Burmilla
The sparkling silver cat born from a happy accident
The Burmilla began by accident in Britain in 1981, when a lilac Burmese called Faberge got into a room with a chinchilla Persian male called Jemari, and a litter of silvery kittens was born. The owner liked them so much that she started a breeding programme, and the breed took off.
It has a Burmese’s sociable nature and the Persian’s shimmering silver coat.
Burmilla at a glance
- Origin
- Britain
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- Usually 3 to 6 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 10 to 15 years
- Coat
- Short or long, fine and silky, with silver tipping
- Colours
- Silver shaded or shaded, in several colours
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 3 out of 5
- Affection
- 4 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 2 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 1 out of 5
- Good with children
- 4 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 4 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A medium, rounded cat with a sturdy body, a short wedge-shaped head, large, green eyes with a dark outline like eyeliner, and a coat that is silvery-white with dark tips, giving a shimmering look. It comes in short- and long-haired versions, and in black, blue, chocolate, lilac and other tipped colours.
Personality
Playful, sociable and gentle. Burmillas enjoy company, follow their people around, and are usually good with children and other pets. They are less demanding than some Burmese-related breeds, and play into adulthood.
Care and grooming
Easy care: brush weekly (twice a week for long-haired cats). Provide play, climbing and company. Measure meals, and keep up with dental checks.
Health to know about
Burmese and Persian ancestry means some concerns, including a tendency towards diabetes, kidney disease (PKD has been reported in Persian-related lines) and dental disease. Ask breeders about health testing, and keep your cat’s weight healthy.
Could suit
- Families and homes with other pets
- People who want a playful, easy-care cat
- Homes where someone is around part of the day
Think twice if
- If you want a widely available breed
- If you want a very quiet, independent cat
- If you cannot manage portion sizes
“I was an accident. I am now the best accident.”
Name ideas for a Burmilla
- Sparkle
- Silver
- Shimmer
- Frost
- Pewter
- Glitter
- Misty
- Tinsel
- Faberge
- Moonbeam
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
How did the Burmilla breed start?
By accident, in 1981, when a Burmese and a Persian had a litter of silvery kittens in Britain.
What colour are Burmilla eyes?
Usually green, outlined in dark, like eyeliner.
Are Burmillas good with children?
Yes, they are playful and sociable.
Do Burmillas need grooming?
Little: a weekly brush for short coats, and a couple of times a week for long-haired cats.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
