Burmese

Burmese Cat Breed

Appearance:

• The Burmese is a medium-sized breed with a muscular and compact body.
• They have a rounded head with full cheeks and a short, broad muzzle.
• Burmese cats have a dense and silky coat that comes in a variety of solid colors, including sable, chocolate, blue, and lilac.
• Their eyes are large and expressive, usually a vivid yellow or gold color.

Temperament:

• Burmese cats are known for their affectionate and people-oriented nature. They are often described as loving and social cats that enjoy being in the company of their human companions.
• They are typically playful and intelligent cats, often engaging in interactive play sessions and learning new tricks or games.
• Burmese cats are known for their vocalizations and will often communicate with their human family using soft and sweet voices.
• They are generally good with children and other pets, making them a great choice for families or multi-pet households.

Care and Health:

• The Burmese's short coat is relatively low maintenance and requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing helps to remove loose hair and keep the coat in good condition.
• They are generally a healthy breed with no specific breed-related health issues. However, regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure their overall well-being.
• Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation through playtime and interactive toys are essential for maintaining the health and happiness of Burmese cats.

The Burmese is an affectionate and social breed known for its beautiful coat and loving personality. Their playful nature and close bond with their human companions make them wonderful companions for families or individuals seeking a devoted and interactive feline friend.

History

The Burmese ancestors are the Siamese and the "copper cat" from Burma (now Myanmar). It is believed to be temple and palace treasures bred and kept by priests. The matriarch of modern Burmese was a small, dark brown cat named Wong Mau. It belonged to Dr. Joseph Thompson, who either bought it from a sailor or took it back from his voyages, depending on what history one believes.

Wong Mau was originally considered a Siamese with chocolate-colored fur. Such Siamese were not uncommon. "Chocolate Siamese" was described in the 1880s. Their bodies were brown or brown, and they had spots of seal brown or almost black. Seal Point Siamese, also known as Royal Siamese, had lighter bodies that protruded towards their dark spots and were preferred by breeders and the general public. The chocolate-colored cats eventually disappeared in Britain, but they were still found in Thailand and Burma (now known as Myanmar), where they were likely offspring of natural (as opposed to human-controlled) matings between freely roaming Siamese (pointed). and monochrome Burmese cats. Wong Mau was one of them. It was her destiny to become the matriarch of two new races: the Burmese and later the Tonkines.

Dr. Thompson bred Wong Mau with a Siamese sealing point called Tai Mau. His breeding program, in collaboration with breeders Virginia Cobb and Billie Gerst and geneticist Clyde Keeler, produced kittens with beige, brown and pointed fur. The results, including the discovery of the Burmese gene, were so interesting that Thompson published an article on the subject in a 1943 issue of the Journal of Heredity, the first of its kind on cat genetics.

The Cat Fanciers Association began registering Burmese in 1936 but suspended registration in 1947 because breeders still used Siamese in their breeding programs. Registrations resumed in 1953 after the exercise was suspended. Today, Burmese are a popular breed among cat lovers.

Personality

The Burmese are energetic and friendly. He has the charm and determination of his Siamese ancestors and enjoys conversation as much as this breed, but his voice is soft and sweet, which contradicts his tendency to run the household with an iron paw wrapped in fluffy fur. He is very intelligent and seeks human company, so he is not best suited for a home where he is left alone for most of the day. If no human is around to keep their intellect busy, make sure they are accompanied by another pet. He gets along well with other cats and dogs, but of course another Burmese will be his best friend.

Burmese are as curious as cats. Expect him to carefully explore your home and know all the rough edges. He is playful and remains so in adulthood. Tease his smart mind with interactive toys and teach him tricks to use to present himself in front of an audience. In addition to sitting, turning, waving and coming, he can learn to pick up a small toy or go on a leash. With the right early conditioning, car trips and veterinary visits will be a breeze.

A Burmese is a good choice if you are not opposed to complete loss of privacy. This cat will want to be involved in everything from reading the newspaper and using the computer to cooking and watching TV. Of course he sleeps in bed with you and even gets to crawl under the covers. When you sit down, it lies on your lap or next to you, waiting to be petted. You will be scolded for ignoring him. His full attention will be paid to the guests, and it is likely that he will win over even those who say they do not like cats.

