Kurilian BobtailCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The shorthaired variety is a natural breed, known in the Kuril Islands for over 200 years. The islands stretch between Kamchatka and the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Its origin is not certain. The best-known theory says the breed comes from crosses between Japanese Bobtails and Siberian cats brought by sailors. From the mid-twentieth century it became popular in the USSR and elsewhere in Europe, mainly because it is an excellent rodent catcher. WCF recognised it in 1994, and FIFe in 2004.

How the breed developed

• Over 200 years ago – known in the Kuril Islands.
• Mid-twentieth century – popular in the USSR as a rodent hunter.
• 1994 – recognised by WCF.
• 2004 – recognised by FIFe, in shorthair and semi-longhair.

• People with space. French Wikipedia says it needs room.
• Active families. It is very active and demands attention.
• Homes without pet rodents. It is an excellent hunter.
• People who don't mind water on the floor. It loves water and may even jump into the bath.

It is a medium to large cat, solid and muscular, with a slightly arched back and longer hind legs, like the Manx. The face is broad, a rounded rectangle. French Wikipedia gives 3–4.5 kg.

General appearance

The hallmark of the breed is its short, kinked, fluffy tail, like a pompom, made up of 2 to 10 vertebrae. The eye colour matches the coat; yellow, green and yellowish-green are preferred.

There are shorthaired and semi-longhaired varieties, recognised separately by FIFe (KBS and KBL). All colours are accepted except the “pointed” pattern (darker muzzle and legs).

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Japanese Bobtail has the same type of short, kinked tail, but is slimmer and more angular. The Siberian is considered one of the breeds it may descend from.

Wikipedia says that in the wild it is an excellent fisher and hunter, which may explain why it likes playing in water. Its wild look is not reflected in its character: it is known as clever and gentle.

German Wikipedia adds that it loves its people, demands a lot of attention and is very active.

Socialisation

French Wikipedia describes it as sociable, but independent.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is very active and needs space, hunting games and, ideally, access to a fenced garden.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

For the shorthaired variety, brushing once a week is enough; the semi-longhaired one is brushed several times a week.

Common health problems

French Wikipedia says that, coming from lands with a harsh climate, it is very resistant to changes in temperature and hardly ever falls ill. Wikipedia gives a lifespan of 15–20 years. Litters are small, 2–3 kittens, one of the reasons the breed is rare.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test required for the breed. Ask for the parents' health records.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks and are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks. In this breed, a litter usually has only 2–3 kittens.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• A pompom tail. The tail has between 2 and 10 vertebrae and is fluffy.
• It loves water. French Wikipedia says it may even jump into its owner's bath.
• A rodent hunter. In the USSR it was prized for how well it catches mice.
• Rare because of small litters. A litter usually has 2–3 kittens.

How is it different from the Japanese Bobtail?

Both have a short, kinked tail, but the Kurilian Bobtail is sturdier and rounder.

How long does it live?

Wikipedia gives 15–20 years.

Does it like water?

Yes, many cats of this breed play in water.

How much does it weigh?

French Wikipedia gives 3–4.5 kg.