Mary Allen
The Burmese cat is always good for a surprise and can’t be compared to anything else. In one thing it even rivals dogs.
Two conflicting stories tell us about the beginnings of the Burmese cat. Was she actually a temple cat in Buddhist Burma (=Burma)? Was she worshiped as a lucky cat as early as the 15th century? Or was the Burmese simply “just” a copper-colored Siamese cat that presented itself as a new breed in America?
It doesn’t matter how the Burmese cat found its way into people’s hearts. What is certain is that she has a special gift: she leaves no one indifferent. Somehow she manages to captivate us all. Once Burma – always Burma, they say!
Here you will find out everything you need to know about the appearance, nature, keeping, nutrition, and health of the special cats from Myanmar.
Where does the Burmese cat come from?
Today’s Burmese are said to have descended from a single cat. It belonged to an American military doctor who took it to the United States from what was formerly Burma (now Myanmar) around 1930. He called her Wong Mau and loved her madly. She reminded him of the Asian Cats he knew from his time in Tibet. He was struck by how much the monks there worshiped their cats.
Wong Mau was small, slender, and had a round head with a short snout. Their fur was walnut brown with some darker areas on the face, tail, and ears (points).
The doctor was so enthusiastic about his Burma that he wanted his cat to have offspring. This should resemble his Wong Mau as much as possible. He, therefore, looked for a similar tomcat so that the best qualities (coat, character, health) were retained.
He started his breeding experiment with the Siamese male Tai Mau. However, the offspring of the two was not sable-brown like the parents but meowed in two different colors and a completely new pattern. The reason for this was that Wong Mau turned out to be a hybrid. So she was a carrier of recessive genes that resulted in other colors and patterns. Only in the third generation did the desired offspring in sable brown appear. A new race was born.
What does the Burmese cat look like?
The body
Burmese are medium-sized, with a muscular, sturdy build. The cat’s chest is massive, the back forms a straight line from the shoulder to the tail. The tail is not kinked as is the case with many Asian cats.
The fur
The cat’s fur is close-fitting and very short. The individual hair is very fine, but the overall fur is dense. It has a silky sheen and feels like satin when stroked. There is almost no undercoat. The most common colors are:
- sable (shimmering dark brown, often called sable),
- blue (shiny metallic blue-grey),
- platinum (light grey-beige),
- red (warm orange to dark orange),
- Champagne (warm beige).
There are many tortie variants. Torties or Tortoise-Shell (tortoiseshell) have more than one basic color, usually two, which show up in different proportions on the fur. Blue torties, chocolate torties, or diluted lilac torties are very popular. Breeders understand Lilac to be a dove gray with a slight pink shimmer.
However, breeders not only pay attention to the coat color and markings but also to the color of the pads. This must fit the overall picture. Equally important: The individual hair of the Burmese cat must not show any ticking or smoke, i.e. no multicolored.
The head
The cat’s head is nicely rounded in front, behind, and in profile. The broad face ends in a short, rounded snout. A small nose heel can be observed in the profile.
The ears are medium-sized and set wide apart. They are wide at the base and end in a slight curve. Because they are slightly tilted forward, the cat’s face appears particularly alert and alert.
The eyes
The eyes of the Burmese are exceptionally large and widely spaced. Any shade of yellow is acceptable in these cats, with golden shades being the most popular. The upper edge of the eye is slightly slanted towards the nose, the lower edge is round.
How big is a Burmese cat?
The cat is 20 cm to 30 cm high (shoulder height), and between 38 cm and 46 cm long.
How heavy is a Burmese cat?
Males weigh between five and six kilograms and female animals about a kilo less.
Temperament and nature of the Burmese cat
Cats have a reputation for never growing up. Adult cats are just as playful as kittens in this breed. As solo entertainers, they make the whole family laugh. They pull off antics and dare wild leaps from shelf to shelf. All that matters to Burma is that someone is watching them. Because without an audience, fooling around is only half as much fun for this character.
The Burmese cat can be encouraged to play together at any time and is the perfect insect catcher. Cat breeds like this learn to hide, search and fetch easily so that some dogs become jealous. Carrying out commands (sit, down, roll) is just as easy for this willing character as it is for the dog.
