Burmese Cat Breed Information

The Burmese is a compact, muscular shorthair best known for sticking to its person like Velcro. Adults reach 3 to 5.5 kg, smaller than they look thanks to dense muscle on a short frame. The classic colour is sable, a deep solid brown, although NZCF and Catz Inc also register champagne, blue, platinum, lilac, chocolate, red and cream.

The breed’s defining trait is a need for human company. Burmese are not cats that quietly tolerate being alone; they actively seek company, follow you around the house, and protest loudly when shut out of a room.

Personality and behaviour

Burmese are intensely affectionate, playful well into adulthood, and remarkably trainable. Many learn fetch, recall and harness walking, which earned the breed the nickname “the dog of the cat world”. They are sociable with respectful children, with other cats, and with cat-friendly dogs.

Vocally they are talkers but not yowlers. The voice is softer and lower than a Siamese, more conversation than complaint, but expect ongoing chat at meal times and when you arrive home.

The surprise for new owners is the separation anxiety risk. A Burmese left alone all day on weekdays is unhappy, and unhappy Burmese chew, pace, vocalise and over-groom. A second cat (ideally another Burmese or a Tonkinese) helps materially. So does a household where someone is home most of the day.

Care and grooming

Coat care is the easiest part of owning the breed. The short satin coat sheds lightly. A weekly hand-stroke or rubber grooming mitt removes loose hair. Bathing is unnecessary. Monthly nail trims and ear checks complete the routine.

Diet is the bigger watch-out. The Burmese has one of the highest rates of feline diabetes of any breed, particularly in neutered males over eight years old. Lean body weight is the single best preventative. Measured meals beat free-feeding, and any unexplained increase in thirst or urination warrants a vet visit. Adult target weight is around 3 to 4 kg in females and 4 to 5.5 kg in males.

The breed is also documented for pica, eating non-food items like wool, string and rubber bands. Most Burmese grow out of it, but kitten-proofing the house in the first year is sensible.

Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand

Indoor or catio. The Burmese has moderate prey drive and a confident personality but no real fear of strangers, which makes outdoor roaming risky. Burmese are also high theft risk in NZ at the $1,500 to $3,000 price band, particularly the show-quality sables. SPCA NZ guidance to keep cats contained applies straightforwardly here.

The good news is the breed adapts to indoor life well, provided two conditions are met: company most of the day, and an active enrichment routine. Cat trees, window perches, puzzle feeders and a 30-minute play session daily prevent the boredom that vocal, intelligent cats translate into mischief. A catio is ideal.

Where to find a Burmese in New Zealand

Three paths. NZCF and Catz Inc list NZ-registered Burmese breeders (NZCF Burmese breeders, Catz Inc Burmese breeders). Expect a four to twelve month waitlist for kittens from health-screened parents, with prices typically NZD 1,500 to 3,000. Ask whether parents have been DNA-tested for hypokalaemia and screened for HCM, whether the breeder works with traditional or contemporary type, and whether they actively place kittens in pairs.

Burmese-specific rescues are rare in NZ, although adult and senior Burmese occasionally appear at SPCA NZ and at all-breed cat rescues, often surrendered when an owner moves overseas or into care. Adoption is significantly cheaper at NZD 150 to 350 with desexing, vaccinations and microchipping included.

Insurance and lifetime cost

The Burmese claim profile is dominated by diabetes, dental disease, and the inherited conditions hypokalaemia and feline orofacial pain syndrome. Diabetes claims in particular can be expensive: insulin, glucometer strips and repeat vet visits can add up to several thousand dollars over a year. Ask insurers whether hereditary conditions are covered, whether diabetes is treated as a chronic condition with annual cover limits, and whether dental cleans are included. Lifetime cost runs slightly higher than the average pedigree shorthair: budget $250 to $400 a month covering food, monthly parasite control, annual dental check, pet insurance, and a sensible buffer for diabetes monitoring in middle age.