Originally bred quite by accident when a male Chinchilla met a female lilac Burmese, the Burmilla became an instant hit thanks to the kittens’ attractive looks. The kittens had the Burmese temperament and looked more like a Burmese than a Chinchilla, but with the Chinchilla’s silver colouring.
A medium-sized, muscular cat, the Burmilla also has a short coat. As such they shed very little and require minimal grooming, though they do appreciate attention from their owners. Burmillas are noted for their full, expressive eyes, which can be gold through to a striking green.
This breed is also fairly long lived, surviving well into their teens and, happily, they suffer from no particular ailments. As with all cats, though, a yearly health check is a good idea.
The Burmilla’s personality sits somewhere between the animated Burmese and the relaxed Chinchilla. They love attention and will fit in happily with a loud family. However, they have been known to be quite demanding and their intelligence means that as an owner you should be prepared to engage with them. Chat to a Burmilla and she will look at you like she understands what you are saying. Beware though that because they are a friendly breed, they have been known to wonder off with strangers, so keeping them confined to the house is probably a good idea.
Give this cat plenty of toys and a scratching post and spend time playing with her and she will be more than happy. Burmillas are excellent companions, so are great for older owners or those that love company. They are good with kids, though will walk away when they have had enough of children’s play. They are also generally quite happy with other cats and pets.
Burmillas are also good at regulating their own intake of food and being active cats, they aren’t prone to obesity.
A great family pet.
