Burmilla

The Burmilla is a medium-sized domestic cat that originated in the United Kingdom. It arose from an accidental cross between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian and carries the hallmarks of both parent breeds. The body retains the muscular, compact frame of the Burmese, while the coat displays the silver-shaded or tipped pattern characteristic of the Chinchilla side.

The breed is well-muscled without being heavy, and in the shorthair variety the coat lies close to the body. The eyes are large and expressive, most commonly green, and are outlined in a darker pigmentation that gives the face a distinctly defined, almost made-up appearance. Most adults weigh between 3 and 6 kg.

The Burmilla is sociable and people-centred. It retains a playful, inquisitive nature well into adulthood and gravitates towards its household. The temperament is gentle and even-natured, making it well suited to homes with children and other companion animals.

Who it suits

The Burmilla is an excellent choice for households seeking an affectionate cat with a calm yet playful disposition. It thrives with families, with owners who spend a good deal of time at home, and in multi-pet households. It does not cope well with long periods of solitude, so it suits owners who can offer regular daily company and interaction.

The Burmilla traces its ancestry to a single accidental pairing in England in 1981. A Lilac Burmese female belonging to Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg mated with a Chinchilla Persian male kept in the same household. The mating was entirely unintended, yet the four kittens that resulted were quite exceptional: shorthaired cats with lustrous, shaded silver coats.

The quality of those founding kittens prompted breeders to develop the cross with purpose. A structured breeding programme was established to fix the type and the silver coat pattern whilst preserving the Burmese body conformation and gentle character. The breed was named Burmilla, a portmanteau of Burmese and Chinchilla.

Through the 1980s and 1990s the breed was refined within the United Kingdom before attracting interest abroad. Breed clubs were formed, breed standards were drawn up, and planned outcrossing back to Burmese was carried out where necessary to maintain a healthy gene pool.

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and other governing bodies recognised the Burmilla in due course. The breed remains relatively uncommon compared with long-established varieties, but it commands a devoted following among those who appreciate its distinctive appearance and amiable character.

The Burmilla presents a medium build that is well-muscled and balanced rather than either slender or cobby. The head is gently rounded with a short muzzle and medium-sized ears placed well apart. The eyes are large, set slightly wide, and most commonly green, with darker outlining around the eyes, nose, and lips that frames the face elegantly. The legs are of medium length and the tail is medium to long, tapering gently towards the tip.

Coat and colours

The defining characteristic is the silver undercoat with darker tipping or shading along the hair ends. In a tipped cat only the very tips carry colour, producing a light, sparkling effect. In a shaded cat the colour extends further down the hair shaft, creating a richer, deeper tone. The base colour beneath the silver may be black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, or red and cream, yielding a varied palette of overall shades. A semi-longhaired variety also occurs and is recognised by certain registries; it carries the same patterns on a softer, flowing coat.

The Burmilla is an affectionate and good-natured cat that forms close bonds with its people. It has a tendency to follow household members from room to room and to seek out laps and company, though it is generally less demanding and less vocal than its Burmese forebear. The playful, inquisitive quality of kittenhood persists for many years, and the breed retains a lively interest in toys and games well into adulthood.

With family the Burmilla is gentle and patient, making it a sound choice for households with children who treat cats considerately. With unfamiliar visitors it tends to be relaxed and curious rather than wary, and many individuals will actively seek out new people. With other animals it is sociable and settles readily alongside other cats and cat-friendly dogs.

The breed is intelligent and appreciates interaction. When left alone for extended periods without company or stimulation it can become bored, so it fares best in homes where it has either human company or a companion animal to engage with.

Grooming

• Brush the shorthair coat once a week to remove loose hair and keep it glossy.
• Brush the semi-longhair variety two or three times a week to prevent tangles.
• 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 space such as a cat tree to make use of the breed's natural agility.
• Rotate toys to keep the inquisitive mind engaged.

Environment

The Burmilla suits indoor life or a home with safe, supervised outdoor access. It values company and fares best where it is not left alone for extended periods. A second companion animal can provide company when owners are out during the day. Provide scratching posts, resting spots near windows, and quiet retreats.

The Burmilla is an obligate carnivore like all cats and requires a diet founded on animal protein. Choose a complete commercial food that meets recognised nutritional standards for the cat's life stage. Both wet and dry foods are suitable, and many owners feed a combination. Fresh water should be available at all times. Portion sizes should be managed to maintain a lean body condition, as excess weight increases the risk of joint and metabolic problems.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to roughly 10 per cent of daily calories and reduce the main meal accordingly. A cat receiving a complete, balanced diet does not generally require supplements. Consult a veterinary surgeon before introducing any supplement, and seek guidance on dietary adjustments for kittens, pregnant or nursing queens, and senior cats.

The Burmilla is generally a healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and well-cared-for cats may live considerably longer. As a breed developed from a relatively small founding population, it can be predisposed to certain inherited conditions. Purchasing from breeders who health-screen their stock substantially reduces this risk. Regular veterinary care, vaccination, parasite control, and weight management all contribute to a long, healthy life.

Preventive care

• Keep core vaccinations and parasite control up to date.
• Schedule an annual veterinary examination, increasing to twice yearly for senior cats.
• Ask the breeder to confirm PKD testing of the parents.
• Maintain a healthy body weight and attend to dental hygiene.
• Monitor water consumption and litter tray habits as the cat ages.

The Burmilla is an intelligent breed that pays close attention to its people, making it more trainable than many cats. It can learn to come when called, use a scratching post reliably, and even master simple tricks when training is kept short, positive, and consistent. Cats do not respond to punishment; the aim is to reward desired behaviour and gently redirect unwanted behaviour.

Basics

1. Provide a clean litter tray in a quiet, consistent location.
2. Position scratching posts near favoured areas and reward their use.
3. Teach the cat its name by offering a treat each time it responds.
4. Use brief play sessions to establish routine and expend energy.
5. Introduce a carrier early with treats so that veterinary visits are less stressful.

Female Burmillas generally reach sexual maturity between approximately 7 and 12 months, though responsible breeders wait until the queen is fully physically mature before permitting breeding. Gestation 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 present in a lighter form; the tipping deepens as they develop. The queen raises her kittens with minimal intervention under normal circumstances, though breeders monitor weight gain carefully during the early weeks. Kittens should remain with the mother and their litter until approximately 12 to 13 weeks of age, by which point they are weaned, socialised, and ready to receive vaccinations before moving to new homes.

Given the breed's origins in a modest founding population, outcrossing to Burmese is practised where the relevant registry permits, which helps maintain genetic diversity. Screening parent cats for inherited kidney disease prior to breeding is an essential part of responsible practice.

How to register a Burmilla in the United Kingdom

A Burmilla 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 Burmilla'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.