Burmese cats: description of the breed, variety of colors and rules of keeping

Burmese cats attract a lot of attention because they look insanely attractive. Their appearance is exotic, and their behavior is deliberate. These adorable cats cannot imagine life without their master and are trying with all their might to attract his attention. Today we will get to know better these charming and unusual pets.

In order to appreciate all the advantages of the baleen representatives of this world famous breed, you first need to analyze the history of its origin. These beautiful creations, with delicate silk wool, have been popular for millennia. The first mention of them can be traced back to those manuscripts that were written in the distant XII century in Thailand and Burma.

Mentions of Burmese cats with a more detailed and detailed description can be found in the historical museum of Bangkok. In addition, the “silk” charms of chocolate shade can be seen in the images available in ancient literature found in the Siamese capital.

Burmese cats received the name of their breed in memory of their homeland, Burma, the beautiful and mysterious country of the East. In Ancient Burma, cats of this breed were praised and revered. They were perceived in the same way as the gods. Burmese cats were considered sacred and treated accordingly.

Each of the priests lived such a beautiful and intelligent animal. The relationship between the owner and his favorite talked about how close the latter is to the gods. As in ancient Egypt, cats were considered true guides to the world of the dead. They were also useful to the living, because they brought good luck and promised wealth.

Fluffy "gods" and "goddesses" were incredibly expensive. Only immigrants and wealthy aristocrats could afford such “magic” pets. Several Burmese cats lived at the court of ancient rulers and were considered their faithful talismans, protecting their wealth and prosperity. Such "holy" favorites were treated very carefully and valued no less than the treasury or their own happiness.

Representatives of the Burmese breed were first imported into Europe only in the 19th century. For a long time they were called "black Siamese." Everything changed only by 1930. At that time, Dr. Joseph Thomson brought with him to America a cute cat with an interesting and catchy nickname - Wong Mau.

Thompson was not a professional breeder, but he really wanted to cross his darling with representatives of the Siamese breed. Over the long 8 years, Joseph chose kittens that were darker in color from the offspring. Thus, he tried to achieve the perfect chocolate shade. By 1938, very beautiful and spectacular cats of a color close to dark chocolate made a real sensation at a special felinological exhibition. The photo with the whiskered “beauties” hit the newspapers, after which their popularity and fame skyrocketed.

In 1948, representatives of the Burmese breed in Europe gave a slightly modified offspring, the color of which acquired a new reddish tint. In addition, professional breeders have worked to ensure that cats have a more graceful and neat figure, similar to real goddesses. True, such changes were not perceived with the desired delight and joy. After much upheaval, breeders from the USA and Europe did not find a common language on the ideal appearance of Burmese cats.

For this reason, today, not one, but two standards of the described breed stand out.

• American. Cats belonging to this type have a denser and squat complexion. The shape of their body is rounded.

• European. Representatives of this standard have a more accurate and elegant figure. Their muzzle is slightly pointed, which makes the pets look a little malicious and crafty. It is this expression that attracts many people.

Burmese cats are very popular today. First of all, all people at first sight fall in love with their bright appearance, which cannot be ignored. It was already mentioned above that there are two standards for these representatives of the breed, but, despite this, both those and others have common external characteristics, which we will discuss below.

• Representatives of the Burmese breed belong to medium-sized individuals. They have a fairly dense muscle mass, but at the same time their torso is aligned very well and harmoniously. The back of these cats is straight. It smoothly passes into a long and flexible neck, as well as a wide chest. As for the paws - on the contrary, they usually grow thin and long. Their size corresponds to the dimensional parameters of the body, due to which cats and cats of the Burmese breed look elegant. Their every movement is filled with grace and aristocracy.
• Head Burmese animals are not too large. Usually it is wide in the area of ​​the cheekbones, but very neatly tapers closer to the nose. Their face is flattened, which makes burmese similar to its relative - Siamese cat.
• Ears representatives of the described Asian breed grow large.They are widely spaced on the crown and have slightly rounded tips, giving the animals a more pretty appearance.
• Eyes Burmese cats are widely spaced. They differ in large size and unusual structure. The lower line of the eyes is neatly rounded, and the upper one is almost perfectly straight, leaning slightly towards the nose. This feature makes the cat look more mysterious, cunning and gloomy.
• Eye iris color these cats are completely different. In most cases, it changes from amber (most often this eye color belongs to animals with dark hair) to green-yellow (a similar color of the iris is typical for representatives of a light suit). The color of the iris may change over the years. That is why professional breeders pay more attention to the very shape of the eyes and the gap between them. Color is rarely suitable as an indicator.
• The Burmese cat can be safely called a unique animal. Having compact dimensions, it may not have the smallest weight - it can be from 5 to 6 kg in females and up to 9 kg in males.
• It is worth taking a charming Burmese cat in your arms, as you immediately recall its distant eastern past and "divine" status: in severity, it is somewhat similar to a stone statue, but it is very soft and affectionate. The feeling of her body weight at this moment does not disappear. Because of this distinguishing feature of this breed, many breeders call it a "brick wrapped in silk."
• Silk wool - This is one of the most striking hallmarks of Burmese cats. The undercoat is absent in these animals. The wool is as close to the body as possible, but at the same time it remains so soft and soft that it can really be confused with natural silk to the touch. The short-haired beauty has one interesting property - her hairs change their color under the conditions of temperature changes. When it is warm outside, the Burmese cat becomes lighter, and when it is cold - darker and more saturated.
• At the very roots, each hair has a natural dark color. At the tips it turns out to be lighter. If you look at such spectacular color transitions, it immediately becomes clear why Burmese cats are considered the most beautiful in the world.

