Burmese cat breed: a favourite cat of Buddhist monks who will accompany you to the ends of the Earth

Legend has it that the Burmese cat is so affectionate and people-loving because it was once cared for by servants, as it was considered a sacred animal.

The Burmese is one of the most intelligent cats in the world, according to enthusiasts. But he is not only smart, he is also extremely affectionate and loving. Hence the saying: if you want a cat that will accompany you to the ends of the Earth, choose a Burmese cat!

History

Although the origin of the breed is disputed, there are interesting stories about it. The Burmese cat is said to be descended from an ancient line of cats and was once revered as a sacred animal. It is believed that in Burma, cats like these used to live only in the courts of wealthy nobility and Buddhist monasteries. The lords of the associated good luck with cats, so many people kept them. And in the monasteries, the Burmese cat was considered a sacred animal, so each individual had a servant who had to look after that cat. If they did not, they were severely punished. According to legend, it is because of loving care that the Burmese cat has become so affectionate and loving. In books from the early 19th century, cats very similar to the Burmese were referred to as thong daeng and sapalak. But since there is no clear evidence that the breed actually originated in Burma (now Myanmar), the textbooks consider the United States of America to be the birthplace of the Burmese.

In the 1930s, a sailor returning to the US from Asia brought back a chocolate-coloured female named Wong. The animal then went to Joseph G. Thompson, a San Francisco doctor. The breeders thought the cat was just a darker-coloured Siamese, but Thompson disagreed. So he started his own breeding programme and created the Burmese cat, taking care to preserve the unique characteristics of the Asian cat. During the various crossings involving seal point Siamise was involved, three pups of different colour variations were produced. One of these has become a trademark of the breed: the shiny dark brown colour. But not only their uniqueness, but also their personality was admired by cat lovers. They were very intelligent, kind and friendly, but also soft-spoken and pious. The breed has retained these characteristics to this day. The Burmese cat was officially recognised in 1936.

Breed standard

The Burmese cat is a medium sized, muscular cat with a strong build. It weighs about 4-6 kg. The head is slightly wedge-shaped, but not as long as a Siamese. The skull is slightly convex, the jaw is strong. The ears are pointed forward and sit apart from each other. Their ends are slightly rounded. Its eyes are almond-shaped, large and set apart. His gaze is intelligent. The neck is muscular and slender, the body is elegantly shaped, long and muscular. The muzzle is straight, the chest is slightly prominent. The tail is long, thinning towards the end, the tip may be slightly tapering. Its limbs are slender and long, the hindquarters slightly longer than the thorax. The paws are small and oval, the fingers are closed. The coat is short, dense, shiny and soft to the touch. Colours can be sable, blue, cream, chocolate, purple, red, brown or purple turtle. Life expectancy is 16-18 years.

Character

The Burmese is an energetic and friendly breed. He has the charm and determination of a Siamese cat, and he loves to talk to his owner as much as his cousin, but her voice is soft and sweet. Extremely curious and intelligent, he likes to explore his territory and get to know every corner of his home. He’s playful and will remain so as an adult. You can keep his clever mind busy with interactive games, but he’s also keen to learn a few tricks. This cat wants to be involved in everything his owner does, from reading the newspaper and using the computer to eating and watching TV.

He sleeps on the bed with you, and may even crawl under the covers. When you sit down, he will be on your lap or right next to you, waiting for you to pet it. They will get the full attention of your guests and will probably even win over those who claim not to like cats. The female Burmese is a real queen. She likes attention and likes to be in control, but tomcats are calmer.

Ideal environment

The Burmese cat always likes to be in company, which mostly means being close to its owner. It is therefore not the best choice for a home where he will be alone most of the day. If there’s no one around to keep him occupied, he’ll be fine with another pet. He gets on well with other cats and dogs, but of course another Burmese and a loving owner will be his best friend. He is also recommended for families with children, he gets on very well with the younger ones and will be a good playmate if the children are gentle with him.

Care

The breed’s soft, short, shiny coat is easily groomed by weekly brushing or combing to remove dead hair. Bathing is rarely needed. Claws need to be trimmed if they become too long, and it is also a good idea to clean his teeth regularly.

Wipe his eyes occasionally with a soft, damp cloth. To avoid infections, use a separate area of the cloth for each eye. The cleanliness of the ears should be checked weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton pad or a soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water.

Common health problems

Burmese is generally a healthy breed, but there are certain health problems that may affect him. They may also have corneal dermoid, which is the presence of skin and hair on the surface of the cornea that can be surgically corrected. He may develop orofacial pain syndrome, which is indicated by excessive licking and chewing, and mouth twitching. The discomfort can be exacerbated if the cat is agitated or stressed, and cats are often reluctant to eat because the activity is painful for them. The cause and mode of inheritance are unknown. Painkillers can help, as can a consultation with your vet to rule out dental disease.

Some Burmese have congenital peripheral vestibular disease, which causes head tilting, poor balance, rapid eye movements and uncoordinated gait. Some cats with this condition may also be deaf. It is possible that a Burmese cat born with a deformed skull and face. He may develop hypokalemia, muscle weakness caused by low potassium levels in the blood. Signs include general weakness, stiff gait, reluctance to walk and head shaking. It can be treated with oral potassium supplements.

(Literature used: János Szinák – István Veress: Cat Guide, Jean-Luc Renck: The Cat, Laura Aceti – Viola Autieri: Our Best Friend, the Cat)