Japanese Bobtail Cat

Energetic, curious, and playful, the Japanese Bobtail is said to have been brought to Japan by Buddhist monks some 1500 years ago, when it began to appear in prints and paintings by Japanese artists.

The Japanese Bobtail arrived in the US in the 1960s, where it has become trendy. They have become renown as a cat that brings good luck to those families fortunate enough to have one in their home.

These highly social cats come in a variety of colors, and each has a unique variation on the tail, for which the breed is named.

Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed Characteristics

The Japanese Bobtail got its name because of their cute little tail that looks like a pom-pom, which was a result of a genetic mutation.

The breed is known to have an almost triangular head, a long nose, high cheekbones, and their eyes are either blue or other odd colors.

Their hind legs are a little longer than the front legs and they are a medium-sized, muscular cat that weighs anywhere from 6 to 10 pounds.

The long-haired Japanese Bobtail tends to have longer hair on the tail and hind legs with tufts of fur on their toes.

The coat of the Japanese Bobtail is easy to groom with a twice a week comb-thru or brushing. During the spring and fall, they tend to shed more often and will need a few more daily brushings.

These are beautiful cats, but they are not hypoallergenic.

The Japanese Bobtails are a very active and intelligent breed.

They love to run around the house and explore whatever is going on around them.

They are very outgoing and get along with kids, people, and other animals.

However, make sure you are ready to give this guy some attention. He loves being around people, will want to be pet, and while not needy, he loves attention.

Don’t be surprised if your Bobtail jumps on your shoulders to be close to you and supervise his surroundings.

They are a very talkative breed that chirps and meows in almost a song-like tone!

Japanese Bobtails are easy and eager to be trained so that you can show this cat a few tricks.  They love to play fetch or any interactive game with the family.

If you have to take your Japanese Bobtail to the vet or anywhere, they are amiable. They like to travel, and you won’t have an issue getting them in a carrier or for a long drive!

Common Health Problems in Japanese Bobtail Cats

While the Japanese Bobtail cats are strong and healthy for purebreds, there are a few health problems common to the breed:

Feline Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)

Feline diabetes, is where the cat’s body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is used to help the body process sugars. Symptoms include weight loss and excessive urination and drinking of water.

Blood work and urinalysis are need to diagnose feline diabetes. To control the disease, pet owners can administer medication (orally or injection), combined with a specific diet. (For more information, read our “Diabetes In Cats“).

This is an expensive disease to treat as it will continue for the rest of your cat’s life.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

FLUTD is a chronic condition in cats that results in discomfort, including, but not limited to, painful urination. This disease can also cause other health issues in cats, including kidney disease.

Diagnosis of the disease can require an ultrasound or biopsy, and treatments include medicine or surgery.

Renal Failure

FLUTD can result in chronic or acute problems with the kidneys and includes renal failure.

As with FLUTD, drugs or surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and to prevent the disease from becoming life-threatening.

While renal failure can occur in any cat, it is more prevalent in certain breeds, including the Japanese Bobtail.

Should You Purchase Pet Insurance For Your Japanese Bobtail?

When you have a breed like a Japanese Bobtail, pet insurance is a no-brainer.

A Japanese Bobtail is more likely to have issues like Feline Diabetes or kidney disease. These conditions can require multiple visits to the vet as well as medication that need to be administered for a cat’s entire lifetime.

Not only are these illnesses hard on your cat, but they are also expensive to treat. You could be looking at vet bills up to a minimum of $10,000.

Pet insurance will help you save up to 90% of the costs of all the treatment, testing, and continued medication.

And, even if you are fortunate and your Japanese Bobtail doesn’t have any of these serious conditions, there will be other health issues that will occur.

When a cat lives up to 15 years old, just the normal aging process can result in many diseases, including kidney disease.

With pet insurance, you have the peace of mind of knowing that you can pay for any medical issue that might occur with your cat.

Just make sure to enroll your cat when he or she is young and before any condition or illness occurs. After a condition occurs, they are then deemed pre-existing, and a new pet insurance policy won’t cover the condition.

What To Look For In A Pet Insurance Policy

When enrolling in pet insurance, make sure that the plan you choose has a comprehensive policy. This is the most comprehensive coverage and will allow your cat to be covered for almost all illnesses and conditions.

Make sure the pet insurance company will allow breed-specific or congenital conditions so that you know your cat is covered.

Embrace, Pets Best and Petplan are just some of the pet insurance companies that include hereditary conditions in all of their policies.

Look for a high enough benefit limit level each year or even better for the lifetime of your cat. You will then know that you are covered in the event of a costly medical bill today or the future.

Plans like Healthy Paws offer unlimited benefits in all of their plans.

Be careful of the cheaper accident plans that will only cover accidents and not illnesses.

Be prepared with the right questions to ask the pet insurance provider about pricing and what they will and won’t cover.

Your vet is always a great resource to help you understand the conditions that might occur with your cat.

And there you have it! You already spent a lot to bring this breed home, so a little more each month for pet insurance is certainly worth it!

If you are looking for a new insurance policy that offers reliable, comprehensive coverage at fair prices, our top 8 cat insurance companies is a great place to start!

Other articles you may find helpful: 

Best Pet Insurance Companies

Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary? 

The Best Pet Insurance By State 

What Is Pet Insurance?

Fun Facts, Dog FAQ, And Unsolicited Dog Advice

5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs

Dog Health Problems

Dog Breeds

CAT FAQ

Cat Health Problems

Cat Breeds

We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.

Additional Cat Breeds:

American Curl Cat, American Wirehair Cat, Arabian Mau Cat, Ashera Cat, Balinese Cat, Burmese Cat, Chartreux Cat, Chausie Cat, Cymric Cat, Domestic Medium Hair Cat 

Himalayan Cat, Japanese Bobtail Cat, Manx Cat, Nebelung Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Orange Tabby Cat, Oriental Cat, Persian Cat, Pixie-Bob Cat, Russian Blue Cat

Scottish Fold Cat, Selkirk Rex Cat, Siamese Cat, Siberian Cat, Singapura Cat, Somali Cat, Thai Cat, Toygers Cat, Turkish Angora Cat, LaPerm Cat, Maine Coon Cat