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The International Cat Association

Japanese Bobtail

At a Glance

The good luck cat of Japan is named for its distinguishing trait, the unique pom-pom tail composed of curves, angles and kinks. No two tails are the same. These charming cats are active and intelligent. While they will settle on your lap for a short nap, they are too busy to stay still for long and are quickly off to the next adventure. They are loyal to their family and adapt well to other pets and children. They can also be found in two easy-to-maintain coat lengths. Find out more about this breed and if the Japanese Bobtail is right for you and your family.

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All About Cats

Temperament

Playful

Height/Weight Range

Medium-sized cat

Adult females

Adult males

Life Expectancy

9-13+ years

Colors

Available in both the longhair and shorthair varieties, the Japanese Bobtail is available in all categories, divisions and colors although the tri-color or Mi-Ke is favored.

Similar Breeds

Opposite Breeds

About The Breed

Japanese Bobtails are talkative, with voices described as almost songlike. They communicate with a wide range of chirps and meows. These charming cats are very active and intelligent. They enjoy companionship and have loving, outgoing personalities When not busy playing, these busy cats are off exploring every nook and cranny, whether it is investigating the contents of a cupboard or leaping to the top of the bookcase to get a better view of what is happening outside.

The Breed Standard

The Japanese Bobtail should present the overall impression of a medium-sized cat with long clean lines and bone structure. It is well-muscled, but straight and slender rather than massive in build. The unique set of its eyes, combined with high cheekbones and a long parallel nose, lends a distinctive Japanese cast to the face, especially in profile, which is quite different from the other Oriental breeds

Activity Level

The hind legs of the Japanese Bobtail are noticeably longer than their forelegs. Thanks to this feature, they are known to be great jumpers and excel at feline agility. An active breed, they like to splash their paws in water and play fetch. Japanese Bobtails are highly curious and love to explore. Challenge them by teaching them tricks and providing them with puzzle toys that reward them with treats.

Japanese Bobtails are loyal cats who get along well with children and other pets, including dogs. However, they are very active cats and should not be considered a lap cat. They love people and are often found perched on the shoulder of a family member.

TICA Regions, Clubs & Rescues

Want to connect with fellow cat lovers and those who love the same breed as you?
TICA is a large resource made up of smaller regions and clubs around the world.
Click here to find a club near you and contact information for your regional director and website.

Wherever you are, you’re in TICA’s world!®

Find a Kitten: TICA Breeders

The TICA website is the only place where you can find TICA member breeders who have signed the TICA Code of Ethics.

Did You Know?

The Japanese Bobtail has a naturally short tail that has kinks and curves. The tail may be flexible or rigid, and no two tails are alike in this breed.
Surrounded by many legends and traditions, a tricolored cat with a beckoning paw and a bobbed tail is a symbol of good fortune in Japan.
According to popular belief, Buddhist monks originally owned Japanese Bobtails. In the 1600s, rodents infested silkworm barns and threatened the country’s lucrative silk trade. Authorities ordered people to set their cats loose on the streets to take out the vermin. Over time, the Japanese Bobtail became the country’s de facto street cat.
Japanese Bobtails have been depicted in many artworks created over the centuries, including a 15th-century painting that’s now in the Smithsonian Institution’s Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Breed Information & Characteristics

The Japanese Bobtail is the good luck cat of Japan. When visiting Japan, one sees a ceramic cat with a raised paw beckoning in many doorways and it is the traditional symbol of good luck. The Japanese Bobtail is a natural breed originating in Japan with a chiseled head structure and stylized angular lines. It is an ancient breed that is portrayed in manuscripts and paintings for at least 1,000 years. Like the bright colors of the beckoning cat, it comes in many colors but the favored ones are rich, vibrant, and bright. The favorite color is the mi-ke or tri-colored cat. Vividly contrasting colors and bold dramatic patterns are preferred on all bi-colors. The unique feature of the cat is its bobbed tail that consists of a variety of kinks and curves creating a pom-pom effect-like a fingerprint, no two tails are ever the same. If you’re looking for an active athletic cat with elegant flowing lines, these porcelain-like cats may be just what you’re looking for! Enjoy their rambunctious antics while admiring their structure all dressed in rich deep colors and bold patterns.

