Asian cat

The Asian is a medium-sized shorthaired cat that shares the build and personality of the Burmese while offering a wider range of coat colours and patterns. The breed was developed in the United Kingdom and is sometimes treated as a group of related varieties rather than a single coat type. Cats in this group carry the same compact, muscular frame and the same strong need for human company.

Weight generally falls between 4 and 6.5 kilograms, with males noticeably larger than females. The coat is short, fine, and close-lying, which keeps grooming straightforward. Eyes are typically yellow to gold, though the precise shade varies with coat colour.

This is a people-oriented cat that follows its owner from room to room and keeps itself involved in household life. It is intelligent, sociable, and vocal, with a softer voice than the Siamese but a clear willingness to use it. Households that prefer a quiet, independent pet may find the Asian too insistent on attention.

Who it suits

The Asian suits an owner or family that is home frequently and wants an interactive companion. It does well with children who handle cats gently and usually accepts other cats and cat-friendly dogs. It is a poor match for people who are away for long hours every day, as it dislikes being left alone for extended periods.

The Asian group traces its origins to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s. The foundation came from a cross between a lilac Burmese and a chinchilla-coated cat of Persian type. The resulting kittens carried Burmese conformation but new coat colours, and breeders recognised the value in fixing those traits.

The breeding programme is associated with British breeder Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg, who worked to establish the variety and related coat types during this period. The shaded coats from the original cross were developed into the Burmilla, and the broader effort produced a family of Burmese-type cats in additional colours and patterns.

Over the following years the Asian was recognised within United Kingdom cat registries as a group covering several coat varieties, including self (solid), tortie, smoke, and tabby forms, alongside the shaded Burmilla. All share Burmese conformation, which keeps the group consistent in body type despite the range of coats.

The Asian remains far more common in the United Kingdom than elsewhere. It is bred by a relatively small number of dedicated breeders, so availability outside its home country is limited.

The Asian has the same body type as the Burmese: medium in size, surprisingly heavy for its length, and muscular beneath a sleek coat. The chest is rounded, the back is straight, and the legs are slender in proportion to the body. The head is a rounded wedge with good width between the ears, full cheeks, and a firm chin.

The eyes are large and set well apart, giving an alert, open expression. Eye colour ranges from yellow through to gold, with the precise shade tied to coat colour. The tail is medium in length and tapers to a rounded tip.

Coat and colours

The coat is short and lies flat against the body, with a sheen that comes from the fine texture rather than length. The Asian group covers a broad palette. Self varieties appear in solid colours such as black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and caramel. Tortie, smoke, and tabby patterns occur in the same base colours. The shaded coat that began the programme is recognised separately as the Burmilla. Despite the variety, all coats share the same close, low-maintenance texture.

The Asian is an outgoing, people-focused cat. It seeks contact with its household and prefers to be where the activity is, often settling on a lap, perching on a shoulder, or positioning itself beside whoever is working. It bonds closely with its family and shows clear attachment to the people it lives with.

With strangers the Asian is usually confident rather than shy, tending to greet visitors rather than hiding. It is sociable with other cats and often accepts cat-friendly dogs, which suits it well to multi-pet homes. With children it is patient when handling is gentle.

The breed is intelligent and stays curious about its surroundings, learning routines quickly and inventing its own games. It is vocal and will hold a running commentary with its owner, though the voice is softer and less piercing than that of the Siamese. The Asian does not cope well with long stretches of solitude and can become unsettled if regularly left alone all day.

Grooming

• Brush the short coat once a week to remove loose hair and maintain the sheen
• Check ears weekly and clean gently if needed
• Trim claws every few weeks
• Introduce regular tooth brushing to support dental health

Exercise

• Provide two or more active play sessions a day with wand or chase toys
• Offer puzzle feeders and rotating toys to keep the mind occupied
• Add vertical space such as a cat tree or shelves for climbing
• Use interactive play to channel the breed's natural energy

Environment

The Asian is best suited to a home where someone is around for much of the day. It adapts well to indoor living when given adequate stimulation and vertical space. Because it is so sociable, a second cat can provide company when the household is out, though this is not a full substitute for human attention.

As an obligate carnivore, the Asian needs a diet built around animal protein. A complete commercial cat food that meets recognised nutritional standards covers its needs at each life stage. Both wet and dry foods are suitable, and many owners feed a mix so the cat gets moisture from wet food alongside the convenience of dry. Fresh water should always be available.

Portion size depends on age, weight, and activity level. The amounts below are general starting points; adjust based on body condition and your veterinarian's guidance.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 per cent of daily calories to prevent weight gain. A cat on a complete, balanced food generally needs no supplements. Discuss any addition, such as joint support for older cats, with a veterinarian before starting it.

The Asian is a robust breed and most individuals live long, healthy lives. Typical lifespan is 12 to 18 years with good care. Because the breed shares ancestry with the Burmese, it can carry some of the same inherited tendencies, so sourcing from a breeder who screens their cats is worthwhile. Routine check-ups, dental care, and weight management all support a long life.

Preventive care

• Annual veterinary check-ups, more frequently for senior cats
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite control up to date
• Brush teeth regularly and schedule dental cleanings as advised
• Weigh the cat periodically and adjust food to maintain a healthy condition
• Ask the breeder about health screening of the parents

The Asian's intelligence and people focus place it among the more trainable cat breeds. It learns its name and household routines quickly and can pick up tricks, recall, and even harness walking with patience and consistency. Training also channels the breed's energy and curiosity into useful outlets, which cuts down on mischief. Keep sessions short, since cats lose interest far faster than dogs.

Basics

1. Start with litter training by placing the kitten in a clean tray after meals and naps
2. Provide a scratching post and reward its use to protect furniture
3. Teach the cat to come to its name using a treat the moment it responds
4. Build simple tricks such as sit or high-five in short daily sessions
5. Introduce a harness gradually indoors before any outdoor walking

Female Asians can reach sexual maturity from around five to nine months, though responsible breeders wait until the queen is physically mature, usually beyond a year, before a first litter. Mating follows the queen's heat cycle. Gestation runs approximately 63 to 67 days.

Litters usually number four to six kittens, with some variation. Newborns are blind and fully dependent on the mother for warmth and feeding. Eyes open at around one to two weeks, and weaning begins near four weeks and finishes around seven to eight weeks. Because the Asian is so social, kittens benefit from gentle handling and exposure to household life early on, which builds the confident temperament the breed is known for. Kittens normally go to new homes from about twelve to thirteen weeks, after their initial vaccinations. Breeders registered with The Kennel Club (KC) or the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) should screen parents for the inherited conditions seen in the Burmese line before mating.

How to register an Asian cat in the United Kingdom

An Asian cat that lives entirely indoors can still end up at a rescue centre; a propped-open door is all it takes. The free United Pet Club profile keeps your name, number and the cat's photo where a scan can find them. Register your cat once and the record holds for the whole of her life.

Until the fifteen digit number is lodged in a registry, your Asian cat's chip identifies nobody. Lodge it free with United Pet Club: the lifetime plan takes any brand, keeps every update free, and leaves the record searchable day and night. Microchip registration first, then a free account if you are new here.