Burmese cat photo, description of breed and character, reviews

If you want to become the owner of a special cat of an ancient breed, pay attention to the fluffy beauty of the Sacred Burma breed. It is not for nothing that Burmese cats are called sacred, because their history is shrouded in secrets and legends. These are incredibly beautiful, smart and kind animals, so human-oriented that they are called human.

Sacred Burma feels comfortable in the company of people and knows how to adapt to any mood of its owners. And if a quarrel is brewing in the family, the pet will not remain on the sidelines. It has long been noted that the Burmese have a gift: they know how to defuse the situation in some incomprehensible way. And now, the household members have already forgotten what was the subject of their quarrel, and are smiling at each other again.

Characteristics of the Burmese cat - character and habits

Burmese are truly aristocrats in the world of cats, as evidenced by the noble manners that nature has endowed them with. It is unlikely that you will find another animal with such a balanced character. They cannot be called phlegmatic, but they also do not have excessive activity: in general, they are the golden mean between the Siamese and the Persian.

Sacred Burma is ready to give warmth and affection when it is desired and pleasant to a person. And if the owner is busy, they will not pester you, demanding attention. Sacred Burma gets used not to a place, but to a person. If you are moving, it is important that you take your pet with you.

When describing Sacred Burma, one can recall many positive epithets, and all of them will correspond to the truth. The Burmese cat is naturally endowed with tact and aristocratic manners. She is smart, affectionate, sociable, obedient, affectionate and gentle towards people. In the evening hours, the pet loves to bask on the owner’s lap, but in moments of fun it will entertain the household with hilarious jumping and games.

The Sacred Burma is not characterized by aggression or fearfulness, but she is not short of curiosity. If guests come to the house, the fluffy cat will come out with curiosity to greet strangers. Sacred Burma strives to be aware of the family's affairs and can spend hours observing what is happening in the house, poking her curious nose everywhere.

Intelligent Burmese are not vindictive; they do not have the habit of scratching wallpaper and furniture. And the owners’ hands, too, as a rule, remain intact.

Standards

The appearance of the Burmese is immediately remembered - its look is so expressive and its color is amazing. Individuals are of average size, males weigh no more than 6 kg, females - no more than 3. In color they resemble Siamese cats, but have a more docile character and graceful physique.

Standard	Description
Head	Round, wide, with expressive features. The forehead is convex, but moderately; the skull is longer than wide. The muzzle is developed, rounded and wide. The cheeks are plump and rounded. Cheekbones stick out. The chin is powerful and strong. The nose is “Roman”, not long, the transition may or may not be present. The ears are slightly tilted forward, located on the sides of the skull, and are small. Their tips are rounded. The inside of the auricle is moderately pubescent. The neck can be either short or long, but is always muscular.
Eyes	Expressive, large, round. Set wide apart. The iris can be colored in different shades of blue, from light to dark. The latter, by the way, are valued higher.
Torso	Elongated, squat, with developed muscles. The bones are strong.
Paws	Muscular, medium length, rounded, large paws. Tufts of fur are visible between the toes. The pads can be brown, brown or pink.
Tail	Medium length, dark, with a fluffy tip. A funny feature: the Burmese cat wears it raised when walking.

The defects of the breed are the presence of colored inclusions on the white areas (this results in disqualification); squint, silvery shine in the eyes (or one), bends in the tail, different eye color.

Description of the breed

The Burmese breed is rightfully called unique. She is the only one whose name contains the word “sacred” and whose name is usually written with a capital letter. Burmese cats also have external features. This is the famous Burmese color - the presence of snow-white socks (on all four legs) and spurs (on the hind legs).

In purebred pets, these characteristic markings have a certain shape and are located symmetrically. It is difficult to obtain animals with such characteristics, so breeding the Burmese breed is not an easy and responsible matter.

Today, the Sacred Burma (English Birman, Sacred Birman, SBI) is recognized by all felinological associations of the world as an independent breed. In accordance with this, there are several breed standards.

Appearance - what sacred Burma looks like

The development of the modern variety of the Sacred Burma breed took place according to a special breeding program with the participation of Siamese, Persian and European shorthair breeds. Thus, its representatives absorbed most of the European lines. All existing standards give a similar description of the exterior, with the exception of some details. This is how the FIFe breed standard describes the Sacred Burma:

The head is round in shape, with expressive features: large lower jaw, full cheeks, developed chin. The convex forehead turns into a straight, slightly curved nose line (Roman profile) of medium length, the stop is not visible, but there is a small depression (in accordance with the SCFF standard - the stop is present).
Cats' ears are small, slightly inclined, with wide bases and rounded tips without tassels. The distance between the ears is significant. The outer sides of the ears are pubescent, and long tufts of hair grow inside.
The eyes are large, expressive, round or slightly oblong. All types of color are characterized by a deep blue color of the iris.
The neck is short or medium length, with developed muscles, richly pubescent.
The Burmese cat is an animal with a tightly knit, elongated body and strong bones. Other features of the breed: squat and stocky figure format, well-developed muscle corset. Males are somewhat larger and more massive than cats.
The limbs are short, strong, muscular, well furred at the level of the hips. Rounded small paws with thick pads. There are tufts of thick fur between the toes.
The tail is of medium length, densely pubescent and resembles a plume. Pets wear it gracefully raised.

Possible disadvantages and disqualifying vices of the Holy Burma:

The shape of the head is close to the format of a Siamese or Persian.
Strabismus.
Defects of the caudal vertebrae.
Various color irregularities: absence of white markings on paws, light spots on colored areas (or colored on white areas), partially pigmented nose, white spot on genitals.

A unique feature of Sacred Burma is its special morphology. Professional breeders, when working with Burmese, try to preserve the entire set of breed characteristics that indicate the uniqueness of the breed. This is not an easy task, which is why the price of Sacred Burmese kittens is very high.

Size and weight

Sexual dimorphism in the representatives of the breed is very pronounced, that is, males are large and representative, females are graceful and sophisticated.

the weight of an adult cat is 5-6 kg, with a height of 25-30 cm;
The weight of an adult cat is 3-4 kg, with a height of 24-27 cm.

Thanks to its long coat, the Sacred Burma appears to be a massive animal, although, in fact, its size and weight are typical of most domestic cats.

