American Bobtail

American Bobtails are a rare breed in the United States, known for their short tails and wild appearances. It’s no surprise that American Bobtails have been compared as “Golden Retrievers” of the feline world, despite their jungle cat appearances. Furthermore, American Bobtails are energetic and easy to train when it comes to walking on a leash.

Because of their adaptability and friendliness, American Bobtails are excellent pets for households with older children or other pets. In addition to being used as therapy cats and companions for long-distance truckers, American Bobtails are also popular pets because of their friendly demeanor and ability to travel.

Strong, muscular American Bobtails do not have hereditary predispositions to specific health disorders. Breeders of the American Bobtail claim that no pedigreed cats were utilized in the formation of the breed, resulting in an extraordinarily diverse gene pool.

American Bobtail Breed Overview

WEIGHT: Between 7 and 16 pounds

LENGTH: Varies

COAT: Short to long, typically shaggy

COAT COLOR: Can come in any color or pattern

EYE COLOR: Copper, gold, yellow, green, blue

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 15 years

Characteristics of the American Bobtail

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Moderate to High
Kid-Friendliness	Moderate to High
Pet-Friendliness	High
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Playfulness	Moderate to High
Energy Level	Moderate
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Vocalize	Moderate
Amount of Shedding	Moderate to High

History of the American Bobtail

Many people are astonished to find that the American Bobtail has been around in North America since the 1960s, given how little attention it received until lately. The American Bobtail, on the other hand, has only just begun to find their footing due to their erratic start.

The first Bobtail, a brown tabby male named Yodie, was found abandoned in a motel room in Arizona by a boy from a local reservation, according to legend. Yodie was discovered by a couple while they were staying at the motel. Although Yodie’s origins are unknown, it has been speculated that the feral-looking feline is the result of an interbreeding of domestic and bobcat genes. Although domestic cats can mate with bobcats (Felis rufus, an indigenous North American spotted cat closely related to the lynx), the first generation males of such hybrids are nearly definitely sterile. A mutation in the domestic cat population is more likely to have caused Yodie’s short tail than a genetic mutation.

Because of Yodie’s pleasant demeanor and stubby tail, the couple decided to take him home. Yodie had sex with the family’s sealpoint Siamese once she arrived back home (proving himself fertile and not half bobcat). There were some normal-tailed and some bobtailed kittens in the first litter of Siamese, indicating that the gene for Yodie’s bobbed tail was dominant. One copy of a dominant gene was all that was required for the trait to be passed on through the generations. The breed was given the name American Bobtail.

Because of the inbreeding that occurred in the lines that descended from Yodie, the population became unbalanced. The goal was to create a tabby that resembled Yodie, a huge, feral tabby with long hair and a bobbed tail. The “hunting glare” reinforces the feral appearance of the healthier cats, which have a rounded brow from the forehead to the eye ridge. Four North American organizations have approved the American Bobtail as a breed standard. The new and improved American Bobtail is available in a wide range of colors and categories, and it has a gentle disposition, but it still has the wild appearance of a bobcat. These cats can be found with both long and short hair.

American Bobtail Cat Prices

Breeders charge anything from $500 to $1,000 for a pure American Bobtail. That being said, American Bobtails are one of the most elusive breeds in the world. As a result, finding a healthy and pure American Bobtail might be a challenge. There aren’t many reputable bobtail breeders out there.

It’s therefore essential that you first hunt for a trustworthy breeder. As a responsible breeder, a good one will supply you with the kitty’s and its parents’ health certifications. In addition, these cameras will allow you to see the mother and her kittens at play.

Begin your search for a reputable breeder by asking your veterinarian for referrals. Once you’ve received a few referrals, it’s time to do some research online. Breeders who are serious about their business will have a website of some sort. Those who don’t have any should be avoided. If you’re curious about how they run their firm, check out their website or social media accounts.

Look for client evaluations on the breeder’s social media profiles as well, since this will provide you with insight into what other customers have to say about the company. Let the breeder know you’re interested if they have what you’re looking for. When you’re dealing with a reputable breeder, you can expect a timely response as well as a willingness to answer any questions you may have.

