Cat · Shorthair
Burmese
A sleek, heavy-for-its-size people cat with a satin coat and a big personality.
- Origin
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3–6 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Apartment-friendly
- Yes
The Burmese is compact and muscular, with a short, glossy coat and large, expressive eyes. It is famous for being devoted, chatty, and playful well into old age.
Burmese cats want to be with people. They are a good choice for families and a poor choice for owners who are out all day.
With children: Excellent — sociable, playful, and tolerant.
The full profile
Temperament, exercise, grooming, training, feeding, health watch-list, and the ideal home.
💛 Temperament
Affectionate, confident, and curious. They enjoy company and are often described as dog-like.
🎾 Exercise
Active and playful. Interactive toys and climbing space keep them happy.
🪮 Grooming
A short, fine coat that needs only weekly brushing or a wipe with a soft cloth.
🎓 Training
Intelligent and responsive; many enjoy fetch and harness walking.
🥣 Feeding
Measured meals and limited treats to reduce diabetes risk.
Health watch-list
Diabetes
Burmese have a higher risk; keep them lean.
Hypokalaemia
Low potassium can cause weakness in some lines; a DNA test exists.
Head defect
A craniofacial defect occurs in some American Burmese lines.
Dental disease
Regular dental care is important.
The ideal home
Families or busy homes where the cat will rarely be alone.
Is a Burmese right for you?
✅ Often a great fit for
- Families who want a sociable, affectionate cat
- Homes where someone is around much of the day
- Owners who enjoy playful cats
- Homes with another cat for company
⚠️ Think twice
- If you are out all day
- If you want an aloof cat
- If you cannot manage weight and diet carefully
- If you buy without asking about diabetes and inherited disease risks
History of the Burmese
Modern Burmese descend from a cat called Wong Mau, brought from Burma (Myanmar) to San Francisco in 1930 by Dr Joseph Thompson. She was bred with Siamese cats to develop the breed.
American and European Burmese developed slightly differently, with American Burmese generally having rounder heads.
Fun fact
The breed traces back to a single brown cat, Wong Mau, brought from Burma to the United States in 1930.
Breed profiles describe general tendencies — every animal is an individual. Health information here is general and not veterinary advice. Ask your veterinarian about screening, diet, and care for your own pet, and choose breeders or rescues who health-test and can answer your questions openly.