Important Things you Need to Know About the American Bobtail

American Bobtail Overview

The American Bobtail is a medium-large feline with a natural bobtail. It is a cat of delightful temperament like a Japanese bobtail. Affectionate and intelligent, they love to be cuddled and bond with their families and play games including fetch or hide-and-seek.

People looking for a new companion may need to look no further than the American Bobtail. These cats are excellent companions and would do well in a small household or with families who have children and other animals.

American Bobtail History and Origin

The American Bobtail is a unique cat breed with an interesting past. Fifty years ago, John and Brenda Sanders were vacationing in the southwestern United States when they found a half-a-tailed kitten who was hungry for food and love. Therefore, they took him back to their place, giving him some food and naming him "Yodie".

Yodie was the perfect addition to their family. He didn’t look like any of the other stray cats they had seen before, and he had a wild appearance with his bobbed tail. Despite that, Yodie was exceptionally friendly. Therefore, the couple fell in love with Yodie and brought him back to Iowa to care for their new friend.

The American bobtail is a crossbreed of the feral domestic cat and a wild cat. These cats were originally bred in the late 60s by experienced breeders who wanted to create an all-American pet with delicate features but still maintain their feral nature while being less aggressive than other breeds.

In 1989, the International Cat Association accepted a new breed into its roster. It was also accepted by the largest registry of pedigreed cats, the Cat Fanciers’ Association, in 2000.

TICA, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), and the United States-based American Cat Fanciers Association, all accept the American Bobtail breed. The cats are also recognized in Germany's World Cat Federation (WCF). However, they are not currently allowed to compete because of regulations and have no WCF breed standard.

American Bobtail vs. Manx

The American Bobtail and Manx are the perfect choices for your emotional support animals. One common quality in these cats is intelligence- they can be just as smart as dogs. They also love attention and don't mind being handled while playing or petting them.

The Manx and the American bobcat both have their own set of qualities that make them excellent companions.

However, some attributes make these two breeds differ from each other. Here is a table that gives you a better idea of these two breeds.

American Bobtail Size

The American Bobtail is a medium to a large cat that has an intense hunting gaze. It is known for its dot-and stripe coated and bobbed tail, making them unique among other cats. This breed takes up to three years to reach physical maturity.

Here is a quick overview of a size chart of the American Bobtail.

American Bobtail Physical Traits

A feral-like appearance recognizes an American Bobtail. Though they may resemble a wild animal in their appearance, the American Bobtail is a cat that is very sweet and gentle. They love to be around humans and have been called the "golden retriever" of cats due to their affectionate nature.

Here are a few physical traits of the American Bobtail.

American Bobtail Grooming Tips

Grooming an American bobtail is a fairly simple process. Twice or thrice per week, brush this breed's coat to keep it smooth and healthy.

Regular brushing will help keep your American bobtail cat looking well-maintained and polished. If not trimmed regularly, its hair can get matted, leading to skin problems for the animal. Also, brushing stimulates circulation and removes debris and loose hair.

Trimming your cat's nails is not a choice; it is an obligation. Long claws can affect their ability to walk comfortably. Since cats are known for their self-grooming, they prefer natural trimming methods such as scratching posts made from wood or sisal rope.

Also, trimming is necessary because this breed spends time in trees and on high surfaces such as countertops making nail clipping necessary for safety reasons.

Every couple of weeks, make sure to clean your cat's ears with a cotton ball dipped in an ear-cleaning solution. It will help keep them healthy and free from infections.

One way of doing this at home is by making an ear cleaning solution using 50% apple cider vinegar, lukewarm water, and a cotton ball. This method is very safe, effective and will not irritate the ears.

Oral hygiene is important for the prevention of periodontal disease. While daily brushing may be ideal, it's better to brush at least once a week and prevent tooth decay or gum disease in your American Bobtail. Professional teeth cleaning should occur at least once per year.

Clean the deep-set eyes of the American Bobtail regularly. To do this, use a damp cloth to clean the eyes and use different clothes or different sides to clean each eye.

American Bobtail Diet and Nutritional Needs

Bobtails have unique nutritional needs, and it's imperative to choose an appropriate food. Because the breed is slow to mature, feeding them balanced food helps ensure their development stays on track.

Also, if an American Bobtail eats too much, they will become easily obese. Therefore, make sure you give them enough physical activity to keep them in shape. The diet, healthcare, and environment can have an impact on how long a cat can live.

