Bombays are medium-sized cats, usually 6 to 12 pounds, and they feel heavier than they look because of their muscular build. The short, satiny coat is black to the roots, with a black nose and paw pads and round eyes from gold to deep copper. Shedding is low, so a weekly rub with a soft brush or damp cloth is usually enough.
Many Bombays are affectionate, playful and curious, following their people from room to room and claiming a lap in the evening. Some learn fetch or harness walking. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon in shelters, and most black cats with copper eyes listed under this name are domestic shorthairs who share the look, so a cat's own personality matters more than the label. Bombays often live 12 to 15 years.