Wool

The Sacred Burma has a beautiful semi-long coat with a soft, silky texture that glides under your fingers. The length of the guard hair varies from semi-long to long. Thus, the chest, neck, back, sides, tail and pant area are the most richly furred. Decorating hair here can reach 10 cm or more.

The structure of the outer hair (it is thick and spinous) and the absence of undercoat make it easier to care for the coat, because it is not prone to tangles. Keeping your pet's coat in excellent condition is easy.

In 1995, by crossing the Sacred Burmese with representatives of the oriental cinnamon tabby breed, a short-haired variety of the Burmese breed was developed. The first representatives of the shorthaired Birman appeared in the New Zealand nursery Birman Cat Club of New Zealand.

Colors

All representatives of the Sacred Burma breed have a color point type (translated from English as a colored dot). Another name for this color is Siamese or Himalayan.

The peculiarity of all color-point colors is that some areas of the body (namely, the muzzle, paws, ears, tail) are painted in a special way. The painted areas contrast well with the main coat, which is light beige (eggshell shade).

This color is called “multi-temperature”, since the recessive “CS” gene takes part in its formation, which is active only on the coldest parts of the body (points). In animals with the “CS” gene, only those parts of the body that are located on the periphery of the circulatory system are stained.

For the Sacred Burma, the breed standard recognizes a wide variety of point color types. Earlier than others, the colors blue point (blue point) and seal point (dark brown point) were recognized, which are considered classic. Other colors appeared later, namely in the 60s of the twentieth century. Among them are:

lilac point;
chocolate point;
cream point;
red point;
tortoiseshell point;
tabby point.

Features of the Sacred Burma color:

The tips of all four paws have snow-white markings called gauntlets. The markings cover the area of the phalanges. Standard requirements: pure white shade, pairwise symmetry of marks.
The hind legs are decorated with inverted V-shaped markings extending down to the hock joint (spur).

Sacred Burma has a long period of maturation. Kittens are born completely white, gradually acquiring a point color. The points become most contrasting and bright only by the age of three. The markings on the paws remain snow-white for life.

Eyes

All representatives of the Sacred Burma breed have a rich blue tint to the iris. It is also called Royal Blue.

Lighter or darker colors are acceptable. Thus, representatives of the breed with darker colored points (seal point color) have a more saturated, deep (cosmic) eye color. Lighter blue point pets have a very beautiful sky blue eye color.

Burmese cat - reviews about the breed

+ Leave a review

Leave a review Reset

Catherine

Gorgeous and blue-eyed beauty Birman cat. The Burmese itself is a very kind and strong breed. They are usually peaceful, but in adolescence they can destroy everything)) This passes, independence, a little pride and friendliness appear. The Burmese cat is a good breed for a single person.

stichboys
https://irecommend.ru/content/nu-ty-i-pisklya

Advantages:

gets along with children, affectionate, smart

Flaws:

afraid of noises, lazy

My cat is already 5 years old, my father gave the cat to my mother on March 8th (although she had one back in the 90s), there was no limit to her joy.

At first, of course, we suffered - the kitten still didn’t go to the litter box, scratched the furniture, etc. Of course you had to scold her, but looking at her little blue eyes you melted on the spot. Well, how can you scold such a creature, etc., everyone was forgiven!

Now Rita is 5 years old, she is very smart, if someone swears in the apartment, she runs around like mad, squeaking, meowing, trying to make peace between us (it’s so touching)!

She is very picky, she won’t eat anything, she sleeps all day long! She just can’t go to the litter box, this is the biggest problem, she only goes if the owner is looking, and when they shout to her “Dig! »

She sleeps only on the bed, with the same mistress! But not all cats of this breed are like mine, so the choice is still yours! )))

oxana8689
https://citykey.net/review/chudo-s-golubyimi-glazami

Advantages:

affectionate, calm

I would like to introduce you to another breed of cat. Burmese cat, its second name is Sacred Burma, which speaks of its noble origin.

This is my husband's favorite breed (he had one when he was a child). Now we decided to get such a kitten. We didn't find it in our city. Only 150 km away, they found a kitten. You should have seen my husband's eyes when I brought him a gift in boxes. A cute little bundle with blue eyes. Now more about our Tosya.

When you look at a cat of this breed, it seems that they simply crossed a Persian and a Siamese cat. This is a misconception. A characteristic feature of this breed is the presence of white socks on its paws, which is why it received another name “puss in boots.” With such fluffy fur, it is easy to care for, since there is no undercoat and the fur does not get into tangles. It is enough to comb once a day. Although she is picky about food (she doesn’t like cat food), she eats little; overeating is not her thing. Ours loves raw potatoes and pickles. Very curious. Whatever you do, she will definitely help you (our cat’s favorite pastime is pressing letters on the keyboard). A well-mannered cat who won't turn the house upside down. Very loyal to one owner. She always meets her husband (this is his beloved Tosechka), they can talk the whole evening or do something together (well, I’m not jealous of the cat). The only thing she doesn't like is loud noises (music, vacuum cleaner, quarrels). This is a cat that brought peace and harmony to your home.

Ekaterina Shilo
https://pitomec.guru/koshki/porody-koshki/birmanskaya/

The Burmese cat breed combines the mystery of ancient Asia and the achievements of scientific selection. They are bewitchingly beautiful and graceful, calm and calm, like Buddhist monks, and are not averse to talking. They sense all the shades of their owner’s mood so subtly that they can work as family psychologists.

Maria Dudka
https://vk.com/topic-8101019_28330221?post=951

In general, the problem is this... The cat sheds terribly, we comb him every two days, but even immediately after brushing him, hair comes out in clumps... We showed it to the veterinarian - they said that this is an age-related thing and will go away with time... But it’s simply impossible to endure - fur is everywhere - in food, in clean dishes, on toothbrushes, on laundry (even washed), on the face, in the nose, in the mouth…. In general, there are no places where it is not.....

Seyla
https://nld.ru/koshki/porody/birmanskaya-koshka/

We have had a Burmese cat for almost 3 years. I can agree with the description of the cat’s character in this article... she really rarely meows, but she really loves to talk to my husband... when she comes home from work, sits on her chair, and Amalia is already sitting on his lap and “talking” with all her might. This is a whole evening ritual! But she treats me coolly, despite the fact that I am her owner.

