Burmilla
The Burmilla is an affectionate, gentle cat blending Burmese charm with a sparkling silver coat and sweet temperament.
- Size
- Medium
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Temperament
- Affectionate
- Standard colors
- Black, White and Blue and 14 more
Characteristics
Coat and grooming
How the Burmilla coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
- Coat layers
- Double coat
- Coat texture
- Silky
- Coat length
- Medium
- Shedding
- Moderate shedding
Grooming guidance
Critical: A Burmilla should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Caution: A Burmilla coat mats easily.
Fine or long hair tangles at the base of the coat, out of sight, where the mats tighten and pull on the skin. Brushing has to reach right down to the roots in sections, not just skim the surface.
Burmilla colors and patterns
What each club's breed standard says about every Burmilla color and pattern. Point at a ruling to see the club's own wording.
Breed standards describe the Burmilla in Black, White, Blue, Lilac, Silver, Platinum, Brown, Chocolate, Sable, Cinnamon, Caramel, Red, Gold, Cream, Fawn, Apricot and Champagne. Standard patterns: Tortoiseshell, Torbie, Sepia, Shaded and Chinchilla.
| Color or pattern | TICA | CFA | FIFE | GCCF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Standard | Standard (“Black”) | Standard (“black”) | Standard (“Black”) |
| White | Standard | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling |
| Blue | Standard | Standard (“Blue”) | Standard (“blue”) | Standard (“Blue”) |
| Lilac | Standard | Standard (“Lilac”) | Standard (“lilac”) | Standard (“Lilac”) |
| Silver | Standard (“Pure silver white ground color”) | Standard (“Silver”) | Standard (“silver”) | Standard (“Silver”) |
| Platinum | Standard | Standard | Standard (“lilac”) | Standard (“Lilac”) |
| Brown | Standard | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling |
| Chocolate | Standard | Standard (“Chocolate”) | Standard (“chocolate”) | Standard (“Chocolate”) |
| Sable | Standard | Standard (“Seal Sepia”) | Standard (“Seal”) | Standard (“Brown”) |
| Cinnamon | Standard | No ruling | Standard (“cinnamon”) | Standard (“Cinnamon”) |
| Caramel | No ruling | Standard (“Caramel”) | No ruling | Standard (“Blue-Based, Lilac-Based and Fawn-Based Caramel”) |
| Red | Standard (“red”) | Standard (“Red”) | Standard (“red”) | Standard (“Red”) |
| Gold | No ruling | Standard (“Golden”) | Standard (“golden”) | No ruling |
| Cream | Standard (“cream”) | Standard (“Cream”) | Standard (“cream”) | Standard (“Cream”) |
| Fawn | Standard | No ruling | Standard (“fawn”) | Standard (“Fawn”) |
| Apricot | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Standard (“Apricot”) |
| Champagne | Standard | Standard | Standard (“chocolate”) | Standard (“Chocolate”) |
| Patterns | ||||
| Tortoiseshell | No ruling | Standard (“Tortie”) | Standard (“tortie”) | Standard (“Tortie”) |
| Torbie | Standard (“torbies”) | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling |
| Sepia | Standard (“Sepia”) | Standard (“Seal Sepia”) | Standard (“Burmese pointed”) | Standard (“Burmese Colour Restriction”) |
| Shaded | Standard (“Shaded”) | Standard (“Shaded”) | Standard (“shaded”) | Standard (“Shaded”) |
| Chinchilla | Standard (“Chinchilla”) | Standard (“Chinchilla”) | Standard (“shell”) | Standard (“tipped effect”) |
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| Color or pattern | TICA | CFA | FIFE | GCCF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | Standard (“amber”) | No ruling | Standard (“amber”) | No ruling |
| Yellow | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Standard (“yellow”) |
| Gold | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Standard (“gold”) |
| Green | Standard (“green”) | Standard (“any shade of green”) | Standard (“any shade of green, clear green preferred”) | Standard (“green”) |
| Blue | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Fault (“blue”) |
| Orange | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Fault (“orange”) |
| Copper | No ruling | No ruling | No ruling | Fault (“copper”) |
| Color or pattern | CFA | GCCF |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Standard (“black”) | Standard (“Black”) |
| Blue | Standard (“blue-grey”) | Standard (“Blue”) |
| Lilac | Standard (“lavender pink / pinkish grey”) | Standard (“Cool pinkish-lilac”) |
| Brown | No ruling | Standard (“Brown”) |
| Chocolate | Standard (“milk chocolate”) | Standard (“Pale chocolate-brown”) |
| Cinnamon | No ruling | Standard (“cinnamon-brown”) |
| Brick red | Standard (“brick red”) | No ruling |
| Pink | Standard (“pink / old rose / pale red/pink”) | Standard (“Pink”) |
| Color or pattern | CFA | GCCF |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Standard (“black”) | Standard (“Black”) |
| Blue | Standard (“blue / blue-grey”) | Standard (“blue edge”) |
| Lilac | Standard (“lavender pink”) | Standard (“lilac edge”) |
| Brown | No ruling | Standard (“Brown / dark brown”) |
| Chocolate | Standard (“warm chocolate brown”) | Standard (“chocolate edge”) |
| Seal | Standard (“seal brown”) | No ruling |
| Cinnamon | Standard (“cinnamon”) | Standard (“cinnamon-brown edge”) |
| Fawn | No ruling | Standard (“Pinkish fawn”) |
| Pink | Standard (“pink”) | Standard (“Pink”) |
What the rulings mean
- Standard
- Described by the club's breed standard.