It is important to feed American Bobtails dry kibble, and supplementing it with quality canned food will make them happy. It's not recommended that cats be fed only canned food - it can lead to health problems like periodontal disease.

Make sure they have access to clean water at all times. Stainless steel bowls are best and need to be cleaned daily. Also, this breed is a meat-eating feline that needs to be fed on a diet consisting mainly of organic meats.

There are many different types of diets that work for cats, so it is important to consult your veterinarian about what might be best during each cat's life stages. Some breeds may face a higher risk of obesity because they have an inherent metabolism and activity level as well as age requirements.

We all know that our pets are like family to us, but it is important to consider your pet’s activity levels when measuring their portions. Older cats need fewer calories than younger cats.

When looking for the best cat food, avoid products with vague labels and pay close attention to protein content. If you have a Bobtail cat, make sure the label is clear on what proteins are used in the product.

American Bobtail Health Problems

The American Bobtail is generally known as very healthy, but a few health issues affect the breed. Some kittens born with short tails or no tail at all where their spine should be can indicate more serious problems such as anemia due to lack of vitamin B12 in their diet.

Also, there are different breeds with short tails, which different genetic mutations may cause.

American Bobtails often suffer from a painful and fatal condition known as Spina Bifida. Further complications can affect the bowel, bladder, or both, leading to uncontrolled urination and defecation.

Moreover, this breed is prone to severe hip dysplasia that can cause pain in the joints, stiffness, lameness, and painful osteoarthritis.

When choosing an American Bobtail, make sure you find a reputable breeder who is aware of these health issues. Therefore, they can breed responsibly by minimizing them or preventing their occurrence altogether.

To protect your cat from life-threatening diseases, you must take them for regular vet visits. Vet checks are key in maintaining optimal health and wellness and making sure they're protected against disease.

American Bobtail Exercise and Training

The American Bobtail is an active breed and requires exercise. They need space to play and interactive cat-safe toys and games, which will keep them from becoming bored or destructive.

The intelligent nature of these cats makes it easy for the owner, caretaker, or friend who comes over regularly to engage with them through problem-solving activities such as finding hidden treats. This keeps both parties entertained while also helping prevent boredom.

The American Bobtail is one of the most intelligent, agreeable breeds out there. They're so easy to train that you can start as soon as they are big enough to walk and play on their own.

Their intelligence and good behavior make these cats excellent pets for any household in need of a cat companion who will be well-behaved and obedient.

American Bobtail Temperament and Personality

The American Bobtail is a smart, playful cat who doesn't mind getting her paws dirty. This kitty enjoys puzzles and games as well as the company of other cats, people, and pets that visit your home. They are highly intelligent with an easy-going nature when it comes to learning new things. This breed can learn tricks in no time.

The best way to describe their personality would be "dog-like" because they enjoy greeting family members at the door or welcoming dinner guests into your home.

The American Bobtail is an affectionate, patient, and confident breed. They make great companions for homes with children because they are usually good around other animals.

The American Bobtail is known for its adaptable nature that makes them a good traveler. They are often chosen as companions of truckers and animal therapists because they love to be on the move, which means they have no trouble helping patients with disabilities, including PTSD or autism.

The American Bobtail is intelligent, eager-to-please, and intuitive. They're a devoted family cat who loves playing games or enjoying some relaxing time on the couch with their human friends.

They make excellent companions in any living situation because they are so adaptable. These cats will be happy to spend quality time doing anything from lounging around watching tv or playing fetch all day long with you and your pup buddies.

American Bobtail for Sale

American bobtails are less common than others but still available. It's hard to put an exact price on them because they're mostly found through private breeders and shelters.

However, the prices range from $600 up to more than $1200 (USD). When you buy or adopt this breed, you should ask some important things like.

• Social needs
• Temperament
• Grooming needs
• Activity level
• Overall health
• Attention needs
• Size

Therefore, keep all these things in mind and buy the American Bobtail from the one that provides you all the information.

American Bobtail as an Emotional Support Animal

An American Bobtail is the perfect companion animal for those searching for an emotional support animal. This breed's loving and loyal nature makes it a top choice that will provide you with years of love.

Want to adopt this cat as an ESA? Apply for an ESA letter today! For your valid ESA letter, consult RealESALetter.com.