Burmese cat
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament

Burmese cat

The Burmese cat is a breed of domestic cat that originated in Burma, which is present-day Myanmar. The breed is believed to have its origins near the Thai-Burma border and further developed in the United States and Britain.
Male
Female
Size
length
38-46
15-18.1
cminch
cm inch 
hight
23-33
9.1-13
cminch
cm inch 
weight
3.6-6.8
7.9-15
kglbs
kg lbs 
weight
4-4.5
8.8-9.9
kglbs
kg lbs 
life span
15-20 years
My
Country of Origin:
Sh
Fur Length:
Na
Breed origin:
HY
Features:

Appearance

The Burmese cat is a breed known for its medium-sized, muscular, and strong body that may appear heavier than it actually is. There are two standards within the breed, distinguished primarily by differences in head and body shape. The British Burmese, or traditional ideal, is characterized by a slender, long-bodied build, wedge-shaped head, large pointed ears, long tapering muzzle, and moderately almond-shaped eyes. Additionally, the legs are long with neat oval paws, and the tail tapers to a medium length. On the other hand, the American (also referred to as 'contemporary') Burmese is noticeably stockier, with a broader head, round eyes, and a distinctively shorter, flattened muzzle. Its ears are wider at the base, and the legs and tail are proportionate to the body and of medium length, with rounded paws. In both standards, the coat of a Burmese cat should be very short, fine, and glossy, with a satin-like finish. The color should be solid and uniform over the body, gradually shading to lighter underparts, with faint colorpoint markings possibly visible. The eyes of a Burmese cat can be green or yellow, depending on the coat color. The original standard color for the breed is a rich dark chocolate (genetically black), known as sable in the USA, brown in the UK and Australia, or seal in New Zealand. However, the breed is now recognized in ten generally accepted colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, blue tortie, chocolate tortoiseshell, lilac tortoiseshell, and seal tortoiseshell.
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Head shape
Tail
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Head shape
Tail

Origin

According to legend, Burmese cats were believed to be temple cats in Thailand. They were likely domestic cats that lived in wealthy families in Bangkok, including the royal family, even before the Siamese cats. The ancient Book of Cat Poems described cats that resembled Burmese cats. The Bangkok Museum houses around 20 artworks dating back to the 14th to 18th centuries that depict Burmese cats. Dr. Joseph Thompson from San Francisco is credited as the first person to breed Burmese cats. In 1930, he brought a brown cat named Wong Mau from the west coast of Burma to America. He crossed Wong Mau with a Siamese cat and produced kittens that resembled both parent breeds. Dr. Thompson continued breeding the brown kittens, and in 1938, the first Burmese cats were showcased as an independent breed group at an exhibition. In 1948, Burmese cats were introduced to England and subsequently spread throughout Europe. By 1952, three true generations had been bred in Britain, and the breed was officially recognized by the United Kingdom's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). American and British breeders established distinct Burmese breed standards, a rarity among pedigreed domestic cats. While most modern cat registries do not formally distinguish between the two, some refer to the British type as the European Burmese. The European Burmese, also known as the 'traditional' Burmese, were no longer classified as a separate breed by the CFA in the 1980s. Recently, The International Cat Association (TICA) and CFA clubs have begun using the American breed standard at certain shows in Europe.
Parent animals
Breed origin
Origin countries

Temperament

Burmese cats are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and gentle nature. They are playful, affectionate, and enjoy attention, making them great companions for children. They also get along well with other animals and are easily trained. Burmese cats are active and energetic, maintaining their kitten-like energy even as adults. They are people-oriented and form strong bonds with their owners, often displaying puppy-like characteristics such as playing games like fetch and tag. They have a soft, sweet voice and are vocal but not excessively so. However, they are not as independent as some other breeds and do not do well when left alone for long periods of time.
Activity Level:
Active

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
Burmese cats do not have specific dietary requirements. They thrive on high-protein, high-quality food, and can consume both dry and wet food. For kittens, it's advisable to allow them to eat freely, while adult cats are susceptible to overeating, emphasizing the need to regulate their portions. In addition to a balanced diet, ensure your Burmese cat always has access to clean, fresh water.
Burmese cats are known for their strong reproductive health. On average, females typically give birth to 4-6 kittens in a litter, but sometimes can have up to 10 kittens. The kittens are born with lighter fur compared to adults, and their final coloration develops over several weeks. In kittens under 10 months of age, a light tiger coloration is permissible. The fur texture and final coloration are usually fully developed by the age of two years.
Litter size
4-6 kittens
kittens
Burmese cats are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. A simple weekly brushing of their silky short coats not only keeps them healthy but also helps stimulate the skin and distribute their natural oils, resulting in a shiny fur coat. In addition, regular nail trims are essential to ensure their claws remain at a manageable length. Furthermore, incorporating teeth brushing into their routine a few times a week can significantly reduce tartar buildup, thereby preventing oral health issues such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Shedding:
Seasonal
Grooming intencity:
Easy to groom
Burmese cats are predisposed to various health conditions, including the congenital vestibular syndrome, a hereditary inner ear disease that affects their balance and hearing abilities. Additionally, they can also suffer from hypokalemia, a potassium deficiency in the blood, which can range from harmless to fatal depending on the severity. Another lesser-known condition that can affect Burmese cats is endocardial fibroelastosis, characterized by thickening of the ventricular endocardium and typically seen in young cats. Diabetes is another health issue that this breed may encounter. Moreover, young Burmese kittens may experience FOPS (Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome) when their second teeth start to erupt, causing extreme discomfort and leading to self-trauma. It is crucial to provide pain relief interventions to manage this condition until the teeth can be safely removed.

References

  1. Burmese Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_cat