In most cases, at first glance, Burmese cats seem too serious and even a little unfriendly to many people, but this impression is quickly replaced as soon as the animal begins to move and show its true character. More active, funny and mischievous pets are hard to find. Burmese cats and cats retain a playful temperament until old age.

These beautiful pets are big fans of active and outdoor games. Since they are distinguished by dexterity and long powerful legs, their entire house can literally become their object for games and pursuits. Cats love to "ride" through the cabinets, they can easily rush along the carpet hanging on the wall, and even climb the curtain to the ceiling.

Burmese cats and cats are also distinguished by their bold character. They are rarely scared of public transport. Animals from the street and strangers are also not able to unbalance or scare them.

Such cats can not live without proper attention on the part of man. They become very attached to their master and do not like to be alone for a long time - they always need a company. Left in the house alone, Burmese cats often curl up in a ball and simply go to bed. When the owner is nearby, these energetic beauties will do everything in their power to only attract as much attention as possible. As a rule, they succeed.

Asian short-haired beauties have little to lie next to their beloved master without action - they are very fond of being stroked, demonstrating that they have not been forgotten. You can even talk to these pets - they also like it a lot. If the owner suddenly turned his attention to talking with someone else, then the animal may suddenly remind itself with a loud purr or bury its cold nose in the palm of a person.

Some people believe that the main disadvantages of the nature of Burmese cats are that they used to always get their way. These pets have their own opinions. The Burmese cat herself will decide where she will sleep, what things to play with and which teams to listen to. When these favorites try to attract the attention of the owners, they behave especially aggressively - you need to be prepared for this if you are going to get such Asian beauties.

These cats usually do not show excess aggression. They behave kindly. Sometimes the overly soft behavior of Burmese cats becomes a real weakness. Burmese will not release its claws even at such moments when it is hurt or offended. On the one hand, this quality is wonderful if the animal lives in a family with young children: Moms and dads can not be afraid that the pet will scratch the child. But on the other hand, in such conditions, the cat itself may suffer if the parents do not teach their children the correct and affectionate behavior towards pets.

These domestic animals can be trained. They are easy to learn, especially if it causes them interest.

Many people who plan to have a gentle and beautiful Burmese cat are interested in how much they usually live. The usual lifespan of these handsome Asian men is between 15 and 18 years. But it must be borne in mind that a lot depends on the health of the animal and proper care for it. In some cases, the pet may live longer.

The colors of the fur of Burmese cats may vary. Thanks to gentle color tints, the appearance of these pets attracts even more attention. We will analyze in detail what color options for such cats exist.

• The most famous color of a Burmese cat is sable. Animals related to this suit have a uniform uniform color. It can range from dark brown to a “sweet” shade of milk chocolate.

• The second most popular and prevalent chocolate color. The main distinguishing feature of this color of cat hair is that it contrasts with the dark “mask” that is present on the pet's face.

• There is also the original blue color of the Burmese cat. The shade of wool with this color is more like gray and is very light. Individuals with a similar color, usually cost a little cheaper than representatives of the breed of other colors.

• Especially among fans of the breed, lilac coloring of cats is appreciated. There is no other breed whose representatives are equally delicate and uniform in color. Only luxurious Burmese beauties can boast of such a color.

According to European standards, burmese can also have other interesting coat colors.

