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Burmese vs Sphynx
Both are devoted, playful companions that want you home; the Sphynx is hairless and needs bathing and warmth, the Burmese needs almost no grooming.
Verdict
Both rate 5 for affection and play, both rate 1 for independence, and both want someone home much of the day. The one thing that decides it is the coat. The Sphynx is hairless or covered in fine down, needs regular bathing and skin care, and wants a warm home. The Burmese has a very short, glossy coat that needs almost no grooming, and it talks more. Choose the Burmese for easy coat care and the Sphynx for a warm, attention-loving cat if you accept the skin routine.
Choose the Burmese if
- You want a coat that needs almost no care.
- You want a more talkative cat, with voice at 4 against 3.
- You want a cat that scores 5 for children.
- You want a medium cat of about 9 to 13 lb.
Choose the Sphynx if
- You do not mind regular bathing and a skin-care routine.
- You can keep the home warm.
- You want a cat that sheds very little, rated 1 against 2.
- You want a warm, outgoing, attention-loving cat of 6 to 12 lb.
Where they are alike
Both cats are energetic and clever, and neither does well with long hours alone. No breed is hypoallergenic, so a person who reacts to cats may still react to either one.
Side by side
| Burmese | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Burma (Myanmar), developed in the United States and Britain | Toronto, Canada |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 9-13 lb (4-6 kg); males are larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | Often quoted at 10-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Hairless |
| Coat | Very short, fine, glossy, satin-like coat | Hairless or covered in fine down; skin feels like suede |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1936 | Championship breed since 2002 |
| How common | Uncommon | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 4 |
| Shedding | 2 | 1 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| 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 main cat allergen comes from saliva and skin, not only hair, so a hairless cat can still trigger symptoms. |
| Suits | An owner who is home a lot and wants a loving, playful cat that stays kittenish for years. | A person or family at home most of the day that wants a warm, outgoing, attention-loving cat and does not mind regular bathing. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a quiet, independent cat. | Anyone out all day, anyone who wants a cat that can live outdoors, or anyone who dislikes skin care routines. |
| 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