Mekong Bobtail Cat

The Mekong Bobtail cat is a natural breed that originated from Thailand. It is named after the river Mekong that divides Thailand and other states of South-East Asia. Its development can be traced back to late 18^th century, at the time when the King of Siam, Chulalongkorn, Rama V. presented Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia with 200 Royal cats. Many of these cats had bobtail and their offspring together with other bobtailed cats that were brought over from Southeast Asia became the foundation cats for the Mekong Bobtail. One of the first Mekong Bobtail cats was owned by actor Michael Gluzskyi and that cat was claimed to have lived to the age of 20 years. The breed standard for the Mekong Bobtail was first drawn up by Olga S. Mironova and adopted under the name of Mekong Bobtail by World Cat Federation (WCF) in December 1994.

Physical appearance and attributes
This is a medium sized cat that weighs between 8 to 10 pounds. It possesses a slender rectangular body with good musculature that disposes of elegance. The back is level with the rump appearing slightly higher than the shoulders. Extending from the body are medium length legs with oval paws. The bobtail is its most unique feature consisting of at least 3 vertebrates and should be no longer than a quarter of its body length. It can come in different combinations of kinks or curves.

Mekong Bobtail has a head of modified wedge with rounded contours with a blunt strong chin. The top of the head is slightly flat. Atop the head is a pair of large ears that are broad at the base and slightly rounded at the tips. The profile is curved with a Roman nose and a gentle break between the eyes. The muzzle appears fine, oval and pronounced. Another amazing feature of the Mekong Bobtail is its beautiful intense blue eyes that are large, oval and set at a level angle.

Mekong Bobtail wears a coat of short, glossy and close-lying hair with minimal undercoat. It is crisp in texture, but silky to the touch. The coat is of a pointed pattern; similar to that of the Siamese. It can come in all recognized pointed colors without white.

Personality and temperament
This is a cat with an equilibrated temperament. It is gentle and composed and at the same time playful and active. It is also recognized for its jumping and climbing skills. Highly adaptable, the Mekong Bobtail has little trouble warming up to the new home. It has a friendly nature that allows it to meet and interact among new people with much ease. Its dog-like personality is evident in its loyalty and devotion, seeking always to spend time and be close by to its loving owner. While it demands for attention, the Mekong Bobtail returns it with much affection. As an active and playful cat, it has no issue getting along well with children who know how to handle a cat well. In fact, it loves them and their good-humored actions.

Care and health issues
The Mekong Bobtail is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of between 15 – 18 years. There are no known genetic health issues specific to this breed. It is, however advisable for the cat to go through a health screen by qualified breeders to ensure that it is not contracted with any common feline diseases.

Mekong bobtail requires minimal grooming; a weekly brushing to remove dead hair will suffice to keep it healthy. Other grooming practices include wiping the inside of the ears with a cotton pad damp with feline war treatment as well as nail trimming whenever necessary. For oral health, brush its teeth frequently with vet-approved toothpaste.

The ideal family
This cat has no issue adapting to a new environment and is best suited for families who are looking for an interactive and sociable cat. The Mekong Bobtail thrives on human companionship and interactivity. It does not mind being around children or other family pets as long as they are friendly and can relate to it in gentleness. To encourage an active and hearty growth, do provide it with puzzle games, cat trees and cat gym sets. It is also possible to train the Mekong Bobtail to respond to tricks to develop certain routines and habits. The family will need to be ready to commit to giving the care, love and attention before bringing one home. The amiable, fun-loving and even-tempered Mekong Bobtail will not fail to be a great companion and affectionate cat under the care of a responsible family.

Image Credit
Photo by Alex Opryatin - CC BY-SA 3.0