- Fault
- Named by the club's breed standard as a fault: the animal can be shown but is penalised.
Color changes
How a Burmilla's colors can change over its life.
Brownchanges toCopal
Coat · With age · from 0 to 52 weeks
Blackchanges toRusset
Coat · Progressive
Whitechanges toShaded
Coat · With age
Whitechanges toChinchilla
Coat · With age
Bluechanges toTortoiseshell
Coat · With age
Blackchanges toBrown
Coat · With body condition · can change back
Blackchanges toBrown
Coat · In the sun · can change back
Blackchanges toBrown
Coat · Progressive
Whitechanges toPointed
Coat · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Bluechanges toGreen
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toYellow
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toGold
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toCopper
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toOrange
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toHazel
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Bluechanges toAmber
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 17 weeks
Yellowchanges toGreen
Eyes · With age · from 4 to 104 weeks
Pinkchanges toSeal
Nose · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toBlue
Nose · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toChocolate
Nose · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toLilac
Nose · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toSeal
Paw pads · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toBlue
Paw pads · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toChocolate
Paw pads · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
Pinkchanges toLilac
Paw pads · With age · from 1 to 52 weeks
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Sources
Each ruling comes from the club's published breed standard or color list.
About the Burmilla
The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat from the United Kingdom, prized for its silver-shaded coat and an affectionate, even-tempered character that blends Burmese energy with Chinchilla Persian gentleness.
The Burmilla is a medium-sized domestic cat that originated in the United Kingdom. It emerged from an accidental cross between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian and inherits qualities from both parent breeds. The body carries the muscular, compact build of the Burmese, while the coat displays the silver-shaded or tipped pattern that comes from the Chinchilla side.
The breed is well-muscled without being heavy, and the shorthair coat lies smoothly against the body. The eyes are large and expressive, typically green, and are outlined in a darker pigmentation that gives the face a striking, defined appearance. Most adults weigh between 3 and 6 kg.
The Burmilla is sociable and people-oriented. It maintains a playful, inquisitive character well into adulthood and gravitates toward its household. The temperament is gentle and even-natured, making it well suited to homes with children and other pets.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Size | Medium (3–6 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Group/role | Companion cat |
| Good with | Children, other cats, dogs |
Who it suits
The Burmilla is an excellent choice for households that want an affectionate cat with a calm yet playful manner. It does well with families, with owners who are home regularly, and in multi-pet households. It is not a cat that copes well with long stretches of solitude, so it suits owners who can provide daily company and engagement.
History and origin
The Burmilla began in England in 1981 from an unplanned mating between a Lilac Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian, and breeders developed the striking silver kittens into a recognized breed.
The Burmilla traces its roots to a single accidental pairing in England in 1981. A Lilac Burmese female owned by Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg mated with a Chinchilla Persian male living in the same household. The mating was entirely unintentional, yet the four kittens produced were exceptional: shorthaired cats with lustrous, shaded silver coats.
The remarkable quality of those founding kittens prompted breeders to pursue the cross deliberately. A structured programme was put in place to establish the type and the silver coat while preserving the Burmese body and gentle temperament. The breed received the name Burmilla, combining Burmese and Chinchilla.
Through the 1980s and 1990s the breed was refined in the United Kingdom and gradually gained interest internationally. Breed clubs were formed to set standards and guide outcrossing to Burmese where needed to maintain a healthy gene pool.
Cat governing bodies recognised the Burmilla over the following years, and it is now registered with several major associations. It remains less common than many established breeds, but it has a devoted following among owners who value its beautiful coat and agreeable nature.
Appearance and coat
The Burmilla is a medium, muscular cat with a silver-shaded or tipped coat, large green eyes, and a gently rounded Burmese-influenced head.
