There are so many reasons to love Burmese cats that by the time you get to the end of this article, we have a feeling you will have fallen well and truly in love with this intelligent, mischievous, and chatty little feline.
Always up for a game (or three!) with the best interactive cat toys, the playful Burmese have a charming personality that makes them impossible not to like. Originating in Thailand where they were the companions of Buddhist monks, the Burmese has retained its personable and sociable temperament.
There are so many reasons to adopt a cat, but the fact that the Burmese get along famously with just about everyone (including children) makes them a breed well worth considering if you're after a loving and affectionate family companion.
Below, we walk you through everything you need to know about the Burmese cat so you can decide whether they have the potential to be your new forever friend. Spoiler alert: this is not the breed for you if you're after a quiet life!
32 reasons to love Burmese cats
1. They're super intelligent
One of the smartest cat breeds you’ll ever come across, the Burmese are clever and curious, meaning they love learning new things. Can you train a cat? If they’re a Burmese, absolutely. Not only can you teach them basic commands such as sit, roll over, and come, but they’re also brilliant at fetch! If you train them early, you’ll also find they’re more than happy to walk on a leash or join you in the car on a road trip.
2. Burmese cats love to chat
If you’re looking for a quiet cat, the Burmese is definitely not the kitty for you. Super vocal, this personable and sociable breed likes to tell you all about their latest adventures — including where they’ve been, who they’ve seen, and what they did (and yes, that happens even when they’ve only been away from you for five minutes!) They’ll also be very quick to let you know if you're not paying them enough attention or when their food bowl is running low on the best dry cat food. But while they are tirelessly chatty, it’s only because they love you so much, which is kind of sweet when you think about it.
3. They're the extroverts of the cat world
Are you an outgoing person in search of one of the best cats for extroverts? Well, look no further than the Burmese because you’ve certainly met your match with this breed! Exuberant, friendly, and social, this kitty thrives on attention and adores being around people. They love being stroked and will always take a keen interest in whatever is going on at home, although their inquisitiveness can get them into trouble sometimes so be sure to keep all your cupboard doors closed if you don’t want them perusing all your valuables.
4. They adore playing...as long as it's with you
As you’d probably expect from a cat as energetic as the Burmese, playing is one of their favorite things to do. While some breeds become more docile as they get older, the Burmese remain young at heart all the way through their adulthood. But if you think you can just give this feline a fun plaything and leave it to it, think again. Burmese cats prefer to play with their owners rather than flying solo, so you’ll want to stock up on some of the best interactive cat toys that you can engage with together.
5. Burmese cats are heavier than they look
Take one look at the Burmese and they appear to be a sleek and petite little kitty. Yet this is definitely one of those instances when appearances can be deceiving. While they look like they have a small build, the Burmese is actually much heavier than the average cat and can tip the scales at around 11lbs. This has led them to be rather adorably referred to as bricks wrapped in silk.
6. There are two versions of the Burmese
Did you know that there are two versions of the Burmese cat? It’s true! The British Burmese has a wedge-shaped head, sleeker body, and eyes that are slightly slanted, whereas the American Burmese is much stockier with a broad head and round eyes.
7. They have a long lifespan
While Burmese cats are officially listed as having a lifespan of 10-16 years, it’s not uncommon for them to live well beyond that. In fact, a Burmese cat once made it into the Guinness Book of Records for living an astonishing 35 years!
8. Their personalities are almost dog-like
When it comes to little-known facts about cats and dogs, we have a brilliant one for you — the Burmese cat is almost like having a feline friend and a canine companion all rolled into one! This breed's puppy-like behavior and complete devotion to their humans make them a firm family favorite.
9. Burmese cats come in four colors
Burmese cats come in four beautiful colors — sable (dark brown), champagne (beige), blue (a medium gray with light brown undertones), and platinum (a light gray with light brown undertones).
10. They have soft and silky coats
One of the standout features of the Burmese cat is their incredibly soft and silky coats, which are incredibly soothing to stroke. Always gleaming and super light, the Burmese cat sports a coat that is nothing short of striking.
11. They're the ultimate Velcro cats
If you’re looking to adopt one of the most affectionate cat breeds, the Burmese is a worthy contender — as long as you don’t mind having your little fur friend stuck to you like glue all day! Burmese cats are real velcro cats, meaning they don’t like being away from their humans. Expect them to happily follow you from room to room throughout the day and if there’s any action to be had, you can trust they’ll be involved in it right alongside you.
12. Burmese cats do well in multi-cat households
Because they’re so social and thrive on companionship, Burmese cats tend to do beautifully in homes where there are other cats around, which means you can rest easy knowing you won’t have to learn how to keep the peace in a multi-cat household. They also typically get on very well with cat-friendly dogs, or at the very least, they’ll learn to tolerate them.
13. Mastering new games is a breeze
Whether it’s hide-and-seek or fetch, Burmese cats are absolute pros at learning games and their high intelligence levels and love of a good challenge means it’s also worth investing in one of the best cat puzzle feeders to give them a good mental workout when you’re too busy to entertain them.
14. Grooming them is easy
While they may not be low-maintenance in nature, the Burmese cat certainly makes up for this with their short coat. While they will still shed seasonally, the rest of the year their grooming needs are minimal, requiring just a single brush a week to keep their fur looking fabulous.
