Featured Breed

Similar to many traditional house cats, the Burmese breed is relatively new, compared to other popular cats.

Almost all Burmese cats are directly related to Wong Mau, a cat brought from Burma (now Myanmar) to America for breeding purposes. She was bred with an American Siamese to produce the Burmese cat we all know and love today. Because of Wong Mau’s thick black coat, many original Burmese kitties were often a dark brown color. However, because of genetics, the Burmese’s traditional coat has turned into a lighter brown color.

Although the Burmese breed wasn’t fully developed until the mid-20th century, other breeders tried to create the cat much earlier. A breeder in London attempted to cultivate the Burmese by combining two Siamese cats, however, that only created the Chocolate Siamese, instead of the Burmese. The Chocolate Siamese breed eventually died out in Europe, and the thought of breeding two Siamese cats to create a Burmese kitty soon died out. Instead, a former member of the U.S. Navy bred Wong Mau with a seal point Siamese, a Siamese with dark-brown patches on the face that extend to the ears, which produced these elegant Burmese kitties we see today.

A fluffy kitten

There’s actually two types of Burmese cat breeds, the American/Contemporary breed and the British/Traditional breed.

The American version is often a stockier kitty, whereas the British breed is a slender, sleeker version. However, both are considered a medium-sized cat breed weighing anywhere from 9 to 14 lbs. The Burmese’s fine and glossy coat comes in many colors, depending on the British or American version.

Surprisingly similar to their Siamese ancestors, the Burmese breed is quite affectionate and playful into their adulthood. They’re considered people-oriented and are often considered to be a cat breed similar to dogs with their puppy-like qualities. The Burmese breed needs human interaction and can even be trained to play fetch or tag with its owners. Due to their high energy level and love of humans, it is not recommended to leave Burmese cats for long periods of time. They’re not as independent as other breeds and may need increased human interaction.

The Burmese doesn’t have nearly as mainly health issues as their Siamese ancestors, but they do possess a few similarities.

Both are susceptible to Diabetes Mellitus and Hypokalaemia, which can impact their quality of life and health if not effectively managed. For many years, it was thought that Burmese could develop a condition known as flat-chested kitten syndrome, where a compression of the rib cage leads to a collapse of the lungs. However, researchers have disputed this rumor.

At a glance

Covering your Burmese

These fascinating kitties live approximately 10 to 17 years.

Pet insurance for Burmese cats is generally comparable in price to pet insurance for other cat breeds, such as Siamese, because the Burmese breed would not have been possible without the Siamese.

Since this breed could develop serious health issues over time, such as heart and dental problems, it’s important to get pet insurance for Burmese cats as soon as possible.

Rescue a kitty

Looking to rescue a Burmese cat? Here are some of the top Burmese rescues in the country: