Family-friendly:5/5Playfulness:4/5Intelligence:5/5Likes Other Pets:4/5Grooming needs:2/5Shedding:2/5

Burmese Cat

One look at them and you’ll be charmed! Apart from their impressive looks, the Burmese cat is friendly and social, as well as highly clever so if you’re looking for a cat that can easily mesh into most families, this breed is perfect for you.

Lifespan

10 - 16 years

Weight

3.6 - 5.4kg

Colours

Burmese cats come in sable (dark brown), Champagne (beige), blue (a medium grey with light brown undertones), and platinum (a light grey with light brown undertones).

The need-to-know

Great for first-time cat owners
Enjoys playing games and is active at home
Highly active and inquisitive cat
Sociable and dependent cat

Very talkative cat
Lean and elegant cat
Requires grooming once a week
Needs extensive outdoor space

Great family cat
Can be regularly left for a few hours
Needs a calm environment

Generally healthy breed

The Burmese cat breed is generally robust, howeve they can suffer from:
- Diabetes mellitus which is a conditions where cats develop very high sugar levels because they do not produce a normal amount of insulin.
- Burmese head defect which is a condition where the face and skull do not form correctly.
- Burmese gangliosidosis which is a storage disease that affects the nervous system, although it is worth noting there is a low prevalence of this disease in the Burmese population.
- Burmese hypokalaemia which is a condition where the levels of potassium in the blood are low which leads to weakness.
- Orofacial pain syndrome¹ which is a condition that causes sudden facial and mouth pain.
- Pectus excavatum² which is a condition where the chest is narrowed which affects the functioning of the heart and the chest.

Testing available:
- DNA testing for Burmese head defect, gangliosidosis and hypoykalaemia which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by this condition.

¹A. Nemec, 'The feline enigma: issues specific to the cat', 2017, BSAVA Congress Proceedings
²M. Singh et al, 'A Review on Pectus Excavatum in Canines: A Congenital Anomaly', 2013, Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

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Burmese Cat Appearance

Glossy and athletic, the Burmese is a solid, muscular cat with a sweet expression, neat round paws, and a short coat. The eyes are large and round, the face has a hint of the exotic Asian breeds, but is unexaggerated and attractive.

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Burmese Cat Personality

Curious, clever, and friendly, the Burmese cat is described as having a sweet expression in the breed standard, and has a nature to match if raised and socialised well. Very playful and engaging, the Burmese will learn to retrieve toys, and will delight in playing with their family. This curious and inquisitive nature can land them in trouble, as they will explore every open doorway, be it into another room or into a car or delivery van! Personable and sociable with family and visitors, the Burmese will enjoy attention and will let you know if there isn’t sufficient attention paid to them! 

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	5/5
Playfulness:	4/5
Intelligence:	5/5
Likes Other Pets:	4/5
Grooming needs:	2/5
Shedding:	2/5

History and Origins

Originating in Burma, the breed was first known in the UK around 1800 however the much louder and more boldly marked Siamese out-competed the Burmese for popularity, and the breed died out here. Fortunately, several were taken from Burma to the US in the 1930s (the first being a cat called Wong Mau), and from these cats the modern Burmese breed was developed. They were re-introduced in the late 1940s by Mrs Lilian France, who imported three cats who subsequently founded the breed in the UK. 

Originally only seen in the classic brown colour, blue kittens began appearing in some litters in the 1950s. In the 1960s following an accidental mating by an escaped queen with a stray tom, a pretty tortoiseshell was produced and some breeders decided to attempt to introduce more colours into the breed. 

Outdoors or Indoors

Not really suited to a completely indoor life, yet sufficiently curious and inquisitive as to land themselves in serious trouble, the Burmese is in need of a large home with a secure outdoor space such as a covered run or cat-proofed fence. This is a serious consideration for this breed as they are very active, and will become stressed and potentially destructive without the necessary space to explore, jump, climb, play, and supervise. 

Enrichment and Specific Needs

The Burmese needs a lot of company and play, whilst some of this need may be met by other resident cats, this is really a cat who needs people around much of the time. Ensure you have the time to play games, devise ways to recreating hunting and sniffing out food using toys and puzzles, and space to build elaborate cat trees and cat playgrounds. Only happy as a lap cat if time has been spent on entertaining and amusing them, the Burmese is a very clever cat, and may become stressed or destructive without sufficient enrichment. They can be trained using positive reinforcement and clicker training is particularly suitable for this smart breed! 

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in their diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes. With proper nutrition and care, the Burmese cat lifespan can extend to 16 years.

Grooming Burmese Cats

The Burmese is a clean and easily cared for cat. Whilst they will typically keep themselves scrupulously clean, it is sensible to give your cat a brush through once a week, incorporating a general check over for any small wounds or parasites. A greasy or scurfy coat can be the first sign of illness and this is spotted much more readily if you groom your cat regularly. 

As with all cats, regular vaccination and parasite control is recommended and this should be discussed with your vet. 

Suitability for Family Life

Curious, active, friendly, and fun loving, the Burmese is a great family cat for the larger home with a secure garden, and children old enough to understand how to respect a cat’s space and interact appropriately. They will struggle if left alone for long periods, so are not suitable for homes where owners are away all day or for those who have frequently holidays and weekend breaks. For the family that loves a rather dog-like cat who is trainable and amusing, the Burmese makes an excellent companion.  

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Burmese Cat Fun Facts

Although they look pretty sleek and petite, the Burmese cat weight can reach 5.4 kg, making them heavier than the average cat. They are also commonly referred to as “bricks wrapped in silk” because of their heavy weight.
There are two versions of the Burmese cat, the British and the American with the difference being that British Burmese cats have a wedge-shaped head and slightly slanted eyes while the American version has a stockier build and a broader head, with rounded eyes.
Burmese cats are said to have been viewed as sacred in Myanmar and celebrated by Buddhist monks in monasteries and temples.

FAQs

Do Burmese cats make good pets?

Intelligent, loyal, and affectionate are just some of the Burmese cat characteristics that prove they make great pets for anyone. You’ll love having them around as they’re also great entertainers who will try anything to get your attention, even perform tricks.

Do Burmese cats shed a lot?

There’s no need to worry about the Burmese cat shedding a lot of hair. A simple brushing once a week should take care of the issue as they don’t typically shed much.

Are all Burmese cats friendly?

Yes, the Burmese cat personality is outgoing and affectionate so rest assured, there will be no shortage of friendliness and cuddles around the house.

Are Burmese cats noisy?

If you’re after peace and quiet, a Burmese cat might not be the best companion for you as they can get pretty noisy. Known to be just as vocal as a Siamese, the Burmese cat has a deep and soft voice that can sound just like a crying baby which can cause discomfort to someone not used to it.