up in the palace.

Bobtails were exported outside Japan only in 1967, when one of the breeders named Elizabeth Freret managed to buy and export three individuals to the American continent. A little later, several more animals were literally obtained through smuggling.

The standard was established in 1968, the same year the breed was registered with the CFA. But this only concerned individuals with short fur. Cats with a long “fur coat” were discarded for many years, until someone particularly meticulous, delving into ancient sources, found out that long-haired individuals were also kept at the emperor’s court and were valued no less than their counterparts. In 1990, they were also recognized.

Thinking about buying a Japanese Bobtail? You have a direct route to the nursery. Fortunately, it is in Russia: in the Moscow region, in the city of Zavidovo. On the territory of Belarus and Ukraine, alas, there are no nurseries or private breeders. The cost of an individual for a house from which there will be no offspring is approximately 30-40,000 rubles. Animals of a higher class will cost 2, 3 and even 4 times more expensive. But in Russia it is almost impossible to buy a show-class bobtail.

Coloring Features

The Japanese Bobtail is distinguished by a faded color compared to the same Thai Bobtail, which has a contrasting coat. But cats of bright colors are also found in this breed, although less often. They are considered the most valuable. There are several color options:

• tricolor or mi-kay;
• fiery red;
• snow-white;
• black.

The eyes of a cat most often have a slight yellow tint, while in an animal with a white color they are blue. But sometimes animals are born with different colored eyes. This is especially true for snow-white kittens.

This variety is always worth higher than the standard options, because such an individual will always produce kittens with different eyes.

Standards

Disqualifying signs:

• Strongly built body.
• Oval or round skull shape.
• A long tail.
• Small ears.
• Button nose.

Character and behavior

The Japanese Bobtail is a real little devil, whose unpredictability will not let you get bored for a single minute. On the one hand, he is a very affectionate and gentle domestic baby, a strong little one, who becomes attached to his owner with all his soul, on the other hand, he is an extremely independent and irrepressible cat-chieftain, who will not sit still for a second. Moreover, age has absolutely no effect on it: as a baby, as a teenager, as a mature cat, a bobtail will still jump, run and climb into all the nooks and crannies of the house, check packages and open closed drawers, poke its curious nose into pots and plates.

He can also sit next to his owner’s warm side, but for about five minutes, no more, and then he will return to his daily business - mischief and running around.

This is one of the most talkative breeds. He will tell you how bored he was while you were away, what he ate today, what bird he saw outside the window, or what a strange dream he had at night. You don’t have to answer him at all - the main thing for a bobtail is that they listen to him sincerely, and the rest worries him little. Therefore, weigh the pros and cons of this breed in advance.

The Japanese Bobtail has a great time with itself, so you can safely go to work or wherever you want. He will not refuse food during your absence or lie melancholy near the door; on the contrary, he will find a dozen interesting things to do and will be busy until your arrival.

Gets along well with other pets, and this applies to both dogs and other cats. Jealousy is alien to the bobtail, on the contrary: he will quickly be able to “talk” the second cat into joint pranks and become his best friend.

An intelligent and quick-witted bobtail grasps new information “on the fly” and lends itself well to training. Of course, only if he himself wants to learn something new. For example, doing a stand on your hind legs, or catching a foil ball on the fly. Walking on a leash can also be considered a trick - bobtails really don’t like it when their freedom is limited in any way. However, he needs to be leash trained if you want to take him outdoors.

Are a cat's pupils the same during the day and at night?

Not really

Mr. Cat recommends: Japanese Bobtail in art

People who are fond of watching anime know that the Japanese bobtail is often found in the frames of such cartoons. Moreover, it was this breed that became the prototype for the creation of the famous souvenir “maneki-neko” - a figurine in the form of a cat waving its paw.

This decoration for your home or office attracts good luck if the cat’s right paw is moving, or money if the cat’s left one is active. Often the Japanese themselves buy and give such souvenirs to company owners, and in stores this figurine stands in the most visible place so that they can earn good money.

These cats are often depicted on souvenirs or even product packaging, because the animal is beloved by the Japanese and encourages local residents to buy the product.

Care instructions

Japanese Bobtails are very clean themselves. They clean their skin several times a day, so not much effort is required from the owner.

Wool

Bobtails have minimal undercoat, so frequent brushing is not necessary. Once a week is enough. Bobtails' fur does not tangle or roll into tangles, the shedding process goes unnoticed, but the fur still requires careful handling and a special brush - with natural soft bristles.

