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 Photo by Shellac @ flickr.com |
Burmese cats have short silky hair. They have strong muscular average-sized builds and somewhat protruding eyes. Burmese have round heads and bodies and can be quite heavy when fully grown. They have gentle faces that are very expressive.
Colors
It may take a Burmese feline up to a year to develop fully into its coat colors. They have a shiny short-haired coat that can come in a variety of colors. Blue, champagne, sable, and platinum are all common colors for the Burmese. Most Burmese are known for their chocolate/sable brown coats. Burmese felines have amber or golden colored eyes.
Temperament
Burmese cats are known for their intelligence and strong-will. Burmese felines simply do not like being told what to do or how to do it. It may take a few times and persistence to redirected the Burmese cats behavior. Try not to get into a power struggle with a Burmese feline. Consistent training is important with this breed.
A Burmese cat is loving, affectionate, and enjoys being petted. Although not exactly a lap cat, Burmese cats love attention from their owners and can be quite persistent to obtain affection. They love people and need companionship from both humans and other animals. Burmese cats are intelligent and active felines.
Care
Burmese felines have glossy coats and need little grooming. Thanks to a short, close-lying coat, a brush can be used to smooth down fur. You can also simply use your hand to smooth the coat in lieu of brushing. Bathing may be needed if the coat is dirty.
Train your Burmese cat to get its nails trimmed and coat bathed early in its development. It’s much easier to get a young kitten to adapt to grooming rituals than it is to start on an adult cat that’s set in its ways.
Development
Being stubborn is a trait in which Burmese kittens reign supreme. It’s important to train your Burmese early to learn the rules of your home. Burmese kittens can be slow in maturation. They should be about 4 months of age before going to a home for adoption. This gives them adequate time to learn feline socialization skills and learn how to interact with humans.
Burmese cats are also sensitive to changes in the environment. Any sudden moves or changes in ownership can be quite jarring for this breed. Make sure to give a Burmese plenty of time to adjust to any changes in its live. Don’t be surprised if your Burmese show behavioral changes when alterations are made to its routine.
Health
Burmese cats can live long and relatively healthy lives. It is not unheard of to a Burmese cat live almost 20 years. As a breed, they can age rather gracefully. However, Burmese felines can be susceptible to some hereditary disorders.
- Diabetes Mellitus
Burmese felines have an increased risk of developing diabetes due to genetics. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin it produces. Insulin helps the body metabolize sugar. Cats with diabetes may need medications, dietary modifications, or man-made insulin to stay alive.
- Congenital Heart Defects
Burmese felines are also susceptible to developing a heart defect called trilogy of Fallot. In this disorder, the heart does not pump blood efficiently and the cat can face death without medical intervention.
- Hypokalemic Myopathy
Hypokalemic myopathy affects Burmese kittens about 4 months of age. Affected kittens may have bodily weakness and difficulty moving. Giving a kitten with hypokalemic myopathy potassium can help reverse the course of the disease.
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