If you’re the “cat enthusiast” who firmly believes that the “best” types of cats are the ones that thoroughly enjoy napping with you, get ready because we’re about to introduce a cat that might just be what you’re looking for! But remember, each cat breed has unique traits and “quirks.” Some may “mesh” perfectly with your lifestyle, while others might SUPER irritate you!
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment and describe what it might be like to own a Burmese cat or kitten so that you’ll be better prepared to know if adopting one of these fantastic little creatures is right for you. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Burmese Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Thailand
Size: Medium
Weight: 7 to 9 pounds
Eyes: Round (golden or yellow)
Shape of Head: Round
Lifespan: 18 to 20 years!
Origin of the Burmese cat breed
Most experts agree that the Burmese cat breed can trace its roots back to both the Siamese breed and the “cooper cats” of Burma (now Myanmar). Here, these early cats were bred and kept by temple priests and cherished by the social elite for centuries. , Ancient texts dating back to the late 16th century describe cats very similar to what we now call the Burmese cat breed and are generally considered the first evidence we have about this breed’s existence.
The modern day…
Today, the Burmese cat that we are all familiar with originated from a small, dark brown Burmese known as Wong Mau, whom Dr. Joseph Thompson owned. Now Wong Mau, like many other Burmese cats, was considered a Siamese cat, which folks would commonly call “Chocolate Siamese.” But what sets this particular Chocolate Siamese apart from other Siamese cats is that Dr. Thompson decided to breed Wong Mau with another Siamese cat called Tai Mau. This resulted in the birth of a single beige, brown kitten with a pointed coat, which ultimately became the foundation for what we currently call the modern Burmese cat.
Eventually…
Folks finally realized that Wong Mau wasn’t a “Chocolate Siamese” but an “ancient” Burmese cat. Still, by then, folks had already familiarized themselves with these new “beige” beauties, and the rest is history! Today, there are generally two “types” of Burmese cats that are “generally” accepted in the feline community. There’s the British Burmese cat and the American Burmese cat. The most significant differences between both breeds are the body and the head shape.
The British Burmese cat…
It has a slender and long body, whereas the American Burmese is a chunkier cat. Not as chunky as a British Shorthair, but noticeably rounder than a British Burmese. The British Burmese cat also has a wedge-shaped head and large pointed ears, whereas the American cat has a rounder face with wider ears at the base.
Lastly….
The British breed has almond-shaped eyes, and the American breed has round eyes. So basically, the British Burmese is thinner and longer, whereas the American species is the opposite. However, both types will have the same coats, consisting of short and fine fur. Their colors are solid throughout the body, and their under parts’ color is lighter if there is any change.
Also, regardless of what “type” of Burmese you choose to adopt, the types will be either gold or yellow, depending on the color of the coat.
Personality and Temperament
Now, while it is true that every cat will have a unique personality, it’s fair to say that, in “general,” the Burmese cat breed is highly affectionate and loves to interact with its owners. Now, it’s essential to understand that these guys are a very outgoing breed with much energy. So, you’ll want to interact with them frequently throughout the day, or you’ll find yourself with a miserable Burmese kitty.
And when a…
Burmese kitty is “unhappy”; they aren’t shy about telling you so. You see, these little guys can be quite “talkative” when they feel like they are being ignored. They can pretty much be quite “talkative” even when happy! Which is you ask us is excellent! Because we here at IndulgeYourPet like a good cat that enjoys being around other people and other household pets. After all, how much fun is it to have a cat that lays around the house all day and seems “irritated” by its owners?
With a Burmese…
You’ll get a cat that likes being around adults, kids, and even other dogs and cats living within the same household. Their “socialness” is probably linked to these cats being EXTRA curious. They like to wander and discover new things, probably to show off to you. They also want to be entertained and challenged, so playing with them with interactive toys is a good idea to make them think.
Plus…
Since they’re such showoffs, they won’t mind learning new tricks. The more tricks they know, the more they have to “impress you” and anyone else watching. And because they are so bright, they can learn basic dog tricks like sit and roll over and even be taught how to walk on a leash—which many cats despise.
Potential Health Concerns
Now that we’ve pretty much given the Burmese a stellar review let’s take a moment and discuss some of the potential health issues you may encounter if you do decide to adopt one of these fantastic animals. You want to make sure that if you do choose to purchase a Burmese kitten, you do so from a reputable Burmese breeder that is aware of some of the inheritable medical conditions that this cat breed can suffer from and actively breeds their cats in a way so that these risks are minimized.
The excellent news is…
Overall,” the Burmese cat breed is relatively healthy, yet like any pedigree cat, there will usually be a few conditions that may impact certain species more than others. And in the case of the Burmese cat breed, you want to be on the lookout for any:
- Cranial deformities (which should be pretty evident at birth).
- The relative shortness of their muzzles causes breathing difficulties.
- Corneal dermoid would cause excessive tearing of the eyes of an affected kitten/cat.
- And periodontal disease.
All of these may seem like a lot of potential problems, but the truth is, anytime you decide to adopt an animal, you’re always going to be taking a risk that he may contract some illness later in life. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet always recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and consider purchasing a pet insurance policy for them. If anything happens to your new four-legged family member later, you won’t be on the hook for 100% of their medical bills.
Now, will a pet insurance policy make “sense” for everyone?
No, of course not! But until you understand what these “types” of policies will provide coverage for and how much that coverage will cost, how can you decide whether a pet insurance policy is “right” for you?
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies, we encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
