A true English aristocrat with impeccable manners and a natural sense of tact, the Burmilla is the kind of cat who never imposes herself on her family but always appreciates attention and is happy to join in a game. Her relaxed temperament, paired with sociability and a playful streak, makes her an ideal companion.
Appearance
The Burmilla — sometimes called the Burmese Silver — is a medium-sized cat. Males generally weigh 4.0–6.0 kg and females 3.0–5.0 kg. The build leans toward the heavier oriental type, with strong bones and well-developed muscles.
The body is compact and balanced, with the rump sitting slightly higher than the shoulder line. Limbs are sturdy, the back is firm, the hind legs a touch longer than the forelegs, and the paws are round to oval. The neck is short and strong. The head is medium-sized and rounded with a broad muzzle that forms a soft triangle, full cheeks (males may show jowls), and large, wide-set, crescent-shaped eyes outlined in dark pigment. Eye color ranges through shades of green, with amber permitted in cream, red, and tortoiseshell varieties. The ears are medium, well spaced, and gently rounded at the tips; the tail is medium in thickness and tapers to a rounded point.
The coat is short, silky, and lifted by a light undercoat. The base is gold or silver, with the tips shaded in blue, lilac, cream, red, brown, or chocolate. The standard calls for clear tipping, with the muzzle, back, and tail showing the deepest color. The faintly upturned mouth gives the Burmilla her trademark expression — a quiet, almost knowing smile that adds to her elegant presence.
Personality
The Burmilla blends the best of her Persian and Burmese ancestors. From the Persian side she takes a calm, easygoing nature; from the Burmese, an inquisitive, energetic, and playful streak. The result is a cat who is grounded but fun, dignified but never aloof.
Good manners seem built in. She is gentle by temperament and unlikely to demand the spotlight, yet she enjoys company, follows her people from room to room, and is always ready for a quiet cuddle or an active play session. Her affectionate, attentive style suits households where someone is around for much of the day — she does not handle long stretches of solitude well.
That sociable nature also makes her easy to live with. Burmillas typically get along well with other cats, with respectful dogs, and with children who handle them kindly. Their sincerity and openness make them a popular pick for larger families. Before bringing one home, think honestly about how much time you can give: this is an intelligent, people-oriented cat who needs interaction, games, and gentle attention to be at her best.
Health
The Burmilla is generally a robust breed with a long average lifespan, but a hereditary predisposition to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been reported. Watch for early signs of kidney trouble — frequent trips to the litter box, increased thirst, reduced appetite, weight loss, or general lethargy — and contact your veterinarian promptly if any appear.
Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and a balanced diet do most of the work in keeping a Burmilla healthy. With good care, this breed is considered long-lived, with many cats reaching 15 years or more.
Care
The Burmilla is unfussy and naturally tidy. Her short coat is easy to maintain — a weekly comb is usually enough to lift loose hair and keep the silver tipping looking its best. Bathe only as needed, perhaps once or twice a year; even an indoor cat picks up household dust that can settle in the coat. Always use a shampoo formulated for cats, since human or general-purpose products can irritate skin and dull the coat.
Trim claws roughly once a month and check the ears weekly, cleaning gently with a feline ear lotion when they look dirty. Brush teeth regularly to head off dental disease.
Diet has a major impact on long-term health and appearance. Feed a complete, balanced food matched to your cat’s age and activity level. Combining wet and dry food from the same brand works well for most Burmillas, and frequent diet changes are best avoided. Mixing commercial cat food with random table scraps is not recommended — an unbalanced diet, combined with low fluid intake, is one of the leading risk factors for urolithiasis (urinary stones).
Keep an eye on portion size and encourage daily play to prevent weight gain. An interactive toy session of ten or fifteen minutes, twice a day, is usually enough to keep a Burmilla mentally satisfied and physically fit.
History
The Burmilla was created in the United Kingdom — and largely by accident. In 1981, Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg was breeding both Persian and Burmese cats, keeping the two programs strictly separate. One day a lilac Burmese female was let out of her room by mistake, just as a silver chinchilla Persian male was being temporarily housed nearby on his way to a friend. The two found each other before anyone could intervene.
Three months later the unplanned litter arrived, and the kittens were striking — silver-shaded, gentle in temperament, and unlike anything either parent breed produced on its own. The Baroness saw their potential and began a careful breeding program to fix the new look and personality. The breed was named the Burmilla, a blend of Burmese and chinchilla. The first UK breed club followed in 1984, and FIFe granted official recognition in the 1990s. Today the Burmilla remains relatively rare but is treasured by enthusiasts in the UK and around the world.
Registry Recognition
The breed is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA), Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), World Cat Federation (WCF) — first recognized in 1981.
Health Watchlist
Conditions reported in the breed include: PKD. Reputable breeders screen breeding cats and guarantee against early-onset hereditary disease — always ask to see the parents’ test results before adopting a kitten.