Bathing

The process of bathing gives bobtails pleasure, and they are ready to get into a full bath at the first opportunity, but you should not indulge this desire. Frequent washing provokes irritation and dryness of the skin, rashes and peeling. Bathe your cat once every 4-5 months (and, of course, if he is so dirty that he cannot lick himself).

Choose special shampoos, without PVA, dyes and fragrances. The detergents Doctor ZOO, Pchelodar, Celandine, and “Deep Cleaning” from Cliny have proven themselves well: they are affordable, contain antibacterial additives, collagen and plant extracts.

Eyes

Dry eyes in bobtails are not the norm, but a signal of problems in the body, so do not delay going to the veterinary clinic. But discharge in the ears is not a sign of concern. Earwax should be removed weekly using a soft cotton swab dipped in boiled water or a special ear lotion.

Claws

Bobtails sharpen their claws themselves; all you need to do is buy several scratching posts and place them in all rooms. This will protect your decor from marks on the walls and furniture.

Teeth

Brushing your teeth is often difficult. A bobtail, due to its stubbornness, can begin to struggle and even hiss, which, however, is not even surprising: who would like it when they climb into his mouth with a hard brush and crawl back and forth? Therefore, try to accustom your pet to this procedure while still a kitten.

As a last resort, you can take your cat to the clinic for ultrasonic cleaning every year, and at home, drip a special cleansing gel into his water.

Toilet

Most often, it is not you who choose the litter for the tray, but your cat: if he is uncomfortable, he will definitely let you know. Keep in mind that for animals with sensitive paws, small round granules are needed, and for large cats you can buy larger ones (they will not get stuck between the toes or stick to the fur).

Buy only natural litter for kittens: babies can play too much and swallow several granules, which can cause stomach problems.

How to choose the right kitten

Japanese Bobtail kittens are considered very rare and cost a lot of money. In order not to become a victim of deception and not to buy a mixed breed, it is better to look for an animal in specialized nurseries that are registered in the international felinological system. At the time of concluding the transaction, the little Japanese must have documents confirming his breed and vaccinations.

When choosing a kitten, it is recommended to evaluate it in terms of compliance with standards. And the most important characteristic that you need to pay attention to is the length and configuration of the tail. This is precisely the main breed characteristic of the Japanese.

Important! The “short-tail gene” is dominant in Japanese Bobtails. Therefore, a pair of purebred cats cannot give birth to a kitten with a regular tail.

You should also pay attention to external signs that indirectly indicate the health status of the little Japanese. He should not have a bloated belly, bald spots on his coat, scratches on his skin, dirt under his tail or in his ears.

Kitten care

Since there are relatively few nurseries that breed Japanese bobtails, kittens have to be booked in advance. Potential owners have plenty of time to thoroughly prepare for the arrival of the short-tailed baby. They buy everything necessary for his care. This set includes:

• bowls for food and water;
• bed or house;
• toys;
• tray and filler;
• grooming tools;
• hygienic cosmetics.

To protect the curious Japanese from accidental injuries, breakable objects, indoor plants, household chemicals and wires are removed from the house in advance. Also, the bobtail kitten is limited in access to large equipment, open windows and open balconies.

Catering

Japanese Bobtails do not need to prepare special dishes: the standard cat menu is quite suitable. Moreover, experienced breeders recommend natural nutrition. What does it include?

Natural products

• Lean meats: lamb, chicken, turkey, veal, beef. Pork and other fatty varieties are too heavy on the stomach and often contain parasites. Meat can be given boiled, but it is better to scald fresh meat with boiling water and cut into small pieces: this way, more nutrients will be retained in the product.
• By-products: necks, ventricles, kidneys, liver. Everything except liver can be given raw. Be sure to beat the chicken necks with a hammer and run through a meat grinder.
• Porridge: oatmeal, pearl barley, buckwheat, semolina, rice, millet. Porridge is cooked in water; you can add just a little milk (for taste). Kittens at 2-3 months can be supplemented with semolina porridge cooked in goat's milk with a drop of honey.
• Vegetables: pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, green salad, green peas, white cabbage, parsley, dill, cucumbers. They can be given raw (although rarely do cats like to eat raw vegetables), but it is better to be stewed and boiled.
• Dairy products: curdled milk, cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese (unsalted and hard), fermented baked milk, bio-yogurt without dyes and berries.
• Eggs: quail and chicken. Quail can be given whole, but from chicken - only the yolk.
• Fish and seafood. Fish of the salmon family (chum salmon, pink salmon, coho salmon, salmon, taimen, grayling, gole, omul, whitefish) are considered the most healthy. From seafood, rapana, squid, mussels, lobsters, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, crayfish are allowed - but only as a delicacy. All of the above is either frozen or boiled.
• Vitamins: your veterinarian will help you choose the appropriate complex. You can buy dry yeast yourself (the instructions are included in the package and are clear).

