Burmese Cats

The Burmese cat breed originated with a walnut-colored cat from Burma. Burmese cats come in darker and lighter, diluted, colors. At first, the lighter-colored cats were known as Malayan cats. Eventually, the lighter-colored cats were considered part of the Burmese cat breed and are known as diluted Burmese.

A Burmese cat is generally intelligent and playful well into adulthood. Some Burmese cats are talkative and vocally interact with their owners. Burmese cats often try to be involved in whatever their owners are doing. Though they like to take time to explore, they also spend time as lap cats. The male Burmese cats tend to spend more time as lap cats than the female Burmese cats. They are also known to like to lie on or next to their owners at night. Most Burmese cats will travel well if they are used to it from an early age.

Burmese cats that are shown in cat shows often have rounder heads and more compact bodies than many Burmese cats. The rounded heads of show Burmese cats do not have any flat planes. The Burmese cats are medium size. Burmese cats are muscular and solid, but not stocky. People are often surprised by how much they weigh. They have been described as “bricks wrapped in silk.”

The coat of Burmese cats is shorthaired and satiny. The hair lies close to the body. There are only four colors of the coat that are acceptable. The coloring of the Burmese cats can be sable, champagne, blue, or platinum. The champagne color of Burmese cats is warm honey beige. The platinum coloring is a pale silvery gray. Their large, rounded eyes can be yellow to gold.

Burmese cats are often good with children and other pets. They are a people-oriented cat breed. Burmese cats will often follow their owners. Since Burmese tend to follow their owners around and like to play fetch, they are often compared to dogs or described as dog-like. The Burmese love to explore and may often be found in cupboards. Burmese cats do not have sufficient survival instincts and should therefore never be let outdoors.