Burmilla Cat: Characteristics, Personality, and Breed Information

Burmilla
Overview
Characteristics
Compare Breed
Origin
United Kingdom
Height
8"-10"
Adult weight
8-12 pounds
Life Span
15-18+ years
Temperament
Intelligent, people-oriented, fun-loving, affectionate
Other Names
Asian Cat
Group
Medium-sized shorthair and longhair
Price
$500-$2,000
Affection Level
? Breeds with a high affection level want to give and receive a lot of attention, while less-affectionate breeds are not as interested in petting and snuggles.
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100%
Activity Level
? Breeds with high activity levels will engage more in active play and demand more space and attention.
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70%
Pet-Friendly
? How well the breed tends to get along with cats, dogs, and other pets.
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90%
Kid-Friendly
? Breeds with a higher rating in this area tend to be gentle and patient, while lower-rated breeds may feel uncomfortable with children.
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100%
Sociability
? Breeds with a higher sociability rating will want to spend time with you all day, while less-sociable breeds seldom seek out human interaction.
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90%
Intelligence
? Breeds with higher intelligence ratings are more curious, investigative, and easy to train. Less-intelligent breeds are less trainable but often laid-back and easygoing.
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90%
Playfulness
? Breeds that score higher in this area have strong hunting instincts that make them great playtime companions.
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80%
Independence
? Breeds that score higher in this area are able to spend hours alone, while less-independent breeds require plenty of attention.
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50%
Vocality
? A higher rating in this area indicates a breed prone to plenty of meowing and other vocalizations, while less-vocal breeds are happy to stay quiet.
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80%
Grooming
? Breeds with higher grooming scores require more maintenance like brushing and bathing, while lower-scored breeds are virtually maintenance-free.
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50%

Personality and Temperament

With a lovely personality to match their stunning good looks, the Burmilla cat offers the very best of the Burmese and Chinchilla Persian breeds.

The Burmilla is renowned for their laid-back temperament. The breed is family-friendly, with a reputation for getting along well with children and other pets. Cats and well-behaved dogs will find a steadfast friend in the Burmilla.

These gorgeous cats are playful but not hyperactive. They are quiet and not overly demanding, yet they thrive with plenty of attention from their families.

JE Jevgenija / Shutterstock.com
Nynke van Holten / Shutterstock.com

Care

Nutrition

Nutrition

Grooming

Grooming

Exercise

Exercise

Health

Health

Burmilla cats have no special nutritional needs. We recommend feeding your Burmilla cat high-quality food with plenty of protein and not too many carbohydrates. This breed can be prone to obesity, particularly in their later years.

Burmilla cats may have short coats or semi-long coats. Either coat type is low maintenance, requiring only weekly brushing or combing. Regular brushing cuts down on shedding and helps prevent hairballs.

Trim the nails every two weeks and peek into your Burmilla's ears once a week. If they look dirty, clean them with a pet-safe ear cleaner. If you notice any redness, contact your veterinarian.

Burmilla cats are moderately active, and enjoy playing together or with their human companions. Later in life, these cats may become a bit lazier, so it’s up to their human families to make exercise a priority. Daily activity and play is good for your cat's mental and physical health.

Burmilla cats are generally healthy, however they are susceptible to hereditary polycystic kidney disease and allergies. Reputable breeders do their best to produce kittens without kidney disease by having the parents screened before breeding.

History

The Burmilla came into being as the result of a happy accident. In 1981, Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg of the United Kingdom purchased a Chinchilla Persian male kitten named Jamari Sanquist. Before she could have him neutered, he crossed paths with a lilac Burmese female named Bambino Lilac Fabergé.

As a result of the mating, four female kittens were born, named Galatea, Gemma, Gisella, and Gabriella. All four kittens had short hair and were a gorgeous shaded silver color. The kittens were so beautiful that subsequent breedings were arranged and a new cat breed was developed.

The Burmilla breed was established in the UK. The breed is gaining popularity but is still relatively rare, particularly in the United States.

JE Jevgenija / Shutterstock.com
JE Jevgenija / Shutterstock.com

Eyes

The Burmilla cat has large and expressive eyes placed well apart at a slightly oblique setting. The eyes are any shade of green, with clear green preferred. Kittens and young cats under the age of 2 years may display a yellow tinge in their eyes. Amber eyes are permitted in red, cream, and torbie Burmillas.

Legs & Paws

A Burmilla cat's legs are proportionate to the body, with strong bones. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. The paws have neat, oval shaping.

Tail

The tail is medium to long, tapering slightly to a rounded tip. In longhair Burmilla cats, the tail displays elegant plumage.

The Breed Standard

Body

The Burmilla cat is medium-sized, with a softly curved shape that’s similar to that of a Burmese.

Head

The head is gently rounded. It is widest at the eyebrow level and jaw hinge, then tapers to a blunt wedge at the muzzle. The profile should show a gentle dip and the tip of the nose should be in line with the chin.

Ears

A Burmilla cat's ears are medium to large in size, and broader at the base with rounded tips.

Coat

The coat is dense, with fine hairs that contribute a soft, silky feel. Burmilla cats may have short hair or semi-long hair.

Color

Burmilla cat coats have a silver ground color with pure white undercoats and tipping or shading in black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, beige, and apricot. The eyes, nose, and lips are defined by fine black lines, or "make up," which make the cat's facial features stand out. Nose leather and paw pad color are appropriate to the base color.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Burmilla cats cost?

A pet-quality Burmilla kitten usually costs anywhere from $1,800 to $2,000.

How big do Burmilla cats get?

Burmilla cats are medium in size. A fully grown Burmilla cat might weigh between 8 and 12 pounds or more, and range in height anywhere from about 8 inches to 10 inches tall.

How long do Burmilla cats live?

In general, Burmilla cats are healthy and long-lived. The average life span for Burmilla is 15 to 18 years or longer. Responsible Burmilla breeders screen their adult Burmilla cats for genetically linked diseases like polycystic kidney disease to avoid passing it on to kittens.

Do Burmilla cats shed?

Burmilla cats may be short haired or have semi-long hair. Regardless of coat length, the hair is very fine and silky, and does not shed as much as some other cat breeds.

3 thoughts on “Burmilla”

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  1. Deborah

    A previous vet commented on my all black kitty with hairs that are half black and half white on the same shaft. Unfortunately i forgot what she called this. Burmilla sounds familiar … can my short haired, green eyed kitty with fur as described above be a Burmilla?

    Reply
    1. Mallory Crusta

      Silver-tipped black fur is a characteristic of some Burmilla cats! Of course, you can’t officially call your cat a Burmilla without papers, but if they fit the description here, I would think you could consider it as a possibility and think of your cat as a Burmilla-like cat or Burmilla mix.