The Mekong Bobtail, formerly known as the Thai Bobtail, is a cat breed. The breed was originally named after Thailand, the native country of its forefathers, but it has since been renamed after the Mekong River. It is found in natural habitats throughout Asia and was evolved as a breed in Russia. Mekong Bobtails were one of the royal cats given to Russian Emperor Nicholas II by King Chulalongkorn of Siam in the nineteenth century.
The majority of Chulalongkorn’s 200 royal cats had kinked tails similar to those of the contemporary Mekong Bobtail. Other Southeast Asian bobtail cats were also shipped into Russia. The Mekong Bobtail is a pure cat breed, which means it evolved without the assistance of humans. In the 1980s, the breed began to gain popularity, and in December 1994, Russian man O. S. Mironova drafted a breed standard. The World Cat Federation recognized the breed in August 2004, and its name was changed from “Thai Bobtail” to “Mekong Bobtail” at that time.
Table of Contents
Body description
The Mekong Bobtail has a medium-sized body that is elegant and agile, with good muscular strength. The legs are slender as well, with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs. The paws are oval in shape. At least three vertebrae must be present in the bobbed, kinked tail, which must be less than a quarter of the body length. The rump is higher than the hips, and the breed has a slight but rectangular build.
The Mekong Bobtail is a standard size cat that weighs between 8 and 10 pounds. The ears are broad at the base and medium in size, and the head shape features a strong chin. The Mekong Bobtail’s eyes, which are blue like those of a Siamese, are also particularly lovely. Have large eyes with intense blue color. Mekong Bobtails have a glossy, short coat with no white markings that can be any color. Without the white, these cats come in all pointed colors. Seal point, blue point, tabby point, tortie point, chocolate point, lilac point, and red cream are some of the varieties.
Behavior
The Mekong Bobtail is a Southeast Asian breed distinguished by its distinctive Manx-style bobtail. This is a feline who enjoys being around people and will form strong and lasting bonds with you. The breed is also an athletic hero, in addition to their warm personality. These cats are pretty devoted and enjoy spending as much time as possible with their human companions. They’re incredibly obedient, trainable, and intelligent.
They get along with almost everyone, including children and other animals. Despite their short bobbed tails, these cats are agile and athletic, and they enjoy climbing, springing, and playing, so make sure your pet has plenty of space to let off steam. Mekong Bobtail cats are friendly, social creatures who enjoy showering their owners with affection. These cats are also usually calm, though they do have an inquisitive side. In fact, if your home is empty for long periods of time during the day, your cat may begin to feel lonely.
Caring
- Mekong Bobtail cats are considered a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.
- These short-haired cats only need to be groomed once a week, but it’s a good idea to use the grooming sessions to bond with the cat. Because the Mekong Bobtail’s fur is short and there isn’t much undercoat, grooming is a breeze.
- A simple brushing once in a while will suffice.
Health
- Eye problems, gastrointestinal problems, and hip dysplasia are some of the more common health issues that Mekong Bobtails may have.
- They have a 15–18-year life expectancy.