Written records and paintings document the existence of the Japanese Bobtail in Japan for at least 1,000 years in both coat lengths. A 15th century painting in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC shows two longhaired bobtails with their coats parted down their backs and a feathery pom-pom for the tail. There are also sketches of the Japanese Bobtail sitting next to geishas. As with other ancient breeds, there are many legends and traditions surrounding its origin.

In 1968 the Japanese Bobtail arrived in North America when breeder Judy Crawford sent the first cats to Elizabeth Freret in the USA. When Judy returned to the USA, she brought more of the cats with her and worked with Elizabeth Freret to get the delightful breed recognized. TICA initially recognized the shorthaired Japanese Bobtail for competition in June 1979. Even though the longhaired cats had also existed for centuries, TICA only recognized them for competition in March 1991.

These charming cats are very active and intelligent. They enjoy companionship and have loving, outgoing personalities and love to talk to you with a large vocabulary of soft chirps and meows. The Japanese Bobtail loves to play whether it is splashing in water, engaging in a game of fetch, or pouncing and dancing with a beloved toy. When not busy playing, these busy cats are off exploring every nook and cranny, whether it is investigating the contents of a cupboard or leaping to the top of the bookcase to get a better view of what is happening outside. These active cats are not lap cats-while they will settle for a short nap, they are too busy to stay still for long and are quickly off to the next adventure. They are loyal to their family and adapt well to other pets and children making them an excellent addition to any family.

The Japanese Bobtail is named for its distinguishing trait-the unique pom-pom tail composed of curves, angles and kinks. No two tails are ever the same and may be flexible or rigid but must be carried close to the body and be in balance with the body. The hair on the tail is longer than that of the body resulting in the pom-pom appearance. In the longhairs, the pom-pom looks like one of the full-flowered chrysanthemums seen on the streets of Japan. The bones in the tail are often fused or may be jointed in one or two places so they can wiggle them expressively but they should only be handled very gently.

But the tail is not the only distinguishing characteristic. They have high chiseled cheekbones and large eyes set on a pronounced slant in the triangular head that is topped with large, high-set ears that accentuate their alertness and inquisitive nature. They are medium sized cats with parallel lines in the long slender body and powerful hind legs made for jumping. The deep Z shape of the hind quarters gives immense power to the leap allowing the Japanese Bobtail to spring to great heights with ease. They are extremely muscular cats with graceful flowing movements. Females weigh 5-7 pounds while males weigh 8-10 pounds.

The Bobtail comes in both long and short coat lengths and wide variety of colors and patterns. The traditional color is the tri-colored mi-ke (mee-kay) that combines rich red, deep black and pristine white in a package that is considered good luck. They can have any color eyes but those with two different eye colors (odd-eyed) or with blue eyes are especially prized and are found most often in cats with a lot of white.

The Japanese Bobtail coat is soft and silky as you stroke it with very little undercoat. Shorthairs have a medium length coat covering the powerful muscular body. Their coat lies flat against the body emphasizing the elegant stylized lines of the cat revealing a structure similar to a porcelain statue. The longhairs have a longer coat draping the body with a belly shag and definite britches on the hindquarters underneath the chrysanthemum-like tail. The lack of undercoat in both hair lengths mean there is little shedding other than at seasonal coat changes. The silky texture means the longhair is also less likely to mat or tangle. A regular light combing or brushing will keep your Japanese Bobtail’s coat in top condition and the cats enjoy the extra attention.

The Japanese Bobtail is considered an overall healthy breed. However, it is recommended their vaccinations and parasite treatments are kept to date.

The shorthaired Bobtail has a medium-length coat that is soft and silky, without a noticeable undercoat. The longhaired variety has a medium-length to long coat with a soft, silky texture and a ruff on the chest. The coat typically is shorter at the shoulders, gradually lengthening toward the behind of the cat.

Their coat is easy to groom with twice-weekly brushing or combing. However, they tend to shed during the fall and spring and will need to be brushed more frequently during those seasons.

As with all cats, keep their nails trimmed, ears cleaned and teeth brushed regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and provide a nice tall scratching pole to help their natural scratching instinct.

Japanese Bobtail cats do not have any particular nutritional needs other than good, quality, food. As with all cats, it is important to give your cat fresh, clean water daily. Fresh, clean water is best, so cats don’t hesitate to drink. If you worry about your cat drinking enough water each day, here’s a tip from cat behaviorists – place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats’ noses are sensitive and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less. Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl.