introduction
Hello everyone! We have another situation where I dive into specific breeds, tell you where they come from, some fun facts about them, health issues, and all about their personalities.
I’ve had a lot of fun researching different breeds, especially cats.
I had no idea how many different breeds there are within cats. Since all of my cats have been rescues, we didn’t learn as much about which breed we’d like, so I hope you enjoy learning about these breeds as much as I do.
Today we are going to dive into the Burmese cat breed. I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t know anything about this breed this week.
(but that makes learning about them more objective is what I like to think.)
This breed has been requested to be researched, so if you have a breed you’re interested in learning about, be sure to head over to my contact page and let me know!
history and characteristics of the breed
okay, let’s start with what some would consider the “boring” part of each breed, where they come from.
they were first recognized as a breed in the late 1930s. all burmese breeds are believed to be descendants of a single chocolate cat called the “wong mau” who came from the burma/thailand region. which makes me believe that’s where they got their name from: Burmese cats.
before we continue, there is one important thing I want to mention.
There are actually two different breeds of Burmese cats, the American Burmese and the European Burmese. crazy right? So what are the differences between these two “races” really?
and I’ll give you a hint, it’s not just the country they’re from. European Burmese cats are actually American Burmese cats mixed with Siamese and/or British Shorthairs.
so the European breed is actually more of a hybrid mix than the American breeds.
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what makes a Burmese a Burmese?
Burmese cats are known for some distinctive features.
They are known to have large eyes, a stocky build, and silky fur. while they are considered to be average in size compared to other cat breeds, they are supposed to “feel” heavy due to their stocky build.
They’re like the bricks of cat breeds if that metaphor makes any sense to anyone.
There are four different colors of a Burmese cat, although there is a greater variety of colors and names for the European Burmese cat. American Burmese cat colors are sable, which is a deep brown, champagne, platinum (a pale shade of gray), and blue.
European Burmese have additional colors, like a variation of the tortoise.
also, they name colors slightly differently than American Burmese, so you may hear colors like “chocolate” (which is what European Burmese call the color champagne) and lilac (which is what European Burmese call the color blue ).
Have you ever seen a beautiful Burmese cat with big blue eyes?
if you answered yes to this, then the breed you saw was not actually a Burmese breed. Burmese cats don’t actually have blue eyes, they just have yellow or gold eyes.
what about long-haired Burmese breeds?
those are pretty too, aren’t they? Did you fall into the trap again? if not, then you know that there are actually no long-haired Burmese cat breeds.
Today, the long-haired Burmese cat breed simply does not exist.
Okay, no more tricks and questions, at least for now.
grooming and health
So, now you know what color their fur, eyes, and ethnicity are?
(American or European) to look into a Burmese breed, but what about their health needs? what about their grooming requirements?
basically, how much potential labor is needed to maintain Burmese cat breeds?
Let’s start with the grooming first. I’m going to be up front and say that this breed is actually a low maintenance cat when it comes to grooming requirements.
(yay! go ahead and jump up and down!)
Are Burmese cats hypoallergenic?
They shed only moderately compared to other cat breeds and shedding that does occur is considered light.
in fact, their shedding is considered so light that they are actually considered some of the more hypoallergenic breeds compared to most.
However, it’s important to note that everyone has different sensitivities to cat breeds, so some people with cat allergies may not be bothered by Burmese cats at all, while others may have some issues. . it all came down to the person and the cat itself.
Since they don’t require much grooming, they’re low maintenance and basic when it comes to cat care. they require weekly brushing to keep their coat silky.
Burmese cats and grooming
Some people have different recommendations on brushes, and I may do a brush recommendations section later, but honestly, to me, if cats like to brush and brushing helps keep their fur from matting tangles or causes excessive shedding, then I consider it a good brush.
Indoor cats also require weekly nail trimming to help prevent them from breaking up furniture or using “other” methods of their own choosing now to shave their nails.
Another important thing, but not always talked about, is cleaning your teeth and ears as needed.
This isn’t something you should have a routine for, but it helps keep your cat healthy and prevents future problems as your kitty ages. that, along with regular visits to the vet, are crucial aspects of your cat’s health.
how much does a Burmese cat weigh?
the average cat weighs between 8 and 13 pounds when fully mature (about a year or a year and a half).
males are known to be larger and heavier than females, so this may vary slightly.
It’s also important to note that chubby cats are adorable and usually nothing to worry about, but it’s important that you don’t let your ‘chubby’ cat become obese because it will affect their quality of life. regardless of how ‘pretty’ you think it is.
what is the life expectancy of a Burmese cat?
A healthy Burmese cat usually lives 16-18 years on average, which have an interesting fact to mention is that the oldest Burmese cat ever lived to be 27!
that’s amazing! almost 10 years than expected for that breed. (don’t worry, I’m sure your cat breed will live to that age too…I’m planning on having all my animals break records too out of utter selfishness towards them. But that’s another story another time.)
in terms of health terms that come with cat breeds, each have similarities and differences.