Burmese cats give their love to everyone around them. You do not choose a favorite from the family association. In addition to their bipeds, they also snuggle up to their conspecifics and the dog with mutual sympathy.
With the intense look from its yellow eyes, the strong-willed cat often seeks your eye contact. Burma is so persistent and demanding that you will probably give in most of the time. Especially at mealtime, it lets you know you forgot something! With her slightly rough voice, she demands what is due to her. She sounds hoarse like someone who has talked too much. Burmese owners appreciate that their pet only “speaks” when the cat needs something. It doesn’t chatter incessantly like its Siamese relatives.
Male and female cats sometimes show different temperaments. Both are very curious and willing to learn, but females are a bit more spirited and connected to their two-legged friends here and there.
Proper Husbandry of the Burmese Cat
The most important thing about keeping Burmese is variety. Offer them in the form of scratching posts, cat toys (puzzles, intelligence games), and hours of leisure with you. A balance between physical activity and mental workload is important. This cat becomes lonely and deadened if you don’t offer it that.
Do not keep cats of this breed alone. If you’re not home much, she needs other company for her mental health. She accepts your dog as a companion just like your long-established cats. If you bring them together with conspecifics, make sure that they do not have a dominant character. Cat breeds like the Burmese want to be at the top of the hierarchy. Calm, relaxed cats are therefore more suitable for socializing. Siblings from the same litter are the best match for living together.
Because this cat breed likes to climb so much, secure the balcony or terrace with a cat net to protect their health. Otherwise, a fall and a serious injury can happen in their joy of playing. If your Burma is an outdoor cat, it’s best to stay close to her on walks. She is too philanthropic, which thieves like to take advantage of!
And: This cat loves walks on a leash, as long as you get them used to it from an early age.
What care does the Burmese cat need?
Cat breeds like this do all the grooming of their coat, face, and paws on their own. To keep your cat’s fur shiny, rub it down with a leather glove. With this you kill two birds with one stone: In addition to the beautiful shine, the cat does not spread as much hair in the apartment. Of course, good care also includes nutrition, i.e. species-appropriate cat food with high meat content.
Regular vet visits with the necessary vaccinations are also part of the proper care of the cat. The veterinarian will also give you the means for worming. Last but not least, he also informs you about what is important when it comes to nutrition and how the cat can stay in good health for as long as possible.
What are the typical diseases of the Burmese cat?
A disease that Burmese sometimes experience later in life affects the kidneys. If the cat is drinking more than usual, it is likely to have a kidney infection which, if left untreated, will lead to kidney failure.
Burma’s were bred from a small gene pool. This means that the genetic diversity of cats is limited and the health of all animals of this cat breed is endangered. Hereditary diseases spread more easily. One of these is a condition of the inner ear called Congenital Vestibular Syndrome. Affected animals suffer from balance disorders and/or deafness.
Another genetic disease in this cat is Endocardial Fibroelastosis. It is a thickening of the cardiac septum and is associated with cardiac insufficiency. This disease occurs even in young animals and unfortunately cannot be cured even with the best care.
Many pedigree cats suffer from diabetes. Diabetes in cats is no longer a death sentence. With the right care and the right diet, these animals can survive for many years.
In inbreeding, recessive genes are sometimes passed on from both cats, which become dominant when there are duplicates. This harms the health of the offspring. This is the case with hypokalemia, a potassium deficiency. The disease is fatal when severe.
How old does a Burmese cat get?
Statistically, a Burmese cat lives to be 17 years old. This makes it one of the longest-lived cat breeds. With a bit of luck and with good care, your Burmese may live to be twenty or even older.
How much does a Burmese cat cost?
A Burmese kitten costs around €700. Breeders often lower the price if you take two kittens from the same litter. Sometimes they also give away older animals that are no longer suitable for breeding.
If you’re not fixated on a purebred Burmese, check out a local animal shelter. It’s definitely worth a visit because there are always far too many cats waiting for a second chance.
What Makes the Burmese Cat So Special?
The cat is called “brick in silk” by her lovers. This alludes to the cat breed’s strong bone structure and compact musculature, wrapped in a silky soft coat. With your Burmese cat, you probably have something like a wolf in a particularly fluffy sheep’s clothing.