Alina
https://okotikah.ru/poroda/birmanskaya-koshka.html#i-10

Dad brought a miracle for the New Year. I bought it spontaneously and couldn't pass it up. Documents and pedigree are also available. Thoroughbred Sacred Burma. We named him Barsik. A very sweet, kind, decent creature. He never craps or climbs on tables. He sleeps in his own bed. He asks to be held on his own, you don’t have to hold him forcibly to pet him. He happily greets guests and goes to anyone who wants to pet him. Loves to swim. Interesting individual oddities - he is afraid of fish. When the father brings a big catch, the cat hides under the sofa, hisses, and does not come out until the fish is removed. Loves me most of all. But he meets both dad and mom at the door from work. Sweet creature, I can’t imagine my life without him

Andrey
https://heaclub.ru/birmanskaya-korotkoshyorstnaya-koshka-opisanie-porody-i-haraktera-otzyvy-vladelcev-birmanskaya-koshka-okrasy-allergiya-uhod-i-soderzhanie#i-5

I have never been a “cat person”. But a friend’s Burmese cat gave birth to kittens, and he offered one to me. Under the persuasion of his daughter, he agreed. Now our cat Fima is 4 years old. As a kitten, he was very active, rushing around the apartment all the time, getting underfoot. With age he became calmer. The breed is beautiful: you can rarely brush it (although when it sheds, there is a lot of hair everywhere), our cat is not particularly picky when it comes to food (even eats dry food normally), neat, obedient. I recommend it to people who love calm animals.

Admin
https://pitomez.ru/blogs/blog/cats/1228.html

Burmese cats have a very good character, as they are calm, affectionate and have good manners. These cats can be calm when no one pays attention to them, or, on the contrary, playful when played with.

Caring for these cats is not difficult, but you still need to properly care for these cats. Cats, like people, can get sick, and what is most interesting is that in some breeds diseases are inherited, but as for Burmese cats, they do not have hereditary diseases.

Life expectancy - how long do Burmese people live?

Sacred Burma is a long-liver. The average lifespan is 15-18 years, which is not the limit. Measures such as careful adherence to the laws of selection, exclusion from the breeding program of individuals with genetic abnormalities, and proper management of pregnancy in females serve to give birth to healthy kittens and extend the life of the Sacred Burma, which has been proven more than once by examples.

Here is the most famous: a Burmese cat named Lady Catalina from the Australian city of Melbourne lived for 35 years, for which she was awarded an entry into the Guinness Book of Records.

Diseases and life expectancy

Burmese cats live on average from 10 to 15 years, there are also long-livers, over 20 years. This breed has a congenital predisposition to certain diseases:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - occurs as a result of inheritance of the disease in an autosomal dominant manner. It is characterized by myocardial damage with the gradual formation of heart failure, thrombus formation and, as a result, death.
Kidney disease - the most commonly diagnosed disease is urolithiasis.
Spongiform encephalopathy is a degenerative change in the substance of the brain, in which neurological pathologies are observed, paresis and paralysis of the limbs are possible.
Corneal dermoid is a tumor that occurs as a result of impaired tissue embryogenesis. The disease manifests itself at a young age, with a tumor forming on the mucous membrane of the eyes, which looks similar to the skin. It can be treated through surgery and does not pose a danger to the animal if promptly contacted by a specialist.

Are Burmese cats hypoallergenic or not? How often do they shed?

The Sacred Burma has a soft, silky coat without undercoat. If the cat is healthy and well-groomed, it will not shed much. Seasonal molting periods pass quietly. Care at this time consists of daily combing. This is quite enough to prevent the presence of a large amount of fallen hair on furniture and surfaces of the house.

The Burmese cat, to a lesser extent, but can still cause allergies in a sensitive person, because it is known that an allergic reaction does not develop to cat fur, but to a special protein contained in the secretion of the salivary glands, urine, sebum and other fractions that fall on the skin. surface of the coat. You can somewhat control the manifestations of allergies by frequently bathing your pet and observing personal hygiene rules.

It has been proven that in children, the body’s sensitivity to the Fel d1 protein develops less frequently if the child lives next to a furry pet from an early age. In this case, the immune system seems to adapt to constant contact with the allergen.

Diet of Burmese cats

Burmese cats are good judges of what they eat. They are able to control themselves and not overeat. You can create your pet's diet using only dry food. Dry food is completely balanced and contains all the necessary supplies of vitamins and microelements.

Sometimes you can pamper your cat with canned food. If you want to create a cat’s diet from natural products, do not forget that it must be balanced.

The daily diet should include:

Thermally processed meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit, lean beef);
Thermally processed fish of low-fat varieties. Under no circumstances should you give your cat smoked or salted fish;
Liver, lung, spleen;
Cereals (buckwheat, pearl barley, oatmeal);
Dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream);
Boiled vegetables.

Chicken or quail eggs can be given in small quantities. You should not feed the animal from your table. Pet food must be prepared separately without adding salt or spices. Pregnant and weakened cats, as prescribed by a veterinarian, are given vitamin complexes that are purchased at veterinary stores.

In addition to food, cats should have clean water in a separate clean bowl. Always make sure that the dishes from which the cat eats are clean; any remaining food must be removed. It is better to leave dry food in reserve.

Friendliness

Sacred Burma is genetically very attached to humans. Communicative qualities, such as friendliness, sociability, and trustfulness are represented in these cats to the maximum extent, and these qualities are manifested to a greater extent in cats than in cats.

Sacred Burma is recommended for large families with children and elderly relatives. In this case, it will be easier to arrange so that one of the household members is always at home and can communicate with the pet.

Burmese kittens very quickly socialize and adapt to the conditions of the home where they will live. They love to be in the thick of things and take part in the daily affairs of the family. Another striking feature of Sacred Burma is its friendliness towards strangers. The Burmese cat will not hide from guests, but, on the contrary, will come out to meet you with curiosity.

