Burmese Cat - A Complete Breed Profile

Burmese Cat History and Origin

Burmese cats share a very rich and interesting history. This domestic cat breed has its roots in the Thai-Burma border; however, they were developed in Britain and the United States.

In 1930, Dr. Joseph Thompson imported a brown female cat named Wong Mau to the United States from Burma. It was a small, fine-boned cat with a walnut-brown coat fur on the body. When every other person thought this cat to be a Siamese, Dr. Thompson, along with other breeders, believed that it was a different breed.

Dr. Thompson was in Tibet when he first saw this short-haired dark brown cat. He was deeply inspired by the beauty and personality of this cat breed. To study the breed’s characteristics, Dr. took Wong Mau to America.

With the help of a geneticist, Dr. Clyde E. Keeler, Dr. Thompson conducted the study of the breed. Wong Mau was crossed with a seal point Siamese, and as a result, beige, sable brown color, and pointed pattern kittens were developed.

In this process of breeding, Dr. Thompson discovered that Wong Mau was half Siamese and half Burmese, which we call a Tonkinese today. In 936, Burmese were registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and gained popularity.

In Britain, the new British breeding program was reviving the interest of the breeders, and by 1952, almost three generations of Burmese cats were produced.

If we look at it today, the actual look of the Burmese cat has changed. Originally, these cats were dark or solid brown in color. Now, these cats can be seen in a variety of colors. In addition, the previous and the current breed have different temperaments and social behaviors.

Burmese Cat Personality and Temperament

Burmese cats are amusing, playful, super-intelligent, and an interactive breed. These devoted cats are loyal and people-oriented, which means that if you are looking for affection, they can be the best companions.

Burmese have a childish nature that can be entertaining for people of any age. These cats behave similarly when they are of 16 years of age like they behaved when they were 1. They need your full attention when performing animated antics, and make sure that they won’t go unnoticed.

This amazingly playful and entertaining breed is eye candy that can win any person’s heart. However, their temperament can differ from gender to gender and according to age. For example, female Burmese cats are more sensitive, highly intelligent, curious, and deeply in love with their humans.

On the other hand, males are a bit more moderate and cautious. They are only passionate about their favorite food items and when they will be served. Moreover, they are social but tend to be more comfortable around Burmese siblings instead of other animals.

Unlike other cat breeds, especially Siamese cats, Burmese are not very vocal or talkative. They will only interact with you when they want to express something or need your attention. However, their voice is sweet and will not poke you in any way.

As they are the people’s cats, they should not be left alone for a longer period of time as it can be dangerous for their mental health.

Burmese Cat Appearance

The previous and prevailing Burmese cats have a little difference in their appearances as well. In addition to this, even the same cats that were developed in two different countries have distinctive appearances.

• Body

  The Burmese, over time, resulted in two different standards in the head and body shape. The British Burmese are more slender with a wedge-shaped head and large pointed ears. They are long-bodied cats with beautiful almond-shaped eyes that bring depth to the features. Their paws are neat and perfectly oval-shaped. The tail of a Burmese cat is medium-sized in length.

  On the other hand, the American cat breed has a much broader head and a stockier body. They have round, expressive eyes and are shorter in height.

  In general, a Burmese cat breed is small to medium in size that weighs around 4 to 6 kgs. However, they are muscular cats with compact bodies, and their weight can be surprisingly a lot as compared to their size.

• Coat and Color

  Burmese cats have a beautiful, fine, shiny, and satin-like short coat. They usually have a solid color that slightly fades in the shade in the underparts of the body. The visibility of the faded shades or the markings on the body can be normal, but any other spotting should be considered a serious fault.

  The Burmese cats were originally different in color. Initially, these cats were sable in color in the USA, dark brown in the UK, and a shade of seal in New Zealand. The development of the blue Burmese took place in 1955 in Britain. Over the years, a variety of colors came into existence, such as red, cream, and tortoiseshell.

• Burmese Cat Care

  The love and care you provide to your Burmese cats have to do a lot in their overall health and temperament. These unique and beautiful creatures need affection from their families to be more lovable.

  Unlike other fancy cat breeds, Burmese cats are not very high maintenance. Taking care of them is not something that people would have to do by going out of the way as they do not require much.

  Knowing and providing the basic diet, making sure that they do not have any health problems, and taking care of their grooming is all you need to do to be the Burmese cat’s favorite person.

