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Burmese vs Ocicat

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Second breed
Burmese photo

Category III — Shorthair

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.

Ocicat photo

Category III — Shorthair

Ocicat

The Ocicat was developed in the United States in the middle of the twentieth century by crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats, with American Shorthairs added later. The name comes from the ocelot, because the spotted coat resembles that of a wild cat, although the cat is entirely domestic. The short, smooth coat is glossy, and the body is large, muscular and athletic. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 6.5 kilograms. The coat is easy to care for, and an occasional stroke is enough. Ocicats are usually lively and sociable, enjoy human company, and often get on well with other cats and dogs. Life expectancy is typically around 13 to 16 years.

At a glance

Burmese Ocicat
Weight (male) 4.0–6.0 kg 3.5–6.5 kg
Weight (female) 3.5–5.0 kg 2.5–4.5 kg
Life expectancy 12–16 yrs 13–16 yrs
Coat smooth, short smooth, short

Temperament & Family Life

Burmese Ocicat
Family friendly
Good with children
Good with dogs
Friendly with strangers
Intelligence
Trainability

Activity & Living Space

Burmese Ocicat
Energy level
Playfulness
Hunting instinct
Apartment friendly

Personality & Communication

Burmese Ocicat
Affection
Independence
Vocality

Grooming & Shedding

Burmese Ocicat
Shedding
Grooming need

Trait scores (1–5) are editorial estimates, not measurements — every cat is an individual.