Character and behavior

The sacred Burmese cat is an amazingly intelligent animal. Any owner will tell you that his pet understands him perfectly and knows how to communicate with just a glance. No wonder, apparently, that Buddhist monks nicknamed them “the eye of heaven.” This breed seems to maintain an ideal balance: they are not lazy, but not hectic, they know how to play, but they also know how to contemplate. Smooth movements, unhurried gait, poise, friendliness to everyone without exception - these are the qualities and features inherent in the Burma. And, the most interesting thing is that in cats they appear more clearly than in females.

Burmese cats are very careful when playing, especially with children. Even in the midst of running or hunting, they do not allow themselves to extend their claws or show their teeth to humans. If the latter allows himself too much - tries to pull her tail, for example - they will immediately stop the game and, proudly raising their heads, retreat away.

They get along easily with other pets. With cats of any breed - easily, with dogs - they behave more warily, but are not afraid. However, she is extremely jealous. If the beloved owner pays more attention to someone else, he will clearly express his dissatisfaction and may even be offended.

They do not tolerate separation well, so if you are planning long business trips and travel, do not get this breed. The best nanny cannot replace your loved one.

It is worth mentioning the disadvantages of the breed. Burma is characterized by mood swings, sometimes abrupt and not always understandable to humans. At times, the Burmese cat can be very intrusive and curious. If you set a goal for yourself, there will be no limits to its stubbornness. And if the owner cannot curb his anger at this moment, he will try to raise his voice, roughly grab her or spank her - he may even show aggressiveness.

Which cat's smile walked on its own?

SiameseCheshire

However, this does not happen very often. If the owner creates comfortable conditions for the cat (changes the tray on time, does not forget to feed, buys a play complex and a house for sleeping), then the animal will have practically no reason for dissatisfaction.

Burma and children

Burmese kittens get along well with children, especially if the babies are raised together from diapers. You can leave your pet with your child without fear, knowing that it will not bite or release its claws.

Usually Burmese people patiently endure the not very skillful caresses of babies. First, you should still talk to the child, explaining that the cat is a living creature and you need to be careful with it.

Older children who love and know how to handle animals tend to find contact with Sacred Burma. Children and animals often become best friends and enjoy playing together.

Burmese cat: description of breed and character

The unusual color of the Burmese cat in combination with thick silky hair cannot leave any cat lover indifferent. It is believed that the ancestors of these beautiful creatures lived in Burmese monasteries and guarded sacred relics. That is why the Burmese cat is also called the Sacred Burma.

There is a beautiful legend about how these pussies got their interesting coloring. White yellow-eyed cats lived at one of the Buddhist temples. People believed that these were the souls of deceased monks who could not go to heaven, and became messengers of the goddess Cun Huanze. Animals were deeply revered by the monks as sacred.

This monastery was once attacked by robbers and tried to steal the statue of the revered goddess. The elder of the temple was killed in the battle. And then his cat, whose name was Singh, jumped on the head of his dead owner and screamed loudly. At the same time, the appearance of the animal changed: the eyes became blue, the fur began to shine brightly with fire, and the paws, immersed in the elder’s gray hair, turned white.

The monks drove the thieves away, and the cat remained lying near the body of its owner for another week until it died. Since then, the cats in the temple have changed their color: their fur has become golden and their eyes have become bright blue.

Burma

Despite the beautiful myth, it is quite obvious that the described breed is the result of crossing Siamese cats with Persian cats. It was introduced to Europe around 1919 and officially registered in 1925.

Main external characteristics of the Burmese breed:

coat color - color point (Siamese)
The coat is silky, medium length, slightly curled on the belly
medium-sized body, squat, fairly muscular and strong
short legs with tufts of hair between the pads
the head is wide, with a slightly pointed chin
eyes are round, widely set, deep sapphire color
the tail is of medium length with a rounded tip and is usually always directed upwards
The ears are slightly rounded at the tips and set wide apart on the head. Interestingly, kittens are born with disproportionately large ears, but with age their size becomes harmonious
the lower jaw is strongly developed, which is clearly visible in profile
there is a small depression on the nose

The nature of the Burmese combines the features of both “parents”: the pride and intelligence of the Siamese, as well as the complaisance and calmness of the Persians. The Burmese breed is rightfully considered a “family” breed.

Sacred breed

Characteristics and temperament:

high intelligence and ingenuity - these cats learn everything quickly. It is easy to teach her to follow simple commands, even to fetch various objects in her teeth, like dogs.
sensitivity - animals subtly capture the mood and well-being of their owners.
understanding and tact - they always know what is acceptable when playing with a person and what is not. Even if they get carried away, they won’t let out their claws and won’t bite.
self-esteem – pussies are unobtrusive and can spend time on their own.
gentleness and peacefulness - if a Burmese cat is not happy with something, it will not scratch or bite, but will simply leave.
pleasant melodic voice - these cats “talk” quite quietly, as if “cooing”.
dislike of noise, and even fear of it - during crowded feasts or loud music, the cat prefers to hide in a secluded place.
a playfulness that does not completely disappear with age.
tenderness and affection - they love to sit on people’s laps, love to hug and often ask to be held in their arms.
sociality - Burms get along well with other pets (even dogs) and do not strive to dominate.
curiosity - they always participate in all household chores and run out to meet guests without the slightest fear
some condescension and majesty - these cats are accustomed to universal adoration, considering it absolutely deserved.
devotion - in separation from the owner, the Burmese yearns for him very much, and may even refuse food.
some clumsiness - sometimes a cat can fall off the back of the sofa for no apparent reason.

Attitude towards other animals

Sacred Burma, as a rule, finds a common language with other pets sharing the same territory with her (although at first, manifestations of jealousy are not excluded). Smaller animals should still be isolated, since the hunting instinct of the Burmese is quite developed.

To eliminate manifestations of jealousy, the owner must develop the correct tactics of behavior: the animals should be given equal attention, without depriving anyone. Conflicts are excluded if animals grow up together, getting used to the house, owners, and surroundings.

The issue of dominance may arise if animals appeared in the house as adults (especially if they are unsterilized). Castrated and sterilized Burmese, as a rule, do not display jealousy or aggression.

Reviews

Before purchasing an animal, I always recommend reading owner reviews about the breed. I will present some of them in this article. All reviews are taken from the Otzovik website.

Curious cat

The author says that the cat appeared in the house by accident and has been living with the family for 20 years. She happily travels to the country and has adapted well to life both in an apartment and in a private house. It is unpretentious in food, but prefers raw fish, meat, cheese and milk. In winter, they are fed with good food. There are no problems with leaving.

