Playful and intelligent, the Burmese cat craves company and can show great sensitivity to its owner's moods and feelings. This is definitely a breed which needs a lot of human contact and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. With the right amount of love and play, this cat will be a well-behaved friend with just a hint of an attitude.
Facts & advice
Burmese
A sensitive soul who craves company
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Sleek and glossy |
| Life span:9 | 15+ years |
| Temperament: | Fun-loving, energetic, sociable |
Burmese personality & temperament
Intelligent, loyal and more than a little bit puppy-like, the Burmese is one of the most fun cat breeds!
- Of all the cat breeds, the Burmese temperament is a fan favourite! The breed’s puppy-like behaviour makes them excellent family pets. They’re energetic and fun-loving and like to enjoy the world from a high vantage point (such as their owner’s shoulder).
- Cuddly, sociable and very trusting, the Burmese cat personality and temperament makes this breed one of the easiest to welcome into the family home. They adore human company and will often seek you out at home, just to be near you.
- Burmese cats are affectionate and loving, and can potentially get along with other cats if they are well socialised, carefully matched and gradually introduced, although a sibling pair would be best. They’re also very playful and can be lots of fun to be around so make sure you have lots of games up your sleeve.
- Thanks to their easygoing breed temperament and laid-back nature, Burmese have one of the best cat personality types to be around children, as long as they are well socialised and the children are taught to respect the cat and give them space when needed.
- Due to their similar sounding names, many mistakenly think Burmese cats are related to the beautiful Birman. While they share a few similarities, both breeds have their own unique history and personality traits.
Burmese food & diet
Like all cats, Burmese will thrive on a balanced diet, but be aware, this vocal cat can be fussy!
- The diet of any cat must be appropriate for their age and life-stage; the best food for Burmese cats is a complete and balanced cat food.
- Like all cats, Burmese cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat in order to survive and cannot have a plant-based diet.
- Your Burmese cat’s diet should be monitored to maintain their lean-but-stocky stature - this is a breed which will quickly show if they’re putting on more weight than is recommended. Burmese should feel much heavier than they look, so ask your vet about how to body condition score your cat to keep an eye on it.
- However, if your Burmese cat doesn’t like the food it’s been given, it will be sure to let you know. Burmese cats can be pretty vocal, so you may need to contend with their particular likes and dislikes when it comes to food.
Burmese grooming & coat care
Burmese are generally low-maintenance when it comes to grooming and shed much less than other breeds.
- This elegant breed is easily recognised by its striking golden-yellow to chartreuse eyes and wide-set ears. The best-known colouring for this breed is the brown sable-coloured coat with darker patches over their face and ears.
- Burmese cats can come in a variety of colours; mostly this is due to selective breeding, but one adventurous Burmese cat mated with a stray tom in the 1960s which led to the gorgeous tortie-coated varieties we see today.
- Burmese cats don’t require a great deal of grooming as they are fairly self-sufficient and don’t tend to shed much fur.
- Brushing once a week is usually sufficient, though like most cats they can enjoy the attention grooming brings if socialised to it as a kitten. Cat grooming brushes can also help keep their coat lovely and glossy, another feature the Burmese cat is known for.
- Brushing sessions can also be a great way to spot any bites, stings, skin problems and lumps and bumps.
- It’s important to ensure a Burmese cat’s nails are trimmed if they get too long, especially in older cats. Vet nurse clinics can clip claws or show you how to do it.
- Their ears need to be cleaned regularly so this should definitely be considered as part of your cat grooming routine. Again, your vet can advise you on the best way to do this.
- Keep an eye out for signs of over-grooming in cats, which include interrupting their activities to groom, scratching too much and showing discomfort when doing so, bald areas that are sometimes red or have a rash-like appearance. Regular grooming and vigilance will help you to spot this early and get veterinary advice.
Burmese training & behaviour
Burmese cats are intelligent and playful and will relish the chance to learn new things and bond with their owners.
- Burmese cats are very intelligent and this lends itself well to training. Many Burmese owners teach them how to play fetch!
- They like cat toys that involve human contact and are keen to please their owners. Part of their genetic breeding was to maintain their close relationships with humans, and as such are a less independent breed. They’ll require a bit more attention and would suit a family where there’ll be a lot of human contact.
Common Burmese health conditions
As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Burmeses are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Burmeses.
Like most breeds, Burmese may suffer from gum and dental disease during their lifetime. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed, and can include gingivitis and periodontal disease. Burmese may also suffer from mouth inflammation and ulcers, which can be triggered by viruses such as feline calicivirus (FCV). Feline orofacial pain (FOPS) may also affect this breed. This is a syndrome characterised by severe facial pain, and it is caused by a disorder of one of the main nerves to the head and face. Prevention is better than treatment for many of these conditions, although feline orofacial pain requires painkillers. In general, treatment for mouth conditions depends on their type and severity.
The upper respiratory tract is comprised of the nose, nasal passages and the back of the throat. Various conditions affect the upper respiratory tract, including infections (such as cat flu) and foreign materials (like blades of grass) that can become trapped behind the soft palate or at the back of a cat’s mouth. Other upper respiratory diseases include cancers of the nasal passages. Unfortunately some of these conditions, such as cat flu and nasal tumours, are incurable but can be managed. Cat flu can easily be prevented by vaccination, and foreign material, such as blades of grass, can usually be removed.
Diabetes is a condition which can affect all cat breeds, but especially Burmese. It occurs when a cat’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin – the hormone that keeps blood sugars at a steady level – or when the cat’s body doesn’t respond normally to insulin. It can also be caused when a cat has been on long-term steroid medication (for another disease), which affects insulin production. Cats suffering from diabetes may be more hungry or thirsty than usual or may lose weight. Diabetes is usually managed with daily insulin injections and diet control. Unlike many other species, cats with diabetes may even be cured, if the condition is treated early enough.
Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Burmese can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.
Cats’ kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from their blood into their urine. Burmese may be affected by kidney disease caused by infections, blockages, tumours or toxins (especially licking anti-freeze) as well as age related changes. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidney function deteriorates gradually over a period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and the extent of damage, but usually begins by flushing the kidneys using intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications. Unfortunately kidney disease is irreversible, but with the right support many cats can enjoy a reasonably normal life.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Burmese cat
Burmese cats are excellent companions - but make sure you’ve thought about the below points before welcoming one into your family.
- Due to their sociable nature, they need a lot of human company - think about how this aligns with your daily routine. For those of us working from home, this shouldn’t cause a problem.
- They’ll also need a lot of playtime - if you want a cat that is a lap-cat or is happy to entertain themselves, this is perhaps not the cat for you.
- Burmese are fussier eaters than most, so be prepared for some trial and error in getting your cat’s diet right!
- This mischievous and energetic breed loves to be up high, so consider adding high cat trees and other cat-friendly climbing spaces to protect your furniture from curious climbers.
Burmese frequently asked questions
Like all cats, a Burmese cat will need space in which to feel comfortable and safe. But Burmese cats are sociable and vocal and will be sure to let you know if they need anything.
Like many cat personalities Burmese cats are loyal and loving, and can make excellent family pets. If they’re not in the mood to play or be fussed, they’ll certainly let you know through vocalising it!
Burmese cats are smart, active and playful, so they’re fairly easy to train. Clicker training, which uses positive reinforcement techniques, would be a fun exercise to try! However, you still need time and patience – and success depends on your cat’s individual personality and willingness, as well as your training skills.
Another thing that makes them a great family pet, Burmese live exceptionally long lives for a pedigree cat breed and their average lifespan is around 15+ years.
Burmese insurance considerations
Burmese sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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