Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed: What You Need To Know

The Japanese Bobtail is an intelligent, admirable breed of cat native to Japan but known all around the world. They adore attention, and being around their humans makes them the happiest. These cute, quirky felines are rare but make the perfect family companion.

The Japanese Bobtail is an outgoing and energetic cat that loves to be in the limelight and part of a big family. They are great with kids and make the perfect pet for first-time pet owners.

Japanese Bobtail

Table of Contents Quick facts about the Japanese Bobtail Health Quick facts about the Japanese Bobtail
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds	Height: 8 to 9 inches
Life span: 9 to 15 years
Intelligence: high	Temperament: social \| affectionate \| brave
Playfulness: high	Activity level: hyper
Vocalness: frequent	Coat length: long short
Shedding amount: seasonal
Good with: kids \| seniors \| dogs \| other cats \| families
Traits: The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of cat that is known for being easy to train, easy to groom, and friendly toward humans. They are also friendly toward other pets and strangers.

Their short, kinky tails, friendly personalities, and athletic abilities are admirable.
Japanese Bobtails are friendly towards other pets, both cats and dogs.

As kittens, they are hyper and remain active for most of their life. They have loads of energy, and every time is playtime for a Japanese Bobtail. They love initiating play with you by bringing some of their favorite toys to you.

You may notice a stubborn streak in your Japanese Bobtail. They are feisty, territorial, and not easily intimidated. They are leaders of the pack among the other family pets.

Japanese Bobtails can be needy and in your face. They tend to demand your time and attention and are very involved in your daily routines. They are not lap cats but do enjoy being around you.

These cats love to vocalize. Their soft, melodious voice wins their listeners’ hearts. They are very communicative and almost always reply when spoken to.

Because of their love for humans and interaction, this breed does not do well-being left alone for long periods.

Japanese Bobtails are medium-sized with a lean and elegant torso highlighting their well-developed muscles. Their neck is in proportion to the rest of their body.

They have an elongated, chiseled head with slight curving lines, high cheekbones, and a clear whisker break. They have a long nose, well-defined by two parallel lines running from tip to brow with a gentle dip at, or below, eye level. Their snout is broad and rounds off into the whisker break.

Their large, erect ears are expressive and are set wide apart but tilt inwards.

Japanese Bobtails have big, wide, alert, oval-shaped eyes.

They have strong, long, slender legs, with their hind legs being longer than their forelegs. When standing, their forelegs and shoulders create the impression of two straight lines close together. Japanese Bobtails have oval paws with 5 toes in front and 4 toes behind.

Their tail is unique to the breed, but also each cat. Their tail can be seen and consists of one or more curves, angles, or kinks. Their tail could be rigid or flexible and should be in proportion with their body mass.

Japanese Bobtails can be found in solid, bi-colors, or tri-colors of the following shades: white, black, orange, blue, silver, brown, and sable.

Origin

Japan

Health

Dr. Adedapo Adisa:
Their tails are referred to as “pom” by breeders due to genetic mutation. The Japanese Bobtail cats are characterized by their short tails, which happen to be either straight, bent, or kinked.

Native to Japan and known for their hunting skills, the Japanese Bobtail cats have a long and healthy life with an average life expectancy spanning from 15-18 years.

Despite having the recessive gene that causes the bobtail, the defective gene is not known to cause the Japanese Bobtail cat’s spinal or orthopedic issues.

However, a few health issues may affect Japanese Bobtails. A notable medical condition the Japanese Bobtail cats face is the way they tend to gain weight leading to obesity.

Obesity in the Japanese Bobtail cat could increase the cat’s risk of getting diabetes.

Diabetes is a medical condition whereby there is an inability to control the sugar levels in the blood.

There are various forms; however, like most cats, Japanese Bobtail cats are prone to type II Diabetes mellitus. This as a result of one or more of these;
The pancreas not releasing enough hormone (insulin) to control the sugar in the cat’s system, or there is a delay in producing insulin by the pancreas, or finally, the tissues have become resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas in the Japanese Bobtail cats.

Some common symptoms to observe in the Japanese Bobtail cats with obesity-induced type II Diabetes are;

● Increased thirst.
● Increased urination.
● Increased appetite.
● Loss of weight.

Aside from medically clerking to get one or two clues from the symptoms, the Veterinarian may request some other tests to reach a confirmatory diagnosis for Type II Diabetes in the Japanese Bobtail cats.

Once confirmed that the Japanese Shorthair cats have diabetes, your Veterinarian would walk you through the treatment line as this condition can be adequately managed.