Burmese

Felis catus

Last updated: May 27, 2024
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
iStock.com/Seregraff

Adoring, elegant and affectionate!


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Burmese Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
Scientific Name
Felis catus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Burmese Conservation Status

Burmese Locations

Burmese Locations

Burmese Facts

Fun Fact
Adoring, elegant and affectionate!
Temperament
Intelligent, friendly and affectionate
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
5
Common Name
Burmese
Slogan
Adoring, elegant and affectionate!
Group
Shorthair

Burmese Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Cream
  • Lilac
  • Ginger
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
9-18 years
Weight
6 to 12 lbs.

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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!
Domestic cats live on a diet of cat food, rodents, birds, and fruits.

Breed History

There’s not a lot of documented information on the history of Burmese cats other than the fact 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 with 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.

Burmese cat sitting outside in the grass
Burmese cats love to interact with people, play games, and have fun.

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.

Beautiful gray Burmese cat isolated black background, side view.
Burmese cats are slender animals that have a compact and muscular build and can weigh up to 12lbs.

Price

The average price of a Burmese cat will depend on its age, pedigree, and rarity of the colors. If you’re looking to purchase a new kitten from high-quality breeders, then it will probably cost you $600 and $1,000 on average. 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 $2,000.

If you’re just interested in adoption, however, then the price probably won’t be more than a few hundred dollars. Burmese cats may occasionally turn up at a rescue or adoption shelter in your area, but there is no guarantee of finding one. For a more consistent option, it might be possible to find a rescue group that specializes in Burmese, Siamese, or similar breeds.

Two Burmese cats lying on a fluffy blanket.
The average cost for a quality Burmese cat is $600-$1000, while an exceptional pedigree one can run up to $2000.

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.

Three Burmese kittens playing in a box.
Burmese kittens are incredibly energetic, sociable, and rambunctious pets

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Lifespan

The Burmese have an average lifespan of 9-19 years, and except in extreme cases, it does not usually exceed 18-19 years of age. However, there is always the occasional exception. One of the oldest known cats to ever live was a Burmese called Kataleena Lady. Born in 1977, she lived some 27 years old.

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.

Black Burmese cat lying in a basket
The lifespan of a Burmese cat can range from 9-19 years.

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.

cat staring intently at toy
Some Burmese cat owners believe that their cats’ coats have gotten darker with age.

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.

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About the Author

Abby Parks has authored a fiction novel, theatrical plays, short stories, poems, and song lyrics. She's recorded two albums of her original songs, and is a multi-instrumentalist. She has managed a website for folk music and written articles on singer-songwriters, folk bands, and other things music-oriented. She's also a radio DJ for a folk music show. As well as having been a pet parent to rabbits, birds, dogs, and cats, Abby loves seeking sightings of animals in the wild and has witnessed some more exotic ones such as Puffins in the Farne Islands, Southern Pudu on the island of Chiloe (Chile), Penguins in the wild, and countless wild animals in the Rocky Mountains (Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Moose, Elk, Marmots, Beavers).

Burmese FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Burmese herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Burmese are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the family Felidae.

What order do Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the order Carnivora.

What genus do Burmese belong to?

Burmese belong to the genus Felis.

What type of covering do Burmese have?

Burmese are covered in hair.

How many babies do Burmese have?

The average number of babies a Burmese has is 5.

What is an interesting fact about Burmese?

Burmese are adoring, elegant, and affectionate!

What is the scientific name for the Burmese?

The scientific name for the Burmese is Felis catus.

Are Burmese cats affectionate?

Yes, the Burmese is one of the most affectionate cat breeds you can buy. Unlike many breeds, they thrive on human interaction and contact. Exhibiting almost dog-like personalities and behavior, they’re even known to form very deep bonds with people.

Do Burmese cats shed a lot?

Thanks to its relatively short and fine coat, the Burmese is a light shedder. Weekly grooming with a simple brush should suffice to keep the coat healthy and clean. The Burmese are often considered to be one of the more hypoallergenic cats and an appropriate choice for people with allergies. But of course, as with any cat, individual reactions can vary. No breed is 100% safe and hypoallergenic for all allergy sufferers.

How much does a Burmese cat cost?

The price of a new Burmese kitten will normally set you back about $600 to $1,000 on average. This cost can vary, though, based on the age, pedigree, and rarity of the coat colors. It’s perfectly possible to find a healthy, loving, well-adjusted, and behaved cat for less than $200 at a local rescue or adoption shelter that really cares for its animals.

Why do Burmese cats meow so much?

The Burmese are a notably noisy and vocal breed, perhaps because they’re so affectionate toward people. Their meows are likely just an attempt to get your attention.

How long does a Burmese cat live?

The Burmese have an average lifespan of about 13 years, but with enough luck and good care, they can potentially live for several years longer. 17 or 18-year old cats are not too uncommon.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

  1. Rover / Accessed July 7, 2021
  2. Cat Time / Accessed July 7, 2021
  3. The Happy Cat Site / Accessed July 7, 2021