Japanese Bobtail
Japan · centuries oldPom-pom tail, cheerful and chatty
SizeMedium6–10 lb
Life span15–18 years
CoatShort or long
Typical price$1,000–$2,000
Japanese Bobtails are an ancient Japanese breed with a short, kinked ‘pom-pom’ tail — no two tails are alike. The white, red and black ‘mi-ke’ is the classic color.
At a glance
EnergyNon-stop
Cuddlylikes touch and being heldFriendly
TalkativeChatty
GroomingMinimal
SheddingLow
With kidsGreat
With petsGood
Alone timehow long they’re happy aloneNeeds company
Life with a Japanese Bobtail
They are active, talk in a sing-song voice and love games, fetch and water. They are social with family, kids and other pets.
Great for
- Active families with kids
- Multi-pet homes
- People who want a lively, sociable cat
Think twice if
- You want a calm lap cat
- You’re out long hours
Care tips
- Brush weekly (twice a week for longhairs).
- Never pull or straighten the tail.
- Daily play.
Health
A healthy breed. Unlike the Manx gene, the bobtail gene isn’t linked to spine problems.
Ask the breeder for
- Parents’ vet records
Typical US price$1,000–$2,000
RegistriesCFA · TICAAsk for both parents’ papers
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Japanese Bobtail kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.