• A truly unique fur of a Burmese cat is made by an unobtrusive red or red shade.

• The creamy “notes” arising from the clarified red colors conquer many connoisseurs of the described glorious breed.

• There are several varieties of spectacular and unusual tortoise color. It combines a combination of black and red in different proportions.

The kitten of this Asian breed must be chosen very carefully and carefully. Take it responsibly. The following key recommendations should be followed.

• Do not buy too small kittens. It is advisable to wait a bit until the babies grow up and they turn 3-4 months old. By this time, the kittens will become more independent and easier to get used to the new conditions.
• Choosing a kitten of a Burmese breed, one should take into account the fact that they grow a little slower than the "young", relating to other breeds. For this reason, Burmese kittens will look smaller.
• The baby should not be too lethargic and painful in appearance.
• It is possible that transparent secretions will come out of the kitten's eyes. They should not be scared - this liquid is designed to act as a cleansing component of the baby’s eyes. If the precipitates become hard, they will need to be carefully removed. You should act as carefully as possible and without sudden movements, so as not to harm the kitten. If you notice a yellow or whitish discharge in a small pet, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
• If you are looking for a burmese of the particular color you like, it is better to purchase an adult, rather than a small kitten. This is due to the fact that the shade of these animals reaches its "full state" only at the moment when the animal is about a year old.
• It is advisable to contact prestigious nurseries with a good reputation for the purchase of such a thoroughbred beauty. In addition, the cost of kittens must be taken into account. In Russia, the average price for representatives of this breed is usually from $ 400 to $ 500.

Cats belonging to the Burmese breed need proper and proper care. Despite the fact that the health of these pets is considered quite strong (genetic diseases are unknown to these animals), this does not mean that their contents can be left to chance.

Burmese can live peacefully and will need to contact the services of veterinarians only for vaccinations. But these pets often suffer from some diseases that must be treated in a timely manner, without wasting time in vain. For example, Burmese kittens in some cases suffer from shortness of breath: this problem occurs due to a short nose.

As for diseases associated with the oral cavity (especially gingivitis), they occur frequently. To resolve them, veterinarians recommend feeding your pet high-quality luxury dry food in granules.

We must not forget that Burmese cats are afraid of drafts. Care must be taken to ensure that they are not exposed to their negative effects. These animals, like all representatives of Asian breeds, do not tolerate low temperatures in the best way.They are much more comfortable in the warmth.

In other matters, Burmese cats are unpretentious. Their maintenance will not require extra effort from the owners. Constant attention should be paid only to the fur of these beauties. At least a couple of times a week, you need to comb out the fur of these animals to remove excess hair and remove fat from the hairline. This can be done not only with the help of a classic comb - for this, high-quality suede, which will need to be carefully wiped the cat's coat, is more suitable. Some owners prefer to use such a convenient device as a rubber brush.

If the beautiful burmese does not go out for a walk, then her regular bathing is not necessary. But if from time to time you take your pet out for a walk, then he will need to be accustomed to regular water procedures. During such events, it is very important to ensure that water or shampoo does not get into the ears of the cat. Bathe these animals permissible only using special tools.

Periodically trim the claws of your thoroughbred pet. Even if you have several scratching points at home, you still need to constantly monitor the condition of burmese nails. Once a month, trim the claws 1-2 mm, no more.

It is advisable to brush the teeth of a Burmese kitten once a week once. These procedures require stocking up with a special toothpaste and brush. If you do not neglect these hygiene measures, then the baby will be protected from the formation of tartar and other similar problems. Every day, carefully examine the condition of the ears and eyes of animals. If you notice that sulfur or a crust has appeared, then you should use special drops and bury them in the eyes and ears of a pet.

It’s difficult to tame an adult cat so that she doesn’t resist such procedures, but such therapeutic actions cannot be neglected. If an inflammatory process or redness is noticeable, then you need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you plan to have a luxurious Burmese cat, then you should know how to feed it, and what is undesirable.

• Proper nutrition is the key to the health and activity of a pet. A small kitten will need to be fed at least 4 times a day. As for the adult cat or cat, they can be transferred to a two-time diet. During the period of carrying kittens, the cat needs to provide enhanced feeding. In this difficult time, the animal can be returned to 4 meals a day.

• Burmese feeds must be selected exclusively from the premium or super-premium categories. Always very carefully monitor the dosage, which is usually indicated on the package. In case of feeding with natural food, preference should be given to protein products - high-quality and fresh fish, meat and dairy products. Be sure to diversify the Burmese menu with egg yolks, boiled liver, cereals and vegetables. It should be borne in mind that natural nutrition should always be accompanied by vitamin and mineral supplements.

