Burmese -- Is This The Right Cat For You?

Are you an Oriental cat breed fancier? Although they are closely related to the chatty Siamese, Burmese are a quieter cat. Let’s take a closer look.

Born in the U.S.A.

While the foundation cat for the Burmese breed was imported from Burma, this breed was actually created in the United States when this cat was bred to a Siamese cat and a kitten from her first litter was bred back to her. The Burmese cat breed actually has 2 distinct strains, the American Burmese and the European Burmese. These strains have become so different that some people now consider them to be 2 different breeds.

Characteristics

The American Burmese has an extremely round head and enormous round eyes. The tail is darker in color than the body. Although there are other colors as well, the Cat Fanciers Association prefers Sable, Champagne, Blue, and Platinum coat colors. The European Burmese has a more traditionally catlike wedge shaped head, although it does have the same large round eyes. The European Burmese comes in a wider range of colors than the American Burmese. Both breed strains weigh in at 8 to 14 pounds.

Deformity

Originally, the American Burmese were bred to have a rounder head. However, after hereditary head deformities began appearing -- with some even having to be put down because they were in such bad shape -- breeders decided to concentrate more on the health of the breed and less on the extremely round head.

Friendly Kitty

This breed is a very friendly and sociable one, so if you spend very little time at home, you may want to look for a different cat breed. If you still want to own a Burmese, you may want to consider buying two kittens instead, so that they can keep each other company while you are away.

Attention-loving

The Burmese is happy in family environments. These cats are laid back enough that a bit of noise and activity doesn't stress them out. They enjoy having plenty of attention and don't mind a few visitors. While this breed is friendly, it is not as playful as some other Oriental cat breeds. If you think the Siamese is just a bit too outgoing and obnoxious, the Burmese temperament should be ideal.

Grooming

Since this cat breed has a short, fine coat, you won’t need to spend much time grooming your cat. Combing through his hair once a week should be enough to keep him looking glossy and healthy. In fact, you may just want to rub him down with a soft cloth or a grooming glove to pick up loose hair.

Perfect Cat

Have you always wanted to own one of the Oriental cat breeds? If so, but you would prefer a quieter and less active cat than the Siamese, a graceful, sweet natured Burmese may be the perfect feline for you and your family.