Burmese
The Burmese is one of the most people-oriented cats in existence — often described as the cat equivalent of a dog.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Myanmar
Lifespan
16–18 years
Weight
3.5–5 kg (8–11 lbs)
Height
23–30 cm (9–12 in)
Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Burmese often have large appetites — monitor weight carefully.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Burmese is one of the most people-oriented cats in existence — often described as the cat equivalent of a dog. All modern Burmese descend from a single cat named Wong Mau, brought to the USA from Burma in 1930 by Dr. Joseph Thompson. The Burmese breed exists in two distinct types: the American Burmese (more rounded, cobby body and rounder face) and the European Burmese (more moderate body and longer face). The Burmese is one of the longest-lived cat breeds on average and forms extraordinarily deep bonds with their human family. They are entirely unsuited to solitary or neglectful environments.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The American Burmese has a distinctively rounded appearance — a round head, round eyes (large, set far apart, gold or yellow), a short, broad nose, and a compact, well-muscled body. The coat is very short, fine, and glossy — it lies very close to the body and has a satin-like sheen. The European Burmese has a more moderate head and body. All Burmese have the characteristic warm, glossy coat in one of their solid colours.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Burmese are genuinely dog-like in their attachment — they follow their owners everywhere, want to be involved in everything, and form deep, exclusive bonds. They are vocal — not as loud as Siamese but persistent. They retain playful energy well into old age. They are excellent with children. They do not do well alone — they should be kept in pairs or households where someone is usually home.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
5/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 30°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
50%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
excessive vocalisation, clinginess, aggression, over-grooming, pica
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming — weekly brushing to maintain the glossy coat. The primary care need is social — Burmese need daily significant interaction. They thrive in pairs. Regular dental care important. Monitor weight — large appetites combined with indoor lifestyle can lead to obesity.
Nutrition Notes
Diabetes mellitus elevated. Hypokalaemia (low potassium). FOPS (feline orofacial pain syndrome) — breed-specific. Obesity with age. Dental disease.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Diabetes mellitus. Hypokalaemia. FOPS (painful oral episodes). HCM. Cranial/facial defects in some lines. ALL modern Burmese descend from one cat (Wong Mau, 1930). One of the longest-lived breeds (15-20 years). Head defect in American lines.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis — a muscle disease causing episodic weakness unique to Burmese, with a DNA test available (in some lines). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Diabetes mellitus is elevated in the breed. Feline orofacial pain syndrome (FOPS) — a facial pain condition elevated in Burmese.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
One of the longest-lived breeds. All descend from one cat (Wong Mau). India: suits climate well (Myanmar origin).
Purchase Price
$600 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
All Burmese cats alive today trace to a single cat named Wong Mau, brought from Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma to San Francisco in 1930 by US Navy psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Thompson — making the Burmese breed foundation more narrow than almost any other breed.
The Burmese is consistently one of the longest-lived cat breeds — with individuals frequently reaching 18–20 years, and a documented case of a Burmese reaching 35 years of age.
Burmese cats have been described by veterinary behaviourists as having the strongest social attachment to humans of any cat breed — they show separation anxiety at rates comparable to dogs.
