Not all black cats are Bombay cats. Bombay cats are a specific breed created by crossing black American Shorthairs with Burmese cats to produce a distinct, sleek black cat with copper or golden eyes and a muscular build. While all Bombay cats are black, many black cats are simply domestic cats or belong to other breeds. Bombay cats also have unique features such as black paw pads and whiskers, and a shiny black coat colored to the roots. Black cats can have various eye colors and body shapes and do not necessarily have the pedigree or breed characteristics of a Bombay cat.