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Bombay vs Burmese
Close cousins with similar short coats and loving natures; the Burmese is more playful and talkative, while the Bombay is a little calmer.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are affectionate short-coated cats that score 5 for affection and children, and both need almost no grooming. The one thing that decides it is how lively you want the cat. The Burmese rates 4 for energy, 5 for play and 4 for voice, and stays kittenish for years. The Bombay rates 3 for energy, 4 for play and 3 for voice, and adapts well to a small home. Choose the Bombay for a slightly calmer cat and the Burmese for a more playful, talkative one.
Choose the Bombay if
- You want a slightly calmer cat, with energy at 3 against 4.
- You prefer a quieter voice, at 3 against 4.
- You live in a small home, since apartment living scores 5.
- You want a short, close-lying coat with a patent-leather sheen that needs almost no grooming.
Choose the Burmese if
- You want a playful cat that stays kittenish for years.
- You enjoy a talkative companion.
- You want a medium cat of about 9 to 13 lb.
- You are home much of the day, because independence is 1.
Where they are alike
Both cats are affectionate, with grooming at 1 and shedding at 2, and neither copes well with long hours alone. Each lists a few conditions for the vet to watch, so ask the breeder what screening exists.
Side by side
| Bombay | Burmese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States, with a separate British type | Burma (Myanmar), developed in the United States and Britain |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-11 lb (2.5-5 kg); males are larger | 9-13 lb (4-6 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | 12-16 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, close-lying coat with a patent-leather sheen | Very short, fine, glossy, satin-like coat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Championship breed since 1936 |
| How common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 4 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 5 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short, close coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Bombay. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The very short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Burmese. |
| Suits | A family or single owner who wants an affectionate, adaptable cat with a coat that needs almost no grooming. | An owner who is home a lot and wants a loving, playful cat that stays kittenish for years. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a cat that keeps its distance. | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a quiet, independent cat. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026