Burmese
Burma / USA · 1930sVelcro cat — playful, people-mad, heavy for its size
Burmese are compact, muscular cats with a glossy satin coat, classically sable brown, and golden eyes. They are extremely affectionate and sociable.
At a glance
Life with a Burmese
A Burmese wants to be with you — on your lap, in your bed and in your conversations. They stay playful into adulthood and often fetch. They do poorly when left alone for long hours.
- Families with kids
- People who are home a lot
- Homes with another cat or a friendly dog
- You’re away all day
- You want an independent cat
- Short coat: rub with a cloth or brush weekly.
- Daily play.
- Measured meals — they are prone to weight gain and diabetes.
Health
Inherited hypokalemia (low potassium), GM2 gangliosidosis and a head defect in some American lines are known. Diabetes is more common than in most breeds.
- Hypokalemia DNA test
- Burmese head defect DNA test
- GM2 gangliosidosis DNA test
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Burmese kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.