A female Burmese is the definition of queen. She likes attention and she likes to be responsible. Men are calmer and happier to complete a round. Regardless of what you choose, the chances are high that you will soon be craving another.

Health

Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. Burmese are generally healthy, although they are prone to gingivitis and may be susceptible to anesthesia. The following diseases have also been observed in Burmese:

• Lipemia of aqueous humor, a temporary milky appearance of the eye during the kitten age that usually disappears on its own.
• Corneal dermoid, the presence of skin and hair on the surface of the cornea that can be successfully corrected surgically.
• Orofacial pain syndrome, indicated by excessive licking and chewing movements and paws on the mouth. The discomfort can increase if the cat is upset or stressed and the cats often do not eat because the activity is painful. Some cats must wear an Elizabethan collar and have their paws bandaged to prevent injury. Some cases resolve themselves and then return. Cause and type of inheritance are unknown. Painkillers and antiepileptic drugs can help, as well as consulting a veterinarian to rule out dental disease.
• Congenital peripheral vestibular disease that causes head tilt, imbalance, rapid eye movements and uncoordinated gait in kittens. Some kittens with this condition may also be deaf.
• Burmese head defect, a craniofacial anomaly.
• Hypokalemic polymyopathy, muscle weakness caused by low potassium levels in the blood, which sometimes occurs in Burmese kittens. Signs are general weakness, stiff gait, reluctance to walk and shaking of the head. It can be treated with potassium supplements given orally.
• Flat-chested feline syndrome, a deformity that can range from mild to severe. Kittens that survive adulthood usually show no signs when they reach maturity.
• Cracked tail, usually due to a deformity of the tailbone. It does not cause pain or discomfort.
• Osteoarthritis of the elbow, an early onset of arthritis in the elbow that reduces the cat's activity or mobility.
• Endocardial fibroelastosis, a heart disease in which the left ventricle thickens and the heart muscle stretches. Signs usually develop when a kitten is 3 weeks to 4 months old, which is a good reason to wait up to 4 months to get a kitten home.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart.
• Diabetes mellitus, an endocrine disease caused by a disturbance in insulin secretion or an effect that leads to high blood sugar levels.

Maintenance

The Burmese's soft, short coat is easy to prepare by brushing or combing every week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oil. A bath is rarely necessary.

Brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection. Check their ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear.

Keep the litter box completely clean. Like all cats, Burmese also attach great importance to hygiene in the bathroom.

It is a good idea to keep a Burmese as an all-in-one cat to protect them from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks from dogs or coyotes and other dangers that cats face when they go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. . Burmese who go outside also risk being stolen by someone who wants such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Fur color and grooming

Burmese are often described as a "brick wrapped in silk", evidence of their firm, muscular body. While the original Burmese was a dark, solid brown color called saber, it is now available in other shades, including blue, champagne and platinum. The cats have a compact body with a round head; large, expressive eyes in gold or yellow; and medium-sized ears that are rounded at the tips and tilt slightly forward.

The coat is short and silky smooth. The traditional sable is a rich, warm brown, slightly lighter on the lower body. A kitten's fur darkens as it matures. Nasal skin and paw pads are brown. A champagne-colored Burmese is a warm honey beige shade to a pale golden brown on the underside. Nose leather is a light warm tan and paw pads are a warm pink tan. Blue Burmese have medium blue fur with a slightly lighter belly. Nasal skin and paw pads are slate gray. Platinum Burmese is a pale silver gray with light brown undertones and a slightly lighter color on the underside. The nose skin and paw pads are in a nice lavender pink. Some compounds allow other colors, including turtle shells, purple and red.

Children and other pets

The active and social Burmese are the perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He plays pick-up like any other retriever, learns tricks easily and loves the children's attention who treats him politely and respectfully. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority. Always introduce pets slowly and under controlled conditions to ensure that they learn to get along with each other.

Characteristics

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