Japanese Bobtail
Imagine an exquisite piece of ancient Japanese art that sits in your lap and purrs! The Japanese Bobtail should present the overall impression of a medium sized cat with clean lines and bone structure, well-muscled but straight and slender rather than massive in build. Published data on this breed is thin, so some details below are missing rather than guessed.
Last updated: October 2026 · 4 sources · see sources
| Coat | Longhair [1] |
|---|---|
| Look | The Japanese Bobtail should present the overall impression of a medium sized cat with clean lines and bone structure, well-muscled but straight and slender rather than massive in build. [1] |
| Personality | Imagine an exquisite piece of ancient Japanese art that sits in your lap and purrs! [1] |
| Recognized by | CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) [1] |
Activity and exercise
Imagine an exquisite piece of ancient Japanese art that sits in your lap and purrs! But probably not for long … these elegant, refined creatures are as active as they are beautiful. [1]
Grooming
Bobtails have no undercoat and shed only minimally. Shorthair Bobtails couldn’t be easier to groom. [1]
Health issues to budget for
We couldn't find a vet-reviewed list of breed-specific health issues for this breed, so we don't list any. Budget for the general cat costs below and ask your vet or breeder about screening. [1]
Estimated costs
| Item | Estimate | Src |
|---|---|---|
| Routine vet visit, any cat (owner bills) | $190–$525 | [2] |
| Yearly cost of a cat, any breed (ASPCA 2021) | $1,149 | [3] |
| Average accident & illness insurance, cat (US 2025) | $435/year | [4] |
Breed-specific price data is rare. These figures are for cats in general or for the conditions above, not a quote for your pet.
Did you know?
- Imagine an exquisite piece of ancient Japanese art that sits in your lap and purrs! [1]
- Bobtails can be seen depicted in Japanese scrolls, prints and carvings dating back to the Middle Ages. [1]
- Today’s Bobtails have the beauty and loving temperaments that so appealed to the imperial court plus the tenacity and independence that enabled them to rise to the challenge of their 16th-century exodus. [1]
Good fit for
- Our sources don't publish fit ratings for this breed. Meet the breed, talk to breeders or rescues, and read the profile above.