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Burmese vs Persian
The Burmese is a playful, talkative short-coated cat that wants you home; the Persian is a placid, long-coated cat needing daily combing and vet care.
Verdict
The Burmese rates 4 for energy, 5 for play and 4 for voice, and has a very short coat that needs almost no grooming. The Persian rates 1 for energy and 1 for voice, has a long dense coat that needs combing every day, and has a flat face that brings breathing and eye problems. Choose the Burmese for a lively, devoted companion and the Persian for a gentle, quiet one, if you will comb it daily and budget for vet care.
Choose the Burmese if
- You want a playful cat that stays kittenish for years.
- You prefer a coat that needs almost no grooming, rated 1 against 5.
- You enjoy a talkative cat and are home much of the day.
- You want a cat that sheds lightly, rated 2 against 5.
Choose the Persian if
- You want a quiet, undemanding indoor cat that suits a small home, with apartment living at 5.
- You will comb a long coat every day.
- You can budget for grooming and regular vet care.
- You accept the welfare debate around flat-faced breeds.
Where they are alike
Both cats are affectionate, with the Burmese at 5 and the Persian at 4, and both are good with children. Each lists a few conditions for the vet to watch, so ask your vet and the breeder about screening.
Side by side
| Burmese | Persian | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | Burma (Myanmar), developed in the United States and Britain | Named for Persia (Iran); developed in Europe |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 9-13 lb (4-6 kg); males are larger | About 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | Studies put the median near 11 to 12.5 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Very short, fine, glossy, satin-like coat | Long, dense, fine coat standing off the body, with a full ruff and brush tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1936 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Uncommon | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 1 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 2 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 5 |
| Shedding | 2 | 5 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The very short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Burmese. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Persian's long coat sheds heavily and holds dander, and people who react to cats often react to this breed. |
| Suits | An owner who is home a lot and wants a loving, playful cat that stays kittenish for years. | A quiet indoor home where someone has the time to comb a long coat every day and wants a gentle, undemanding companion. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a quiet, independent cat. | A busy or noisy house, a home that cannot afford regular grooming and vet care, or anyone who wants an athletic, climbing 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