Burmese
Also known as: Burmese, Sable Burmese
A small cat with the density of a brick and the personality of a dog.
- Outgoing
- Affectionate
- Playful
- People-focused
- Confident
The Burmese descends from a single brown cat brought from Burma to the United States in the 1930s and crossed with Siamese. The result is a compact, surprisingly heavy cat with a satin coat and an outgoing, people-focused temperament. Burmese are often described as dog-like: they fetch, follow, greet visitors and insist on being part of everything.
At a glance
- Origin
- Burma / United States
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–12 lb (3.2–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 15–18 years
- Coat
- Very short, fine, satin-textured
- Colours
- Sable, Champagne, Blue, Platinum, and diluted variants
- Average cost
- $75–$85 / month
Breed ratings
Rated 1–5 on the same scale as every other entry, so scores are comparable between breeds. Amber stars mark things that cost you effort rather than things that benefit you.
Temperament
Burmese are often called the most dog-like of cats — they greet, follow, fetch and involve themselves in everything. They are excellent with children and cat-friendly dogs, and they are trusting to a degree that makes outdoor access genuinely unsafe.
Care & upkeep
Exercise
Two or three 15-minute interactive sessions daily. Many Burmese fetch reliably and stay playful into old age. They need company and do poorly left alone all day.
Grooming
A weekly rubber mitt or chamois buffing keeps the satin coat glossy. Shedding is light. Dental care is the routine job worth doing properly.
Training
Highly trainable for a cat. Fetch, recall and harness walking come readily, and they take to clicker work well. They learn household routines fast and hold you to them.
Feeding & diet
- Typical diet
- High-protein measured wet diet
- Daily amount
- 170–240 g wet food, or equivalent
- Meals per day
- 2 meals a day
Burmese are dense and heavy for their size and gain weight readily. They are greedy, convincing beggars — measure portions, avoid free-feeding and weigh monthly.
Foods to avoid
- Onion and garlic
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Raw dough
- Free-fed dry food
Who this breed suits
A good match for
- Families with children
- Multi-pet households
- First-time cat owners
- Apartments
Probably not for
- Owners away all day with one cat
- Outdoor access
- Households wanting an aloof cat
Common health problems
This section describes conditions the breed is known to be predisposed to, so you know what to ask about. It is not veterinary advice and is not a diagnosis — always speak to a vet about your own animal.
- Hypokalaemic polymyopathyA DNA-testable muscle weakness condition seen in Burmese lines. Ask breeders for results.
- Diabetes mellitusBurmese are notably predisposed. Increased thirst and urination warrants prompt testing.
- Flat-chested kitten syndromeA developmental chest deformity seen in some litters.
- Corneal dermoidA congenital eye abnormality, surgically correctable.
- ObesityA compact muscular build hides excess weight. Weigh monthly rather than judging by appearance.
A long-lived breed, frequently reaching 16 to 18 years. Consistent weight and dental management across that span makes a substantial difference to the senior years.
Interesting facts
- Every Burmese traces to a single cat called Wong Mau, brought to the United States in 1930.
- British and American Burmese have diverged into noticeably different types.
- Often described as bricks wrapped in silk because of their surprising density.
Diet & Feeding
Burmese are famously heavy for their size — the phrase bricks wrapped in silk is used for a reason — and they gain weight easily. Feed a measured 170–240 g of quality wet food daily across two meals and avoid free-feeding dry food entirely. They are enthusiastic, greedy eaters and will convincingly claim starvation. Weigh monthly, because a compact muscular cat can carry excess weight without looking obviously round.
Exercise & Play
Two or three 15-minute interactive sessions daily suits a Burmese, and they will happily take more. They are athletic, playful well into old age and genuinely enjoy fetch — many will return a scrunched paper ball for as long as you keep throwing it. Provide climbing height and puzzle feeders. They dislike being alone, and a second cat or a cat-friendly dog makes a real difference in a household that is out during the day.
Grooming
Minimal. The very short satin coat needs only a weekly rubber mitt or a chamois buffing, which is enough to keep it glossy, and shedding is genuinely light. Nails every 2–3 weeks and a monthly ear check. As with most short-coated Asian breeds, dental care is the routine task worth doing properly — brush several times a week and expect annual dental examinations to pay for themselves over an 18-year lifespan.
Health & Vet Care
The breed-specific concern is hypokalaemic polymyopathy, a DNA-testable muscle weakness condition seen in Burmese lines — ask breeders directly for results. Also reported: diabetes mellitus, to which Burmese are notably predisposed, flat-chested kitten syndrome, corneal dermoid and cranial deformity in some Contemporary lines. Watch for increased thirst and urination, which in this breed warrants prompt testing rather than observation.
Living with a Burmese
Burmese are among the most people-focused cats available. They greet visitors rather than hiding, follow their person around the house, sleep under the covers and involve themselves in every activity. They are excellent with children and with cat-friendly dogs. The trade-offs are honest: they are vocal, though softer than a Siamese, they dislike solitude, and they are strictly indoor cats — their friendliness makes them dangerously trusting outdoors.
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