You cannot give:

• Bones. Even small and boiled ones can damage the throat, esophagus and stomach, pierce or scratch the mucous membrane and cause inflammation.
• Offal, lard, skin.
• Sweet, salty, smoked, pickled, sour, flour, baked goods.
• Potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, grapes, bananas.
• Sauces, pastes, mayonnaise, seasonings.
• Food for dogs and birds, human vitamins.
• Alcoholic drinks, mineral and carbonated water, juices, fruit drinks, cocktails.

Recommended food

If it is more convenient for you to feed your pet industrial food, choose only proven food from the holistic group. They are not cheap, but they are made from high-quality products, go through all the necessary processing and do not contain components that can negatively affect the cat's health.

Acana, Go Natural, Primordial are examples of good holistic foods. Super-premium foods may contain allergens such as cornmeal or potatoes, but overall they are a good alternative. This food is Guabi Natural, Meowing Heads, ProSeries.

Below are the recommended holistic and super-premium foods. Links with the names of the food are clickable, on them you can, within our website, get acquainted with the descriptions of the food and read reviews from owners of Japanese Bobtail cats.

Adult animals (over a year old) eat 2 times a day. An exception is made for pregnant and lactating cats - they are fed 3 times a day. Cats from six months to a year eat 3 times a day, at 4-6 months - 4 times, under 4 - 5-6 times.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Whatever the food - dry food or natural food - the animal must have access to clean drinking water at any time of the day. You should not give your cat boiled water; it is better to give it raw, but always purified. Purify the liquid using a filter (the usual one that is in your kitchen), settling (in a saucepan or jar without a lid for 10-12 hours) or buying bottled water in the store. Change the water 2 times a day: morning and evening, and also when dirty.

Bowls are washed after each meal - this applies to natural feeding. Dry food does not stain dishes as much, so it is enough to rinse them 3-4 times a week.

Diseases

Since this is a native breed, no genetic pathologies have been identified in them. There are no claims to immunity either.

The only caveat: due to the lack of undercoat, bobtails easily catch colds. Therefore, make sure that there are no drafts in the apartment, let the cat dry thoroughly after water treatments, and also, do not allow the animal, hot after playing, to sit under the open window.

Everything else is standard. Helminths need to be driven out even if your cat does not go outside. These parasitic worms can live not only in the soil or other people's excrement, but also remain on raw meat, fish, and you can bring them into the house on your own hands or shoes. They are easy for humans to become infected with, so remember: Pirantel, Kanikvantel, Troncil K, Prazitel have proven themselves well in the pharmaceutical market. They can be given to a kitten from 3 months. A year - 4 times, if the cat stays at home, more often for street cats. After 2 weeks, cats can be vaccinated.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Cats nursing babies, as well as pregnant cats, should not be given medications! You should be more careful with cats that are elderly, weakened after illness, or exhausted. To be sure that you do not harm your pet, consult your doctor first. The veterinarian will examine the animal, take the necessary tests, and possibly prescribe additional tests.

Cost of Japanese Bobtail

Sales are usually conducted through nurseries. Upon purchase, the owner receives all the documents, and the employees will talk about the intricacies of caring for the animal and show photos of the parents. Kittens living in nurseries are usually already vaccinated.

As for the cost, in Russia animals are valued at 15-35 thousand rubles for a pet-class pet. Kittens for breeding and exhibitions are more expensive. Unique kittens with different colored eyes cost up to 70 thousand. Abroad, the price of bobtails is 500-600 dollars.

Despite their ease of care and easy-going nature, bobtails require not only attention from the owner, but also a clear understanding that the animal needs to be looked after. Proper upbringing, a balanced diet and the creation of comfortable living conditions in the house - all this will help the Japanese Bobtail to remain cheerful and give a good mood to the owner.

Photo gallery of Japanese bobtails:
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Advantages and disadvantages

• Beautiful in appearance.
• Loyal to their owners.
• They are smart and quickly grasp new information.
• They do not require complex care.
• They love to swim.
• They practically do not shed.
• They respond well to training.
• They have excellent health and no genetic diseases.
• They live long.
• They quickly get used to their new place of residence.
• They love walks in nature.

• Their tail is a point of increased attention.
• Activity can be tiring for those around you.
• They can be extremely stubborn and persistent.
• Excessive curiosity can lead to disaster.
• They are sensitive to temperature changes and freeze easily.