Burmilla Cat: All World Best Information For You…

Burmilla cats are known for their laid-back, affectionate, and sociable nature. These adorable felines are a delightful blend of chinchilla-colored Persians and Burmese cats, resulting in a charming combination of outgoing and calm personalities.

With their super-soft coat and striking bright green eyes, Burmillas stand out for their elegance. Their care requirements are minimal, and they effortlessly get along with everyone, making them ideal as both first pets and family companions.

Originating in the 1980s, Burmillas remain relatively rare. Due to their scarcity and the intricate four-generation breeding process, acquiring a Burmilla kitten from a reputable breeder typically comes with a price tag ranging from $800 to $1,200 (Burmilla cat price).

• Origin: United Kingdom
• Height: 10–12 inches
• Weight: 6–13 pounds
• Length: Up to 20 inches
• Lifespan: 7–12 years
• Colors: The coat is dense and short with a pale undercoat and distinctive dark tipping to the ends of the hairs.

Burmilla Cat Breed Characteristics

The Barmila breed is characterized by its affectionate and gentle nature. Unlike Burmese cats, Barmilas enjoy attention but without the occasional demanding behavior. They are generally calm, yet more playful and whimsical compared to Persians. Barmilas can also display a touch of mischief, embodying a slightly goofy and almost clown-like personality.

Despite their love for human companionship, Barmilas have an independent streak, making them well-suited for owners with busy schedules. They also form harmonious relationships with other cats and dogs, provided introductions are approached with care.

History

The creation of Burmilla was an unintended stroke of luck. In 1981, Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg acquired a male Chinchilla Persian named Jimmy Stenquist. Before his neutering, Jimmy had an encounter with a lilac Burmese female named Bambino Lilac Fabergé.

This unexpected union resulted in four exquisite female kittens, all with short hair and a stunning silver hue. The kittens’ beauty prompted subsequent breedings, leading to the development of a new cat breed.

The inaugural Burmilla was born in the UK, and while the breed is gaining popularity, it remains relatively rare, particularly in the United States.

Appearance

The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat that strikes a balance between muscularity and elegance, boasting a dense double-layered coat with a luxuriously soft and silky texture. Occasionally, the Barmilla may exhibit a slightly longer coat, categorized as semi-long hair, owing to a recessive gene inherited from the chinchilla.

These cats present a diverse array of coat colors and patterns, falling into two primary categories: tipped or shaded. Tipped Burmillas showcase a light color overlaying a silver or golden undercoat, with silver-tipped cats often resembling a near-white hue. On the other hand, shaded Burmillas exhibit a darker color pattern, primarily on their backs, the top of their shoulders, and the outer parts of their legs.

Temperament

Barnala is a gentle, playful, and devoted companion, embodying a delightful blend of the assertive and demanding Burmese personality with the calm and tolerant nature of the Persian. The result is the affable and laid-back demeanor of the Burmilla, characterized by friendliness and charm without excessive neediness.

This sociable breed thrives on human interaction and family life, demonstrating good compatibility with children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs. Despite their social nature, Barillas appreciate some independence and don’t require constant entertainment from people or playmates.

In essence, the Burmilla is a sweet and amiable pet, enjoying moments of relaxation on your lap and maintaining a playful spirit well into adulthood.

“Barilla cats often retain kitten-like characteristics even as they mature into adulthood,” notes Curt Venator, DVM, Ph.D., and Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina.

Personality

The Burmilla inherits the best qualities from both parent breeds, blending the active, mischievous, and demanding traits of the Burmese with the calm, easy-going, and affectionate nature of the Chinchilla Persian.

Known for their quirky and charming personalities, Burmillas start as adventurous and bold kittens, maturing into sweet-natured, people-oriented adults. While not as energetic as the Burmese, Burmillas still exude vitality and delight in engaging in playful activities, especially enjoying games involving catnip toys or interactive play with their human companions.

Their favorite pastimes involve shared play with humans, whether it’s chasing spinning feathers, laser lights, or fetching round toys repeatedly. Even a simple ball of scrap paper can become a source of joy when enjoyed together.

Similar to the Burmese, Burmillas are highly curious and intelligent. They will diligently investigate anything hidden in closed rooms or closets, displaying a determined effort to explore. Objects left in the open are fair game, with keys, socks, pens, or items in your purse likely to be relocated. This breed’s adaptability might even lead to playful scenarios of Burmillas “texting” their feline friends.

After an active play session, Burmillas reveal their loyal and affectionate side, seeking comfort in snuggling on your lap, in your arms, or indulging in some petting, purring, and catnapping on the couch beside you.

Though not overly vocal, Burmillas express themselves with a loud, deep-throated purr when you stroke their silky backs. Ultimately, it is Burmilla’s intelligent, loving, and charming personality that captivates many enthusiasts of the breed.

Health issues

Burmilla cats generally enjoy good health, but like Burmese cats, they may be susceptible to certain health issues. It’s important to note that there’s no assurance that your cat will experience any or all of the following health concerns; however, these are the most prevalent issues that may arise.

