The Burmese breed first came to America in 1930 when
Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco brought a small
walnut brown female cat from Burma. He named her Wong
Mau and bred her to Siamese cats. Through selective breeding
the unique solid brown colored coat, now known as Sable,
was isolated. This work demonstrated that these Burmese
cats were a distinct breed and ultimately led the breeders to
request championship recognition from the Cat Fanciers’
Association (CFA). Along the way, the other colors seen in
the Siamese breed were also seen in litters. Over time and
with much controversy, these other colors were accepted by
CFA. The four colors we now recognize in CFA are Sable, a
rich dark brown; Champagne, a warm beige; Platinum, a pale
gray with fawn undertones; and Blue, a medium gray with
fawn undertones.
Burmese cats carry surprising weight for their size. Their coats
are short and close-lying, and they have a very silky texture.
They need very little grooming, usually requiring only some
daily petting. You will see a range of styles of Burmese cats,
with those with rounder heads and shorter bodies being the
show cats. Their large, expressive eyes radiate an innocence
that will seduce you, and they have an irresistible appeal
that has won over many a person who thought he didn’t like
cats. Burmese cats have an endearing quality that has won
the hearts of those lucky enough to be owned by one. They
have great affection for their people, wanting to be with them
as much as possible without being overly demanding. Many
Burmese will even play fetch with a toy, given the chance.
Burmese kittens can be quite spirited. They are playful and
fearless, attempting feats beyond their means and landing on
their sturdy little rear ends. A Burmese kitten will remain playful
well into adulthood. As they mature, their unique intelligence
will reveal itself as their personalities unfold. They will soon
grow into confident and charming little executives who will
rule the house and your heart. Burmese are soft-spoken beings
who have little trouble making their wishes known. They adore
their people and are known for being good with children as
well as liking (or at least tolerating) the family dog.
Burmese are extremely people-oriented companions. Their
personalities are almost dog-like. They will follow you from
room to room, and they greatly desire to give and receive
affection. They seek out warm laps and gentle strokes of your
hand, and they love to snuggle up with their owners when
they are reading or watching TV. Come bedtime they look
forward to sleeping in or on your bed if allowed. Burmese
are convinced that it is their job to run the house. Females
tend to demand center stage and take an active role in
managing the household. Males on the other hand tend to
be more relaxed, managing from a comfortable spot on your
lap. Be forewarned - Burmese cats can be addictive! It is not
uncommon for someone to acquire a Burmese and find one
is not enough. Many people ultimately have two or more
Burmese, one of each gender or of different colors. Being
one of the most trusting cat breeds, Burmese should never
be allowed outside. They are outgoing and fearless, knowing
nothing of the world outside their doors and the dangers that
might await them.
A Burmese cat should be purchased only from a reputable
breeder. Avoid pet shops. Make sure you visit the breeder’s
home prior to committing to a purchase. Although each
breeder has their own way of managing their cattery, the
home should appear clean and relatively odor free. The kittens
should be energetic, curious and easily handled. The kittens
as well as all the adult cats in the home should appear healthy
with clear eyes, noses, and ears. Their coats should appear
healthy. A reputable breeder will offer a health guarantee,
good for a reasonable amount of time, for any kitten or cat
sold. Registration papers should be provided, usually after
the kitten has been altered. The breeder should suggest you
have your own veterinarian examine the kitten or cat shortly
after the sale and be willing to take the animal back for a full
refund if it is found to be unhealthy. A breeder should also
commit to be available to answer your questions once you
bring your new kitten home.
The pricing of Burmese cats and kittens varies depending
on the breeder’s location, the show-worthiness of the cat,
and whether the breeder has already spayed or neutered the
kitten. Most kittens are placed in their new homes at the
age of twelve to sixteen weeks. At this point they should
have received their series of kitten shots and have developed
the physical and social skills needed to move to their new
environment. It is important to keep these rare treasures
indoors. If not already done by the breeder, they should be
spayed or neutered before they reach six months of age. They
should be offered scratching posts to express their natural
behavior of scratching, which is essential for maintaining a
healthy, long and joyful life. For more information, please send
inquiries to CFA at cfa@cfa.org.