As you can expect, this is a time-consuming operation. However, if you want a healthy and pure American Bobtail cat, you’ll have to go through this process. As a result, take your time.

Interesting Facts about American Bobtail Cats

• American bobtails can be born with or without a tail. Rumpies are the name given to the kittens.
• This breed, like their canine counterparts, expresses their joy and enthusiasm by wagging their tail (or stub in some cases!).
• When it comes to intelligence, this breed of cat stands out beyond the rest! It is a great choice for a cat who can learn some show-stopping tricks!

Ownership of an American Bobtail: What You Need to Know

Food & Diet Requirements

American Bobtails need to be fed a high-quality, high-protein diet based on their age, activity level, and overall health. If you want to spice up your Bobtail’s diet a little bit, try adding in some wet food once or twice a week.

Keeping tabs on your cat’s calorie intake is essential because obesity is a widespread concern in all cat breeds. When it comes to feeding your Bobtail, your vet can give you some useful advice.

American Bobtail Care

Because of their broad lineage, American Bobtails are low-maintenance cats. Brushing your Bobtail on a weekly or biweekly basis can keep his coat healthy and lustrous.

In order to prevent periodontal disease, you should brush your Bobtail’s teeth at least once a week. Plaque-controlling treats can make it easier to keep your cat’s teeth clean, but they should never be the only thing you use.

A weekly examination of your cat’s ears for symptoms of disease or injury is recommended. Gently wipe away any traces of dirt or debris using a moist cotton pad. If at all possible, avoid using cotton swabs since they might damage the delicate components of the inner ear. If your cat’s ears are unusually dirty, inflamed, red, or smell peculiar, call your veterinarian right away.

Trimming your American Bobtail cat’s nails will keep them from scratching your furnishings and legs out of boredom. Clip your pet’s nails on a regular basis to keep them neat and tidy. Trimming the nails should be done on a biweekly basis, but it is imperative that you inspect your cat for any signs of injury or infection on a weekly basis.

It’s true that American Bobtails are less energetic and require less exercise, but it’s still necessary to offer them some play time every single day. American Bobtails, like Golden Retrievers, love completing puzzles and playing with toys in the same way. Many American Bobtails like walks on a leash if they are properly educated.

Exercise

The breed of American Bobtails is known for its high level of activity. Because of this, giving children a way to release their energy is critical if you want them to not only stay in shape but also avoid the development of potentially harmful habits.

Since Bobtails love to play and connect with their owners, they’re considerably easier to keep fit than most other cat breeds. The American Bobtail, like dogs, enjoys going on walks. As a result, you should begin training your dog to walk on a leash as soon as possible after birth.

Playing games like ball chasing, fetch, and having your Bobtail hunt a toy on a string are all good ways to get your dog some exercise. The cat will be able to play alone if you leave some toys around the house.

This sophisticated animal needs mental as well as physical activity. If you want to keep them active for a long period of time, buy puzzle toys like treat prize games and food mazes.

Training 

As a result, American Bobtails are easier to train than other cats since they have a higher intelligence and a greater desire to please. Leash training should begin as soon as a dog is a kitten.

With Bobtails, litter box training will be a breeze.

Some of the most common health issues for American Bobtail

As a result of their extensive gene pool, American Bobtails have a low incidence of hereditary diseases. There is no guarantee, however, that every American Bobtail will never have a health issue.

Note that American Bobtails lacking a tail may suffer from spinal problems that result in fecal incontinence; this must be understood. In the event that you’re purchasing a Bobtail from a breeder, be sure to inquire about the breeder’s documented health guarantee.

Additionally, American Bobtails may suffer from a variety of common health disorders, such as:

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): A condition characterized by the development of cysts on one or both kidneys
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The thickening of the heart muscle

Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns about your cat’s health and want to guarantee a long, healthy, and happy life.

Conclusion: American Bobtail

The American Bobtail has a charming wild appearance, a distinctive bobbed tail, and a laid-back personality. Bobtails, in contrast to the majority of cats, prefer long-term human interactions. They are also quite adaptable to their environment. These traits make them one of the greatest cat breeds for a family to have around. Regardless of age or gender, anyone can enjoy them.