Burmilla Cat: Size, Temperament, Care & Health

The Burmilla is one of the most beautiful accidents in cat history. Its coat is almost white at the roots with dark-colored tips, making the entire cat seem to sparkle with silver or gold. The eyes, nose, and lips are outlined by striking dark lines reminiscent of makeup, and their large eyes shine green. The breed is known as the Burmilla (a blend of "Burmese" and "Chinchilla"). You can find the Burmilla's origin story, appearance, temperament, and care in this cat breed guide profile.

Origin	Great Britain, 1981
Parents	Chinchilla Persian male × Lilac European Burmese female
Recognition	GCCF championship status in 1995; FIFe; CFA registration in 2011, championship status in 2014
Weight	about 7–13 lbs
Coat	short or semi-long, silky, light at the roots
Pattern	tipped or shaded
Colors	silver; FIFe and ACF also recognize golden
Eyes	large, any shade of green
Temperament	playful, calm, friendly

The Burmilla Originated From an Open Door

In 1981 in the UK, Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg bought a Chinchilla Persian male named Sanquist for her husband, while a Lilac European Burmese female named Fabergé was also waiting in the cattery. Both animals were awaiting their respective mates in different rooms, but one night a cleaner left the door open. Soon, four shorthaired silver shaded female kittens were born—Galatea, Gemma, Gabriela, and Gisella. Their appearance so captivated the breeder that she and her friend Therese Clarke started a new breed program.

In 1984, Clarke founded the Burmilla Cat Club, and breed standards were drafted. The UK's GCCF granted championship status in 1995, classifying the Burmilla in the Asian cat group. FIFe recognizes the breed as the Burmilla and accepted golden varieties in late 2011. The CFA registered Burmillas in 2011 and granted them championship status in 2014.

A Sparkling Silver Coat and Eye "Makeup"

The most important feature of the Burmilla is its silky, sparkling coat, which is light at the roots with colored tips. Depending on how much of the hair is pigmented, two patterns are distinguished. Tipped: only about 1/8 to 1/4 of the hair is colored, making silver Burmillas look almost white. Shaded: 1/4 to 1/2 of the hair is colored, creating a darker mantle on the back, shoulders, and the outside of the legs. The color can be black, brown (sepia), blue, chocolate, or lilac; some registries also accept red, cream, and tortoiseshell. Most organizations only recognize silver varieties, while FIFe and the Australian Cat Federation (ACF) also accept golden ones.

The nose, lips, and eyes are outlined by striking dark lines, while the nose leather and paw pads match the coat color. The eyes are large, set wide apart, slightly slanted, and can be any shade of green; a golden tint is allowed in young cats. The head is gently rounded on top, wide at the eyebrow level and jaws, tapering to a short, blunt wedge. The body is medium-sized, muscular, and elegant.

Shorthair and Semi-Longhair Burmillas

The most common is the shorthair Burmilla with a short, close-lying coat similar to the Burmese, but slightly softer due to the undercoat. A recessive longhair gene inherited from their Persian ancestors also results in semi-longhair Burmillas: their coat is silky, following the lines of the body, and the tail is large and plumed. The UK's GCCF calls longhaired Burmillas Tiffanies. The Australian Tiffanie also exists in Australia, but it is a separate line with more Persian blood.

Temperament: Burmese Curiosity and Persian Calmness

The CFA notes that the Burmilla's temperament combines the friendly and mischievous nature of the European Burmese with the calm disposition of the Chinchilla Persian—resulting in a pleasant character without extremes. Burmillas are energetic but not hyperactive: after a burst of play, they happily take long naps on the couch. They are affectionate and people-oriented, yet undemanding and unobtrusive, and they are usually not overly vocal. Although very friendly, they also appreciate their independence and can be left alone during the workday.

Burmillas get along well with dogs, other cats, and children, and they quickly welcome even strangers into their circle. Because this is an intelligent breed, the CFA advises providing them with toys, climbing structures, and high observation perches.

Health: Risks From Parent Breeds

Burmillas are generally healthy, but they can inherit some predispositions from their parent breeds. From the Persian side, it is worth looking out for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), and from the Burmese side, hypokalemia and other conditions typical of Burmese cats. The CFA notes that responsible breeders test their breeding cats to avoid passing on genetic diseases and, aware of the breed's small gene pool, continuously introduce unrelated cats—creating new lines and importing cats from other countries.

Care: Once a Week, Regardless of Coat

• Coat. The CFA recommends brushing a Burmilla at least once a week with a stainless steel comb or a small brush, whether the coat is short or long.
• Nails, ears, teeth. Regularly trim their nails, clean their ears, and maintain their dental hygiene.
• Activity. Provide toys, climbing trees, and high perches.
• Bathing. Usually unnecessary.

Burmilla, Burmese, and Persian

Trait	Burmilla	Burmese	Persian
Coat	short or semi-long, sparkling	very short, satiny	long
Color	silver or golden with colored tips	sepia colors	numerous
Eyes	green	golden or green	copper, blue, etc.
Temperament	playful but calm	highly social, active	very calm

How to Choose a Burmilla Kitten

The Burmilla is a breed with a small population, so it is worth looking for a kitten well in advance and asking how the breeder maintains genetic diversity. Ask for the parents' genetic test results (such as for PKD) and see what varieties the parents are—tipped or shaded, silver or golden. The eyes of young cats may still have a yellowish tint. FIFe rules state that kittens can only go to their new homes from 14 weeks of age. When bringing a kitten home in the US, ensure you work with a reputable breeder who provides a contract and health guarantees, rather than a pet store or kitten mill. Microchipping is highly recommended by veterinarians to keep your pet safe, and it's always wise to check local ordinances or homeowners insurance policies, though Burmillas are rarely subject to any breed-specific restrictions.

You can find related breeds in the Burmese and Persian profiles.