Burmese Cats: Gental & Playful Nature Ideal Companions
Have you ever wished for a dog’s loyalty and affection combined with the miniature size and sweet meow of a cat? Well, say hello to Burmese cats – one of the most friendly and playful cat breeds in the world.
Known for their affectionate and playful nature, these felines make excellent pets for anyone looking for companionship and bonding. Even those with a strong cat aversion eventually give in to their Burmese temperament – they’re that sweet!
If you’re thinking about getting one too, here’s all you need to know about Burmese cats as pets, their needs, and more. Read on!
Physical Traits of The Burmese Cat
From far away, a Burmese cat looks pretty ordinary. But a step closer reveals its majestic beauty, which lies in its strong build and gorgeous coat.
Although there are two slightly different varieties – the European and the American Burmese cat – both have many similarities that define this friendly feline breed:
Structure
Burmese cats are quite muscular with a build like that of a panther. This is the reason why, despite their average size, these cats are way heavier than they seem.
The American Burmese cat has a thicker body with a cute round head, while the European kind is more slender with a beautiful V-shaped face and a pointy chin. Both have toned legs and a not-too-thick but strong-looking tail.
Eyes
Burmese cats have stunning golden-yellow eyes that shine bright and are full of expressions. The American ones tend to have rounded eyes and the European variety have more almond-shaped eyes that are set closer together.
Coat
Perhaps the most distinguishable feature of this breed is its coat. Shiny, silky, and oh-so-soft, these cats have short fine coats that are easy to maintain. Simply petting them makes their fur look instantly more glossy, thanks to the natural oils present on our skin.
Colors
Burmese cats are best known for their rich brown-colored coats, which are considered quite rare among cats. While sable was their original color, today these cats are found in a multitude of shades, including blue, fawn, red, and even some tortoiseshell varieties.
What is Special about Burmese Cats: Personality Traits
Affectionate
The Burmese cat personality defies the aloofness and indifference that’s stereotypical of cats. Anyone who thinks cats can’t be friendly enough should be introduced to this breed, and I’ll bet anything they’ll change their mind!
As one of the most affectionate cat breeds in the world, Burmese cats can often be seen rubbing their cheeks against their humans, purring, or rolling over for belly rubs – a sign of immense trust and love. And it’s not just an occasional thing – you’re guaranteed to receive loads of love every day.
They might also lick you, as grooming each other means being affectionate in the cat kingdom. Waking up every morning to purrs and licks is the norm for Burmese cat owners – how sweet is that?
They’re also a super cuddly cat breed, so unlike most cats who want to escape from one’s arms within seconds, these felines will snuggle with you even closer in return. They simply love getting pets and scratches, and isn’t that just every cat parent’s dream?
Gentle
Aside from being an affectionate cat breed, Burmese cats are also very gentle and tolerant. You’ll rarely find it showing any signs of annoyance, let alone hiss or swat, especially around humans.
They’re also super chill and patient with kids, who often tend to overdo cuddles and overstay their welcome around cats. So you can rest assured that your Burmese feline will be calm and gentle around overexcited kids.
High Energy
While the Burmese cat will enjoy cuddling with you, it’s also one of the most high energy cat breeds around, so you might find it jumping about the house for a good portion of the day.
Expect lots of running, leaping, and, most of all, climbing. Burmese cats absolutely love going up to high places, so having a cat tree in the house is a good idea if you want to prevent your curtains and shelves from getting targeted!
If you’ve got the space for it, I suggest building a cat patio so your cat can experience the outdoors and have lots of spaces to climb and play about.
They are also quite prone to getting the ‘zoomies’ i.e. random bursts of energy that cats and dogs often get, so be prepared for that.
The good news is, though, that these cats will happily go on walks with you, and you can even take them on trips. So if you’re an outdoorsy person, this seriously extroverted feline can be the ideal companion for your adventures.
Social
Thanks to the Burmese cat’s personality, you won’t have to worry about it being anxious within a large household. It will happily mingle with just about any human and won’t shy away even from visitors.
Since they love to be social, expect them to be following you from room to room and always wanting to be with you – almost to the point of being clingy, which I think is pretty adorable. This is great for those looking for years of companionship and loyalty in the form of a cat.
Don’t be surprised if they won’t leave you alone even in the bathroom – that’s just how much they love human company!
Do note, though, that these cats will trust just about anything and anyone, much like a golden retriever, and this can often put them in danger. If you get a Burmese cat, make sure it always stays indoors and only goes out under your supervision.
Playful
Burmese cats are an exceptionally playful cat breed that never grows out of its kitten personality. Where most adult cats like to lounge and laze about and aren’t interested in toys anymore, these bundles of joy will actively engage in play. Even the senior cats tend to be more energetic than other breeds of the same age.
Whether it’s chasing toys, pawing stuff out of curiosity, or simply playing hide and seek in boxes, there will never be a dull moment in a house where there’s a Burmese kitty – guaranteed!
Intelligent
We’ve all seen videos of cats doing dumb stuff, but once again, Burmese cats stand apart from the stereotype. These highly intelligent creatures are very trainable and can learn easy tricks like sitting up or down with a clicker and some treats.
It’s no wonder they’re often compared to a dog’s personality – I’ve even seen many of them play fetch with their owners!
Here’s a perfect example of how intelligent (and adorable) these cats can be:
Vocal
Yet another distinguishable trait of a Burmese cat’s personality is that they’re very chatty. They will meow back at you every time you say something to them, and won’t hesitate to vocalize their feelings throughout the day.
So if you’re late to put out their meal, expect to be told off with some serious meows!
Great with Other Pets
This wonderfully affectionate cat breed gets along well with not just humans, but also quickly befriends other pets. Whether it’s another cat, a dog, or in some cases, even bunnies, most Burmese cats bond well with each of them.
Just make sure you introduce them properly and know their temperaments, because like all cats, they can be territorial and wary in the beginning.
Caring for Burmese Cats
When it comes to grooming, these human-loving fluffballs require very little maintenance. Brushing them once a week is enough to get rid of loose fur, and they don’t shed too much anyway.
Apart from that, regular maintenance of paw pads, nail trimming, and dental hygiene will also need caring for just like any other cat.
What you do need to pay special attention to is keeping them company. If you’re away for too many hours every day, your Burmese cat will get seriously depressed and lonely, and may even suffer from separation anxiety.
So if you live alone with a 9-5 job, this breed may not be for you unless it has someone to look after it while you’re gone, especially if it’s a younger cat who’s less independent.
If you do have to be away for some reason, make sure there’s another pet cat or dog at home to keep it occupied.
Just keeping them company isn’t enough, though. Since this is one of the most active breeds we know of, you’ll have to ensure you provide these cats with enough physical stimulation every day.
Have teaser toys to engage their brains or some balls to roll around on the floor. I also suggest getting one of those robotic plastic fishes that light up and swim around – most cats love watching them swim in a basin and trying to catch them.
You can even train these felines to wear a harness and take them on walks. Talk about a cat with a dog’s personality, huh?
Final Thoughts
For any of you who wish for more loving and playful cats that don’t just occasionally seek out your affection but frequently demand it, Burmese cats will for sure bring you and your family endless joy.
They live to be 10-16 years old, so you’ll have plenty of time to make memories cuddling and playing along the way.