Diabetes Mellitus

Referred to as feline diabetes, this condition arises when a cat’s blood sugar becomes imbalanced, and the hormone insulin is unable to effectively regulate its levels.

Allergies

Similar to humans, cats may encounter allergic reactions to diverse environmental factors, which can include but are not limited to, grass, pollen, or certain foods.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

This ailment leads to the formation of cysts in the kidneys and is hereditary, meaning cats are born with these cysts, which progressively enlarge over time.

Ensuring your cat’s well-being requires regular veterinary check-ups, even if your feline companion appears perfectly healthy. Annual visits are crucial as health issues in cats can easily go unnoticed.

Routine vet appointments offer several advantages, including the early detection of problems. Waiting for extended periods between appointments or until extreme symptoms appear may result in advanced problems. Identifying issues at an early stage not only benefits your pet’s health but can also make treatment more cost-effective.

Additionally, regular vet visits help prevent avoidable diseases. Discussions during appointments can cover vaccines and preventive measures for fleas, ticks, and heartworms.

Monitoring your cat’s weight is another valuable aspect of vet visits. Obesity is a potential concern for all cats, and prompt intervention can prevent a cascade of related health issues.

If you ever have inquiries about your cat’s diet, exercise, or weight, consult your vet for personalized recommendations and advice.

Care

Maintaining the Burmilla’s short, smooth coat is straightforward with weekly brushing or combing to eliminate dead hair, and bathing is seldom necessary. For the long-haired Burmilla, consider brushing or combing two to three times a week.

Ensure dental health by brushing teeth regularly to prevent periodontal disease. While daily dental care is optimal, weekly brushing is better than no care at all. Trim the nails weekly and use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the corners of the eyes, employing a separate section for each eye to prevent potential infection spread.

Perform a weekly check of the ears. If they appear dirty, clean them with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water, avoiding the use of cotton swabs to prevent inner ear damage.

Maintain a pristine litter box, as cats are particularly discerning about bathroom hygiene. Keeping the Burmilla as an indoor cat is advisable to safeguard against diseases transmitted by other cats, potential attacks by dogs or coyotes, and various outdoor hazards such as car accidents.

Outdoor exposure also poses the risk of theft, as individuals may covet these beautiful cats without intending to pay for them.

Best Food For

• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner cat food
• Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult 11+ Healthy Cuisine Seared Tuna & Carrot Medley Cat Food
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Cat Food

Feeding

Each cat is distinct, with its own preferences, dislikes, and dietary requirements. Nonetheless, all cats are obligate carnivores, necessitating the intake of 41 different and specific nutrients from their food.

The quantity of these nutrients fluctuates depending on factors such as age, lifestyle, and overall health. Consequently, the dietary needs of a burgeoning, lively kitten differ from those of a less active senior cat.

Additional considerations involve providing the appropriate quantity of food to sustain an “ideal body condition” according to dietary recommendations. Addressing individual preferences, whether for wet or dry food recipes, is also crucial in catering to the diverse tastes of feline companions.

Grooming

Beyond their endearing personality, Burmillas are notable for their coats, featuring a silvery-white base color tipped or shaded with a contrasting hue.

In the tipped pattern of Burmillas, the color covers approximately 1/8 of the entire hair length, evenly distributed to impart a lustrous sheen. Tipped-coat Burmillas generally exhibit a lighter appearance compared to their shaded-coat counterparts.

In the shaded pattern, around 1/3 of the hair shaft is colored, resulting in a darker appearance for shaded cats. Available colors for both tipped and shaded patterns encompass black, brown, lilac, blue, chocolate, cream, red, and tortoise.

The silky coat may be short or long, with long-haired variants featuring ear tufts and a fully plumed tail.

In other aspects, they share similarities with European Burmese, featuring gently rounded heads tapering to short, blunt wedges, medium to large ears with slightly rounded tips tilted forward, large eyes in various shades of green, and a medium-sized body with slender legs, tidy oval paws, and a tail tapering to a rounded tip.

Training

Training cats is a feasible endeavor, though the outcomes may not parallel those achieved with dogs. While Burmillas possess sufficient intelligence for training, the pivotal factor remains their willingness to participate.

Exercise

Burmilla cats exhibit moderate activity levels and relish playing with each other or engaging with their human companions. As they age, these cats may tend to become a bit more laid-back, emphasizing the importance for their families to prioritize regular exercise.

Adoption Center & Burmilla Cat Breeders

Given their uncommonness, acquiring a Burmilla kitten may necessitate traveling a considerable distance or waiting. The Fancier’s Breeder Referral List (FBRL) offers a comprehensive directory of cat breeders in the United States, which includes information about some Burmilla breeders.

Burmilla cat for sale

• Petfinder
• Pinterest

See More Cat Breeds For Further Research

• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Savannah Cat 

FAQs