The European Burmese is a very loving, highly intelligent, and devoted cat. They thrive on human companionship and will want to be with their owner and family, participating in everything in the household. While they might select a favourite family member, probabilities are that they will interact with every family member in the house, even the guests that come as well. They are curious and playful, even in adulthood. Expect this cat breed to be in your lap whenever you sit down and relax, and they will also cuddle up next to you in bed. European Burmese becomes fast friends with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, making them the perfect feline companion to your family.
The warm and loving European Burmese displays great loyalty to their human companion, seeking out company, and wanting to be actively involved in every activity in the household, even nap time. These affectionate cats select their favourite family members, but they have more love to give and the big-heartedness to do so. Playful and curious even until adulthood, the European Burmese goes well with other cats and with cat-friendly dogs. They are also excellent climbers and jumpers. No furniture is too tall to gauge and distances too great for this cat to attempt an acrobatic jump. Because of the cat’s trusting nature, it is best that they live indoors only.
We all know that the European Burmese and the Burmese of North America originated from the same source, which is Wong Mau. Wong Mau is the first Burmese introduced by Dr. Thompson in 1930 to the Western world. The most noticeable difference between these breeds is the range of colours exhibited by the European Burmese. There is also a difference in the appearance between the two Burmese breeds. The European Burmese is a sophisticated, medium cat with moderately rounded contours, while the Burmese have a compact, well-rounded appearance. Their eye shape varies between the two cat breeds. The European Burmese should have eyes with a top line that is somewhat curved, oblique towards their nose. The lower line should also be rounded. The Burmese eyes should have a rounded opening.
The European Burmese is a great choice if you don’t have any issue completely losing your privacy. This curious cat will want to be part of everything you do, from checking your email on the computer to preparing meals and watching television.
Breed Information
- Grooming: Once a Week 2/10
- Shedding: Low 2/10
- Hypoallergenic: Low 2/10
- Activity Level: Medium 6/10
- Playfulness: High 10/10
- Friendliness to other pets: High 10/10
- Friendliness to children: High 10/10
- Affection towards it’s owners: High 10/10
- Vocality: High 10/10
- Intelligence: High 10/10
- Independence: Low 2/10
History
The European Burmese and the Burmese we know in the United States originated from the same source – a cat named Wong Mau. She is the first Burmese introduced to the Western world by Dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930.
Wong Mau from Burma made its way in 1930 to the United States, together with Dr. Joseph C. Thompson. This cat was deep brown, and several fanciers thought she might be just a very dark Siamese. However, Dr. Joseph Thompson did not have this assessment. So, he and other like-minded cat breeders decided to breed Wong Mau to identify just what cat breed she was. Wong Mau was the foundation of the Burmese cat breed.
Wong Mau's kittens appeared to demonstrate Dr. Thompson's theory. When she was bred to a Siamese cat, the resulting litter appeared to be Burmese/Siamese hybrids and pure Siamese cats. When the cats that looked like Burmese/Siamese hybrids were bred to each other, they produced the deep, dark Burmese litter. The darker coloured Burmese cats then bred true, showing that Wong Mau was, indeed, a hybrid of the Siamese cats and a dark-coloured unknown cat.
The solids were designated for further propagation of the cat breed. From the United States, the cat breed spread east to the United Kingdom, where the same lack of breeding stock led again to the introduction of the Siamese. From then on, the cat breed followed various courses of development. Now, we have two very distinctive looking cats with two different standards, both sharing common ancestry.
Appearance
European Burmese are medium-sized cat. Besides colour, the European Burmese and the Burmese have many differences in their appearance. The European Burmese has a more modest appearance, particularly to their head type. They are more gently rounded with a less solid body but never long and slinky, similar to that of the Siamese. The top of their head is somewhat rounded, amply spaced between their ears and wide cheekbones that taper to a short, rounded wedge. Their eyes, which range from yellow to amber, slant more to their nose and have a less rounded opening than the Burmese eyes. Their medium-size ears are somewhat rounded at the tips and tilt slightly forward. Their slender legs boast small, oval paws. Also, they have medium-length tail tapers a little to a rounded tip.
