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Can bobcats and domestic cats breed? My cat had bobtailed kittens!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 year old | 10 lbs

Can a bobcat and housecat breed together and have kittens? Our female cat went missing for 3 days a few months ago and when I found her she was in bad shape. Her hindend was cut up and had a few spots on her neck. We nursed her back to health and noticed she was gaining weight quickly. A month ago she had her first litter, 6 bobtailed kittens. Now every 2 or 3 days we keep seeing a bobcat come in our yard and hang around. Our cat has no fear of him and will lay with it. Is this normal

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 20th, 2017

While there are many reports of bobcats breeding with housecats I don't believe this has been scientifically proven. It is more likely that your kittens have a gene that causes a shorter tail which is not uncommon in domestic cats. I'm not sure that I'd call it normal for a domestic cat to be comfortable around a wild bobcat and vice versa but it certainly seems plausible.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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