The Burmilla presents a medium build that is muscular and well-balanced rather than slim or stocky. The head is gently rounded with a short muzzle and medium-sized ears set well apart. The eyes are large, set slightly wide, and most often green, with darker outlining around the eyes, nose, and lips that frames the face attractively. The legs are of medium length and the tail is medium to long, tapering gently.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | About 25–30 cm at the shoulder |
| Weight | 3–6 kg |
| Coat | Short and close-lying (shorthair); a semi-longhair variety also exists |
| Colours | Silver shaded or silver tipped over black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, and red or cream |
| Eyes | Large, typically green, outlined in a darker shade |
Coat and colours
The defining characteristic is a silver undercoat with darker tipping or shading along the hair tips. In a tipped cat only the very ends carry colour, creating a light, sparkling look. In a shaded cat the colour extends further down the hair shaft, producing a deeper, richer tone. The base colour beneath the silver may be black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, or red and cream, creating a pleasing range of overall shades. A semi-longhaired variety is also recognized by some registries, carrying the same patterns on a softer coat.
Temperament and behaviour
The Burmilla is affectionate, playful, and sociable, friendly with family and visitors, and generally easygoing with other cats and dogs.
The Burmilla is an affectionate and good-natured cat that bonds closely with its people. It tends to follow household members from room to room and seeks out laps and company, though it is typically less demanding and less vocal than the Burmese it descends from. The playful, inquisitive quality of kittenhood carries through for years, so the breed remains interested in toys and games well into adulthood.
With family the Burmilla is gentle and patient, making it a good fit for households with children who handle cats kindly. With visitors it is generally relaxed and curious rather than shy, and many individuals will approach new people readily. With other animals it is sociable and settles well alongside other cats and cat-friendly dogs.
The breed is intelligent and enjoys interaction. Left alone for extended periods without company or stimulation it can become bored, so it does best where it has either human attention or a companion animal.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Vocalness | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 |
Care and grooming
The Burmilla is low-maintenance, needing weekly brushing for the shorthair coat, daily play, and an indoor or supervised outdoor environment with companionship.
Grooming
- Brush the shorthair coat once a week to remove loose hair and maintain its sheen.
- Brush the semi-longhair variety two or three times a week to prevent matting.
- Check and clean the ears as needed and trim claws every few weeks.
- Brush the teeth regularly to support dental health.
Exercise
- Provide daily interactive play with wand toys, balls, or puzzle feeders.
- Offer climbing opportunities such as a cat tree to satisfy the breed's natural agility.
- Rotate toys regularly to keep the curious mind stimulated.
Environment
The Burmilla is well suited to indoor life or a home with safe, supervised outdoor access. It values companionship and fares best where it is not left alone for long periods. A second pet can provide company when owners are away during the day. Provide scratching posts, resting spots near windows, and quiet retreats.
Nutrition and feeding
The Burmilla needs a balanced, meat-based diet portioned to maintain a lean body, fed in measured daily amounts across two meals.
The Burmilla is an obligate carnivore like all cats and requires a diet based on animal protein. Choose a complete commercial food that meets recognized nutritional standards for the cat's life stage. Both wet and dry foods are suitable, and many owners offer a combination. Fresh water should always be available. Portion sizes should be managed to maintain a lean body condition, as extra weight raises the risk of joint and metabolic issues.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten (2–12 months) | Per packaging guide, fed to appetite | 3–4 |
| Adult (1–7 years) | About 50–70 g dry or equivalent wet | 2 |
| Senior (7+ years) | Adjust to activity level and body condition | 2 |
Treats and supplements
Limit treats to about 10 per cent of daily calories and reduce the main meal accordingly. A cat receiving a complete, balanced diet generally does not need supplements. Speak with a veterinarian before introducing any supplement, and seek advice on dietary adjustments for kittens, pregnant or nursing females, and senior cats.
Health and lifespan
The Burmilla is generally healthy with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, though it may carry inherited conditions from its Persian ancestry, making breeder screening especially important.
The Burmilla is generally a healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and some cats live longer with attentive care. As a breed developed from a relatively small founding population, it can be predisposed to certain inherited conditions. Buying from breeders who health-screen their cats lowers this risk considerably. Routine veterinary care, vaccination, parasite control, and weight management all contribute to a long, healthy life.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) | Increased thirst, weight loss, poor appetite | Inherited from the Persian side; DNA testing is available |
| Chronic kidney disease | Drinking and urinating more, weight loss | More common with age; blood and urine tests allow early detection |
| Allergic skin disease | Itching, over-grooming, skin irritation | Reported in some lines; managed with veterinary guidance |
| Dental disease | Bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating | Common in cats generally; routine dental care is beneficial |
Preventive care
- Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention current.
- Schedule an annual veterinary visit, increasing to twice yearly for senior cats.
- Ask the breeder to confirm PKD testing of both parents.
- Maintain a healthy body weight and attend to dental hygiene.
