Burmese

The Burmese is a friendly and affectionate cat breed that loves to be around people. It has few of the aloof and independent qualities that characterize many other breeds of cats. The first true Burmese cats arose in the early 20th century from attempts to create a new breed from the closely related Siamese cat.

Despite originating from the country of Burma (now known as Myanmar), they were actually developed in the United States and the United Kingdom from a single cat called Wong Mau. From these small origins, it later went on to achieve a measure of popular success. It even gave birth to several other breeds like the Bombay and the Burmilla.

Traits: What to Know before You Buy

• The Burmese is a great companion to have around the home. These people-oriented cats form surprisingly strong bonds with their owners, and they usually depend on human contact to feel happy and satisfied.
• The Burmese is not an outdoor cat. Its trusting nature and limited survival skills mean it should be kept indoors at all times.
• The Burmese are quite intelligent and curious. These cats love to interact with toys and games. They can even learn to perform tricks or play fetch!

Breed History

There’s not a lot of documented information on the history of Burmese cats other than the fact that they originated in Burma, Malaya, and Thailand, where they are believed to have existed for centuries. The breed was developed and recognized, however, in Great Britain and the United States.

Early attempts were made in Great Britain to develop the Burmese breed, but cross-breeding them with Siamese cats resulted in a Chocolate Siamese rather than a unique, separate breed. It was in America in 1930 that the first ancestors of modern Burmese cats were created, thanks to Dr. Joseph C Thompson of San Francisco, California, who imported a female Burmese cat named Wong Mau and bred her with American Siamese cats.

British breeders were beginning to have success creating their line of Burmese cats, and one breeder, Vic Watson, was responsible for the first blue-colored Burmese cat. As time passed, both the United States and the U.K. kept developing their two types — the American and British Burmese — and created their own standards for these breeds. While some associations classify them as two distinct breeds, most do not recognize them as separate ones, only different types.

Personality

The Burmese have a reputation for their surprisingly outgoing and extroverted personality. You can usually count on the following distinct traits:

• Affectionate
• Playful
• Curious
• Charming

Burmese cats retain some of their kitten-like energy well into adulthood. They love to interact with people, play games, and have fun. They also have a well-known habit of following their owners from room to room. Expect them to constantly seek out your attention even when you’re immersed in other activities on the computer or the television. Fortunately, they do mellow a little as they age.

The downside to all of this is that, unlike many other breeds of cats, the Burmese aren’t the type that you can leave alone for hours without any supervision. They thrive on human companionship. Due to these specific emotional and mental needs, they are a good choice for large families with children who can always look after them. They also seem to get along with other cats and some cat-friendly dogs.

Size and Weight

The Burmese are medium-sized cats, measuring about 15 to 18 inches in length, with a rather compact and muscular build. Despite their rather slender appearance, people have often said that they feel heavy to lift. The female generally weighs somewhere in the range of 6 to 10 pounds, whereas the male weighs about 8 to 12 pounds.

Price

The average price of a Burmese cat will depend on its age, pedigree, and the rarity of its colors. If you’re looking to purchase a new kitten from high-quality breeders, then it will probably cost you between $600 and $1,500 on average, with some breeders charging up to $2,500 for kittens with exceptional pedigrees. Fortunately, different options are available at opposite ends of the price range depending on what you want from your cat. For the premium owner, a high-quality show cat with an exceptional pedigree may cost more than $2,500.

If you’re just interested in adoption, however, then the adoption fee is typically between $50 and $150. Burmese cats may occasionally turn up at a rescue or adoption shelter in your area, but there is no guarantee you will find one. For a more consistent option, it might be possible to find a rescue group that specializes in Burmese, Siamese, or similar breeds.

Kittens

The 12 to 16-week range is an ideal time to bring your new kitten home. Almost immediately, they will need to receive all the necessary shots and checkups from the vet. They should also be introduced to lots of different people and situations while they’re still young, so they become well-adjusted later in life.

Burmese kittens are incredibly energetic, sociable, and rambunctious pets. Owners should keep a close eye on this breed because it tends to wander around and get into trouble.

Lifespan

The Burmese have an average lifespan of 10 to 17 years, though some Burmese cats have been known to live into their early 20s. However, there is always the occasional exception. The oldest Burmese cat on record reportedly lived to 35 years of age.

While generally healthy, the Burmese are also at risk of several serious health conditions, including diabetes, elbow arthritis, eye problems, low potassium levels, heart diseases, flat-chested kitten syndrome, and head or facial defects. Ask the breeders for proof of their cats’ health. They should have had their cats already tested for many common genetic issues.

Burmese Breed vs. Mixed

A purebred Burmese will almost always have yellow eyes, a muscular physique, and a glossy coat. It can be mixed with almost any other breed of cat to produce some truly unique outcomes, but by far the most common is the Siamese-Burmese mix. They even have a unique name: the Tonkinese. By blending features together, these cats are more likely to develop blue eyes, a mink coat pattern, and a slightly more slender physique compared to your typical purebred Burmese. The two breeds’ playful behaviors also synergize well together.

Another common Burmese mix is known as the Burmilla. Although now recognized as its own separate breed, it was first produced from a cross between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian back in the 1980s. The Burmilla has a distinctively soft silver coat with markings around the head and green eyes. They retain the playful and affectionate nature of the Burmese.

Types of Burmese Cats and Colors

There are generally two recognized types of Burmese: the American and the British. The American version has a stockier build, round eyes, and a shorter muzzle, while the British version has a sleeker body, a wedge-shaped head, a longer muzzle, and slightly slanted eyes. They are raised and bred separately by breeders to preserve their unique features.

Both types of Burmese have a short, fine, almost silky coat of fur that should only require weekly brushing to remove loose hair and keep it looking healthy and shiny. The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes four distinct coat colors, but of course, thanks to human ingenuity, there are many more variations available, including lilac white, red, and cream, and a tortoiseshell pattern of black and brown. Different organizations allow for different colors and patterns. The four colors of the CFA are:

• Sable (a dark brown)
• Champagne (a light beige)
• Platinum (a pale gray color)
• Blue (a medium gray with some fawn)

An interesting characteristic of these cats is that some people believe they can get darker with age. Given that their coats are usually black and brown, it could be that the colors blend over time into a darker combination.