The Burmese cat is a domestic cat breed from Burma. There are two breed categories: the American Burmese cat and the English or European Burmese cat.
As a result of these separate breeding programs, English Burmese are different from Americans. The English breed tends to be more oriental, with a triangular face, while the American Burmese is plump and rounded in the body, head, eyes, and feet, with full cheeks and a short muzzle.
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Burmese Cat Breed Profile
Burmese Cat Breed Details:
- Country of Origin: Burma
- Weight: Male: large 12 lbs Female: medium 8-12 lbs
- Eye color: golden yellow or green
- Coat: Short with smooth fur
- Colors: Blue, Cream, Cinnamon, Champagne, Chocolate, Fawn, Lilac, Red, Sable, Tortoiseshell
- Pattern: Solid color, Tortoiseshell
- Grooming needs: Low
- Lifespan: 9-13 years
- Attention Needs: High to moderate
- Tendency to shed: Low
- Less allergenic: No
Burmese Cat Characteristics
The Burmese are medium-sized cats; These felines are compact and very muscular with heavy bones.
This breed is solid in both look and feel and has exceptional strength.
The Burmese kitten coat has darker shading at the tips, but this shading fades with age.
Burmese fur is short and shiny. In any standard, the coat should be very short, thin, and glossy, with a satin finish. The color is solid and should be uniform throughout the body. Faint-colored dot marks may be visible.
The eyes are green or gold according to the color of the coat.
While the accepted colors for Burmese have increased in recent years, most Burmese have a Sable color.
Burmese Cat Personality
Burmese is a people-oriented cat who maintains their kitten energy and playfulness into adulthood.
At any age, they love to look at the world around them, and their favorite place can often become a window where they can observe the outside world.
Burmese cats are very comfortable with other Burmese cats but may not get along with other cat breeds.
Burmese also have puppy-like personality and often learn to play games like fetch. These cats form strong bonds with their owners and gravitate toward human activity.
Burmese are persistently vocal, like their Siamese ancestry. However, they have softer and sweeter voices.
The Burmese is not as independent as other breeds and doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods.
History
While it may appear that Burmese originated in Asia, they are an American breed.
In 1930, Dr. Joseph C. Thompson traveled from Burma to the United States with Wong Mau, a wide-eyed, walnut-brown cat from Burmese. Later, Dr. Thompson decided to breed Wong Mau to determine what breed he was. Wong Mau was the beginning of the Burmese breed.
In 1979, the International Cat Association officially recognized Burmese as a distinct breed.
Health
While generally healthy, Burmese cats have a higher risk of the following illness:
- Burmese cats in Europe and Australia have a higher risk of diabetes mellitus. The American Burmese does not share this increased risk due to genetic differences.
- Some UK lineages suffer from acute teething disorder in young kittens.
- Lipemia of the aqueous humor
- Head and facial defects (usually fatal)
- Elbow osteoarthritis
Curious Facts about Burmese Cat
- Burmese cats are very trusting pets with limited survival instincts, making them easy targets for predators.
- Burmese cats are not afraid of strangers. To protect them from other larger animals or prevent them from being stolen, they must stay indoors.
- They are a vocal breed.
- The Burmese are responsible for the development of other cat breeds, including the Bombay and the Burmilla.
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