Korean Bobtail Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits
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| Height: | 8–9 inches |
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9–15 years |
| Colors: | White, blue, black, brown, chocolate, lilac |
| Suitable for: | Families with older kids or individuals with time on their hands to spend with a pet |
| Temperament: | Sweet, intelligent, active, curious, independent, gets along with other cat-friendly pets and older children |
The Korean Bobtail cat is a striking breed with an unusual tail that looks like it belongs to a rabbit rather than a cat. While this interesting breed is native to and commonly found in Korea and Southeast Asia, it’s rather scarce elsewhere in the world and not so easy to find.
This breed is known to be very vocal which is important to know if you’re concerned about excessive meowing, especially at night. It’s also an intelligent cat that’s active and curious. If you own one of these cats, you can bet that it will spend lots of time exploring all the nooks and crannies of your property.
If you’re interested in getting a sweet-natured, smart cat with a unique look, this breed may be the perfect fit for you. However, like other bobtail cats, the Korean Bobtail is a relatively rare breed so it may take some sleuthing skills to find one. If you do succeed in getting one, be prepared to hear plenty of compliments as people will surely comment about your cat’s bobbed tail and pretty coloring!
Korean Bobtail Kittens
Because the Korean Bobtail breed is intelligent and active, you must have time available to spend with your cat. You should also arm yourself with plenty of fun cat toys to keep your little friend engaged so he doesn’t use all that pent-up energy doing something naughty like scratching your furniture. It’s a good idea to give a Korean Bobtail a cat tower with a built-in scratchpad so he can expend some energy.
3 Little-Known Facts About Korean Bobtail Cats
1. There’s a Lack of Info about These Cats Online
There is a general lack of information online about Korean Bobtail cats. This could be because North Korea routinely withholds all kinds of information from the rest of the world for reasons only they know. However, even though the breed may be shrouded in mystery, we do know that these cats are stunning to look at and a joy to have around with their sweet and curious nature.
2. Their Tails are Short and Kinked but Never Absent
Even though it may look like a Korean Bobtail cat doesn’t have much of a tail, it’s there if you look closely! The tails of these cats are short and kinked, but never absent.
3. People Prefer These Cats to Have Mostly White Bodies
Most people interested in Korean Bobtail cats prefer the animals to have mostly white bodies with patterns of color like patches of blue, black, chocolate, or lilac. This preference is why breeders of these cats typically charge more for mostly white kittens.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Korean Bobtail Cat
As an intelligent and active cat, the typical Korean Bobtail is seldom idle when he’s not asleep and is always ready for action. If you give this cat plenty of attention and things to play with, he’ll be a content and loving feline.
This cat is vocal by nature so you can expect your Korean Bobtail to “talk” to you via meows and chirps. He’ll also be chatty when hunting down perceived prey and when roaming around during the nighttime hours looking for some excitement. Even though this cat is active and chatty, he’s also a cat that will love curling up beside you on the couch for some important bonding time.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Korean Bobtails tend to shy away from small children due to the abrupt movements and occasional loud noises little kids make. That’s why these cats are best kept by families with older children.
Like many cat breeds, Korean Bobtails have an independent side wherein they’d rather not deal with unpredictable and/or loud people.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
A Korean Bobtail will get along well with other pets, as long as those pets know how to act around cats. A cat-friendly dog can make a great pal for a Korean Bobtail cat once the two animals have time to get used to one another. They could even become each other’s BFFs and spend long hours romping and playing together. It’s not a good idea to keep small pets when you have a Korean Bobtail because a hamster or bird may look like a tasty meal instead of a prospective playmate!
Things to Know When Owning a Korean Bobtail:
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
Like all cats, Korean Bobtails are carnivores. These cats need to have a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and nutrients. It’s a good idea to feed a Korean Bobtail both dry cat food to keep its teeth healthy and wet food that’s good for protein.
Exercise 🐈
Korean Bobtails can gain too much weight if they overeat and are under-active. That’s why you should stick to a strict mealtime plan for your cat and ensure he gets plenty of exercise. If you plan on keeping your cat indoors, spend several minutes each day actively playing with your pet to keep him fit and trim. If he’s allowed to be outside, you don’t have much to worry about as this cat’s curiosity will keep him moving around.
Training 🧶
Litter box training should be easy with a Korean Bobtail, thanks to the cat’s high intelligence. This breed of cat can also easily learn some basic commands like “Get down”, “Come” and “No”. You may even have luck teaching a Korean Bobtail how to play fetch with something fun like a play mouse. However, you may not always get the mouse back because Korean Bobtails are cats after all!
Grooming ✂️
A Korean Bobtail has a medium-length coat that’s easy to care for. A weekly brushing should be sufficient to keep this cat’s fur free of tangles and mats. A monthly nail clipping is advisable, so get yourself a pair of clippers or schedule a monthly appointment with a groomer if you’re squeamish about cutting nails.
You won’t have to bathe your Korean Bobtail cat very often. The only time this cat will need a bath is when he becomes very dirty, so don’t overdo things in the bathing department! All cats know how to bathe themselves using their rough-textured tongues, and they’re quite good at it!
Health and Conditions 🏥
Korean Bobtails are known to be healthy and hearty cats without any unusual medical problems. However, all cats are prone to some medical issues, including the following that plaque this breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastrointestinal issues
Male vs Female
If you’re trying to decide if you should get a male or female Korean Bobtail, you should know that females tend to be more selective about the people they like. When a female Korean Bobtail chooses a favorite person in the family, the cat will favor spending most of its time with that person. Females can also be a bit moodier than their male counterparts, wherein their moods can seemingly change with the blowing wind.
On the other hand, males tend to be sillier acting and more fun-loving than females. If you’re looking for a goofy cat that loves to have fun, a male is probably the way to go. But if you’re a single person who wants a loving and loyal friend, a female Korean Bobtail is probably the best fit.
Final Thoughts
The Korean Bobtail is a smart, beautiful, and friendly cat that makes a good family pet. If you have your heart set on getting a Korean Bobtail kitten, you’ll have to do some serious searching to find a good breeder. If you’re lucky, you may find a reputable breeder near you that’s planning a litter of kittens. Be sure to get your name on the waiting list asap because these kittens go fast, considering the Korean Bobtail is a rare breed, at least here in the USA.