Cat with character

The author of this review draws attention to the character traits of the Burmese cat. The animal is wary of strangers, does not go into the arms of strangers, and sometimes hides. During the period of estrus, the pet is very restless, but this is the natural state of females at this time. It is best to sterilize the animal to protect your nerves and the health of the cat.

Harmonious animal

The Burmese cat who lives with the author of the third review is very active and loves games. The author notes that the animal does not impose its society, but can demand by voice to perform some action. He recognizes only his master, loves to spend time with him and obeys him unquestioningly. Particular attention should be paid to the pet's nutrition: it must be balanced, otherwise health problems will begin.

Playfulness

Burmese kittens are very playful and incredibly funny. Often, this love of play remains with pets for life. It has been noticed that cats are more affectionate, sociable, and playful. Cats are less playful, they are more likely to show independence and wisdom.

As Burmese people age, games should become more intellectual. It’s not appropriate for an adult cat to chase a candy wrapper, but a cat puzzle, learning a series of commands or simple training will be a worthy pastime.

Choosing a Sacred Burmese kitten

A Burmese kitten is born with a light color and no markings. Characteristic darkening on the coat, matching the description of the breed, appears only by 6 months. The fastest to form are the typical “gloves” and “socks” on the paws, which appear by the third day of life.

Due to the fact that reliable signs of the breed appear quite late, a kitten should be purchased from trusted breeders in nurseries; it is advisable that the owners be able to provide complete information about the origin of the animals, as well as introduce them to their parents. Kittens should be weaned from their mother approximately two months after birth.

In addition to the characteristic external signs, you should pay attention to the cleanliness of the kitten, its behavior: you should not take an animal that hides from people in the corner and shows aggression, such behavior indicates that the cat is not socialized correctly. Preference should be given to an active, curious baby with a dense build, clean fur and eyes.

How to cope with loneliness

The Sacred Burma is a very social animal and does not tolerate loneliness well. Past life experience is of great importance to her. A kitten raised in a large family will constantly need affection and extra attention.

It is very good if one of the household members is always at home. In this case, the pet will not be deprived of attention. If adults and children go about their business every morning, leaving the Burmese alone to while away the time in the apartment, he may feel lonely. In the evening, you need to reward the sufferer by giving him maximum attention and participation.

It is highly not recommended to leave Sacred Burma alone for a long time. Being isolated and separated from its beloved owner, the pet will experience severe psychological discomfort, which can develop into depression.

Maintenance and care, nutrition

In terms of care, the Burmese cat does not present any difficulties. Burms easily adapt to changing environments and can withstand transportation, so you can take your pet with you when traveling.

Their diet has some peculiarities. Although Burmese are not gluttonous, they are picky about food. Experts recommend feeding your pet high-quality, balanced food that contains a small amount of carbohydrates. The color of the coat is adversely affected by foods containing high concentrations of copper and iodine; they can lead to darkening of light areas, so liver, algae and cereals should be excluded from the pet’s diet.

To prevent hairballs from getting stuck, you can give your cat a small amount of grass. An adult is fed twice a day - morning and evening, the average serving is about 300 g. Kittens require more frequent feeding - 5 times a day, 200 g.

Birman kittens

Burmese wool does not require complex care. Their fur does not form tangles. It is enough to carefully comb out the lost hair with a special comb with sparse teeth once a week. During periods of intense shedding, a furminator is better suited for removing fluff, as it can easily remove lost hairs. An obedient, shiny coat is a sign of a cat’s health, so dulling of the coat, changes in color, or excessive hair loss may indicate illness or an incorrectly selected diet.

To maintain the quality of the wool and its color, it is recommended to keep the Burmese at a temperature of +22-25 degrees. Cold lightens dark areas.

Bathing is not a problem for Burmese cats. As a rule, they tolerate it steadfastly. Frequency of washing - no more than once a month. It is important that the water is warm; you need to use only special cat shampoos. To choose a product, you can seek advice from specialists or a breeder.

In general, cats are unpretentious and have no disadvantages. Defects include only character traits that require constant attention and affection, as well as a possible change in color if the animal is not kept properly.

Cost of kittens

For those who want to be aware of how much a Burmese cat costs, it is easy to guess that the prices for purebred kittens are high:

Pet-class kittens cost from 40 thousand rubles. These kittens are subject to mandatory neutering at the age of one year.

The cost of breeding class kittens is 70-100 thousand rubles.
A show-class kitten costs 100-150 thousand rubles.

If the goal is to choose a purebred kitten for further exhibition or breeding work, it is recommended to invite an independent expert who will help you make a good choice, check the availability of all documents, and conduct the transaction correctly.

Price

You should only buy a Burmese cat from a trusted breeder. The peculiarity is that at an early age (up to six months) you will not find clear indicators of the breed in the animal. An unscrupulous seller may sell a kitten that turns out to be a mixed breed or even outbred.

If you plan to take part in exhibitions or engage in breeding with your cat, you should take a kitten that is already 6 months old. At this stage, it is possible to largely eliminate the shortcomings of the breed for which the animal can be disqualified.

The cost of a pet for home keeping is from $550. Kittens purchased for breeding are more expensive - from 800 to 2000 dollars. The cost of show-class animals is at least $2,000.

Burmese catteries

Anyone who wants to enjoy communication with representatives of the unusual and amazing Sacred Burma breed is recommended to contact professional breeders.

"WHITE PAWS" (Moscow)
"LAKSHESTAR" (Moscow)
"Bijou Sacre" (St. Petersburg)
"ZAFIRO SAGRADO" (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk)
"LV*Marikota" (Kaliningrad)
"White Paws" (Moscow)
"Tarnis" (Moscow)

Owners of certified nurseries dearly love their charges and make every effort to ensure that they grow up as healthy, well-mannered and socially adapted animals. All kittens are vaccinated promptly, dewormed, and taught to use a litter box and scratching post. The animals are healthy and active because they are not kept in isolation.

History of the origin of the Burmese cat

The Burmese cat comes from the state of Burma (present-day Myanmar). There is a legend according to which these animals lived in Buddhist temples. Some believe that they drove out dark forces, while others believe that Buddhist monks simply liked the beautiful animals.

