Burmese

The Burmese is a pedigree breed of domestic cat (the Burmese cat). It is a small to medium cat, usually about 4-6 kg (9-13 lb), but it is solidly built and muscular. It feels heavy for its size when held, which has earned it the description "a brick wrapped in silk".

The coat is very short, fine and glossy with a satin-like finish. The colour is solid and even over the body, shading only gradually to paler underparts. The eyes are green or gold depending on coat colour.

There are two body types. The British or traditional type is more slender and long-bodied, with a wedge-shaped head and large pointed ears. The American or contemporary type is stockier, with a broader head, round eyes and a shorter, flattened muzzle.

The Burmese comes from Burma, with roots believed to lie near the Thai-Burma border. It was then developed by selective breeding in the United States and Britain. Early attempts in Britain in the late 19th century produced cats seen as chocolate Siamese rather than a breed of their own. Crossbreeding with Siamese followed, and the breed slowly died out there.

In 1930 Joseph Cheesman Thompson brought a dark female called Wong Mau to San Francisco. She was bred with a seal point Siamese and then with her own son, producing dark brown kittens that founded a new strain. Most modern Burmese descend from her. Wong Mau herself turned out to be a cross between Siamese and Burmese types, and this type was later developed into the Tonkinese.

British interest revived, and by 1952 the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy recognised the breed. Many countries then imported British Burmese and based their standards on the British model. American and British breeders ended up with distinctly different standards, which is unusual among pedigree cats. Registries that separate them call the British type the European Burmese.

The first blue Burmese was born in Britain in 1955. Red, cream and tortoiseshell followed, while chocolate appeared first in the United States and lilac was developed there from 1971. The Burmese also helped to create the Bombay and the Burmilla.

Burmese are very people-oriented cats. They keep their kitten-like energy and playfulness into adulthood and are often described as puppy-like. They form strong bonds with their owners and gravitate towards human activity. Many learn games such as fetch and tag.

They are persistently vocal, in a way that recalls their Siamese ancestry, though their voices are softer and sweeter. They are less independent than many other breeds and are not suited to being left alone for long periods.

A UK study of veterinary records found an average life expectancy of 14.42 years for the Burmese, the highest in that study and above the overall figure of 11.74 years. The sample was small, at 45 cats.

The Burmese is known to have a higher rate of diabetes mellitus than other breeds. A 2016 English study found 2.27% affected against 0.58% overall.

Other conditions linked to the breed include: - Feline orofacial pain syndrome, a teething disorder in young kittens in certain UK bloodlines. The Burmese is the breed most commonly affected. - Hypokalaemia, where the Burmese is the breed most often affected. - Gangliosidosis 2, congenital hypotrichosis and, in American-type lines, a head malformation known as the Burmese head defect.

A 2008 study found the American Burmese has very low genetic diversity, the second lowest of the breeds studied.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

What is a Burmese cat?

It is a pedigree domestic cat that originated in Burma and was developed by breeding in the United States and Britain. It is known for its short glossy coat and sociable nature.

How long do Burmese cats live?

A UK study of veterinary records found an average life expectancy of 14.42 years. That was higher than the 11.74 year average across all cats in the study.

Are Burmese cats noisy?

They are persistently vocal, a trait reminiscent of their Siamese ancestry. Their voices are softer and sweeter than a Siamese's.

Can Burmese cats be left alone?

They are less independent than many breeds and are not suited to long periods alone. They form strong bonds with their owners and gravitate towards human activity.

What colours do Burmese cats come in?

They were originally all dark brown. The British standard now recognises brown, chocolate, blue, lilac, red and cream, plus tortoiseshell on brown, chocolate, blue or lilac.

The Burmese is described as "a brick wrapped in silk" because it is muscular and feels heavy for its size when held.

The Thai name Suphalak means copper colour.

Most modern Burmese trace back to a single female, Wong Mau, brought to the United States in 1930.

A new colour called russet appeared in New Zealand in 2007. Its coat starts dark and fades to a paler orange as the cat grows.

Burmese kittens can show faint colourpoint markings, which are more noticeable when they are young.