Is my baby girl a Bombay?

[Mollysmummy]

Hi all, I've posted loads about our special girl Molly. We don't know anything about her history other than it wasn't pleasant. But I've put several photos up, and a lot of people have commented on her eyes. I've looked online and I'm wondering if she's at least part UK Bombay? She seems to have the body type, eye colour, she's very intelligent and very vocal, she's small, compact and muscular. She's not overly affectionate or social but I think that's more likely to be a result of her traumatic start in life.

I'll post some photos, see what you think!

[Mollysmummy]

Our gorgeous Molly

[Walesgang]

I know nothing about the breed, but wanted to say what a beautiful girl she is. She has a very intelligent look about her. SHe's gorgeous

[Fran_ki]

She's stunning !
She certainly looks like a Bombay but I'm no expert by any means.
Lovely girl

[Mollysmummy]

Thanks. She's my little shadow, she doesn't like strangers or men in general, but will literally follow me around the house like a sheep.

[bobbys girl]

She is beautiful and I'm not biased in any way, having 2 'Black Beautys' of my own. Don't know much about the Bombay, but around here they are called Black Bog Cats and are meant to be very lucky and slightly mystical. There is a bend in the River Erne called Black Cat Cove.

In some of your photos she reminds me of Lily (Bobby's 'mum') and in some she is a dead ringer for Willow when she was younger. Does she ever make you jump when she flashes those emerald eyes? We call Willow 'Medusa' for that look!

Aren't we lucky?

[Mollysmummy]

She really is a beautiful girl, she's so gentle. She's never scratched or bitten us, even when we first got her and she was a big scaredy cat.

She's so clever, she's got her looks down to a tee; there's the 'it wasn't me mum I promise' look, the 'what are you up to, can I join in?' Look and she has a very sheepish look when she gets told off, she knows exactly when she's been naughty!

I've never heard of black bog cats, I'll google them! I genuinely feel like she understands what I'm saying to her though.

[Lyn from Australia]

I've noticed only recently that my vet stocks DNA kits - not sure if for dogs, cats or both - but I wonder if finding out a cat's background might be as easy as buying an over-the-counter test?

She certainly could be part Bombay, or British Shorthair perhaps, or even Burmese - I believe Bombays have orange eyes and in one of your photos her eyes appear to be almost an orange. She certainly is a lovely looking cat, as blackies always are. You are both very lucky to have found each other.

[Sue Goddard]

I seem to remember from books that the Bombay is distinctly brown in colour..May have to look it up again.Good old Google..!!
We had a chocolate point Siamese boy and his sister before Bailey & Abby. Trio the girl was classed as a Havana as she was an all brown Siamese. (Trio as she was born with only 3 legs The front left was a stump just down to her elbow ) She was a genetic mutation of the Siamese. Maybe Bombay is a genetic change from Black?
The Bombay is indeed like a good old British type..just like your adorable girl. Such big eyes...

Love
Sue G
x

btw: I wish we could post pics on here without having to resize them all the time..It's a right pain..!!!

[Lilith]

I'm no expert on Bombays but have to say that imo most 'moggies' contain a touch of 'pedigree' these days, as many owners of pedigree breeds have let them roam and enrich the old melting pot lol.

This is only my own experience - but. In the 80s I got landed with a skinny little waif I called Timus. He grew into a long lanky boy, very sweet natured - and his eyes shone blue in the dark. Intriguing! Later I was offered a couple of three-quarter Siamese, who I couldn't resist - and their eyes shone blue in the dark too. Eventually I achieved my ambition to own a pedigree Siamese...her eyes shone red in the dark. BUT it would seem that a cat with Siamese or Oriental blood may have eyes that reflect as blue rather than the usual moony green or gold.

The last time I saw this was with my old tomcat Finn, now sadly departed - and his (apparent) daughter Mouse (came to me from local feral colony) had a perfect Siamese head as a young kitten. Haven't tried to spot Mouse's eyes shining in the dark; she likes to stay in and the garden's secure anyway nowadays.

Being a right mongrel mixed blood myself I find it fascinating, guessing what's in my cats' ancestry - atm I reckon my own Molly is part Burmese - that's when she's not part Scottish wildcat, grasshopper, kangaroo or 'you little ***!'

Love to your Molly from my Molly oh and Kevin too!

[Mollysmummy]

That's really interesting! I always wondered why Molly had a more pointed face than Kevin, who has a distinct forehead then nose bumping out almost more like a humans would, Molly's nose seems to come straight out from just above her eyes.

I will have a good look at their eyes tonight, but I remember thinking Molly's were orange in the dark which again would tie in with a bit of something siamesey? I'm pretty sure Kevin's are just green.

