Learn About Burmilla Cats – Characteristics, History & Care

Burmilla cats, known for their pleasing personality and elegance, are loved by many in the feline community. They are medium to large-sized cat breeds, with soft coats and an affable nature. This makes the Burmilla cat a perfect family pet.

Burmilla cats require very little attention, and they are friendly to everybody, making excellent first pets and cat companions within the family.

With this comprehensive and detailed guide, discover the appeal of Burmilla cats. This article would uncover the distinct characteristics, origin, health concerns, and all relevant aspects of the Burmilla cat breed.

Ready to learn more about these beautiful feline companions? Let’s start!

A Glimpse Into The History And Origin of Burmilla Cats

The Burmilla cat breed appeared due to the unexpected and random mating between two breeds: the Burmese and the Chinchilla Persian. This happened unintentionally, but the result was a breed that would go on to be adored by many.

The mating cats were owned by Miranda Von Kirchberg, who was a Baroness. The kittens that were a result of the coincidental mating were so strikingly beautiful and different in looks that they were later on categorized as a separate breed.

The name Burmilla was also derived from Burmese and Chinchilla, just like the parent cats. However, after the accidental mating, efforts were made to conserve and further develop this breed. The Burmilla cat breed is still very rare, but it is now accepted by breeding organisations.

The Unique Burmilla Cat’s Appearance

The Burmilla cat’s appearance is medium in size, with a length of up to 20 inches on average. Their bodies are muscular, giving them a beautiful and elegant outlook.

These cats have some notable features that catch the attention of anyone who comes upon them, as these little things add up and make them a unique breed:

The Silky Coat

It is their shiny coat that makes them stand out in the feline category. The Burmilla cat can have long and short hair. The Burmilla longhair one would typically have a long and bushy tail.

Along with that, Longhair Burmilla cats have semi-long coats with fuzzy ear fringes. Compared to the shorthair ones, they do not have a woolly undercoat.

Black-Rimmed Eyes

The Burmilla cats have black-rimmed eyes, giving them a heavily outlined eyeliner-type look. This definitely adds to their beauty and uniqueness. The shade of their eyes is green, which keeps on darkening with age.

Head

The heads of Burmilla are wedge-like, and these are broad at the cheekbones and slim down to a blunt muzzle. Moreover, another distinguishing feature is the “M” forming on their forehead.

Muscular body

They have a muscular and lean body with slim and graceful legs and paws with an oval shape.

Burmilla Cats and Their Different Colours

Burmilla cat colours vary from silver to gold to different shades like lilac, blue, etc. The dazzling silver or golden undercoat of the Burmilla cats is tipped or shaded. The pattern varies from chocolate colour, blue, and black.  

Burmillas undercoat comes in a variety of colours, which are either shaded or tipped. They have a light colour with a silver and golden undercoat. The colour pattern of a shaded Burmilla cat is darker in general, and it predominantly becomes visible over their backs, shoulders, and legs.

Distinctive Characteristics And Personality Of The Burmilla Cat 

Burmilla cat characteristics and personality are such that they are loving and friendly. They like it when their owners give affection and attention to them. Burmilla cats tend to be playful and curious in nature who like to spend their time with activities.

Independent Yet Affectionate

Burmilla kittens are somewhat impish and goofy in their character. Though these cats like attention from their owners, they are not dependent on them. They are excellent choices for people who are working, as they are independent in nature too so they won’t require complete attention and time.

Compatibility with Other Pets

These cats are known to be friendly with other pets that live in your home. This makes them ideal for families who have other pets too and they want to make sure that all of them get along well.

Mischievous and Family-Oriented

Burmilla cats are family-oriented and mischievous, but are independent temperament-wise. They will only crave attention from their owners when they feel that they are not given enough.

Kitten-Like Temperament

They are known for having a kitten-like temperament even at old age. They have the perfect balance between calmness and liveliness. They are an ideal pet cat if you have other pets and children at home.

Shy but Adaptable

The Burmilla cats are known to be a little shy in the beginning and may take some time to adjust to new people at home. Moreover, Burmilla cats are great animals for both indoors and outdoors.

Easy to Care for and Outgoing

Their outgoing, somewhat gregarious nature and low grooming requirements make them an excellent addition to most homes, and even those new to owning a cat or a pet.

Burmilla Cats’ Health Concerns, Grooming and Diet Guide

Burmilla lifespan is an estimate of 7 to 12 years. They are active cats, but care is still needed.

● Polycystic kidney disease: This is a hereditary condition prent in the Brumilla cat breed. It targets the kidneys and results in cysts in the kidneys. Symptoms for this disease include: increased thirst, presence of blood in the urine, and loss of appetite.

● Dental diseases: Dental issues are very common in cats. When the Brumilla cat goes through such dental issues, they will quit eating. As a result, diseases like Gingivitis or Tooth resorption can occur.

● A defect in the head: An ailment in which face and skulls fail to grow properly.

For this, it is important for Burmilla cat breeders to take care of the cats by observing dental hygiene. Getting the cats checked regularly by vets is important for Burmilla cat breeders.

Nutrition Requirements

They require a high-quality protein diet, with measured meals. However, it is also important to note that brumilla cats tend to become obese if their dietary intake is not monitored. Automatic feeders from WOPet can help in this, as they provide your pets with a balanced proportion of meals.

Brumilla cats are choosy when it comes to food, so trying out different options with them is the key to keeping them fed.

Clean and fresh water is important too. Find the perfect pet water fountain at WOPet for your Brumilla cats. These make sure that your cats stay hydrated

Grooming

● Minimal grooming is required for the short-haired Burmilla cats. However, the long-haired Burmilla requires brushing on a weekly basis.

● Nails should be clipped on a monthly basis.

● Regular dental checkups are required, and teeth should be brushed daily.

● Ears also need to be cleaned regularly to avoid the development of any infection.

Exercise And Training

● If unattended or left alone for a long time, they can get bored and might opt for destructive actions. It is better to keep them involved with cat toys. Check out the toys and other pet essentials at WOPet.

● For the best well-being, the Burmilla Cat or Burmilla Kitten needs lots of time in a secure garden or a purpose-built cat run. This setup should preferably be made up of climbing branches, ramps, and window beds so that they can safely explore the outdoors.

Interesting Facts About Burmilla Cats

● The Burmilla cat is the latest cat breed accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association as a pedigree breed.

● They came into existence by pure luck and chance. The male cat who was involved in the mating process was due to be neutered before he coincidentally mated with the female cat.

● Full Burmillas would take four generations of breeding, but with the cats of each litter re-bred on the Burmese cats until finally meeting the required breed standard.

● Although they are loved by cat fanciers and accepted in several cat registries, they are not distributed as widely as breeds such as the Ragdoll or British Shorthair. They may be harder to come by, specifically via breeders, and this can lead to longer waitlists or higher prices for those willing to adopt one.

Conclusion

Burmilla cats were created by chance. But they have graced the world with their presence and have only made it better. Due to their unique personality and beautiful silhouette, along with their interesting history, they are a distinctive cat breed.

This is a friendly cat with minimal grooming requirements and an ideal pet for families with children or other animals. They provide a unique and enchanting pet experience to their owners.