Bombay Cat Price: How Much Does a Bombay Cat Cost?
Typical price
$500 – $2,000
Reputable breeders list a Bombay kitten at $500 – $2,000, according to Petful. Show-line kittens and waitlist deposits push the total higher.
Bombays are short-coated black cats bred to look like small panthers, and they have a reputation for wanting to be in the middle of whatever the household is doing. The breed is uncommon, litters are small, and many breeders keep a waitlist, which is the main reason a Bombay kitten costs more than a typical domestic shorthair.
If you are budgeting for one, the purchase price is just the starting figure. This page covers breeder prices, adoption fees, the first-year bills, and the yearly cost of keeping a Bombay, with each figure tied to a published source.
Bombay kitten price by source
Where you get the cat matters more than almost anything else. A shelter adoption, a pet-quality kitten, and a show-line kitten sit in clearly different price bands.
Price by source type
| Item | Typical range | Relative price range |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter or rescue adoption | $50 – $300 | |
| Pet-quality breeder kitten | $800 – $2,000 | |
| Show-quality kitten (show lines) | $2,000 – $2,500 |
Source: Petful: Bombay cat price
Breeders often ask for a deposit to hold a kitten from a future litter. The deposit usually counts toward the final price rather than adding to it, but confirm that in writing. Waiting months for a litter is common with this breed, so a breeder with kittens always available is worth a second look.
Why do sources disagree on the Bombay price?
Three sources give a breeder range, and they do not line up. The table shows how far apart they land.
Estimates by source
| Item | Typical range | Relative price range |
|---|---|---|
| Petful | $500 – $2,000 | |
| Lemonade | $500 – $1,000 | |
| The Vet Desk | $400 – $2,000 |
Sources: Petful: Bombay cat price; Lemonade: Bombay cat guide; The Vet Desk: Bombay cat cost
One source reports a figure for adopting from a breeder that tops out lower than the others, which may reflect pet-quality kittens only. The other two include a wider spread of lines and sellers. Regional demand can also change what a breeder charges, and a few guides mix in prices for cats sold outside the United States. Use the numbers to find the right band, then compare real quotes.
What affects the price of a Bombay?
Several factors move a quote up or down.
- Pedigree and registration. Kittens from champion lines and cats registered with TICA or CFA cost more than unregistered cats sold as Bombay look-alikes.
- Health screening. Breeders who test breeding cats for heart disease pay for it, and the price reflects that work.
- Pet or show quality. Show-line kittens are sold with different rights than pet kittens.
- Location and shipping. Breeders are not evenly spread across the country, and transport can add to your cost.
- Waitlist timing. Some breeders charge more for a kitten that is ready now.
Bombays are sometimes confused with ordinary black cats. A black domestic shorthair is not a Bombay, and a seller who charges purebred prices without papers is a warning sign.
First-year costs of owning a Bombay
The first year includes the kitten, a veterinary visit, and enough supplies to make a home safe and comfortable. Some of the surgery and vaccination costs may already be covered when you buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue.
First-year costs
| Item | Typical range | Relative price range |
|---|---|---|
| First-year total including the kitten | $1,300 – $3,500 | |
| Initial veterinary care | $200 – $400 | |
| Essential supplies | $150 – $300 |
Sources: Petful: Bombay cat price; Lemonade: Bombay cat guide
The total in the table includes the purchase price, while the other two lines leave it out. Read each label before you add the lines together, or you may count the kitten twice. Adopting instead of buying can bring the first year down considerably, because a shelter often handles spay or neuter surgery, vaccines, and a microchip.
Monthly and yearly cost to keep a Bombay
A Bombay has a short, smooth coat, so grooming is cheaper than for a long-haired cat. Food, litter, and routine veterinary care make up most of the bill.
Monthly costs
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Monthly care (Petful estimate) | $60 – $460/mo |
Source: Petful: Bombay cat price
Annual costs
| Item | Typical range | Relative price range |
|---|---|---|
| Food and treats | $400 – $700/yr | |
| Routine veterinary care | $300 – $500/yr | |
| Professional grooming | $100 – $200/yr |
Source: Lemonade: Bombay cat guide
The monthly figure comes from one guide and covers food, litter, insurance, and routine care. The yearly lines come from a separate source and leave out insurance and litter. Because the two use different scopes, treat them as two views of the same expense rather than numbers that should match.
Health and veterinary costs
Heart disease is a concern for several cat breeds, and Bombay breeders commonly screen their breeding cats. Screening and treatment for any heart or breathing issue can be a significant expense. A licensed veterinarian can tell you which tests suit a particular cat, and pet insurance is worth pricing before you bring a kitten home, since conditions that are already diagnosed are often excluded.
Questions to ask a Bombay breeder
- Can I see the parents' health test results and registration papers?
- What does the price include, such as vaccines, a microchip, or spay and neuter?
- How large is the deposit, and is it refundable?
- What is your health guarantee, and what happens if the kitten has a problem?
- Do the kittens go home with a written contract?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bombay cat cost?
Breeders list kittens at $500 – $2,000, based on Petful. Pet-quality kittens are generally quoted at $800 – $2,000.
Are Bombay cats expensive to keep?
Routine costs resemble those of most medium-sized cats. Food runs $400 – $700/yr and routine veterinary care $300 – $500/yr, according to Lemonade. Insurance, emergencies, and boarding are extra.
Can I adopt a Bombay?
Sometimes. Shelters and breed rescues occasionally take in Bombays and Bombay mixes. The fee is typically $50 – $300, and it often includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccines, and a microchip.
How much is a show-quality Bombay?
Show-line kittens are listed at $2,000 – $2,500, according to Petful.
What should I budget for the first year?
One guide puts the first-year total, including the kitten, at $1,300 – $3,500. Your own number depends on the price of the kitten and which setup items you already own.