If you’re the type of “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 to you a cat that might just be what you’re looking for!
But remember…
Each individual cat breed is going have their own unique traits and “quirks”. Some of which may “mesh” perfectly with your lifestyle while others might be SUPER irritating to 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 awesome 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 currently called Myanmar). It was here that these early cats were bred and kept by temple priests and cherished by the social elite for centuries.
In fact…
Ancient texts dating back to late 16th century describe cats very similar to what we now call the Burmese cat breed and are generally considered the first evidence that we have about this breeds existence.
The modern day…
Burmese cat that we are all familiar with today however originated from a small, dark brown Burmese known as Wong Mau who was owned by Dr. Joseph Thompson.
Now…
Wong Mau, like many other Burmese cats was actually thought to be a Siamese cat which folks would commonly referred to as “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.
Which 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 figured out that Wong Mau wasn’t actually a “Chocolate Siamese” but rather was an “ancient” Burmese cat, but by then folks already familiarized themselves with these new “beige” beauties and well, 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 biggest differences between both breeds are the body and the head shape. The British Burmese cat…
Has a slender and long body whereas the American Burmese is a chunkier cat. Definitely 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, and the ears are wider 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, where as the American breed is the complete opposite.
That said however…
Both types will have the same coats which will consist of short and fine fur. Their colors are solid throughout the entire body, and if there is any change at all, it’s that their under parts’ color is lighter.
Also…
Regardless of what “type” of Burmese you choose to adopt, but types will have either gold or yellow depending on the color of the coat.
Burmese Cat Temperament
Now while it is true that every cat is going to have his or her own unique personality, it’s fair to say that in “general”, the Burmese cat breed is an extremely affectionate breed, that loves to interact with its owners.
Now it’s important to understand…
That these guys are a very outgoing breed that is going to have a ton of energy. So, you’re going to want to be sure to interact with them frequently throughout the day, or you’re going to find yourself with a very unhappy 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. In fact, they can pretty much be quite “talkative” even when they are happy as well!
Which is you ask us…
Is great! Because we here at IndulgeYourPet like a good cat that likes being around other people and other household pets. After all, how much fun is it to have a cat that just lays around the house all day and seems “irritated” by his or her owners?
With a Burmese…
You’re going to 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 the fact that these cats are EXTRA curious.
They like to wonder…
And discover new things, probably to show off to you. They also like to be entertained and challenged, so it’s a good idea to play with them with interactive toys that will 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 that is watching.
And because…
They are so smart, they can learn your basic dog tricks like sit and roll over, and even be taught how to walk on a leash—which a lot of cats despise.
Burmese cat breed 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.
Because…
You want to make sure that if you do choose to purchase a Burmese kitten that 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 good news is…
That “overall” the Burmese cat breed is a relatively healthy breed, yet like any pedigree cat, there will usually be a few conditions that may impact certain breeds 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).
- Breath difficulties caused by the relative shortness of their muzzles.
- Corneal dermoids which should cause excessive tearing of the eyes of an affected kitten/cat.
- And periodontal disease.
All of which…
May see 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 or she may contract some type of 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 on him or her. This way if anything does happy to your new four-legged family member later on, you won’t be on the hook for 100% of his or her 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 will you be able to make an informed decision about whether or not a pet insurance policy is “right” for you?
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