All cats are at risk of diseases such as cancer or organ failure, but there are usually some health issues that are more breed-specific. there are two diseases that I have found to occur more commonly in Burmese breeds and they are a tendency to diabetes and hypokalemia.
do Burmese cats have health problems?
Fortunately, most of these diseases are not fatal and can be treated with medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. When it comes to diabetes, most cats simply need insulin shots once or twice a day to stay healthy and happy.
Diabetes is often accompanied by cataracts or blindness, so the cat can once again live a full and happy life. I myself had a dog who was diagnosed with diabetes and was able to live a very long life on insulin injections from him. even when he went blind, his quality of life didn’t really seem to change at all. so diabetes is more of a disease to be reckoned with for this breed than a major concern.
The second disease commonly found in Burmese breeds is hypokalemia. now that’s that that’s just low potassium. (and no, they can’t just eat a banana.)
again, this can be regulated with medication and is seen very often in sick cats. As long as this disease is detected, it can be treated with potassium supplements, and “in severe cases, intravenous potassium can be given.”
.It is important to note that only a licensed veterinarian should give your cat any amount of potassium because incorrect amounts could cause heart failure or lead to more serious problems with potassium deficiencies, which could lead to kidney failure later on.
again hypokalemia is primarily a situation where if you notice your cat is not acting properly you take him/her to the vet and he/she can access the situation, give your cat the right medication and your cat comes back to be happy and healthy.
for more information on this, such as symptoms and more detailed information on the cause and treatment, see moving walking.
talking about health issues is always my least favorite section because no one wants to know how sick their pet might get, or even imagine the idea of it getting sick.
There are also some people who are hypochondriacs who will now be on the lookout for any of the above symptoms and believe their cat is extremely sick.
so, take all of this information at face value. if your cat behaves happy and healthy, then regular visits to the vet should be all he needs from you. If you notice that your cat is acting differently, it’s always a safe bet to consult with your vet, but just like human children, sometimes a sneeze is just a sneeze.
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are Burmese good indoor cats?
did the last section make you sleepy? or worse yet, cause you to panic a bit about your Burmese cat and/or make you reconsider even getting a Burmese cat. Well, I hope it wasn’t anything like that, but now we can move on to the fun section! learning about their personalities.
Before I go any further, as always, I want to point out that each cat is unique and special in its own way. These personality traits are just the ones that are common in Burmese cats, but like everything in life, there’s a chance your kitty could be completely different.
First, this breed is known to be a highly intelligent breed that enjoys “learning” so interactive games will keep them sharp and alert. there are many Burmese cat owners who say this breed can and does enjoy the game of fetch as it provides some mental stimulation.
Burmese breeds are known to be very affectionate, loyal, and playful. Due to his playful behavior, he usually gets along well with other cats, dogs, and adores children. Burmese cats are not a one-cat household in most cases, they enjoy interacting with others, even outside of their species.
Burmese cats make a great addition to families that already have cats or dogs and are known to be very tolerant of children, so families with babies and young children shouldn’t worry about a cat Burmese love all members of his family.
Its affectionate, “outgoing” personality also makes it friendly to strangers and less fearful of people than many other cat breeds. (As the owner of a cat who is terrified of strangers, I am very jealous of this fact right now.)
Burmese cats love people! they also adore ‘their’ people! In many cases, this breed of cat is considered almost like a dog because of its trust and loyalty towards its owners. a Burmese will generally bond with his owner and follow him around (so personal space is a thing of the past for you).
They are also a “vocally confident breed”, which means they can be extremely loud when they want your attention.
if you’re thinking about getting a Burmese cat, know that this cat will want to spend time with you.
They may not be suitable for someone who is out most of the time or who doesn’t want to spend a lot of extra time with their cat. However, it’s important to give notice, even if you’re not around during the day, that doesn’t mean you should rule out Burmese cats entirely.
often having a friend (an extra cat or dog) will help them not feel lonely or bored while you’re gone. If you’re looking for a cat to snuggle up to at the end of a hard day’s work, the Burmese cat is the perfect lap cat for you.
conclusions
Burmese cats have a long history and have been with humans for a long time. They make excellent family pets, requiring minimal grooming effort, and are extremely intelligent and loyal creatures. This breed makes a great addition to any household that already has multiple members, whether it’s a cat, dog, or human.
Their outgoing, energetic personality makes them a problem for someone looking for a calmer pet, but an excellent cuddle buddy for those looking for just that. Like any breed of cat, the Burmese has its positives and negatives, and as I said before, every cat is different. It’s important to know that all breeds of cats require love, care, and time to learn what works best for your unique pet.
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