Burmilla Cat Breed

Body Size - Medium
Coat Length - Short
Life Span - 15 Years

Burmilla Description

The Burmilla is a short-haired cat, similar in size to the Burmese, which comes from the cross-mating of Burmese and Chinchilla cats. Having a wonderful personality, they are an ideal "lap cat" with the endearing looks and colors, which come from the Chinchilla, and the fun-loving and affectionate nature of the Burmese. The Burmilla has a very fine fur which can molt like any other breed. The mainly white hairs will tend to show up on clothing and furniture.

Burmilla History

Originally from an accidental mating between a Chinchilla and a Burmese in the UK in 1981, the owners were struck by the appearance of the kittens and ventured into conducting an Experimental Breeding Program which commenced the breed in the UK. In the mid 1990s, some breeders in Australia started their own breeding programs and imported some breeding cats from the UK

Burmilla Traits

They can be talkative but not as much as the more vocal breeds such as the Siamese. Slightly more "laid back" than the Burmese, they make wonderful lap warmers.

Burmilla Good aspects

The Burmilla have the wonderful colors from the Chinchilla which gives them an appearance of mascara around the eyes and nose. Mainly white in color, referred to as silver, the colors appear as either shaded or tipped. Shaded cats have more color on the individual hair shafts than the tipped variety which have the color coming a short way down the shafts from the tips. Mature cats from 2 years should have green eyes, once again from the Chinchilla.

Burmilla Health

When purchasing a Burmilla, ensure there is no Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in the breeding lines. PKD is renown in some Chinchilla Persian lines, although there have been reported cases in short-haired breeds, most breeders will only use PKD free breeding cats.

Burmilla Beware

Burmilla s are ideal indoor cats and should, like most cats, be kept that way for the cats safety and well-being.

Burmilla Summary

Being a relatively new breed, the Burmilla are a good blend of the classic Chinchilla, for the outward looks, and the wonderful, loving nature of the Burmese. They are an ideal family pet well suited to indoor life.