Your guide to finding and caring for an American Bobtail in Lakeland
American Bobtails fit Lakeland well because they're happy indoors with a window and something to climb. In a Beacon Hill house or an apartment near Lake Morton, a Bobtail can spend the morning watching squirrels and the afternoon dragging a toy over for you to throw. They like company, so they do best when someone's home part of the day. Many learn a harness, which makes a quiet morning stroll around Lake Hunter Terrace possible.
Bring home an American Bobtail
While we don't have enough cats near Lakeland, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 1 y., 6 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Bobtail
F, 2 y., 6 miles
Domestic Long Hair, American Bobtail
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 42 miles
American Bobtail
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 42 miles
American Bobtail
M, 0-6 mo., 44 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Bobtail
M, 4 mo., 49 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Bobtail
F, 8 y. +, 52 miles
American Bobtail
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 124 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Bobtail
M, 3 mo., 190 miles
American Bobtail
M, 3 mo., 190 miles
American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a medium, muscular cat with a naturally short tail, usually about a third to half the usual length. The breed traces back to Yodie, a short-tailed brown tabby found in Arizona in the late 1960s, and it grew from bobtailed cats across North America. The coat comes in shorthair or medium-long, in nearly any color, and sheds moderately, so weekly brushing is enough for most.
Many Bobtails are playful, clever and people-focused, with a dog-like streak for fetch and following the family from room to room. They mature slowly, over two to three years, so a young cat may stay goofy for a long while. That sociable streak pairs well with indoor life, since a bored Bobtail will invent its own games. Cats vary, so take time to see how a particular cat behaves.
Having an American Bobtail in Lakeland
Bobtails pair a sturdy, athletic build with a sociable, game-loving streak. In Lakeland, the practical points are keeping an active indoor cat busy through hot, stormy afternoons, brushing a coat that sheds moderately, and knowing a short tail can carry spine concerns.
Many American Bobtails are affectionate without being clingy, greeting visitors and following family from room to room. They usually do well with children and calm dogs, and most chirp or trill rather than yowl, which suits shared apartment walls. Cats vary, so watch how a particular Bobtail handles being held and meeting new people.
Plan several play sessions a day: chasing balls, stalking wand toys, fetch and food puzzles. A tall cat tree by a window adds climbing and bird-watching. Many Bobtails take to a harness, so a short morning walk can add enrichment for a confident cat, before the heat builds and afternoon storms roll in.
Bobtails are generally sturdy, but the short-tail gene can occasionally bring spine or hip problems, and cats with almost no tail may have bowel or bladder control trouble. Watch for stiffness, tail pain or litter box changes, and have a veterinarian check the spine and hips. Lakeland's warm climate makes year-round flea prevention worthwhile.
A Bobtail adapts to apartments and houses alike as long as it has climbing spots, scratching posts and sunny windows. In a smaller place, vertical space matters more than square footage. Keeping the cat indoors, with a catio or harness walks for curious cats, also protects it from heat, traffic and the wildlife around Lakeland's lakes.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $100 to $500, one time | $100 to $500 in year one |
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $460 to $1,260 per year | $460 to $1,260 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,210 to $2,810 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,310 to $3,310 | |
Adoption fee is the range of fees on American Bobtail listings in Lakeland on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the $10 Polk County tag for an altered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and supplies, and home brushing, with more for longhaired cats.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Bobtails available.
Lakeland-area shelters and rescues list cats of all ages here, and new arrivals show up often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Lakeland area where you can find American Bobtails and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, adopters in Lakeland can bring home an American Bobtail. Any cat 4 months or older needs a rabies vaccination and a Polk County license tag, which costs $10 a year for an altered cat. Bobtails are uncommon, so availability changes often. Watch the listings on this page or save a search to hear about new cats.
Yes, for most households. Bobtails are adaptable, social and happy indoors, which suits Lakeland's mix of houses and apartments. They want daily play and company, so they fit best where someone is home part of the day. Air conditioning matters through the long hot season, and cats vary, so watch how each one behaves.
Yes, for an indoor Bobtail. Lakeland's winters are mild, but highs reach 90°F on about 119 days a year and summer nights stay warm. Keep the home cool, offer plenty of water, and save play for mornings. Afternoon thunderstorms are routine, so a quiet hiding spot helps a nervous cat.
Yes, Bobtails adapt well to apartments when they have vertical space, scratching posts and window views. They're usually quiet, chirping or trilling rather than yowling. Since about 44% of Lakeland homes are rented, confirm the landlord's pet terms in writing. Florida doesn't cap pet deposits or pet rent, so amounts differ by property.
Most Bobtails need only weekly brushing at home, a bit more for the medium-long coat or during heavier shedding. Lakeland's year-round warmth means little seasonal coat change, and professional grooming is rarely necessary. Home brushing, litter and nail care fall within the yearly Other costs of $460 to $1,260 shown on this page.
No. Citrus Connection, Lakeland's bus system, allows service animals only and states that no pets are allowed on any bus, and there's no rail transit. Plan on a car, or a ride from a friend, with your Bobtail secured in a carrier for vet visits and moves.
A bobbed tail is a short tail, either naturally short from birth or, in some dogs, shortened by docking. In cats, natural bobtails come from several different gene mutations found in breeds like the American Bobtail, Japanese Bobtail and Manx. The tail may be straight, curved or kinked and is usually fully mobile and expressive despite its length.
A bobtail cat is any cat with a naturally short tail, from a stub to roughly half normal length. The term covers several breeds, including the American Bobtail, Japanese Bobtail, Kurilian Bobtail and Pixie-Bob, each with its own gene, as well as domestic cats born with short or kinked tails. Shelters often list these cats simply as bobtails.
We have 1 rescue with American Bobtails available: SPCA Florida. You can see every rescue with American Bobtails available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the American Bobtails near Lakeland.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,800 a year for a Bobtail in Lakeland. Food runs $25 to $50 a month and insurance $25 to $50 a month. Routine vet care is $150 to $350 a year, and other costs such as litter, parasite prevention, dental care and the county tag add $460 to $1,260 a year.
Expand your search to find American Bobtails available for adoption near Lakeland.
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