Burmilla Cat Breed: Care, Price, Temperament for Burmilla Cat

Before you invest time, money, and love into a little feline friend, it is important to know all about the breed, its characteristics, traits, and more. Fortunately for you, we have put together a comprehensive guide for all things Burmilla!

Characteristics

There are many characteristics associated with the Burmilla cat breed, with the most famous being their lovable and affectionate nature. We have designed a helpful table below to include a number of their other important traits and pieces of information.

Height	10-12 inches
Weight	6-13 pounds
Size	Medium-sized cat
Colors and Patterns	White, black, red, blue, gray, silver, cream, chocolate; point or tortoiseshell pattern
Life Span	7-15 years

Breed History

The Burmilla is actually the newest cat breed to be added to the CFA register, but the history dates back three decades. Back in the early 1980s, Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg bought a male Chinchilla Persian cat for her husband. However, before the cat was neutered, the cleaner accidentally left the door open and he escaped to mate with a Sanquist cat. What resulted was the very first four Burmilla kittens. This litter was all shorthair and black shaded silver. They were said to be so beautiful that a breeding program was set up almost immediately.

Interesting Facts

• The Burmilla is the most recent addition to the Cat Fanciers Association list.
• The existence of the Burmilla came about by pure luck.
• Full Burmillas are born from four generations of breeding between Burmilla litters and Burmese cats until standards are achieved.
• They do not like to be left alone for long periods.
• The Burmilla cat is classed as an Asian breed.

Temperament and Personality

Burmilla cats are said to be very kind, playful, affectionate, gentle, and loyal pets. This comes from the cross between the bold Burmese and the tolerant Chinchilla, resulting in a social and easy-going Burmilla. They are extremely friendly and love to interact with humans but, at the same time, are not needy. They thrive in a family setting and, in particular, get along well with kids and other animals. However, they do enjoy their own independent time too, so give them their own space when they need it. Essentially, you have a cat that knows how to look after itself, but also enjoys sitting in your lap and remains playful well into old age. They have many kittens-like characteristics, even as older cats.

Intelligence	High
Friendly	With Children, families, dogs, cats, seniors
Playfulness	High
Activity Level	Active
Temperament	Social, bold, and affectionate
Shedding	Infrequent
Vocal	Infrequent
Coat	Can be long and short
Training	Easy
Grooming	Easy

Activity

Burmilla cats are very active and love nothing more than a bit of playtime with humans. This is why they get on so famously with families, children, seniors, cats, dogs, and more. They have a lot of love to give and a lot of energy to expend. You will notice that they remain rather silly and kitten-like well into their years. They are inquisitive and playful, clever, and mischievous. An enclosed outdoor area is usually appreciated to let them run and climb and lay in the sun, but they should not be allowed to roam.

Longhair Burmilla vs Shorthair Burmilla

There are two coat lengths in this new cat breed. Burmilla cats are hypoallergenic and there isn’t a huge difference between long and short hair cats. Both coats are prone to matting, meaning you need to comb through them every week. Burmillas do not shed a whole lot of hair, so that should not be a problem.

Living Needs

Burmilla cats love nothing more than spending time with their humans, such is their affectionate nature. Due to their intelligence, they crave a connection with their owners and attention, although they do not stray into the category of needy. Essentially, they want lots of love, but they will not meow and constantly bother you for it. This is why Burmilla cats thrive in a family setting, especially with children, as there is always someone around to give them one-on-one playtime. In fact, they can even get along with most other cats and dogs when it comes to company.

As we explained above, the Burmilla cannot be categorized as a needy cat. However, they can become anxious and bored if left alone for too long, so keep an eye on them and offer up some attention if they desire it. Burmilla cats love a predictable, quiet, and loving home that provides a lot of companionships. They actually enjoy their own independent time too, so make sure you give them some space when they clearly want it.

Burmilla cats spend most of their time indoors, but some enjoy exploring outside with a leash. They are very sensitive to heat so be sure to keep them inside during the hotter months. They love to climb and explore but they are also very clumsy, so be sure that everything around the house is safe and secure.

Care

Burmilla cats require a similar amount of exercise as most cats. As long as you play with them regularly, offering them those bursts of exercise, they should remain fit and healthy. They are also known to sleep long hours. We recommend investing in cat trees and toys alongside your one-on-one playtime.

In order to keep them feeling safe and comfortable, you should socialize with them as much as you can. They are often also friendly with strangers, children, seniors, and other animals. Basically, they have a lot of love to give! A lot of Burmilla cat care is about showing them love and affection.

Grooming

When it comes to grooming, life is usually pretty easy for Burmilla cat owners. It doesn’t particularly matter if their hair is long or short as both are prone to matting. However, as long as you brush their hair every week, you should stay away from tangles and knows. We recommend purchasing a stainless-steel comb for this particular job.

Burmilla cats also require regular grooming and care when it comes to nails, ears, and teeth, so be sure to keep an eye on that. Keep their nails trimmed, check for ear infections, and maintain their teeth health. There are plenty of foods and treats out there that promote dental health and hygiene.

READ MORE: How to Restrain a Cat to Clip Nails?

Diet and Feeding

Burmilla cats require a high-quality cat food diet. It is best to get a specific recommendation from your vet. Unfortunately, Burmillas are prone to weight gain, so you have to watch out for overfeeding them. If you notice any weight gain, you may need to adjust their diet and perhaps increase their exercise/playtime.

READ MORE: Best Cat Food for Weight Loss

Health

Burmilla cats are often healthy and do not have many chronic issues associated with the breed. The few health issues that are common in Burmilla cats are allergies and kidney issues as they age. They usually love between seven and twelve years.

If you purchase your Burmilla from a responsible breeder, they should have been given health checks as kittens. However, it is still important for you to take them to the vets regularly for check-ups and take the advice of the professionals. As with any animal, the older they get, the more common health problems will become.

Adoption

Burmilla cats can also be adopted if you reach out to breed rescues. However, they are still a rather rare breed in the United States so there may not be an abundance of Burmillas to be found at breed rescues. We recommend that you search online for your local breed rescues and talk to an expert to see if they have any Burmilla cats.

Price and Breeders

In the United States, Burmilla cats usually cost somewhere between $500 and $2,000, depending on the breeder and how pure they are. As we mentioned above, it takes four generations of breeding to get a full Burmilla. Unfortunately, they remain a rather rare breed in the US. We advise that you research and find a reputable breeder with kittens aged around 16 weeks. In this time, they should have been given their inoculations and been well socialized with other cats and humans.

Conclusions

Burmilla cats are a pleasure to have around the house, especially if you have a family and/or children. They are equally as pleasant to have as a companion for senior citizens, thanks to the abundance of love they have to give. It is important to research them and read the above article to make sure they are a good fit for your life and your home, but we recommend Burmillas very highly.

FAQs