They say that during one of the raids on the temple, the cat protected the monk, appearing before the robbers in the form of a blue-eyed goddess. Another legend says that in those days it was believed that some monks after death were reincarnated as animals and continued to live in the temple. It’s up to you to believe these stories or not, but thanks to the legends, this breed has gained a reputation as sacred.

The breed was brought to France in 1919. One rich man bought kittens of different sexes for an incredible sum at that time. During the war years, almost all Burmese cats were destroyed, with the exception of a male and a female, which were later crossed with the Siamese and Persian breeds. That is why modern individuals have a similar color to representatives of these breeds.

Care and maintenance

The Sacred Burma is an unpretentious animal, so caring for it is not difficult. Burmese do not need a large living space and can be kept in a city apartment. They are allocated a part of the room where they place a comfortable lounger or rest house, a scratching post, a play complex, and toys.

For walks outside (curious Burmese love to walk) they buy a harness. They practice visiting the street only in warm, calm weather, since animals are susceptible to colds.

By nature, Sacred Burma has a weak vestibular system, which is why she cannot control the position of her body when falling. Strong anti-cat nets should be installed on all windows to prevent pets from accidentally falling out of the window.

What to feed

Sacred Burma, as a rule, has a moderate build: she does not have a tendency to overeat and gain weight. Burmese cats are aristocrats in everything: for them it is not so important that there is a lot of food. It is much more important that the feeding is truly tasty and of high quality.

Felinologists say that any type of diet is acceptable for pets, the main thing is that the food meets quality standards.

With a natural type of diet, the ideal choice for Sacred Burma would be lean meat: turkey, rabbit, lamb or chicken. The meat is given boiled, cut into medium-sized pieces. The diet is supplemented with low-fat fermented milk products with sufficient calcium content, stewed vegetables, and water-based porridge (in small quantities).

Occasionally, the pet is treated to a chicken or quail egg, unsalted cheese, and boiled sea fish without bones. A natural diet includes vitamin and mineral supplements necessary for the proper development and strengthening of the body. Food from the owners' table with a high content of fat, salt, and preservatives should be excluded from the diet.

If an industrial type of diet is chosen, then you should pay attention to high-quality food from popular manufacturers with a sufficient content of proteins, plant fibers, vitamins, probiotics and limited fat content. Recommended brands:

Pro Plan;
Hills;
Acana;
Origen.

Grooming

Thanks to the special structure of the topcoat and the absence of undercoat, caring for the Sacred Burmese coat is easy. In order for your pet to look neat and well-groomed, it is enough to comb it with a comb once a week, removing dead hairs.

Additionally, it is worth treating the wool with a soft massage glove brush to stimulate the follicles and activate blood circulation. During periods of shedding, brushing is carried out daily.

Pets are bathed as their fur becomes dirty, approximately once every 3-4 months. It is mandatory to use shampoo for long-haired animals, which provides nutrition and shine to the hair.

It is necessary to take timely care of the eyes, ears, and teeth of the Sacred Burma. The eyes require the most careful attention: due to deformation of the tear ducts, increased lacrimation may occur. The discharge is carefully removed by treating the eye area with a mild antiseptic.

Pets' teeth are periodically cleaned, and the oral cavity is examined for the formation of tartar - a source of dental problems.

The tips of the claws are trimmed with a nail clipper as needed.

Potential Health Problems

Despite numerous crossings, Sacred Burma has retained good heredity and high immunity. Pedigree hereditary pathologies are rare. Regular preventative examinations with a veterinarian help to diagnose them at an early stage.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a dangerous hereditary heart disease. The pathology develops gradually and is usually diagnosed in the later stages. There is no effective treatment for the pathology; the only way is surgery.
Corneal dermoid is a benign growth of eye tissue that appears as a thin film on the cornea. After a simple surgical intervention, the function of the organ of vision is completely restored.
Another hereditary pathology leading to disqualification is congenital strabismus.
Spongiform encephalopathy is a severe neurological pathology caused by an insufficiently studied infectious agent. It has been found that animals become ill after eating contaminated food. The pathology is manifested by impaired coordination of movements, tremors, increased salivation, and fever.

Sacred Burma is prone to colds and needs protection from low temperatures and drafts. The room should maintain a temperature environment that is comfortable for them - 23-25°C.

Professional breeders maintain the genetic health of the Sacred Burma through careful selection, genetic testing, and exclusion of individuals with deviations from the breeding program. When purchasing from hand, the buyer will not receive any guarantees of the health and breed of the pet.

Caring for Burmese cats

Cats of the Sacred Burmese breed are unpretentious and do not need any special tricks. Caring for them is quite simple and anyone can handle this task. Before bringing the cat into the apartment, the room must be prepared. You need to go through your home and remove all protruding wires and cables. Put away expensive porcelain, gadgets and other items that your cat might accidentally break.

Also, the room needs to be made safe, all cracks where the cat could get stuck should be closed. Tightly cover toxic substances that could poison the animal. In addition, the animal needs to have its own personal space. The cat needs to buy a soft and comfortable bed, a tray and a place for food, equipped with large bowls. The cat will also need a scratching post and toys. For trips to the veterinarian, it is worth purchasing a carrier.

In general, caring for a cat is not difficult. You need to bathe your cat once every 3-4 months with a special shampoo. The eyes and ears of the animal are examined and carefully wiped with a cotton pad. Nails are trimmed with special scissors every three weeks. Despite the long hair, it does not cause much trouble. Once a week, the animal must be combed with a special soft comb to remove dead hair.

Fun fact: Raising Burmese cats is usually easy. Cats feel their owner well and quickly understand what is required of them. The main thing is not to miss the moment and explain to the cat the rules of behavior in your home from childhood. Animals should not be allowed to scratch furniture or climb onto tables. A cat's litter box training is usually done by a breeder.

Burms don't tolerate shouting and they especially don't like being shouted at, so try not to do this. When committing negative actions, switch the animal’s attention to toys. Sacred Burmas do not tolerate cold; there should be no drafts in the room where the animal is kept.