It is not difficult to provide this luxurious thoroughbred animal with proper nutrition, however, experts recommend initially consulting with the breeder to know exactly what is better to feed a kitten or an adult cat. It will be necessary to determine what food you choose for the pet: natural or industrial.

Burmese cats look very impressive and expensive. Names like ordinary Murka, Barsik or Murzik are rarely suitable for them.Choosing a nickname for such pets, you should take a closer look at their behavior and character. Often, the right options come to mind.

The Burmese female cat can be called like this:

• Alice;
• Bagheera;
• Darcy
• Gressy
• Diana;
• Camila;
• Cecile;
• Josephine;
• Fifi.

If you started not a female, but a male of a Burmese breed, then you can choose a suitable nickname for him from the following options:

• Gray;
• Marquis
• Sirius;
• Onyx;
• Joan;
• Williams
• Scotty
• Marquis
• Caesar.

If you are determined to have a beautiful Burmese cat or cat, then you should listen to some Useful tips and tricks from experienced breeders and veterinarians.

• Apartment - This is a real training ground for such pets. You will have to learn to walk as carefully as possible and always look under your feet. Be mindful.
• Do not slam windows and doors. A hooligan cat may well at the last moment suddenly stick his curious nose into the slot.
• These charming animals can be safely bred, even if you have never dealt with them before. Burmese does not require special and too complicated care - anyone can handle this.
• It must be remembered that burmese is an animal that fully trusts a person. If you have been visited by guests, be sure to monitor the safety of your pet. Do not forget that Burmese cats will not show aggression to the last. Even if she is bored for a long time, she will still endure and not resist.
• If you started a burmese in your house, then you can forget about your personal space. It does not matter what your mood is, you are tired or still have energy in you - if you came home after a long absence, the Burmese cat will need to take time, caress and talk with her.
• If there are children in the house, they should definitely explain that a cat is not a toy at all, but a living creature. Demonstrate to them how to properly hold the pet in their arms so as not to cause pain. It will also be useful to show how to stroke the cat so as not to press too hard.
• Burmese is very bad at loneliness and is hard to endure. If you have to leave your home often enough, you can have another cat so that your pet has a company for games when you are not there.
• If you have got a small thoroughbred kitten, then you should not forget about its timely vaccination. If you bought a baby in a special prestigious nursery, then all vaccinations, as a rule, will be done earlier. Be sure to check out the pet's veterinary card. Repeated vaccinations can be done no more than once a year.
• If you do not get such a cat or kitty for breeding, then it is better to immediately take care of the sterilization of the pet. Be sure to consult your veterinarian in advance. The specialist will tell you at what age it is best to do this.
• Burmese is a very nimble fast and hooligan cat who loves to play. That is why it will be necessary to hide in advance all that is dear to your heart and fragile things, so that the kitten does not accidentally knock over and break them.
• Cats of this famous breed are distinguished by their unwavering devotion to their owners. You won’t be able to give such a pet in good hands if it suddenly seems to you that you cannot care for it properly or it will weigh you down.

Despite the high cost, Burmese cats remain very popular and in demand. They won the hearts of many lovers of these pets. Burmese leaves a lot of positive reviews. Here is what pleases the owners of these Asian handsome men the most:

• many people call them "plush toys" for very soft and delicate wool;
• delights people and the wonderful "natural education" of Burmese;
• The intelligent behavior of these cats conquers and surprises many breeders;
• according to the owners, Burmese cats are easy to learn and grab new information “on the fly”;
• rarely get sick;
• They are very clean;
• calm on the street and in the car;
• very affectionate;
• they love the owner and always wait for him when he is away from home;
• according to many owners, these cats easily get along with other animals in the same territory, do not provoke fights and conflicts, behave peacefully;
• these cats molt little, so their hair does not fly all over the apartment;
• Burmese cats are funny and love to play - watching them is a pleasure.

As for the shortcomings, their owners observe in burmese very rarely. The main disadvantage that confuses many people is the high cost of Asian handsome. This is especially true for individuals of exclusive and top colors. It seems to some owners that a lot of wool remains from burmese, but this problem is extremely rare, since such animals do not have undercoat, and their coat itself is very short by nature - unnecessary trouble with it usually does not occur, especially if you regularly comb it.

You will learn more about the Burmese cat from the next video.