Burmese Cat – Breed Information

When welcoming home a Burmese cat information about the breed will be very useful for new owners as they have unique personalities and traits.

Burmese cats are notably people-oriented, maintaining their kitten-like energy and playfulness into adulthood. They are also said to have a number of dog-like characteristics, forming strong bonds with their owners and gravitating toward human activity, often learning to play fetch and tag.

They are a small to medium breed with an average weight of 4 – 6kg but are muscular and when held feel heavy for their size. Their coat is very short, fine with a glossy feel, coming in a multitude of colours from brown to Lilac Tortie and depending on the colour of the coat the eyes are either green or gold.

They can be tirelessly vocal, in a manner reminiscent of their Siamese ancestry, but also have a softer, sweeter voice. They do not tend to be an independent breed which means they are not best suited to being left alone for extended periods of time.

There are two distinct types of Burmese cat: the American and the European. The two breeds are genetically distinct, with almost all of the American Burmese alive today being descended from a brown female cat called Wong Mau who was imported into San Francisco in 1930 and bred from in a deliberate attempt to create a new strain of Burmese.

Burmese cats may have a reputation for being incredibly affectionate with their owners, but they are not known for getting on particularly well with other breeds of cat. Instead, when they aren’t enjoying human company, they often like to be able to look out at the world and Burmese cats can often be spotted lying on window sills, drinking in the views.

One of the notable features of Burmese cats is that they are surprisingly heavy for their size, and this is down to the fact that they are heavy boned, compact and very muscular. This makes them stronger than you might expect, meaning that they are skilled at climbing and jumping which should be considered when providing entertainment for them.

When they are young, Burmese are enthusiastic, curious and adaptable enough to deal with any changes they are faced with. Older Burmese tend towards laziness and this can lead to obesity if they are allowed to eat too much or exercise too little. Burmese can also be prone to diabetes, so owners should ensure that they are familiar with the signs and that they schedule regular medical check-ups. If you want to seek cat insurance for your Burmese cat, then please get in touch today.

Life expectancy: 10 – 15 years
Originating country: Burma, Thailand
Temperament: Extrovert, Energetic, Playful.
Interesting fact: This breed was once known as the Chocolate Siamese in England, but since there was a time of disfavour for cats, the Chocolate Siamese died out from Europe little by little. Mixing a Burmese with a Persian generated a new breed named Bumilla.