Burmese: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Burmese cats are medium-sized cats with strong bodies, round heads, and bright gold eyes. Though they look small, they can be surprisingly heavy. These loving and smart cats have roots in Myanmar (once called Burma), but were first bred in America in the 1930s.

These cats can inherit a bone problem, but a simple DNA test can check for it, making it safe to bring one home. Burmese cats are friendly with everyone, including nice dogs, making them great pets for most families.

Learn all about Burmese cats, including their history, temperament, and care needs.

Burmese Cat Characteristics

Burmese cats are energetic and playful, keeping their kitten-like behavior even as adults. They’re very loyal to their families, similar to dogs.

When not playing, Burmese cats like to follow their owners or take naps. They love cuddles and being close to people. Female Burmese cats tend to be more bossy around the house, while males prefer to relax on laps. Both males and females have gentle voices and like to “talk” with their owners.

History of the Burmese Cat

According to stories from Myanmar (once called Burma), these cats were treated as holy animals in temples. The Burmese cat breed started with a cat named Wong Mau, who was brought to San Francisco by a sailor in 1930 and given to Dr. Joseph Thompson.

Wong Mau was brown with darker areas on her face, legs, and tail. She was smaller and had a shorter tail than Siamese cats. Dr. Thompson bred her with a Siamese cat named Tai Mau to study her unique looks.

Their kittens looked either more Siamese or more like Wong Mau. When Wong Mau was later bred with one of her sons, they had brown kittens. The darkest brown kittens became the first true Burmese cats.

Today, there are two main types of Burmese cats recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. The breed was officially accepted in the UK in 1952 and by The International Cat Association in 1979.

Burmese Cat Care

Burmese cats are easy to care for. They need little grooming and enjoy spending time with their owners, playing with toys, and lounging on cat trees.

Exercise

Keep your Burmese cat busy. These cats are full of energy and love to play, so they need a family that will spend time with them.

Burmese cats learn quickly and like fun challenges. They love to jump, climb, and watch the world outside. Give them cat trees and window seats to keep them happy.

Shedding

Burmese cats are easy to care for and lose little fur. They might shed more during spring and fall.

Grooming

Brush your Burmese cat weekly with a rubber brush to remove loose hair and keep their short, silky coat shiny. Regular care should also include brushing teeth, cutting nails, and cleaning ears. If you see any problems like sore gums or ear issues, take your cat to the vet.

Common Health Problems

Burmese are generally healthy, but they can be susceptible to the following:

• Familial episodic hypokalemic polymyopathy: This breed can inherit a disease that weakens their muscles. A simple DNA test can check for it, and good breeders will show proof their cats don’t have it. Cats with this condition have muscle problems that can affect their whole body or just their neck and legs, making it hard for them to walk or hold up their head.
• Cranial deformities: Burmese head defect (BHD) is passed down from parents. Kittens born with it have badly formed skulls and faces, and can’t live.
• Glaucoma: High eye pressure can cause blindness in these cats. Watch for swollen eyes, watery discharge, and squinting. Burmese cats often get glaucoma in both eyes.
• Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS): Rippling skin disorder affects the nerves, making cats very sensitive when touched.
• Kidney stones: These cats can get kidney stones made of oxalate crystals. You might not notice any signs until the stones get big.
• Obesity: Burmese cats are naturally thick-bodied, but like all cats, they can get too fat if they eat too much and don’t move enough. This can lead to other health issues.

Buy from good breeders who test their cats for these problems and give you a written health guarantee for your kitten.

Appearance

Burmese cats come in many colors, and cat associations accept several different shades, making their breed standards more detailed than most purebred cats.

• Burmese cats come in many colors, depending on which cat organization you follow. The Cat Fanciers’ Association lists four basic colors: sable, champagne, platinum, and blue.
• In Britain, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy accepts ten colors: brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and four types of tortoiseshell (brown, blue, chocolate, and lilac).
• The International Cat Association allows the most color varieties, including dark brown, warm blue, honey-beige, pinkish-grey, orange-gold, cream, and different tortoiseshell patterns.

Burmese cat breed standards share common guidelines for their ideal appearance. The cat should have a round head with large, round eyes set apart. The nose should have a distinct dip, and the ears should be well-spaced. These cats should be medium-sized with strong muscles and a compact build. Their legs should match their body size, with round feet. The tail should be straight and medium length.

Diet and Nutrition

Burmese cats need lots of protein and nutrients to match their high energy levels. Talk to your vet about the best food choices for your cat. Good-quality dry food helps keep their teeth healthy, and you can add wet food to make sure they get enough water.

To stop your cat from becoming fussy with food, try changing cat food brands sometimes. This way, they won’t get too used to eating only one type of food.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Burmese Cat

On average, Burmese cats cost $600 to $1,000.

To find a Burmese cat, ask local vets and cat breeders. For more options, look up breeders through the National Alliance of Burmese Breeders.

You might also check Petfinder.com. While purebred Burmese cats rarely end up in shelters, you might get lucky and find one, or a similar cat, on this website.

Burmese Cat Overview

Burmese cats get along well with kids and other pets. They’re active, love to play, and do their best in busy homes. These cats need lots of attention and don’t like being alone.

They form close bonds with their owners, though they might take a few weeks to feel at home. To keep a Burmese cat happy, make sure they have company, either from people or other pets.

Pros of the Burmese Cat

• Attentive and loyal
• Generally long lifespan
• Enjoys other cats or dogs and gentle children

Cons of the Burmese Cat

• High risk for an inherited muscular disorder
• Can get depressed if left alone for long
• Tendency to be demanding or bossy

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Siberian
• Manx
• Russian Blue

• Are Burmese cats friendly?

  Burmese cats are very social and love spending time with people and other animals.

• Do Burmese cats have health problems?

  These cats can inherit some health problems, including a muscle weakness condition that doctors can find through genetic testing. They might also develop eye problems or be born with head shape issues.

• How much does a Burmese cat cost?

  A Burmese kitten usually costs between $600 and $1,000.