Burmilla cat breed: The result of a secret rendezvous

The Burmilla is a very young breed, with only a 30-year history, but it has already been officially recognized by the major purebred cat organizations.

The creation of the Burmilla was an accident, but its beautiful appearance and charming character captured the attention of cat enthusiasts, leading to its intentional breeding.

History of the Burmilla

The breed’s origins date back more than 30 years. Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg purchased a chinchilla-shaded Persian male named Jemari Sanquist as a pet for her husband. Just before he was to be neutered, Jemari had an accidental encounter with an early-maturing, lilac-colored Burmese female, Bambino Lilac Fabergé. When a cleaner accidentally left Fabergé’s door open, she escaped and met Jemari, resulting in their mating. From this union came the first litter of Burmilla kittens—four short-haired, silver-colored females with black shading. These kittens, born on September 11, 1981, in England, were so attractive that a breeding program was started with them. Although Burmillas are truly exceptional cats, they remain quite rare worldwide. The name Burmilla is derived from the combination of the two parent breeds: BURM(ese) and (chinch)ILLA.

Breed standard of the Burmilla

The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat with a muscular yet elegant body. The head is well-formed, with a rounded top and a well-developed chin that creates a balanced look. The eyes can be any shade of green, sometimes appearing yellowish in youth and turning green with age. The overall appearance should strongly resemble a Burmese cat, but with a more open and kind expression. They should not resemble Persians, meaning they should not have a flat face, short legs, or small ears. A distinguishing feature is their shiny silver coat and the dark “makeup” around their nose, lips, and eyes.

The breed is available in two coat lengths: semi-long and short-haired. The fur is silky and shiny, but even the long-haired version should not require intensive grooming. They should not look like Chinchilla Persians, meaning they should not have a large, dense coat.

The character of the Burmilla

The Burmilla is a truly charming creature, combining the mischievousness and sophistication of the Burmese with the relaxed, playful, and social nature of the Persian. It is an independent cat that loves its owner and often retains kitten-like traits into adulthood, making it entertaining. Despite this, it is never excessive, being particularly quiet and gentle. It gets along well with children and other animals if properly socialized. Its intelligent and curious nature, combined with its affection and laid-back attitude, makes for an irresistibly attractive personality, even to those who do not consider themselves cat lovers.

The ideal environment for Burmilla

The Burmilla is an excellent choice for novice cat owners, families, and the elderly; in short, it can be the ideal companion for almost anyone. However, it is important to note that the Burmilla’s affectionate nature makes it difficult for them to tolerate loneliness and boredom.

Caring for the Burmilla

As with any cat, regular cleaning of the eyes and ears and daily or every-other-day brushing of the teeth should be part of the routine. Even the long-haired variety should not require extra grooming, but a thorough weekly brushing is essential to prevent matting and tangling.

Feed your Burmilla the best quality, highest-protein food you can afford, appropriate for its age and condition. Additionally, always ensure fresh water is available and clean the litter box daily.

Common health problems of the Burmilla