- Monitor water intake and litter box habits as the cat ages.
Training and enrichment
The Burmilla is intelligent and willing, responding well to reward-based training for litter use, basic cues, and play routines.
The Burmilla is an intelligent breed that pays close attention to its people, making it more responsive to training than many cats. It can learn to come when called, use a scratching post, and even pick up simple tricks when training sessions are brief, positive, and consistent. Cats do not respond to punishment; the approach should be to reward desired behaviour and redirect behaviour you wish to discourage.
Basics
- Provide a clean litter box in a quiet, consistent location.
- Place scratching posts near preferred areas and reward their use.
- Teach the cat its name by offering a treat each time it responds.
- Use brief play sessions to establish routine and burn off energy.
- Introduce a carrier early using treats so that vet visits are less stressful.
Breeding and kittens
Burmilla queens reach maturity around 7 to 12 months, carry litters of around four kittens after a roughly 65-day pregnancy, and benefit from outcrossing to Burmese to maintain a healthy gene pool.
Female Burmillas generally reach sexual maturity between about 7 and 12 months, though responsible breeders wait until the queen is physically mature before breeding. Pregnancy lasts roughly 63 to 67 days. Litters average around four kittens, consistent with the breed's founding litters, though numbers vary.
Kittens are born with the silver coat pattern already visible in a lighter form; the tipping deepens as they develop. The queen raises her kittens with minimal need for intervention under normal circumstances, but breeders monitor weight gain carefully in the early weeks. Kittens should stay with the mother and litter until approximately 12 to 13 weeks, by which point they are weaned, socialized, and ready for vaccination before going to new homes.
Given the breed's origins in a modest founding population, outcrossing to Burmese is practised where the registry permits, helping to maintain genetic diversity. Screening parent cats for inherited kidney disease prior to breeding is an integral part of responsible practice.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sexual maturity | About 7–12 months |
| Gestation | About 63–67 days |
| Average litter size | Around 4 kittens |
| Weaning age | About 7–8 weeks |
| Recommended rehoming age | 12–13 weeks |
Your Burmilla on the registry, microchip included
Free lifetime registration for your Burmilla, plus a microchip record that satisfies bylaws like Montreal's and never costs a cent.
Registering a Burmilla and its microchip in Canada
An open balcony door is all it takes for a Burmilla to become a shelter intake. The free United Pet Club profile answers that scan with your name, your postal code, and the cat's photo. Register your cat once; it holds for her whole life.
Where a bylaw like Montreal's requires the chip, the record behind it still falls to you. United Pet Club keeps that record free for life: any manufacturer, unlimited updates, searchable from any clinic in the country. Microchip registration plus a free account covers cat and chip in one sitting.
How do I register my Burmilla in Canada?
Sign up free with United Pet Club, add your Burmilla's name, colouring, and a photo, and the record is live. Indoor and outdoor cats alike stay covered for life at no charge.
How do I register my Burmilla's microchip?
Type the 15-digit number from your vet paperwork into your free account and confirm your contact details. The plan accepts every chip brand and never charges for updates.
Do cats like the Burmilla have to be microchipped in Canada?
In some cities, yes. Montreal's bylaw requires pet cats to be chipped and licensed, and other municipalities are moving the same way. The registration behind the chip is yours to keep current, and with United Pet Club that part is free.
What does it cost to register a Burmilla in Canada?
Zero. The lifetime plan includes the profile, microchip registration, and every future update, with no renewal fees.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the Burmilla cover its size, temperament, care needs, lifespan, suitability for families, and availability.
How big does a Burmilla get?
The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat. Most adults weigh between 3 and 6 kg and stand around 25 to 30 cm at the shoulder, with a muscular yet well-balanced frame.
What is the Burmilla's temperament like?
It is affectionate, playful, and sociable. The breed remains close to its people, retains a curious and playful nature into adulthood, and is generally gentle with children and other pets.
Is the Burmilla difficult to care for?
Not at all. The shorthair coat needs only weekly brushing, and the breed's main requirements are daily play and company. It is a low-maintenance cat as long as it is not left alone for prolonged periods.
How long do Burmillas live?
The typical lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and cats receiving a good diet, routine veterinary care, and a healthy weight often live longer.
Is the Burmilla good for families?
Yes. Its gentle, patient nature suits households with children who treat cats respectfully, and it adapts well to homes with other cats or cat-friendly dogs.
Are Burmillas easy to find in Canada?
The Burmilla is less common than many established breeds. It is recognized by several major registries, but prospective owners may need to locate a specialist breeder and join a waiting list to obtain a kitten.
Does the Burmilla shed much?
Shedding is light, particularly in the shorthair variety. Weekly brushing keeps loose hair under control; the semi-longhair version benefits from brushing a few times a week.
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