Mekong Bobtail

The Mekong Bobtail cat breed has deep roots across the Southeast Asia region, and you can happily find these felines prospering in countries including China, Iraq, Laos, and Vietnam. The Mekong Bobtail expanded into Russia during the 19th Century, where the breed was especially beloved by royalty.

The breed also started to experience a surge in popularity across the world during the 1980s. The Mekong Bobtail is named after the Mekong River.

These days, you can find Mekong Bobtails in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the breed for you!

The Mekong Bobtail is a medium-sized cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.

Most Mekong Bobtails weigh in at eight to ten pounds. That said, many can be smaller or larger than average.

The Mekong Bobtail is an exceptionally loyal breed of cat, renowned for the way they very quickly form loving and strong bonds with the humans in their lives. Don’t be surprised if you notice that your Mekong Bobtail insists on following you around the house!

In fact, if your household is empty for long periods of the day, the breed might start to suffer from loneliness. This is definitely a feline who prospers in a busy home environment with a lot of action going on.

Mekong Bobtails also especially enjoy being around children, which helps, as they have a decent amount of energy and will need regular play sessions. The breed really enjoys climbing, so make sure you add a cat tree to your homestead and, ideally, provide safe furniture that can be successfully scaled by the cat.

Mekong Bobtails are generally considered to be healthy cats, but always make sure to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet.

Some of the more common health problems the Mekong Bobtail might suffer from include:

• Eye issues
• Gastrointestinal problems

As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your Mekong Bobtail’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.

Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, make sure that you pick up a scratching post for your Mekong Bobtail’s living environment. This can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition.

The breed’s ears should also be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. Talk to your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regimen that will suit your Mekong Bobtail. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques.

Finally, because the Mekong Bobtail is a cat with a quite high energy level, it’s recommended that you add a cat tree to your home.

The Mekong Bobtail’s coat comes in a wide range of pointed colors, including blue point, chocolate point, and seal point.

When it comes to grooming, Mekong Bobtail cats are considered to be a low-maintenance breed. These short-haired cats will only need brushing once a week; although, it’s advisable to use the grooming sessions as a way to bond with the cat.

In terms of climate, most Mekong Bobtail cats are adaptable. You should also always make sure that there’s enough shade and fresh water available during the hotter months.

The Mekong Bobtail is an excellent breed to consider if you have young children. Just make sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides. Supervise early interactions between kids and cats.

When it comes to other household pets, the good-natured Mekong Bobtail fares well with many domestic animals. But always supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets, as well. Sometimes these relationships are very much dependent on the individual pets’ personalities.

Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this breed. Make sure to reward your Mekong Bobtail for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!

It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Mekong Bobtail cats because they are a somewhat uncommon breed outside of Asia. However, you may want to try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Mekong Bobtails, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:

• Hope for Paws
• Best Friends Animal Society

You can also try CatTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code!