Burmese Cat Guide: Personality, Care and Health

Ask Burmese owners to describe their cats and the same word keeps coming up: clingy. In the best sense. A Burmese will follow you from room to room, ride on your shoulder if you let them, and has strong opinions about who sits on the sofa. This guide covers where the breed came from, what living with one is really like, and the health issues worth knowing about before you commit.

Where the Burmese Came From

Every Burmese cat today traces back to one female, Wong Mau, a walnut-brown cat brought from Burma (Myanmar) to San Francisco in 1930 by Dr. Joseph Thompson. She was bred to Siamese males, and the best offspring were then back-bred to one another until the dark, solid-coloured type bred true. The Cat Fanciers' Association recognised the breed in 1936.

Because the breed grew from such a small pool, it is one of the most closely related populations in the cat fancy, which is part of the reason a few inherited conditions are seen more often in Burmese than in many other breeds.

The breed later split into two distinct types: the American Burmese, with a rounder, more compact body and a very round head, and the European (or UK) Burmese, which is a little longer, with a more wedge-shaped head and a less extreme face. Many registries now treat them as separate breeds. If you are choosing a kitten, ask which type the breeder produces.

Looks and Coat

• Size: medium, usually about 3.5 to 6.5 kg. They are noticeably heavier than they look, often described as "a brick wrapped in silk".
• Coat: short, fine and satin-like with a natural sheen. A weekly rub with a chamois or a soft rubber brush is plenty.
• Colours: traditionally sable (rich brown), plus champagne, blue and platinum, depending on the registry.
• Eyes: gold to yellow, which stand out against the dark coat.

Personality: The Dog of the Cat World

Burmese are intensely social, people-focused cats. They are playful well into old age, enjoy being carried, and often learn to fetch. They are also vocal, though their voice is usually softer and sweeter than a Siamese's.

A quick 101 on the breed's temperament and what to consider before getting one.

That affection has a flip side. A Burmese does not do well left alone all day. A bored, lonely Burmese can become loud, destructive or depressed. They tend to be happiest in a household where someone is home often, or with a feline friend or a friendly, cat-savvy dog for company.

Is a Burmese Right for You?

A Burmese is a good match if you:

• Work from home or have a busy household.
• Want a cat that actively interacts rather than lounging at a distance.
• Do not mind a cat on your keyboard, in your lap and on your pillow.

It may be a poor match if you are away for long hours, want a quiet, independent cat, or have a very small child who cannot yet handle a cat gently.

Everyday Care

• Play: two or three short interactive sessions a day with a wand toy or puzzle feeder keeps them busy and burns off energy.
• Weight: they love food and are built compactly, so they can gain weight quietly. Measure meals and check body condition regularly.
• Teeth: dental disease is common in all cats. Ask your vet about brushing and routine dental checks.
• Indoor life: their trusting nature makes them poor street-smart outdoor cats. A secure catio, harness walks or a well-enriched indoor home suit them best.

Health Issues to Know About

Burmese are generally long-lived, with many reaching their mid to late teens. Still, a handful of conditions are over-represented in the breed:

• Diabetes mellitus: studies in the UK, Australia and New Zealand have found Burmese are several times more likely to develop diabetes than other cats. Keeping them lean is the best protection. Early signs are drinking and urinating more, with weight loss despite a good appetite.
• Hypokalaemia (low potassium): an inherited form in young Burmese causes episodes of muscle weakness, often seen as a drooping head and neck. It is treatable with potassium supplements.
• Craniofacial defect: a severe head malformation has been documented in kittens of certain American-type lines and is the reason responsible breeders health-test and avoid extreme face shapes.
• Heart disease: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy appears in many breeds, Burmese included, and is worth discussing with your vet.

An overview of Burmese facts, care tips and grooming.

Choosing a Kitten Responsibly

• Ask for health-test results and for the parents' pedigrees. A good breeder will be happy to explain them.
• Meet the mother and, if you can, the kitten's relatives, and see where the kittens are raised.
• Be wary of anyone who always has kittens available, will not let you visit, or is selling much below the usual price.
• Consider adoption. Breed-specific rescues and shelters sometimes have adult Burmese looking for a home.

The Short Version

1. All Burmese descend from one cat, Wong Mau, imported in 1930.
2. They are affectionate, vocal and very people-focused, and they need company.
3. Grooming is easy; keeping them lean and active matters more.
4. Watch for diabetes, and ask breeders about potassium, head-shape and heart screening.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat, contact your vet.