Like the Burmese, the European Burmese are heftier than they look and can also claim to the description of “a brick wrapped in silk.” They have a short and lustrous coat that comes in ten different colours: brown, chocolate, red, blue, cream, lilac, brown, chocolate, blue, and lilac tortoiseshell. Their coat colours shade slowly to the roots, with the underside of their body a little lighter than the top. The red European Burmese have a warm orange apricot shade and may have small tabby markings on their face. Cream-coloured cats may also have slight small markings, and their nose leather and paw pads are in pink shade. Blue is similar to the Burmese, and the lilac coat is similar to the platinum coat of the Burmese. Chocolate is a warm milk-chocolate colour, and brown is a rich, warm, seal brown. The tortoiseshells have patches of colour over their entire body.
Personality
When it comes to their personality, European Burmese and the Burmese are in alignment. The European Burmese is lively and welcoming. They have the charm and willpower of their Siamese ancestors and loves conversation too. Their voice is soft and adorable, contradicting their tendency to run the household with an iron paw covered in furry fur. They are highly intelligent and seek human companionship. That’s why they are not best suited to a home where they will be left alone most of the time. If there will be no one around to amuse this cat breed, make sure they have another pet to keep them company.
The European Burmese is also as inquisitive as their Burmese counterpart. Expect this cat breed to explore your home from room to room and know all of its corners and crannies. Tease their bright mind with many interactive toys, and teach them tricks that will let them show off for an audience. They are playful and remains so until they grow old.
The European Burmese is an exceptional choice for people who don’t complain to complete privacy loss. This cat breed tends to be involved in everything that you do. When you are resting and sitting down, they will be in your lap or right beside you, waiting keenly to be petted. They will also sleep on the bed and may even snuggle under the sheets with you.
A female European Burmese is the epitome of queenliness. They like attention and to be in charge. Males Burmese are calmer, satisfied to be lap cat.
Trainability
When a European Burmese is appropriately socialized and trained at an early age, they will grow up to be a good-natured, well-mannered and well-rounded cat. These affectionate and welcoming cats are amiable that get deeply devoted to their human companion.
European Burmese are highly intelligent and adore the love and attention of being clicker-trained and taught tricks. Challenge their bright minds and keep them alert by teaching them commands, games and tricks. Give them many puzzles and interactive toys that will reward them with treats or kibbles when they learn how to manipulate them.
Coat & Care
The European Burmese has a smooth short coat and nearly no undercoat. Brushing or combing occasionally will keep their fur in tiptop condition. Brushing will help eliminate any dead, loose hairs. You can also do this by just petting the cat or using a chamois cloth. What’s great about this cat breed is that they think grooming is quality time with their human companion. Because of this, they are highly compliant. Bathing is not needed unless they get dirty or muddy.
Daily dental hygiene is still best, but weekly brushing is considered okay. Brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Trim their nails twice a month or when needed. For their, wipe their corners with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any eye discharge. Make sure to use a separate part of the damp cloth for each eye to avoid the risk of spreading any eye infection.
Check the ears weekly. If their ears look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. If the ear has a foul odour, it is best to contact your vet for treatment.
Their litter boxes should always be clean as they are precise about bathroom hygiene. If it is left unclean, they tend to use other places in the house.
Health
European Burmese are generally a healthy cat breed. Their life expectancy is between ten to fifteen years with proper care, exercise and a high-quality diet. However, there are health conditions that a Burmese are prone to such as:
- Hypokalemic Polymyopathy – it is a health condition where there is muscle weakness caused by low levels of potassium in the blood. Signs may include a stiff gait, reluctance to walk, general weakness, and head tremors.
- Orofacial pain syndrome – it is characterised as the exaggerated licking and chewing motions and pawing at their mouth.
- Corneal dermoid – it is the presence of skin and hair on the surface of their eye cornea, which can be corrected surgically.
- Elbow osteoarthritis – it is an early onset of arthritis in their elbow, which limits the cat’s mobility.
Children & Other Pets
The outgoing and laidback European Burmese enjoys playing and getting love and attention. That’s why they are an exceptional choice for families with children. However, always supervise younger kids to avoid accidents and won’t hurt the cat by pulling their fur or twisting their tail.
European Burmese are delighted to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. But as always, it is best to introduce pets gradually and in controlled environments to ensure that they learn to get along well together.
