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Japanese Bobtail
Shorthair Medium

Japanese Bobtail

Origin

Japan

Lifespan

15-18 years

Weight

3-5 kg

Coat

Various

Japanese Bobtails have a distinctive pom-pom tail. They're the 'lucky cat' breed featured in the maneki-neko figurine.

Breed Ratings

Affection5/5
Activity Level5/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Vocality4/5
Independence2/5
Kid Friendly5/5
Dog Friendly5/5
Intelligence5/5

Temperament

ActiveIntelligentSocialTalkative

Overview

The Japanese Bobtail features a distinctive pom-pom tail and is considered lucky in Japan—they're the model for the famous 'beckoning cat' figurine. They're active, intelligent, and love to 'talk' with a melodic, chirping voice.

Health

Japanese Bobtails are remarkably healthy with few breed-specific issues. Their bobtail is a natural mutation, not linked to spinal problems like the Manx gene. They're one of the healthiest purebred cats with 15-18 year lifespans.

Care & Grooming

Their silky coat (short or long variety) needs minimal grooming. They're active cats who need lots of play and mental stimulation. Many enjoy water play and playing fetch. They do well with other cats and form strong family bonds.

Is This Breed Right for You?

Best For

  • Families
  • Multi-pet homes
  • Those wanting talkative cats

Not Ideal For

  • Those wanting a quiet cat