Burmilla cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Burmilla

The Burmilla began by accident in 1981 in England, when a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac European Burmese female mated after a door was left open. The litter of four short-haired black shaded silver kittens belonged to Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg, who started a breeding programme to create a new agouti cat. Therese Clarke helped develop it, and the first standard was written in 1984.

The Cat Association of Britain recognised the breed in 1994, and the GCCF accepted it for championship in 1995. FIFe recognises the silver shaded and tipped forms, with golden varieties added in late 2011. The CFA accepted the breed for registration in 2011 and for championship in 2014.

The cat is medium in size and muscular, with a rounded head and large green eyes outlined in dark. The coat is the highlight. Each hair is pale at the root and coloured at the tip, which gives the coat a sparkling look. Shaded cats have more colour on the hair, and tipped cats have less. Both short-haired and semi-long-haired kittens occur, and the GCCF calls the semi-longhair the Tiffanie. In some places the breed is also called the Asian Shaded.

Temperament and living with one

The Burmilla blends the outgoing, playful nature of the Burmese with the calm of the Persian. It is affectionate and people-oriented without being needy, and it is described as intelligent and active. It likes toys and climbing space.

It is generally quiet. Many Burmillas cope with a working day alone better than a Burmese does, though they do best with company. Most get on well with children, dogs and other cats.

Care: coat, food and play

The short coat is easy. Brush weekly, and a little more for the semi-long version, which has a single, easy-care coat. Check the teeth, nails and ears.

Feed a complete diet in measured portions. Provide a cat tree, scratching post and daily play with wand toys and puzzle feeders.

Health

The Burmilla is a young breed with ancestors that carry some inherited conditions, such as polycystic kidney disease and progressive retinal atrophy from the Persian side and hypokalaemia from the Burmese. Little is published about the breed itself, so ask the breeder which tests the parents have had. Ask your vet about checkups, dental care and weight. Weakness, vision changes or increased thirst call for a vet visit.

Is it right for you?

The Burmilla suits someone who wants a pretty, affectionate and easygoing cat, and who can find a breeder. It is rare. For the plainer Burmese temperament, see the Burmese. For a wider family of related shorthairs, see the Asian, and for the longer coat, the Tiffanie.