American Bobtail
American Bobtail has a wild distinctive look but not a wild temperament. Bobtails are playful energetic cats and don’t shy away from being vocal from time to time. They can get along well with just about anyone due to their curious nature.
Breed Profile
Height
9 - 10
Inches
Weight
7 - 16
Pounds
Life Span
13 - 15
Years
Health
health
Heart disease
What is it?
American Bobtails can suffer cardiac problems, notably Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). In this condition, the walls of the heart muscle thicken causing a decline in cardiac function. HCM has been detected in cats as young as four months old and as old as sixteen years.
Clinical signs
Rapid breathing
Open mouth breathing
Pain in hind limbs
Treatment
Heart disease can be managed with medication and dietary changes. Nitroglycerine drugs may be applied on the skin.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Polycystic kidney disease
What is it?
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic kidney disease common in American Bobtails that’s characterized by the growth of cysts on the kidneys. As it progresses, the kidneys are more prone to infection and failure. Drainage of cysts, low protein diets, and Vitamin D supplements are used to slow the disease’s progression. The number of cysts and the rate at which the cysts enlarge varies between cats.
Clinical signs
Increased drinking water and urination
Reduced appetite and weight loss
Vomiting and nausea
Treatment
The diagnosis is based on breed, medical history, clinical signs, blood and urine tests, genetic testing, and ultrasound evaluation of the kidneys. Genetic testing for PKD is available to see
if your cat has the defective PKD1 gene, and therefore is likely to develop the condition. There is no specific treatment for Polycystic kidney disease, as the disease causes similar clinical signs to those seen in cats with chronic kidney disease. Special diets, fluid therapy, and medications to reduce nausea and vomiting and block the absorption of phosphorus are often used to treat the symptoms of kidney failure.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Social
Bobtails are extremely interactive cats that can get along with anybody easily. They may attract the attention of their family members by meowing or commandeering available laps.
Affectionate
This breed is highly devoted to their families and can requires love and attention. They are similar to dogs when it comes to their intelligence and affection.
Curious
Since these cats are extremely social, they may bolt at doors to greet guests. To keep their curiosity satisfied and interact with other pets, you can leash-train them and stroll around the neighborhood
Lifetime Care
Coat
They are available in two coat lengths: dense short hair and medium-length hair.
Colors
Comes in various color combinations of White, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lavender, cinnamon, and fawn. With preference given to color and pattern that enhance the natural wild appearance of the breed.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Grooming for Bobtails is fairly simple. Brush their fur once or twice a week to keep their coat smooth and healthy. Trim nails and brush their teeth from time to time. Special care is to be taken around spring and autumn as they shed heavily, brush them often to remove loose hair.
Training
These intelligent felines are typically easy to train to do simple tasks. Playing games is one of the best ways to train them for fetching and hide and seek. Due to their interactive nature, they need to be kept mentally engaged by playing with interactive toys. Bobtails can be easily leash-trained and can make great travel companions.
What should an American Bobtail eat?
High-quality and protein food should be fed. Try a variation of food for your cat mixing some wet food in its usual dry food once a week to keep their health in good condition treats should be given in moderation.
Learn more about the cost of caring for an American Bobtail.
American Bobtail: Introduction to the Breed
They have large rectangular bodies and are medium to large size cats. These cats are easily identified by their bobtails which are one-third the length of normal cats. Bobtails possess natural hunting gaze due to their eyes and expression of intelligence and alertness. The American Bobtail evolved initially through natural selection. The foundation stock for this breed was feral domestic cats with natural bobtails. The American Bobtail was created using an unknown breed of pedigreed cat. American Bobtails are a robust and healthy breed with no known genetic predisposition to health issues.
American Bobtail Features:
Athletic body
Bobtail which is only 1-4 inches long
The wild and rugged appearance
Almond shape eyes
Unique Facts about Bobtails
These kitties sometimes wag their tail just like a dog to express their happiness
This breed is slow to mature and takes two to three years to reach adult size
Bobtails can make great therapy pets
Conclusion
These sweet cats need lots of human interaction and don’t do well if left alone for long hours.
Bobtails require love and attention from their family and have tons of love to give back. They interact easily with anyone and other pets if introduced well. They are ideal for families that can provide this breed with enough affection and time. These felines make excellent travel companions if you spent a lot of time out the door. If you are both a cat and a dog lover and want one pet, you’ve found a match.
Sources: