At a glance the quick version
Hill's gives males 8-12 lb (about 3.6-5.4 kg) and females under 8 lb; Wikipedia gives 2.7-4 kg overall.
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair and longhair, soft and silky with little undercoat
A slim, well-muscled medium cat with long legs, a triangular face, high cheekbones, big upright ears and large slanted oval eyes. Its short tail, no more than about three inches from the body, is kinked or curved under a fluffy pom-pom of fur, and no two tails are exactly alike. The coat is soft and silky in both the shorthair and the longhair, which may have a light ruff.123
Personality what they are like
Japanese Bobtails are lively, bright and affectionate. They love to join in, follow their people around and 'talk' in soft chirps and trills. They solve problems readily, excel at cat agility and usually fit in well with children and dogs, though a new cat may need time to be accepted.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Great jumpers that need perches, cat trees and daily interactive play such as feather wands and fetch.31
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy. Comb a shorthair a few times a month; a longhair needs more frequent combing and an occasional bath.13
Home where they are happiest
Happy indoors with plenty of high places to climb and perch.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, balanced cat food in portions that keep this athletic cat lean.2
Company who they like around
Very social and wants company most of the time; bonds strongly with its family and gets on especially well with other Bobtails.31
The story where it all began
Bobtailed cats have lived in Japan for well over a thousand years and appear in centuries of Japanese art. They were once kept by the nobility, but a 1602 decree freed cats to protect silk production from rodents, so they spread throughout the country. Elizabeth Freret brought the first ones to the United States in 1968, and CFA granted the shorthair championship status in 1976.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The bobbed tail is natural, caused by a dominant gene, and each cat's tail is unique like a fingerprint.1
- 2
The beckoning-cat (maneki-neko) good-luck figures seen in shops are modelled on the Japanese Bobtail.2
- 3
The tricolour mi-ke is traditionally considered the luckiest colour.3
- 4
A diary kept by Emperor Uda in 889 contains one of the earliest written mentions of cats in Japan.2
- 5
US breeders are allowed to bring in Japanese street cats to keep the gene pool broad.1
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- Shorthair Championship status 1976; longhair 19931
- TICA
- Recognised breed2
- FIFe
- Japanese Bobtail Shorthair (JBS) fully recognised, Category 4; standard last modified 20254
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Japanese Bobtail. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Japanese Bobtail, and at what times?
Feeding times and amounts depend on your cat's age, weight and activity level. Check the food label for guidance and ask your vet for a personalized schedule. Keep your athletic Bobtail lean with measured portions.2
What should a Japanese Bobtail eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Feed a complete, balanced cat food to keep your lively Bobtail lean. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, chives, and xylitol; cats are especially sensitive to onion, garlic and chives.25
Does a Japanese Bobtail need baths?
Japanese Bobtails rarely need baths unless they get very dirty or sticky. Longhairs may need an occasional bath, but generally their silky coat stays clean with regular brushing.136
How often does a Japanese Bobtail need brushing?
For a shorthair, brush a few times a month; for a longhair, brush more often, about every few days. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests weekly brushing to keep the soft, silky coat in good condition.136 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a Japanese Bobtail's claws, and how often?
Trim your Bobtail's claws every two to three weeks using proper cat nail clippers. Start slowly, trimming just two claws per session to get your cat comfortable. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests every 21 days.6 Furry Diary plan
How much play does a Japanese Bobtail need?
Japanese Bobtails have high activity needs and love daily interactive play like feather wands and fetch. Provide cat trees and perches for climbing and jumping. Furry Diary's starting plan includes daily play sessions.31 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Japanese Bobtail's teeth and ears?
Brush your Bobtail's teeth daily if possible; Furry Diary's starting plan suggests every two days. For ears, check weekly and clean gently with a vet-recommended solution if needed; ask your vet for specific ear care advice. Furry Diary plan
How long does a Japanese Bobtail live?
Japanese Bobtails typically live between 9 and 15 years, often enjoying a long, healthy life with proper care.32
Is a Japanese Bobtail good with children and other pets?
Yes, Japanese Bobtails are usually good with children and dogs, and they get on especially well with other Bobtails. Introduce new cats slowly to give them time to accept each other.132
Can a Japanese Bobtail be left alone?
Japanese Bobtails are very social and prefer company most of the time; they may become lonely if left alone for long periods. Consider a companion or plenty of interactive toys to keep them entertained.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- CFA: Japanese Bobtail cfa.orgused for history, recognition, body, tail, coat, colours, temperament, grooming, fun facts
- Wikipedia: Japanese Bobtail en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, weight, lifespan, recognition, history, fun facts
- Hill's Pet: Japanese Bobtail hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, colours, activity, social needs
- FIFe: Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.