Pros and cons of the breed

By purchasing a purebred Burmese, the future owner receives a unique animal. Fans of the Sacred Burma breed claim that they are not at all like other cats, highlighting a number of advantages:

Unusual, noble appearance. The breed can rightfully be called elite. The fluffy fur, the unusual color and the intense gaze of blue eyes are striking.
High level of socialization. They say that the Burmese feels the owner and interacts with him. These cats are friendly, sociable, balanced, and tactful.
Balanced character. Kittens easily adapt to a new home and accept the laws of family life. Usually there are no problems with toilet training or scratching posts. The Burmese are not vindictive and do not tend to damage wallpaper or furniture.
Sacred Burma has good health and long life expectancy. With satisfactory care, they live freely up to 18 years, and sometimes longer. If you regularly bring your pet for medical examination, then there is a high probability that he will live a long life without suffering from anything serious.
Easy care, moderate shedding.

There are also disadvantages:

Due to the lack of undercoat, the Sacred Burma is prone to colds. Excessive exposure to cold air can cause the coat to darken.
Burmese are jealous, which creates problems when keeping multiple animals in a family.
Sacred Burma requires healthy eating and careful selection of diet. Due to their sensitive digestive system, economy class food is not suitable for them.
The price of kittens is very high. A purebred baby costs from 40 to 200 thousand rubles.

Description of the Burmese breed and standards

The Burmese breed has distinctive features - white paws, pink pads, and wide-set blue eyes.

Head and muzzle

Burmese cats have a triangular head shape, the contour of which gradually becomes rounded. The zygomatic bone is located high, the frontal part protrudes forward. Cats have a fairly large nose. The ears are small in size with rounded tips. The Burmese's eyes are wide-set and almond-shaped.

Frame

This breed is characterized by medium body size and well-developed muscles. The limbs are low, ending in wide paws. The tail is usually short.

Coat

Burmese cats have a medium-length coat with short undercoat. On the head it lengthens towards the cheeks, after which it turns into a fairly thick fur collar. The tail is distinguished by thick, long hair. The longest hair is on the side of the body and back.

Colors

Burmese cats have a characteristic color - the body has a smooth white color, turning into a dark color closer to the forelimbs, and white “gloves” and “socks” are required. The fur on the face is dark in color and extends to the ears. The tail part is painted dark. The pads most often have a pink tint and may have spots.

The color of Burmese cats is very diverse, a combination is possible:

brown markings on a background of beige fur;
chocolate color with ivory;
blue shadows against a background of light blue wool.

History of the breed

The Burmese Sacred Cat is one of the oldest cat breeds. The exact age is unknown, but its homeland is Burma (now Myanmar) - the Asian capital, where Burmese cats are visible and invisible. History tells that these cats lived in monasteries. In a Buddhist country, animals were given special respect, believing that they protect people’s homes from dark forces. Apparently this belief formed the basis of the legend about the origin of Burmese cats, thanks to which they began to be considered sacred animals.

They say that the predecessors of the Burmese were snow-white cats - messengers of the goddess with blue eyes named Huantse. Cats lived in monasteries, providing spiritual assistance to the inhabitants. When one of the monasteries was attacked by enemies, many monks were injured, and among them was a monk named Mun Ha. His cat, named Singh, was endowed with special power by the goddess Huanze to strengthen the weakened spirit of the monks for further fight against the enemy.

The inhabitants of the monastery saw the incredible: the cat’s fur became golden, and its eyes shone with a bright blue color. The vision strengthened the surviving monks and gave them the strength to unite and drive out the barbarians. And the remaining 99 cats of the monastery acquired bright blue eyes and golden fur like Sinha. The ends of the animals' paws remained bright white, like the gray hair of the monk Mun-Ha. Since then, Burmese cats began to enjoy special reverence in their country and acquired the status of “sacred”. To offend such a cat is still considered a grave sin today.

Until 1920, cats from Burma were known only in their homeland. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a French traveler named Vanderbilt purchased two kittens for a fabulous price and took them to France. Unfortunately, the boy kitten did not survive the difficult road. The girl safely reached the place and became the ancestor of the European branch of pets from Burma.

The Burmese breed began to actively spread across the European continent. In 1925, the breed was officially registered under the name “Burmese cat”.

The Second World War caused the almost complete extermination of the Burmese breed population. It was decided to cross the remaining representatives with Persian and Siamese representatives. This gave a chance to restore the population.

This is how the modern variety of the Burmese breed appeared, and in 1950, the name of the breed was slightly changed. It sounded like this: “The Holy Cat of Burma.” In 1966, Sacred Burma first came to the USA, and in 1967 to the UK. Today, “Burmese” are gaining popularity in most European countries. In Russia, you can buy a cat of the Sacred Burma breed only in a professional nursery.

Burma - a cat from legend

Of the many breeds of domestic cats, only one has the word “sacred” in its name, and this in itself speaks volumes. Although the Sacred Burmese still remains among the rare breeds, interest in it among true connoisseurs of cat virtues is growing all over the world. This is not surprising, because the Burmese cat is one continuous advantage.

The sacred cat Burma is a faithful companion of Buddhist monks

Many Buddhists in different countries of the world prefer to keep these cats and even meditate with them - isn’t this in itself surprising?

History of the breed

It is unlikely that there is another breed with which so many legends and simply beautiful mysterious stories are associated. Be that as it may, the Burmese cat enjoys special patronage and veneration among modern Buddhists - just like a century ago, when fluffy, mysterious beauties lived in many monasteries of Burma as almost divine oracles, and inseparably accompanied monks and pilgrims everywhere.

How and when did these cats end up in Buddhist monasteries? There is no direct and specific information about this; the origins of the breed are lost in the intricacies of Eastern myths.

Once upon a time, a legend tells, in Burma there was a magnificent temple of Lao Tsun, erected in honor of the foremother of all things on Earth. When the abbot of Man-Ha offered evening prayer at the golden statue of the deity with sapphire eyes, he was attacked by enemies and killed. The white temple cat Singh clung to her owner's body in despair, and at that moment a miracle happened. A glow appeared around the statue, and the cat began to transform. Her fur acquired a golden tint, her paws darkened; but where they touched the monk’s chest, snow-white “gloves” remained, and Singh’s eyes became sapphire. The next morning, all the other cats living in the temple also acquired this appearance.

