One would think that with a name meaning lucky, beautiful and splendid appearance, Burmese cats would have a lot to live up to. It seems that they can do it and they are amazing pets for families, because they are so affectionate and healthy. Not many complaints are heard about this breed.
Originally from East Asia, the breed was brought to the United States in 1930 after being divided into two subgroups. The American group has a rounder, stockier build, while the British group maintains the oriental look by having a slimmer build and triangle-shaped head. The breed generally stays between four and 6 kilograms.
While the Burmese can be seen in a wide variety of colors, only four are recognized as the breed standard. Those colors include sand, which is the most popular color, champagne, blue, and platinum. There should be no bars or spots on the coat and it should have the smooth, shiny finish they are known for. Eye color should be gold or yellow.
Unlike other cat breeds for not having a high level of independence, they can be very clingy and right under your feet. It is recommended not to leave them alone for long periods of time. Burmese people are known to like car rides. A great advantage of the breed is that they love human attention and do wonderfully with children and other animals. They have been compared to dogs in many cases.
In addition to being social, these kitties are known to be very vocal. Owners have stated that their meow is softer than that of their Siamese counterparts, but it can still be a lot to take in. It is common for you to need a break from your cat because he can be very talkative and clingy.
It appears that this cat breed may have found the fountain of youth because it retains many kitten-like traits even into its adult life. Continue playing and learn new tricks, like searching and tagging. Those adult lives last between sixteen and eighteen years with a very small chance of getting sick. The only genetic disease that is passed down is gingivitis, something they can thank their Siamese ancestors for.
Burmese cats tend to have more advantages than disadvantages as pets. You still want to be sure this is the right cat for your home. Research is key and you will likely find that the breed is sure to please you.