Asian cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A group of sleek short-haired British cats related to the Burmese, shown in self, smoke, shaded and tabby varieties.
Also known as Asian Shorthair, Asian cat, Asian Self, Asian Smoke, Asian Tabby, Malayan
Quick facts
| Origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.5-7 kg); males are larger |
| Coat length | Short |
| Coat | Fine, short, satiny coat with a glossy sheen |
| Colours and patterns | Self, smoke, shaded and tabby varieties in many colours; eyes range from green to yellow and amber |
Recognition
| How common | Very rare |
|---|
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 |
Allergies and health
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to an Asian. |
|---|
Best suited to
| Suits | A home that wants a lively, people-focused cat with a sleek coat and little grooming. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away much of the day, or who expects to find an Asian easily outside the United Kingdom. |
Registries that recognise it
- GCCF
Health conditions to watch
- Hypokalaemia
About the Asian
The Asian is a group of short-haired cats that look like the Burmese but come in more colours and patterns. The group came about by accident in the United Kingdom, in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian stud mated with a lilac European Burmese queen. The kittens led to the Burmilla, and breeders then built the wider Asian group around it. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) granted all varieties championship status in 2003.
The varieties are the Asian Self (which includes the black Bombay of the British type), the Asian Smoke, the Asian Tabby and the Asian Shaded, which is better known as the Burmilla. The long-haired form is the Tiffanie. The Asian Smoke has a pale undercoat that is not always visible, and the tabby carries lighter markings in the four usual tabby patterns. The body is medium-sized and muscular, with fine, glossy fur. Males usually weigh 11 to 15 pounds and females 8 to 12.
The name Malayan applied in the CFA from 1974 to 1984 to certain Burmese colours, and it is not correct for this group. The group is rare. Only 160 kittens of the Asian group were registered with the GCCF in 2023.
Temperament and living with one
Asians share the outgoing, people-oriented nature of the Burmese. They are social, playful and affectionate, and many enjoy sitting with their family and following them from room to room. They are usually good with children and other pets, especially in a home where someone is around.
Because they like company, an Asian can become bored or vocal if left alone for long periods. Provide toys, climbing trees and daily play. Many enjoy fetch and puzzle feeders.
Care: coat, food and play
The short coat takes little work. A weekly stroke with a soft brush or rubber mitt keeps it glossy. Check the teeth, trim the nails, and clean the eyes only if a vet advises it.
Feed a complete diet in measured portions to keep the cat lean. Most Asians stay active into old age, so keep play sessions going. A cat tree by a window and a scratching post are useful.
Health
The Asian descends from the Burmese, Persian and other lines. Of the conditions in its ancestors, only Burmese hypokalaemia, a low blood potassium that can cause weakness, has been found in the Asian itself. Registered Asian breeders in the UK have had to test for it since 2018. Polycystic kidney disease and progressive retinal atrophy occurred in the ancestors, so ask a breeder about the parents' testing. Sudden weakness, trouble walking or a drooping head are reasons to call a vet at once. Routine checkups and dental care help any cat.
Is it right for you?
An Asian suits an owner who wants a Burmese-style personality in a wider range of colours and is prepared to look for a breeder, probably in the United Kingdom. It needs company. For the best-known relative, compare the Burmese. For a shaded and tipped Asian with a wider following, see the Burmilla.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026