Burmese cat chasing a toy

Burmese Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Burmese breed of cat was developed in the US in 1930 after Wong Mau, a dark brown cat from Burma (now Myanmar), was mated with a seal point Siamese cat. The breed arrived in the UK in 1949. These elegant and athletic cats will charm their way into your life, and love company and lots of attention.

They’re active, curious, friendly cats, sometimes noisy and will want to be involved in whatever you do. If you want to know more about this breed, we have all the information you need right here.

Burmese Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
16 - 18 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3 - 5 kg
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Height
25 - 30 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Friendly, affectionate, sociable
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Exercise
30 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Burmese Cat Right for Me?

Burmese cats are easy to care for. Minimal grooming, a balanced diet and lots of exercise will keep them in tip-top condition. They don’t like being left alone for too long so consider having two, ideally a sibling, for company. Having a curious and friendly nature makes them less fearful of strangers so to keep them safe, they’re best kept as indoor cats.

With their intelligent and playful personalities, Burmese cats make great companions. If you can give them lots of attention, the Burmese will be the perfect fit for you. 

Two Burmese Kittens standing on a table

What Are Burmese Kittens Like?

Like most kittens, Burmese kittens are curious and playful. They’ll fit well into families with children and households with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. Make sure you socialise them from an early age so they can get used to other animals, your lifestyle allowing them to grow into confident, happy adults.

A Burmese cat lying on their back

Life with a Burmese

Life with a Burmese is never dull! These cats are people-oriented, affectionate, can be talkative and will be your constant companion. Cuddles will are definitely on the table with a Burmese.

Try not to leave them on their own alone for too long though, as Burmese cats are prone to separation anxiety. Keep them in cuddles though and they’re an easy cat to care for and fun to have around.

Caring for Your Burmese

Feed your Burmese cat a high-quality cat food that matches their age, activity levels and health needs. If you get your kitten from a breeder, ask them which cat food they used and continue feeding with this brand.

If you want to change their cat food, it’s best to do so gradually to avoid any tummy upset and to avoid over-feeding, follow the recommendations on the packet. Being a vocal breed, they’ll tell you when it’s dinner time!

Burmese cats are low maintenance. They have soft, short coats that don’t shed much, so a weekly brush or comb is all that’s needed to keep their coats in good condition. And, of course, they’ll enjoy all the attention that comes with the grooming sessions.

The Burmese are an energetic and playful breed that tend to retain their kitten-like characteristics into adulthood. They’re best kept as indoor cats so make sure they have lots of interactive toys to play with to keep them active and out of mischief. They’re good climbers so will enjoy having a perch or cat tree, ideally by a window so they can view the world around them. 

Being highly intelligent they’ll pick things up quickly, including toilet training. They’ll enjoy puzzle toys and can also be taught to play ‘fetch’ and to walk on a lead.

Burmese Cat Insurance

Has a Burmese taken your fancy, or are you already a proud owner of one of these cute kitties? If so, Everypaw Cat Insurance may have what it takes to look after your short-coated friend. With new Burmese Cat insurance policies available from 8 weeks all the way up to 10 years of age, and a full range of cover options of cover to choose from, you’ll be able to find the right insurance for both you and your Burmese.

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Common Burmese Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

Burmese cats are generally a healthy breed, but both pedigree and mixed-breed Burmese cats can be susceptible to some inherited health problems. These include diabetes mellitus, Burmese head defect, hypokalaemic myopathy and flat-chested kitten syndrome.

It’s worth noting that the American Burmese and European Burmese cats come from two separate breeding lines. They have a different head shape and are prone to different health issues.

Burmese cats have an increased risk of being affected by Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin to keep blood sugar levels at the right level. The condition is likely to be inherited in breeding lines and can be fatal if left untreated or uncontrolled.

It usually affects cats aged between 7-14 years. Most diabetic cats will need regular insulin injections to keep their blood sugar levels under control.

This head defect is seen in Burmese cats in the US and those imported from the US. Fortunately, it isn’t seen in European Burmese cats. Affected kittens are born with a severe malformation of the head and face and sadly have to be put to sleep. A genetic test is available for carriers of the defect and cats with the gene mutation shouldn’t be used for breeding.

Hypokalaemic Myopathy is a condition inherited by some Burmese cats. Affected cats have muscle weakness and struggle to lift their head up, so their chin tucks down onto their chest. The good news is that it can be treated with potassium supplementation. A genetic test is available for the gene mutation responsible for the condition and cats carrying the gene shouldn’t be bred from.

Flat-chested kitten syndrome (FCK) is a condition that can affect Burmese kittens, usually apparent when the kitten is only about 10 days old. The chest is flattened, and the legs can be splayed. The kitten may be called a ‘swimmer’. Malformation of the chest can also occur (called pectus excavatum or funnel chest) and affected kittens may have breathing difficulties.

Both conditions can occur together and can be mild or life-threatening. Splinting the ribcage can be successful. Survival depends on how severely the kitten is affected and their response to treatment. Sadly, more seriously affected kittens often don’t survive.

Quick Burmese Q&A

Burmese cats thrive on human attention and don’t enjoy being left alone. They are a breed that are known to suffer from separation anxiety.

It’s best they have a companion, ideally a sibling, to keep them company, especially if you’re out at work all day.

Burmese cats are considered to be fully grown when they’re around 18 months old.

Burmese cats generally have yellow or gold eyes. Burmese kittens are born with blue eyes but if the blue colour continues into adulthood, then the cat isn’t a pure-bred Burmese.

No cat is completely hypoallergenic – they all produce the protein Fel d 1 that causes cat allergies. Fel d 1 on the coat and skin (left from saliva during grooming, and from sebaceous glands) is shed in large quantities by dander (skin flakes, debris and dried saliva).

Burmese cats are considered to be one of the breeds that produce less dander and less Fel d-1 in their saliva and so might cause less of an allergic reaction. However, there are now a range of options to manage a cat allergy so ask your vet for advice.

The average lifespan of a Burmese cat is typically 16 to 18 years, though some Burmese cats have been known to live into their 20s with proper care.

That’s All You Need to Know About Burmese Cats

Active, friendly, and curious, the Burmese will want to be involved in whatever you’re doing. They’re best kept as indoor cats. They may not be happy if left alone all day so may need another cat, ideally a sibling, to keep them entertained. But they’re easy to care for - their soft, short coats just need grooming once a week. A Burmese will be the ideal companion if you can give them the time and attention!

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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