Modern genetic research is not so romantic, but it confirms that this breed originates from Burma. According to the most common version, Siamese and Persian cats that lived here for thousands of years naturally interbred. Some of the offspring developed, and subsequently became established, wonderful blue eyes and white “socks” on their paws, and other breed qualities gradually developed.

Burma eyes are a divine gift

A precious treasure of Burma, a pair of sacred cats was presented to the Europeans in gratitude for saving the same Lao Tsung Temple, but at the very beginning of the last century. So, at least, the continuation of the legend says. The cat could not survive the long journey on the ship to the shores of France, and the pregnant cat reached a new place of residence and gave birth to kittens there. It was from them that the entire European population of sacred Burma supposedly originated.

A hundred years ago, the breed gained popularity in Europe. In France, Sacred Burma received its first official recognition, which dates back to 1925. Since then, the Burma has been keeping its official chronicle - for every truly purebred cat, the pedigree can be traced back to twenty generations, and its starting point is exactly at the beginning of the last century. It is interesting that the standard of this breed is unusually stable - it also remained practically unchanged for almost a whole century, which is a rarity for various felinological organizations.

Video: The world's only sacred breed

Interesting facts about Burmese cats

Some breeders practice illegal rapprochement between the Burmese cat and the Persian breed, mixing in Persian studs. This leads to the appearance at exhibitions of Burmese, whose head structure, eyes, and coat density are very close to Persian ones.
The main distinguishing feature of the Sacred Burma is the unique morphology of the breed, which is valued above all else by most breeders. They build a breeding program so that this trait is passed on from generation to generation.
The Burmese cat, like no other breed, loves to sleep under a blanket.
The Birman Shorthair, which first appeared in 1995, is promoted by the Sacred Temple Cat Club of New Zealand. The goal is to register the breed line in all felinological systems.

Difference between Burma and Burmese

Despite the similar names, the Burmese cat differs in many ways from the Burmese. The most characteristic feature of the first breed is the silky coat, as well as the color - there are no white “gloves” and “socks”, dark markings on the face and limbs. The Burmese breed has brown, blue, sable and other types of colors.

Unlike Burmese, they have a different shape and set of eyes, the color of the iris is most often brown and its shades.

What does a Burmese cat look like?

Photo

Owner reviews

Marina : We have two cats with amazingly different characters, which manifest themselves in everything: Sonya is active and loves to walk. Hearing the command, he immediately runs to put on the harness. Harlequin defiantly lies down on the sofa, making it clear that at her advanced age, decent cats do not walk on a leash. During the trip, Sonya shows maximum activity and curiosity: she runs around the cabin and loves to look out the window. Harlequin sleeps in the carrier until the end of the trip.
Tonya : The kitten quickly settled into our home and immediately found several secluded places where he could relax and play. Everyone immediately fell in love with him for his activity, love of the game and affectionate disposition. Never scratches small children and calmly endures all their squeezing. He mastered the litter tray and scratching post right away, and later learned to walk on a harness.
Manyasha : Cats of the Sacred Burma breed are a little more than completely beautiful. They are simply amazing. Real kittens of this breed cost 600 euros. Yes, not a single breeder will give away a cat of this breed for free, because it is a real treasure. Burmas are difficult to breed. It is not surprising that professional breeders of this breed can be counted on one hand, and the requirements for the future owner are high.

Similar breeds

Neva Masquerade cat , like the Sacred Burma, continues the list of breeds with color-point color. These are quite large animals. In addition, they are agile, jumping, run fast, and are excellent hunters. Unlike the Sacred Burma, their coat has a hard texture and a thick undercoat, and their eyes are bluish-gray or bluish-green. The white markings on the paws of the Neva Masquerade have an arbitrary shape, or may be completely absent. In addition, they are allowed to have white spots on their faces, which is unacceptable in the Sacred Burma.
The Siamese cat has a long flexible body, a narrow, wedge-shaped muzzle and expressive bright blue eyes. One of the striking characteristic features is a loud, demanding voice. Siamese have a rather complex character. They are quite affectionate, but no less jealous, so keeping other animals in the same territory as a Siamese can lead to problems. Since the Siamese cat is short-haired, caring for it is quite simple. If you watch your diet and come for regular medical examinations, your pet will be active and healthy until old age.
Thai cat . Like the Sacred Burma, the Thai cat has a peaceful character and gets along easily with family members and pets. Like the Burmese, Thais are affectionate and emotional. They love children, know how to nurse them, are curious and love to participate in family affairs. They are smart and easy to train.

Popular colors of Burmese cats

Burmese cats have a beautiful point color.

There are quite a lot of different colors, but here are the most popular ones:

SBI n - chestnut or chocolate point. This color is considered the brightest and most contrasting. The points are bright brown, evenly and completely colored. An even diamond-shaped mask should stand out on the cat’s face. There should be no light areas on the points; white spots on the points are not allowed at all. At the age of 2.5-3 years, the fur on the back and sides darkens slightly; in rare cases, the animal’s abdomen darkens;
SBI-21 this color is characterized by dark brown striped points. The color is very similar to the previous one, but the points have dark stripes;
SBI a - blue or silver point. The general color of the animal is white, and the points are cold silvery tones. The points must have an even color. On the face there is a diamond-shaped mask of gray color, the ears are gray. On points, light colors are undesirable, but acceptable. By the age of 2.5-3 years, the back and sides of the animal are covered with a so-called silvery cloak. In rare cases, the pet’s belly may also darken;
SBI a 21 - striped silver point. The color is the same as the previous one, but the points are striped;
SBI b - classic chocolate point. This color is not as bright and contrasting as the previous ones. The tail and dark points should be well and evenly colored. It happens that the points are very light; they can be the color of milk chocolate. The mask on the muzzle is not wide. The diamond shape of the mask ends behind the outer corners of the eyes, and the forehead is covered by the mask approximately to the middle. Light areas on points are undesirable; the body body does not darken with age;
SBI b 21 - the same chocolate point only with stripes. The classic color is white combined with light red striped points. Some have a red color on the nose, palate and paw pads. Over the years, the animal's body does not darken;
SBI c - lilac point. Pearl-colored points. The mask on the face, like that of the blue point, is not wide, the points are evenly colored in pearlescent color. The sides of this color never darken;
SBI c 21 - lilac point with stripes.