Asian cat

Closely related to the Burmese in both build and character, the Asian is a medium-sized shorthaired cat that comes in a considerably wider selection of coat colours and patterns. Because it was developed in the United Kingdom, the breed is often treated as a family of related varieties rather than one fixed coat type. Every cat in the group carries the same compact, muscular frame and the same strong need for human company.

Most adults weigh between 4 and 6.5 kilograms, the males noticeably heavier than the females. Grooming stays easy because the coat is short, fine, and lies close to the body. Eye colour usually runs from yellow to gold, the exact tone depending on the coat.

This cat is thoroughly people-oriented. It trails its owner from one room to the next and likes to remain part of whatever the household is doing. Intelligent, sociable, and talkative, it uses a gentler voice than the Siamese yet makes no secret of wanting to be heard. Anyone hoping for a quiet, self-sufficient pet may find the Asian rather too keen on attention.

Who it suits

The Asian is best placed with an owner or family that is at home for much of the day and wants an interactive companion. It settles happily with children who handle cats gently and generally accepts other cats and cat-friendly dogs. It is a poor choice for anyone out of the house for long stretches every day, since it dislikes being left on its own for extended periods.

The origins of the Asian group lie in the United Kingdom of the early 1980s. Its foundation was a cross between a lilac Burmese and a chinchilla-coated cat of Persian type. The kittens from that mating kept the Burmese conformation but showed fresh coat colours, and breeders recognised that these traits were worth fixing.

The programme is associated with the British breeder Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg, who worked through this period to establish the variety and its related coats. The shaded coats from the original cross were developed into the Burmilla, while the wider effort yielded a whole family of Burmese-type cats in further colours and patterns.

In the years that followed, the Asian was recognised within United Kingdom cat registries as a group taking in several coat varieties, among them self (solid), tortie, smoke, and tabby forms, alongside the shaded Burmilla. All of them carry Burmese conformation, which keeps the group consistent in body type despite the spread of coats.

The Asian is still far more numerous in the United Kingdom than anywhere else. A comparatively small circle of committed breeders maintains it, so finding one outside its home country remains difficult.

In body type the Asian matches the Burmese: medium in size, unexpectedly heavy for its length, and muscular beneath a sleek coat. It has a rounded chest, a straight back, and legs that stay slender in proportion to the frame. The head forms a rounded wedge, broad between the ears, with full cheeks and a firm chin.

Large eyes set well apart lend the face an alert, open look. Their colour runs from yellow through to gold, the precise shade tied to the coat. The tail is of medium length and tapers to a rounded tip.

Coat and colours

Short and flat against the body, the coat takes its sheen from its fine texture rather than from any length. The Asian group spans a broad palette. Self varieties come in solid colours such as black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and caramel. Tortie, smoke, and tabby patterns appear on those same base colours. The shaded coat that first set the programme in motion is recognised separately as the Burmilla. For all this variety, every coat shares the same close, low-maintenance texture.

An outgoing, people-focused cat, the Asian actively seeks contact with its household and gravitates to wherever the activity is, settling on a lap, perching on a shoulder, or sitting beside whoever happens to be working. It bonds closely with its family and makes its attachment to them plain.

With strangers the Asian tends towards confidence rather than shyness, greeting visitors instead of hiding from them. It is sociable with other cats and often accepts cat-friendly dogs, which suits it to a multi-pet household. Towards children it is patient, provided the handling stays gentle.

This is a clever breed that keeps a lively interest in its surroundings, picking up routines quickly and devising games of its own. It is talkative and will keep up a running commentary with its owner, though the voice is softer and less piercing than the Siamese. Long spells of solitude do not suit the Asian, and it can grow unhappy if regularly left alone all day.

Grooming

• Brush the short coat once a week to lift loose hair and keep its sheen
• Look over the ears weekly and clean them gently if required
• Trim the claws every few weeks
• Bring in regular tooth brushing to support dental health

Exercise

• Give two or more lively play sessions each day using wand or chase toys
• Offer puzzle feeders and a changing set of toys to keep the mind occupied
• Add vertical space such as a cat tree or shelves for climbing
• Rely on interactive play to work off the breed's natural energy

Environment

The Asian is best suited to a home where someone is present for much of the day. It settles well into indoor life when given enough stimulation and vertical space. Since it is so sociable, a second cat can offer company while the household is out, though this is no full replacement for human attention.

Being an obligate carnivore, the Asian needs a diet built around animal protein. A complete commercial cat food that meets recognised nutritional standards will cover its needs at every life stage. Both wet and dry foods suit it, and many owners feed a mix so the cat draws moisture from the wet food while keeping the convenience of dry. Fresh water should be available at all times.

How much to give depends on age, weight, and activity. The figures below are broad starting points; adjust them according to body condition and a veterinarian's advice.

Treats and supplements

Hold treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories to keep weight in check. A cat on a complete, balanced food usually needs no supplements at all. Talk over any addition, such as joint support for an older cat, with a veterinarian before you start it.

The Asian is a hardy breed, and most individuals enjoy long, healthy lives. A typical lifespan runs from 12 to 18 years with good care. As the breed shares ancestry with the Burmese, it can carry some of the same inherited tendencies, so it matters to buy from a breeder who screens their cats. Routine checkups, dental care, and weight control all help towards a long life.

Preventive care

• Annual veterinary checkups, and more often for senior cats
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite control up to date
• Brush the teeth regularly and arrange dental cleanings as advised
• Weigh the cat from time to time and adjust the food to hold a healthy condition
• Ask the breeder about health screening of the parents

Between its intelligence and its focus on people, the Asian ranks among the more trainable of cat breeds. It learns its name and the household routines quickly and, with patience, can pick up tricks, recall, and even harness walking. Training also directs the breed's energy and curiosity into useful outlets, which reduces mischief. Keep every session short, since cats lose interest sooner than dogs.

Basics

1. Begin 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 the furniture
3. Teach the cat to come to its name, offering 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 may reach sexual maturity anywhere from around five to nine months, though responsible breeders hold off until the queen is physically mature, generally past a year, before a first litter. Mating follows the queen's heat cycle. Gestation lasts about 63 to 67 days.

Litters commonly run to four to six kittens, with some variation. The newborns are blind and wholly dependent on the mother for warmth and feeding. Their eyes open at around one to two weeks, weaning starts near four weeks and finishes at about seven to eight weeks. Because the Asian is so social, kittens gain from gentle handling and early exposure to household life, which lays down the confident temperament the breed is known for. Kittens usually leave for new homes from about twelve to thirteen weeks, once their initial vaccinations are done. Breeders should screen the parents for the inherited conditions seen in the Burmese line before mating.

Asian cat registration and microchip registration in India

An Asian cat that darts out during a power cut is identified by whatever record exists, and for cats in India that record is yours to make. Make it in minutes: name, photograph, your mobile number, saved free for life with United Pet Club. Register your cat before the occasion arises.

The fifteen digits on the clinic's paperwork identify your Asian cat only after they reach a registry. Submit them through your free United Pet Club account and the chip finally speaks for her: every brand accepted, every update free, the record available to any scanner at any hour. Microchip registration completes what the implant began.