Burmese

Also known as: Wong Mau, European Burmese

The Burmese was developed in the West in the twentieth century from a cat brought from Burma and its descendants, which is where the name comes from. The short, smooth, satin-like coat lies close to the body and needs almost no grooming. Burmese cats are medium-sized but surprisingly heavy for their size because they are muscular, with males typically weighing around 4 to 6 kilograms. The breed is known for being devoted, seeking human company and being talkative, and it dislikes being left alone for long. The traditional colour is a rich brown, although other shades have appeared over time. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Burmese: how old in human years?

3.5–6 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Chartreux

FIFe category: Category III — Shorthair
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: BUR
Country of origin: Myanmar

Energy level

4/5
Playfulness

5/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 4–6 kg

Females 3.5–5 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

smooth (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Burmese: average score for sociability and trainability is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 5/5
Good with dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 4/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Activity & Living Space

Burmese: average score for activity and living space is high.

Energy level 4/5
Playfulness 5/5
Hunting instinct 2/5
Apartment friendly 5/5

Personality & Communication

Burmese: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 5/5
Independence 2/5
Vocality 4/5

Grooming & Shedding

Burmese: grooming and shedding demands are low.

Shedding 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the Burmese

A Burmese does not accept closed doors. If you are in the bathroom, it sits at the threshold and comments; if you are reading, it settles between you and the book. This is a cat built around its people: devoted, curious, and with a voice you will hear more than once a day, because it likes to tell you what it wants.

It keeps playing into adulthood, bringing toys, chasing a wand, hunting for hidden things, and it learns fast, especially when a lesson ends with a cuddle. A scratching post and a few higher perches are a must, but it has no need for a climbing wall: a flat suits it perfectly well.

It gets on beautifully with children, other cats and calm dogs, is not shy with visitors and goes to meet them itself. Long hours alone are not for it: if you work away from home all day, a second cat will be better company than the cleverest toy. The hunting urge burns low in a Burmese, so given the choice between birds outside the window and your lap, it will pick your lap.

Grooming and coat

The Burmese coat is short, close-lying and glossy as satin, with hardly any undercoat, so it sheds little and has nothing to tangle. Once a week, run a rubber grooming glove or a piece of chamois over the cat: the loose hairs come away and the shine only gets deeper.

As you stroke, your fingers will find the skin too: it should be clean, with no scabs or flakes. The eyes are large and round, so wipe any discharge from the corners with a damp cotton pad, using a fresh one for each eye. Look into the ears once a week; if you see a lot of dark dirt or notice a smell, see a vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Pick up a Burmese and its weight surprises you: the compact, muscular body is heavier than its size suggests, and the cat lives twelve to sixteen years. Three health problems are known in the breed: a disorder of blood sugar, a pain syndrome of the mouth and face, and an inherited muscle weakness caused by low potassium. They sound serious, but knowing what to watch for lets you get to a vet in good time, and before you take a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Diabetes mellitus

The body can no longer keep the level of sugar in the blood under control. A Burmese loves its food, so the warning sign is not appetite but a cat that drinks a lot, passes more urine and starts losing weight while eating as much as ever. If you notice that combination, take your cat to a vet.
Feline orofacial pain syndrome

A syndrome in which a cat feels pain or strange sensations in the mouth and face, as if the nerves were sending false signals. A Burmese with it can look as though something is stuck in its mouth: it licks in an exaggerated way, chews at the air or paws at its face. This is not a quirk of character, so show your cat to a vet.
Hypokalemic polymyopathy

When there is too little potassium in the blood, the muscles weaken and the cat lets its head droop until the chin nearly rests on its chest. In the Burmese the condition is inherited and can first show in a kitten or a young cat, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing. If a cat suddenly goes weak, cannot walk or struggles to breathe, it needs a vet immediately.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 69 g of dry food a day, from €3,94 a month For a neutered, normally active 4,6 kg cat. Calculate for your cat