• Diet and Nutrition

  Burmese is an active cat breed, and to keep up their lifestyle, they require a protein-rich diet. A nutritious diet schedule is essential to meet all the bodily needs of the cat and to ensure its health.

  Ask your vet to provide a proper diet schedule and routine for your Burmese cat and follow it to make sure that the correct amount of nutrition is given. Choose a high-quality dry cat food for your cat to maintain its oral health. You can also treat your cat with wet food occasionally as they all eating that as well.

  Professionals suggest keeping changing the flavor and brand of the cat every now and then to not make your feline friend accustomed to only one kind of food.

  Moreover, avoid overfeeding these creatures as it can be dangerous to their health and will eventually make them lazy. Just like any other animal, Burmese cats need to stay hydrated and, for this purpose, keep a bowl full of clean and fresh water all the time.

• Health

  Taking care of your pet’s health is something that should be your first priority and not an option. If you can not ensure their health, getting a Burmese cat will not be a good option for you.

  Generally, Burmese cats are a healthy breed, but there are chances that they develop a few diseases with their growing age. The most common disease that they usually inherit and is present in their gene is hypokalemia.

  Hypokalemia is a medical condition that causes skeletal muscle weakness, and there is a simple DNA test to identify, analyze, and treat this disease. Depending on the cat’s immunity, this condition is episodic. It affects the cat’s overall body or just the neck and limb muscles.

  So if you notice your cat is walking strangely or not holding its head correctly, it might be suffering from hypokalemia.

  Moreover, other health problems that Burmese kittens or cats may have or develop with time include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Cranial deformities
  • Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
  • Kidney stone and infection

  To make sure your cat is healthy, get it from a reputable breeder that provides a written health guarantee. Apart from that, if you notice anything unusual about the cat, pay a visit to the veterinarian.

• Grooming

  If you want your Burmese cat to be active, fresh, and playful all the time, paying attention to its grooming is equally important as its health. Unlike some other cat breeds, these cats have a short hair coat on their bodies, making it easier for the owners to keep it tidy and groomed.

  These cats do not require deep grooming once in a while. Proper rubber brushing once a week is enough for them to get rid of all the dead hair and knots. Apart from that, for their oral health, you should make sure that regular teeth brushing is done.

  In order to prevent skin diseases and infections, take your Burmese cat for ear and eye cleaning, nail trimming, and bathing to a professional groomer.

Interesting Facts About Burmese Cat

Burmese can are not only known for their beauty, intelligence, and personality. These mysterious creatures are more than just good looks. Their existence has a special place in a cat world.

Apart from the interesting origin, Burmese cats have fascinating things about them that are not commonly known.

• Although they have a contorted body and a muscular shape, Burmese cats are heavyweight champions. Their sleekness can be misleading, and because of their muscle weight, they are described as “bricks wrapped in silk.”
• Burmese cats are the extroverts of their group. They are social butterflies that are an entertaining companion for their owners. These happy creatures make time worth spending with them.
• Burmese cats trust people very easily. If you let them roam around outdoor, it is important for you to know that they have limited survival instincts and can easily fall prey to their predators.
• These cats are vocally strong and want to be heard by their humans. They are not shy and will ask you for your attention when they need it.
• The Burmese cats are said to be responsible for developing other cat breeds such as Bombay and Burmilla.
• This healthy cat breed is prone to some fatal diseases, including diabetes, elbow osteoarthritis, head or facial defects, and lipemia of the aqueous humor.
• Being one of the most friendly and affectionate cat breeds, Burmese cats make an excellent emotional support cat. Their cuddly and lovable nature makes people treat their mental disorders and conditions. They will comfortably sit in your lap and purr, making you calm and relax.

Being around this cat breed is something that every person would want. These remarkable furry creatures have so much to share with their families that they are more than just cats for them.

Whether you are a proud owner of it or just an admirer of a Burmese cat breed, one fact that you should be knowing is that they can be the most loyal and happy breeds that will lighten up the whole environment.

If you want to get a Burmese cat, contact a reliable breeder. For getting it for emotional support purposes, you will be needing an ESA letter from a mental health professional stating why you need its companionship.

Otherwise, if getting it just as a pet, there are breeding and adoption centers, pet stores, and rescue houses that can provide you with Burmese cats.

These good-looking, charming, and intelligent cats are all you are looking for to get your complicated life together.