Burmese Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

3.6-6.8 kg

Length

23-33 cm

Lifespan

10-17 years

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About the Burmese Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

With their big, stunning eyes, friendly nature, and dog-like aptness, Burmese cat breeds are the ideal cat for those not usually fond of felines.

What Is the History & Origin of the Bombay Cat?

Burmese breeds, as we know them today, trace their lineage way back to one sole cat: a brown-hued female who goes by the name of Wong Mau. This particular feline first set foot on American soil in 1930, having been imported from Burma.

As told by the Burmese Cat’s Club, the female feline ‘Wong Mau’ was bred with a seal point Siamese cat named ‘Tai Mau’; this is when the Burmese breed was initiated and later acknowledged by the CFA in 1936.

Things took a turn for the worse in 1946, when a great deal of outcrossing with Siamese breeds, in an attempt to heighten numbers, caused the breed to be suspended.

It wasn’t until 1952 that the breed gained acknowledgement from the Cat Fanciers Association, and in 1954, the breed’s recognition was restored.

What Is a Burmese Cat Breed?

The Burmese feline is a domestic cat breed, native to Burma, originally descending from the Thai-Burma border. This breed was later exported to the US and Great Britain.

Most contemporary Burmese felines are descendants of Wong Mau, a famous female cat, which travelled from Burma to America in the 1930s and was bred with an American Siamese feline.

Who Is a Burmese Cat Best For?

Burmese breeds are renowned for their affectionate, playful qualities, which makes them highly social and, as such, a great addition to the family. In addition, they boast several characteristics, which are often described as “dog-like”.

Unlike other cat breeds, they develop loyal bonds with their owners. Because of this, they’ve been nicknamed the “Velcro cat”.

What Does a Burmese Cat Look Like?

This is highly dependent on where you reside in the world, as there are two types of Burmese. The majority of cat authorities don’t deem them separate breeds, and both originate from the same pedigree, yet are a few apparent differences between the European and American Burmese.

The European Burmese tends to be slightly more slender in build and boast a head shaped like a wedge, almond-shaped eyes and delicate, pointed ears. On the other hand, the American Burmese (often referred to as the modern Burmese) is much stockier and boasts a Burmese head defect (a wide head), wide ears and much rounder eyes that tend to be more expressive.

Coat

All styles of Burmese felines boast extremely short, silky coats. This makes them a good option for those looking for breeds that shed less.

Colours

At one time, all Burmese boasted a solid, single colour, which was sable (a dark brown). However, this altered throughout the 20th century, and they are now available in various hues, which the Burmese breed council recognise as platinum (lilac), fawn, red, dark brown (chocolate), cream, champagne and blue.

Patterns

The key pattern amongst this breed is a tortoiseshell pattern, which sits on a base of chocolate, brown, lilac or blue.

Burmese Cat Grooming & Shedding

It is their super short coat that makes them a popular option amongst those who wish to invest in a breed that doesn’t shed too much cat hair.

Bathing and brushing are almost non-existent with these felines. For best results and to remove loose hair, comb them lightly throughout their shedding season, which takes place in spring and autumn.

Like all felines, it is important to trim nails regularly and ensure their litter box remains clean.

How Do Burmeses Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

Just like Siamese cats and other purebred cats, a young or adult Burmese is hard not to love. They’re playful, highly intelligent, and very social. This makes them a popular choice with cat lovers across the world.

Just like dogs, they enjoy games of tug and fetch and love being picked up and cuddled. They’re also friendly towards children and other pets, as well as strangers, which makes them a good choice for those looking for their first pet or those who own cat-friendly dogs.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Burmese Cats?

If you’re searching for a social, energetic species that wishes to embrace family life, the Burmese is the one for you. They adore the company of people (both their family and guests) as well as other cats and dogs.

Habits

Burmese, also known as the ‘dog cat’, is a playful, loving breed that is very social. Their key habits are described as “dog-like,” and because of this, they showcase huge loyalty towards their humans and enjoy nothing more than being around people and other household animals and love to play fetch!

Activity Level

If you’re a fan of the quiet life, the Burmese, who is an athletic, fun and mischievous breed may not be for you – they have very high energy!

Vocalness

Their vocalness is frequent – unlike other cats that meow, Burmese are renowned for their rumble. When your feline friend requires attention, he or she won’t be scared to tell you this.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Burmese Cat?

These cats can be slender or stocky, depending on whether you opt for the European or American variant.

Height

Generally, they reach a height of between 23-33 cm when fully grown.

Weight

All in all, they weigh between 3.6-6.8 kg, again, when fully grown.

Size

These cats are medium in size, boasting a sleek yet muscular body. They’re a hardy animal!

Are Burmeses Easy to Train?

They not only make great family pets, but they are also extremely tidy and aren’t renowned for making a mess and can be easily trained when it comes to using a litter box.

Does the Burmese Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

They are celebrated for being a generally healthy breed, although owners should be aware of a handful of potential health issues to affect the Burmese gene pool. These include a heightened risk of diabetes mellitus. On top of these genetic health problems, they can experience genetic hypokalemia or orofacial pain syndrome.

In the majority of cases, all of these conditions can be managed through a prescription diet. Your vet will recommend the appropriate diet based on your cat’s specific health issues.

What Is the Lifespan of a Burmese Cat?

When cared for correctly, these cats live between 10 and 17 years of age, similar to cross-bred cats.

How Much Does a Burmese Cat Need to Be Fed?

Kittens need to be fed around four times per day. This schedule needs to continue up until they reach the age of 16 weeks.

At this point, their intake can be reduced to three meals per day. At the age of 9 to 12 months, this drops to two meals per day and continues at this frequency for the remainder of their lives, irrespective of whether you own a blue Burmese or other types.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Burmese Cat in Australia?

A single cat can be priced at anything from $600 to $1,000. This is dependent on location, the age of the animal and the breeding program. Due to the fact they boast hearty litters, they’re not as expensive as the likes of a chocolate Siamese, for example.

Burmese Cat FAQs

Are Burmese cats hypoallergenic?

They’re not hypoallergenic, but they don’t shed as much as many other breeds, so they could be suitable if your allergies are not severe. On top of this, they boast the trait titles “glistening”, which gives them a shiny, sparkling coat.

Do Burmese cats get along well with other household pets?

They are extremely amicable with their breed and other household pets. However, they sometimes struggle to get along with other breeds.

How often should you bathe a Burmese cat?

Many don’t think felines require baths; this is far from the case! Cats boasting a very short silky coat such as Burmese, Siamese, Devon Rex, and Cornish don’t require a great deal of bathing. However, it is important to bathe them now and again. Diseases spread via uncleanliness.

Are Burmese cats prone to separation anxiety?

It’s is said that certain breeds are privy to separation anxiety; this includes exotic breeds like the Burmese. They prefer to be in social settings at all times.

Should Burmese cats be kept indoors?

This is dependent on where you live and your feline’s temperament. It is important to strike the right balance between allowing a certain level of freedom and ensuring your feline is safe. If they do venture outside, you must go with them.