Home › Cat Breeds A–Z › Burmese

Burmese

Champagne Burmese cat with golden eyes
Photo: Sergey Lubov — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A muscular, sweet-natured cat that is heavier than it looks — devoted, playful and people-loving.

SizeMediumPersonalityAffectionateCoatShortOriginAsia

How to spot it

A compact, surprisingly heavy cat 3.5–6 kg — "a brick wrapped in silk" — with a rounded head, expressive golden-yellow eyes and a short, fine, glossy coat. The original sable brown is classic, with champagne, blue and platinum also seen.

Personality

Extremely affectionate, playful and people-dependent — it wants to be with you constantly, is good with children and often stays kitten-like for life. Sociable and moderately vocal, softer-voiced than a Siamese.

Grooming & coat care

The short glossy coat is minimal work: a weekly wipe or brush is enough and it sheds little.

Health & lifespan

Often 14–18 years. Some lines carry a diabetes risk and a head-defect gene (in "contemporary" Burmese), plus dental disease; buy from a breeder who screens.

Living with one in India

The short coat suits a warm climate well, so the main need is company — a Burmese is one of the most people-dependent breeds and should not be left alone all day. It fits an indoor home where someone is usually around.

← Back to all cat breeds