American Bobtail

Is an American Bobtail right for you?

The American Bobtail is a naturally short-tailed, remarkably social and energetic American breed, often described as "dog-like." If you want a cat that greets visitors at the door, walks on a leash, and plays fetch, this is your breed; if you want a quiet lap cat, it is not.

The question to ask before choosing this breed: are you ready for a companion that behaves more like a dog than a cat, involved in everything around the house? If yes, the American Bobtail is surprisingly easy to love.

Before you adopt

When choosing a kitten, pay attention to tail length: the breed standard does not call for complete taillessness (rumpy) but a visible tail of roughly 2.5-10 cm. Individuals born nearly tailless or with a malformed spine have been reported to develop hip and spinal issues; responsible breeders remove such individuals from their programs. Because this is a rare breed, finding one in a shelter is uncommon; breed-club rescue networks are an option.

Temperament

The American Bobtail is highly social, curious, and eager to learn. It plays fetch, some individuals learn to walk on a leash, and it enjoys opening doors and investigating cupboards. It has a notable attraction to small, shiny objects, so valuables should be kept out of reach.

Its voice is usually not a meow but chirps and trills; it isn't a silent breed, but it isn't a loud one either. It is not shy of strangers, and many greet visitors at the door.

Physical maturity takes 2-3 years, and during that time the cat can still carry "kitten energy." Jumping and climbing ability is strong, and the playful nature is largely retained into adulthood.

Health issues and lifespan

Sources generally report a lifespan of 11-15 years, with some noting well-cared-for individuals reaching 15-20 years. It is considered a generally robust breed; aside from the short-tail mutation, there is no well-documented common breed-specific genetic disease.

• Spinal and hip effects (rare): Some individuals with the short tail have been reported to show mild spinal developmental differences. This should NOT be confused with the lethal taillessness gene in the Manx: the American Bobtail's short-tail mutation is a different one, the breed standard calls for a short but present tail rather than full taillessness, and the severe spine/bladder-bowel syndrome seen in Manx cats is not documented in this breed in the same way. Still, if you notice hind-leg weakness or reluctance to jump, have it checked by a vet.
• Hip dysplasia: The large-boned, athletic build can predispose some individuals to hip joint problems. Limping and reluctance to jump are signs.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): The most common heart disease in cats, also reported in this breed. Regular vet checks and, if needed, a heart ultrasound are recommended.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): Some sources mention it can occur in the breed; good water intake and regular monitoring matter.
• Obesity: Despite its athletic build, this is a food-motivated breed; without portion control it gains weight easily.

Feeding

An adult American Bobtail (4-6 kg) needs the energy equivalent of about 55-75 g of dry food per day; adjust with your vet for individual variation.

• Kitten (2-12 months): Kitten food, three to four meals a day; quality protein matters given the large bone structure.
• Adult: High protein, measured calories. Being an athletic and curious breed, food puzzles both provide mental stimulation and slow down fast eating.
• Senior (8+ years): Joint support (omega-3) and annual heart/kidney checks are beneficial.

Because it is prone to weight gain, measure food with a kitchen scale and prefer scheduled meals over free feeding.

Grooming and coat

The American Bobtail comes in both short and medium-long coat types; both are relatively easy to maintain.

• Weekly brushing for shorthairs, two to three times a week for medium-longhairs.
• The dense undercoat sheds more heavily during seasonal changes; brush more often then.
• Because it loves to climb and jump, trim nails every two to three weeks and provide a sturdy scratching post.
• Brush teeth several times a week; check ears monthly.
• Bathing is usually unnecessary; the coat naturally maintains its oil balance.

Living space and enrichment

1. Vertical space. Strong jumping ability calls for a cat tree, shelves, and window perches.
2. Active play. Fifteen to twenty minutes of interactive play twice a day; it can genuinely learn to fetch.
3. Leash habituation. For owners who want it, safe, controlled leash walks work well with this breed.
4. Social contact. Tolerance for being alone is low; if you work long hours, consider a second pet.
5. Safety measures. It has a curious, "collecting" streak; keep small, swallowable or breakable objects out of reach.

History

The breed's story starts in the late 1960s on an Indian reservation in Arizona, where a vacationing couple found a naturally short-tailed brown tabby kitten and named him Yodie. Yodie mated with the family's non-pedigreed female, Mishi; the resulting kittens also had short tails, showing the trait to be a dominant genetic mutation.

In the 1980s, a group of breeders rebuilt the breed from scratch using only naturally short-tailed, non-pedigreed American cats, with no wildcat crosses involved — the "bobcat hybrid" story is an urban legend. TICA recognized it as a natural breed in 1989, CFA accepted it for registration in 2000, and TICA granted championship status in 2002.

Today the American Bobtail remains a rare breed and is uncommon outside North America.