Burmilla Cat

People usually start looking up the Burmilla when they’ve met one (or seen an advert) and want to know what, exactly, they’re bringing home: coat type, temperament, grooming, and whether there are any breed-linked health problems to plan for. With cats, small misunderstandings add up—an “easy-care” coat still needs routine brushing, and a “healthy breed” still benefits from targeted screening and good preventive care.

The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat with a luminous, outlined gaze and a pale coat dusted with colour at the tips, as though someone has brushed smoke over silver. It’s a relatively young pedigree breed, and its standards are well documented. Where the original draft was vague or overly absolute, the details below stick to what major cat registries and veterinary authorities actually say.^{1, 2}

Quick breed snapshot

• Size: Medium
• Typical adult weight: around 3–6 kg (some adult males may be heavier)²
• Coat: Shorthair and longhair varieties (longhair is often described as semi-longhair)³
• Colours: Silver and golden shaded/tipped varieties, with recognised colours defined by registry standards (not every registry recognises every colour)^{3, 4}
• Temperament: Often described as sociable, playful, and affectionate; typically not overly demanding^{2, 5}
• Shedding: Like all cats, they shed; amount varies by coat type and season (weekly grooming is commonly recommended)^{2, 5}

History and origin

The Burmilla began in the United Kingdom in 1981, after an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese. The kittens’ shaded silver look held steady enough that a breeding programme followed, and the Burmilla became established as a recognised pedigree breed in multiple registries over time.^{2, 5}

Physical characteristics and appearance

A Burmilla is built on a medium, muscular frame—elegant rather than bulky. The defining impression is contrast: pale undercoat, darker tipping or shading, and dark outlining around the nose, lips, and eyes that can look like careful “make-up”.^{2, 3}

Coat length: shorthair and longhair

Not all Burmillas are short-coated. Both shorthair and longhair Burmillas are recognised by major registries, and longhair kittens can appear because of the Persian ancestry. Longhair Burmillas are often described as semi-longhair, with a softer, flowing coat and more tail plume than the shorthair variety.^{2, 5}

Eye colour

In breed standards, green is the hallmark—any shade of green is typically accepted, with some allowance for a yellowish tinge in kittens and young cats. (In some varieties, such as red/cream/tortie under certain standards, other eye colours may be permitted.)^{3, 4}

Colours and pattern (tipping vs shading)

Burmilla pattern is usually described in terms of how much colour sits on the end of each hair. In tipped coats, the coloured portion is smaller; in shaded coats, it extends further down the hair shaft, creating a deeper veil of colour across the back and flanks. Registries differ on which colours are recognised, so it’s worth checking the standard used by your local cat council if showing or breeding is relevant to you.^{3, 4}

Personality and temperament

Living with a Burmilla often feels like sharing space with a cat that stays bright and curious well into adulthood—alert eyes, quick paws, and a tendency to follow household activity from room to room. Breed descriptions commonly note a sociable, playful nature, balanced with enough independence to settle when the home is quiet.^{2, 5}

Temperament still varies by individual, early handling, and the home environment. Meeting the parents (where possible) and watching how a kitten responds to ordinary sounds and gentle handling tells you more than any label on a listing.

Health: what’s known, and what to watch for

The original draft claimed “no health issues specific to the breed”. That’s too absolute for any pedigree cat. The Burmilla is often described as generally healthy, but reputable sources note that health risks seen in the foundation breeds can still appear, and responsible breeders use screening to reduce the chance of passing on inherited disease.^{2, 5}

Practical health checks (any Burmilla, any home)

• Ask what testing has been done (and ask to see results in writing where available), especially for conditions known in Burmese/Persian lines.
• Book an early vet visit after adoption for a baseline exam, parasite control, and to discuss diet, weight, and dental care.⁶
• Watch weight and urinary habits: changes in appetite, drinking, or litter-tray routine are early clues that deserve attention.

Grooming and day-to-day care

The Burmilla coat is often described as relatively easy-care, but “easy” still means routine. A weekly brush is a sensible baseline for most cats, with more frequent grooming during seasonal shedding or for longhair individuals. Grooming is also when you quietly notice the small things—new lumps, dandruff, fleas, sore spots—that are easier to address early.^{2, 5}

Keep nails trimmed, provide scratching surfaces, and stay on top of dental care. Regular tooth brushing (where the cat will tolerate it) and veterinary dental advice matter more than most first-time owners expect.⁶

Training, enrichment, and exercise

A Burmilla usually thrives on a home that gives it something to do: climbing, chasing, stalking, perching, and watching the world from a safe height. Daily play sessions help keep the body lean and the mind occupied, especially for indoor cats.⁷

If you want “training”, think in cat-sized goals: coming when called for a treat, settling on a mat, using a carrier calmly, and accepting gentle handling. Short, reward-based sessions work best.

Burmilla as a family pet: steady strengths and real considerations

In many homes, the Burmilla fits neatly into family life: affectionate without being constantly insistent, playful without staying frantic all day. They’re often described as getting on well with respectful children and other pets when introductions are handled properly.^{2, 5}

Pros

• People-oriented temperament is common in breed descriptions.^{2, 5}
• Coat care is usually manageable with weekly grooming (more for some longhairs).^{2, 5}
• Active but not extreme in many lines, suiting homes that enjoy daily play.⁵

Cons (or, more accurately, watch-outs)

• Not a “set-and-forget” cat: boredom can lead to pest behaviour. Plan on daily interaction and enrichment.⁷
• Shedding still happens, and longhair coats can mat if neglected.²
• Health is never guaranteed: choose breeders who screen, and keep preventive care consistent.^{2, 6}

Final thoughts

The Burmilla is a cat of soft contrasts: pale coat and dark tipping, bright green eyes, a calm presence punctuated by sudden play. Get the basics right—good food, steady routine, grooming, enrichment, and vet care—and this breed tends to settle into a household like a familiar shape in the doorway, always watching, occasionally trotting over to be part of whatever happens next.^{2, 6}

References

1. Australian Cat Federation (ACF) – Australian Cat Federation Inc.
2. Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) – Burmilla (breed information and standard excerpt)
3. Australian Cat Federation (ACF) – Burmilla Standard (Amended June 2023) (PDF)
4. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) – Asian (including shaded/tipped varieties) Standard of Points (PDF)
5. Purina UK – Burmilla cat breed information
6. RSPCA Knowledgebase – How often should I take my cat to the vet?
7. RSPCA Knowledgebase – How can I prevent my cat from being bored?
8. WSAVA – Global Nutrition Guidelines
9. WHISKAS UK – Burmilla cat breed overview