I was amazed to learn a few months ago that female cats can carry kittens by different fathers in the same pregnancy! Wish we knew a bit more about Molly, we don't even know her definite DOB. Kevin's mum was a smokey tortie who was very pretty. When he was tiny he was dark brown with brown tiger stripes, but has gone black as he's grown.

[Sue Goddard]

All the Siamese that we have been slaves too have had eyes that reflected red in the dark..maybe something to do with the blue eyes...hmmm mind you I recall Trio the Havana having really green eyes having looked at a photo on my computer (that I couldn't download as it said file too big..!!) she has typical blueish reflection in the camera flash.
An interesting thing ..it's the reflection in the retina at the back of the eye..which should be the same what ever colour the eye, I'd have thought..??
We need a scientist here..!!

Love Sue G
x
Love all your pics of your pusscats...I miss mine soooo much....12 weeks today since he went missing..

[Mollysmummy]

Oh no! could he have gone to someone else's house? I'd be devastated if one of mine went missing, we only let Molly out at the minute as I'm not sure we could trust Kevin outside!

[bobbys girl]

that's when she's not part Scottish wildcat, grasshopper, kangaroo or 'you little ***!'

Know that feeling!

If I didn't know better, (we are in Northern Ireland) I'd swear Tommy was part Scottish Wildcat. He has the colouring, great big feet and the look that says 'don't mess with me'! Though I can't explain where he gets his wussiness from!

Sue, not a scientist but do remember someone saying that (if I can explain this right) in albinos, where there is no pigment, the eyes appear red (the colour of the blood vessels). Some white cats (and other animals) are 'almost' albino, their blue eyes still reflecting the blood vessels. I think in kittens (and some breeds of cats, the adults too) blue eyes are not fully mature, are still transparent and still reflect the blood vessels behind them. Does that make sense?

[Sue Goddard]

What a brilliant answer Bobbys girl..!
So I suppose the blue eyes of Siamese is due to lack of pigment...well it's genius.
Still love my darling Siameses hyacinth blue peepers...so beguiling.
If you looked very carefully at Baileys eyes they had a slight wobble..but the vet said it wasn't unusual and nothing to worry about..but it was strange to look at, I never understood how he managed to see straight..ha ha..!!
Miss him lots.

[Lilith]

The Siamese coat pattern IS a partial albinism.

Siamese are born pure white - their 'points', believe it or not, respond to cool temperatures; that is why they develop as the kittens grow, and why Siamese owners wishing to preserve the pale body coat as long as possible are said to keep the cats in a warm environment (perhaps causing the myth that Siamese are 'delicate'.) Doesn't work in my experience and the little gits are tough as old boots, why else would they be born proclaiming 'Me! Me!'

Got to love them though

[Sue Goddard]

Lilith..
Interesting about Siamese..Have loads of books on the breed as I adore the breed. We have had a few Siamese over the years and love the Seal Point as they are so vocal. They say the darker the point the more vocal they are..Our beloved Bailey ( see lost cats."It's the not knowing " ) was a very chatty cat and seal point to boot. A more loving and placid cat you couldn't wish to meet which makes his loss so hard to bear. The house is sooo empty without him but that goes for everyones thoughts who experience a missing cat.
There are so many variations of our beloved cat family that you love them all. Everyone has it's own character..you only have to read the posts on this website to know how diverse they all are...!!

Can't imagine life without a cat as boss....!!

SG
x

[Sue Goddard]

Oh..btw...re Siamese and their points etc..
For a number of years I breed Guinea pigs for showing ( when I was a bit younger..!) and specialised in what they called Himalayan...They are exactly like the Siamese cat..White body and brown points and yes their coats did respond to the weather..Isn't nature fascinating..
Still have some winning resettes for my "Himmis" as well as Red Dutch and Abyssinian..another animal with amazing personalities...yes really..highly intelligent little things.

SG

[Lilith]

Hi there Sue, omg it must be beyond awful, losing Bailey like that.

I used to keep guinea pigs too, many moons ago - they are great little guys.

I never heard that about the Siamese voice corresponding to point colour...do have to say that ALL my lot (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac and seal tabby) had a lot to say for themselves.

My chocolate boy got named Joey as he had huge bat ears and a tiny little face at birth, like a little white-face clown. As he got older he ended up being called 'The Outlaw Josey Wails,' because he did, incessantly. I once showed him, just for fun...errm, fun???

It was a long car ride from Wakefield to Durham, and Josey Wailed. He BAWLED. He was so upset that we contemplated turning back, and the only thing that calmed him was to be allowed on my knee (most unwise I know; wouldn't do it now,) He still roared his head off but at least he kept still. Suddenly I noticed a warm, wet sensation...oh noooo? Ohhh yes.

I'd volunteered to distribute rosettes at the show. Josey settled in his pen as to the manner born, and took a long sleep in his nice dry litter tray, while yours truly skulked about all day in stinky denim...

DO hope a miracle happens and that you get Bailey back x