Discovering the Burmilla Cat: A Guide to This Elegant Breed

People usually look up the Burmilla when they’re weighing up a new cat—one that’s affectionate and social, but not high-maintenance—or when they’ve met a “silver-shaded” cat and want to know what they’re actually looking at. The details matter: temperament affects everyday life at home, and a few inherited conditions are worth understanding before you choose a kitten or plan breeding.

The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat with a sparkling tipped or shaded coat and calm, bright company. Below is the practical snapshot—what they look like, how they tend to behave, what care they really need, and which genetic issues are known in Burmese-related lines.

Quick facts

• Size: Medium; typically around 3–6 kg³
• Coat: Shorthaired and silky (there is also a semi-longhaired variety in some registries)^{4, 7}
• Colour/pattern: A silver (and, in some registries, golden) ground colour with shaded or tipped patterning in several recognised colours^{4, 7}
• Eyes: Usually green; a yellow tinge may be seen in kittens/young cats in some standards⁴
• Temperament: Typically sociable, playful, and people-oriented^{1, 3}
• Life expectancy: Often reaches the mid-teens with good care (varies with genetics, lifestyle, and veterinary care)⁸
• Health watch-outs: Burmese hypokalaemia (WNK4) and Burmese head defect (ALX1) are relevant to Burmilla lines because of Burmese ancestry; responsible breeders use DNA testing^{8, 9, 10}
• Grooming: Low for shorthairs; regular brushing helps manage loose hair⁴

History and origin

The Burmilla began in the United Kingdom in 1981, after an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese produced kittens with a striking silver-shaded look and a lively, companionable temperament.^{2, 6}

In cat fancy terms, the Burmilla is closely tied to the “Asian” group in the UK, where Burmilla describes the shaded variety within that broader family of Burmese-derived cats.⁵

Physical characteristics

Overall build

Burmillas are medium in size, with a muscular, neat body that reads as athletic rather than heavy. They tend to look elegant at rest, then suddenly springy once play begins.^{3, 4}

Coat and pattern: “tipped” and “shaded” silver

The signature effect comes from a pale, usually silver ground colour, overlaid with either tipping (colour mainly at the hair ends) or shading (more colour along the hair shaft). The result is a soft contrast that seems to move as the cat turns under indoor light.^{4, 7}

Face and eyes

Breed standards commonly describe luminous green eyes, often with darker “liner” around the eyes, nose and lips that sharpens the expression without the cat needing to do anything at all.^{1, 4}

Temperament and behaviour

Burmillas are generally known for being friendly, people-focused cats that keep a playful streak into adulthood. They often prefer to be near the household rather than alone in a back room, and many enjoy interactive games and routine attention.^{1, 3}

Family life and other pets

In most homes, a well-socialised Burmilla settles in smoothly. Their sociable nature can suit families and multi-pet households, as long as introductions are slow and supervised and every animal has somewhere quiet to retreat to.³

Training and exercise

Think of the Burmilla as “moderately active, reliably interested”. A short daily play routine usually does the job: wand toys, a few sprints down the hallway, a pause to watch birds, then another round once you sit down again.¹

• Training style: Keep sessions brief and reward-based; many Burmillas respond well to treats, praise, and play.
• Enrichment that suits them: climbing shelves/trees, puzzle feeders, and rotate-and-return toys to keep novelty without clutter.

Health and lifespan

Most Burmillas live as sturdy companion cats, but their Burmese ancestry means a couple of inherited conditions deserve specific attention—especially if you’re buying from a breeder or planning litters.^{8, 9, 10}

Burmese hypokalaemia (WNK4)

Burmese hypokalaemia is an inherited (autosomal recessive) condition involving episodes of low blood potassium and muscle weakness. A DNA test exists and is used to identify affected cats and carriers in Burmese-related breeds, including Burmilla.⁹

Burmese head defect / congenital frontonasal dysplasia (ALX1)

This severe craniofacial defect is also inherited (autosomal recessive). Kittens with two copies of the mutation are affected and the condition is not compatible with life; DNA testing helps breeders avoid carrier-to-carrier matings. Burmilla is among the breeds for which testing is considered appropriate due to shared ancestry.^{8, 10}

Practical prevention steps

• If buying a kitten: ask for written evidence of relevant DNA testing in the parents (or clear breeding strategy showing carriers were not paired).^{8, 9, 10}
• Routine care: keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current, monitor weight, and book regular vet checks (frequency depends on age and health history).
• If you notice weakness or a “dropped” neck posture: seek veterinary advice promptly, as potassium-related issues can be treatable but shouldn’t be guessed at home.⁹

Grooming and maintenance

A Burmilla’s coat is designed to look polished without much effort. For shorthairs, a weekly brush is usually enough to lift loose hair and keep the coat glossy, with extra brushing during seasonal shedding.⁴

Bathing is rarely needed unless the cat has got into something sticky or has a medical reason. Most of the time, clean bedding, a good brush, and basic nail and dental care carry the load.

Diet and nutrition

Burmillas do best on a complete, balanced diet suited to their life stage (kitten, adult, senior). Choose a reputable commercial food that meets recognised nutritional standards, then adjust portions to keep a clear waist and an easy, springy gait.⁸

Wet food can help with water intake; dry food may suit grazing cats. The best mix is the one your cat maintains good condition on, with guidance from your vet—especially if weight starts creeping up.

Final thoughts

The Burmilla is a quiet showpiece: a soft shimmer of coat, bright green eyes, and a habit of turning up wherever the day is happening. For many households, the appeal is simple—companionship without fuss—so long as you respect their need for interaction and, where pedigree lines are involved, you take inherited conditions seriously and ask the right questions before you commit.^{8, 9, 10}

Are Burmillas cuddly?
Many are affectionate and like being near people, though individual cats vary. They’re often described as sociable and playful, with a steady interest in human company.^{1, 3}

Do Burmillas shed much?
Shorthair Burmillas are generally low-maintenance. They still shed, especially seasonally, but routine brushing usually keeps it manageable.⁴

What health tests matter most in Burmilla lines?
Because of Burmese ancestry, responsible breeding programs commonly consider DNA testing for Burmese hypokalaemia (WNK4) and Burmese head defect (ALX1).^{8, 9, 10}

References

1. PetMD — Burmilla Cat
2. Wikipedia — Burmilla (overview and history summary)
3. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) — Asian (includes Burmilla variety)
4. Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) — Burmilla breed standard
5. GCCF — Asian group description (Burmilla as shaded variety)
6. Cagaran Cats — History of the (Burmilla) Asian Group (UK origin account)
7. The International Cat Association (TICA) — Burmilla breed standard (PDF)
8. UFAW — Burmese: Burmese head defect (genetic welfare issue overview)
9. University of California Davis, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Burmese hypokalemia (WNK4) test information
10. University of California Davis, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Burmese head defect (ALX1) test information