American Bobtail Cat Breed Guide – Characteristics, Health and Care

What can we say about this breed of cat but that the most obvious characteristic that can easily identify him as the “Bobtail” is… his Bobtail. Not only does he have a considerable short tail than his predecessors, but he also looks like a wild cat found in the jungle. Even though they are called the “American” bobtails, they are not as common in America as one would expect.

If you can’t keep a dog, then these “Golden Retrievers of the feline world,” are the perfect companion for any family. Mainly due to their personalities, which encompass an affectionate, docile and sweet demeanour. This coupled with their energetic and playful side, makes for a perfect chum, if only there were more of them around. They can also be trained very easily to walk on a cat leash, just like a dog. 

If you are a family that either has other pets in the home or even older children, these felines would be the ideal household member with their friendly personalities and even The International Cat Association (TICA) agrees and has found that they are kept in homes for therapeutic reasons as well. Check this website for more material about this.

Their Health and Well-Being

These sturdy brawny cats don’t necessarily have any predisposition towards any health conditions, and according to those who breed them, it is because of the pedigree cats that are used for them, that offers a wide gene pool. This also gives them one more gain as pets; they can be taken on long road trips and they will be very comfortable sitting in the front or rear seat of your car.

These breeds are livelyand spirited creatures, which means they can either keep you entertained for hours or vice versa. Teach them how to play fetch or hide-and-seek and youare in for a treat. They usually weight between 8 and 16 pounds and they can vary in length, some are short while others slightly longer similarly to their coats which also come in different lengths. They can make life-long pals as they live up to the ages of 15 years and more.

Even though they may never face any health issues throughout their lifetimes, because of their short tails, they could sometimes be affected by spinal problems which could lead toa common neurological condition of“faecal incontinence”, and the breeder should provide a health guarantee when adopting him or her.

This condition means that they may not have the ability to control their urine or feces due to possible nerve damage, which could lead to a full bladder leaking involuntarily, without them knowing. There can also be additional reasons for this, besides the tail length, which can be found here:   https://www.catwatchnewsletter.com/health/managing-the-mess/

When considering the diets and the nutritional intake of these moggies, you should also take into consideration 2 other health issues that may be in yours, namely:

1. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): Characterized by the growth of cysts on either kidney.
2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Their heart muscles getting thicker.

If you see any inconsistencies in your pet, the first thing to do is to take them to the vet. Symptoms to look out for will include, and an increase in thirst, vomiting, a decrease in appetite leading to weight loss, lethargy, nausea, blood in their urine and high blood pressure.

Caring for These Kittens

Even though most kidney disease symptoms are similar, it is always good to look for anything that seems “off”. A thorough physical examination should take care of keeping things on track as many heart-related issues such as the Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, may not be recognisable easily.

When it comes to feeding, have a look at this source for some information regarding the right foods to give them and the nutritional information that is geared towards these breeds. This will also depend on their age, size, condition and overall health, and must be carefully considered, as obesity is a common problem in most felines if not monitored correctly.

Networking with other cat lovers who have similar breeds or pets with similar health conditions as they can help build a support system around it. Also, make sure you let your friends or family members know that the cat may from time to time leak unwillingly and to be aware of it.  These guys are generally very low-maintenance pets but if you look after them by putting aside play-time every day and a grooming session once a week, with a cat brush, they would make the happiest and most fulfilled furry companions in your house.