Breed standard: CFA, FIFe, ACF, CCA-AFC I Size: Medium I Life expectancy: 12+ years I Temperament: Calm, affectionate, and playful I Coat: Short or Medium-long I Origin: United Kingdom.
The Burmilla is a truly adorable cat, both for its physical appearance and its character. It is the ideal companion for families with children.
The origins of the Burmilla
A new cat breed
This cat breed was born at the end of the 20th century. It is the result of an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian cat and a Burmese cat. Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg owned a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese cat. While she wanted to give the Persian to her husband, the two cats mated to give birth to a new variety. As she was charmed by the beauty of these kittens, she decided to continue the crossbreeding to finally obtain a full-fledged breed that she named Burmilla.
But why “Burmilla”?
It was not until 1994 that the Burmilla acquired the status of a new cat breed. It is said that the name Burmilla comes from the Burmilla’s ancestors. These two names were combined to give the name Burmilla. “Burm” for the Burmese and “illa” for the Chinchilla Persian. A very charming name for an equally adorable and angelic cat.
A distinguished and charming cat breed
The Burmilla is gaining more and more popularity. The combination of the character and physical traits of its ancestors gradually conquered Great Britain. The silvery coat and silky appearance of the Burmilla cat further enhance its cute and sophisticated appearance.
The Burmilla’s character traits
The Burmilla’s qualities
The Burmilla inherited the most sought-after and enviable traits of its ancestors. It acquired the calm and affectionate character of the Chinchilla Persian. This cat follows in the footsteps of its ancestor by adopting the exoticism and calm of the Chinchilla Persian. Regarding its Burmese ancestors, the Burmilla has its loyalty and affection.
The Burmilla is very fond of caresses, cuddles, and affection. It always wants to be the center of attention. It inherited the playful and sometimes boisterous nature of the Burmese. Although it is calm most of the time, it has an innate talent for jumping and climbing like its ancestor, the Burmese. It is a very friendly cat that will gladly welcome your guests.
Are there any downsides to owning a Burmilla?
The Burmilla is a very talkative cat. When you need some quiet time, you may find it difficult to hear its loud meows all the time. As this furball constantly asks for affection and caresses, it can quickly become exasperating.
Moreover, the Burmilla does not handle loneliness well. It is important to spend quality time with this cat breed.
Who is the Burmilla for?
The Burmilla is ideal for people who have a lot of free time or are often at home. This cat breed is very sensitive. It will comfort you when it feels that you are not well. Endearing, affectionate, and calm — this feline has it all. If you like the temperament of the Chinchilla Persian and Burmese, you will appreciate the character that the Burmilla has.
Physical characteristics of the Burmilla
Color and shape of its eyes
It is important to know that this cat is characterized by its eyes, especially the “eyeliner” around them. The Burmilla’s eyes have a black outline which adds charm to this cat breed. The most sought-after eye color seems to be green and yellow. Its popularity has skyrocketed because of this remarkable characteristic.
Coat color
The most sought-after coat color is silver. It is popular because it glistens and shines. However, other colors are accepted in the Burmilla cat standard. A few examples are brown, chocolate, black, blue, cream, and lilac.
General appearance
The Burmilla has inherited the medium build of the Burmese. It is robust, solid, and agile. This cat breed’s muscular build allows it to be great at jumping and climbing. From the Chinchilla Persian, it has inherited grace and elegance in its movements.
The Burmilla, with its sweet expressions, has captured the hearts of all cat lovers. Its exotic appearance has also contributed to its popularity. The head of this cat is very round, which makes it even more endearing and charming, like its ancestor the Chinchilla Persian cat.
Caring for a Burmilla
Coat
The Burmilla can be short-haired or semi-longhaired. To add shine and luster to your cat’s coat, simply brush it with a cat brush to bring out the naturally elegant look of its coat.
Care
Burmillas should be brought for a check-up at least once a year. It is also recommended to clean their ears, not only to ensure good hygiene but also to prevent infections.
Food
Like the Persian Chinchilla, this cat breed is calm. However, this does not mean that it does not exercise. It is important to provide a healthy and balanced diet to ensure its health. A proper diet can make a big difference, especially in strengthening its immune system so that it doesn’t get sick.
Health
Fortunately, the Burmilla has no predisposition to feline diseases. As it is quite new, it has a stronger genetic makeup that makes it resistant to the majority of diseases and conditions specific to cats. However, the Burmilla is frequently subject to various allergies. It is necessary to be very careful about the food that you give it. However, this can be avoided by contacting reliable and recognized breeders.
Did you know?
Unlike many cat breeds, the Burmilla is an accidental human creation. Because it is still a relatively new cat breed, it is also one of the rarest breeds at the moment.
The Burmilla at a glance
Size: 30 cm on average (around 12 in).
Weight: 2 kg to 4 kg (around 4 lbs to 9 lbs) for females and up to 6 kg (around 13 lbs) for males.
Health: Since this breed is still new, no health problems have been detected yet.
Life expectancy: 12 to 19 years.
Is the Burmilla good with children? Burmillas are very affectionate and playful. They love to spend time with children and get along very well with them.