15. Males and females often behave differently
Did you know that male and female Burmese cats tend to behave somewhat differently? While both are cuddly, loving, devoted, and affectionate, female Burmese cats are known for being more curious than male Burmese cats and tend to like to be overly involved in the running of the household. They can also be quite demanding and are quick to let you know if you’re not giving them the attention they want. Males, on the other hand, have a reputation for being a lot more mellow and prefer lounging around the house all day as opposed to running the show.
16. They're very athletic
Strong and athletic, Burmese cats do best in active homes where there’s plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them entertained. Good at climbing and jumping, it’s worth investing in one of the best cat trees to enable them to tap into these natural instincts.
17. Curious is their middle name
Endlessly curious, the Burmese cat tends to get themselves into mischief and can end up in all sorts of funny predicaments. If you leave the door to your fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, or cupboards open, expect to turn around to find them happily clambering about inside investigating the contents.
18. Burmese cats are super loyal
Burmese cats make wonderful companions if you’re looking for a feline friend who will forever be loyal and devoted. These cats love their people and can think of nothing better than being by their sides. If you’re looking for ways to bond with your cat and reward them for their devotion, showering your Burmese with attention and affection is all it takes to keep them happy.
19. They're sensitive souls
Sensitive souls who crave company, Burmese cats are very in tune with their owner's feelings, and moods, and are wonderful at providing comfort when it’s needed. If you’re looking for one of the best emotional support animal breeds, the Burmese is well worth considering.
20. If you're looking for an indoor breed, they're a great choice
Burmese cats are incredibly trusting little souls with limited survival instincts, which can put them at risk of being an easy target for predators. Because of this, they’re best kept indoors where they can be a part of the family and enjoy human companionship. However, they are playful and active, so make sure that you either provide them with a catio or plenty of the best automated cat toys to keep them amused.
21. They love children
Because they’re so inquisitive, playful, affectionate, and attention-loving, Burmese cats tend to get on famously with children. Just bear in mind that as with any cat breed, interactions with very young children should always be supervised and children should be taught to be gentle when interacting with their fur friends.
22. Burmese cats are easy to train
Is clicker training for cats recommended? Well, if you have a Burmese we’d definitely say yes! Since they are such a bright breed who thrive on learning new skills and behaviors, you’ll find training them with a clicker (and plenty of praise and treats) to be an absolute breeze.
Use it for all sorts of things, including teaching them tricks and getting them to walk on a leash. When it comes to our favorite tips for training your cat, we recommend you pick a goal, stick to a routine, and be patient and consistent — do these things and your Burmese should learn very quickly.
23. They can be very mischievous
Don’t let their sweet expression fool you — the Burmese are one mischievous little kitty! If you want a fur friend who will forever have you in stitches, this breed with its endlessly amusing antics definitely ticks that box.
24. They maintain kitten-like energy well into adulthood
If you don’t already know how to play with a cat, you’ll want to brush up quickly if you’re planning on welcoming a Burmese into your home. Unlike many breeds who tend to slow down as they age, the Burmese manage to hang onto their youthful energy well into their senior years.
25. Burmese cats love learning new tricks
From spins and high fives to fetch and jumping through hoops, Burmese cats thrive on mental and physical stimulation, so teaching them a new trick or two is a great way to ensure their bodies and brains stay in great shape.
26. Their expressive eyes are simply stunning
Burmese cats have large and lustrous eyes that are quite simply breathtaking to look at. Their golden eyes tend to be set far apart and they will either be round or slightly slanted depending on whether they are a British or American Burmese. But regardless of what shape they take, their expressive peepers are one of their most endearing traits.
27. They'll be quick to let you know if you're not giving them enough attention
Some cats love attention but are undemanding of it and happy to let you come to them — but not the Burmese! It’s important to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into if you choose to adopt a Burmese because they are very demanding cats and will vocalize their displeasure excessively if they feel you’re not giving them enough attention. That being said, if you don’t mind being your kitty’s loving and loyal subject, they’ll reward you with plenty of love and devotion of their own.
28. Burmese cats are very adaptable
Adaptable cats that happily accept the daily routine of their family, the Burmese are very flexible and tend to cope well with change. Because of that, they’ll do well in almost any living situation and environment — from bustling homes with lots of people coming and going to quiet sanctuaries with just an individual or couple.
29. They make for very nosy neighbors
Inquisitive is the Burmese cat's middle name, so don't be surprised if you frequently find them perched at a window watching all the comings and goings in your neighborhood.
30. Visitors to your home will receive a warm welcome
Because they're such sociable cats who adore attention, there's nothing the Burmese loves more than meeting new people. Their life motto is 'A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.' So expect them to greet all visitors with great enthusiasm and interest.
31. They wear their mood on their face
Few cat breeds are as expressive as the Burmese. Whether they're happy, irritated, grumpy, or excited, you can rest assured that you'll never spend a moment of your life guessing what your feline friend is feeling because they'll wear their mood quite openly on their face!
32. They have soft and sweet voices
There's no doubt about it, this breed is just as vocal as the Siamese but where the two differ is that the Burmese tends to have a voice that is hoarser and softer, making them a little less intense to listen to than their Siamese cousins.
