Burmilla

Temperament

The Burmilla is a cat of the happy medium. It is energetic but not hyperactive, affectionate but not clingy. It enjoys people's company, comes over for a cuddle and then goes back to its own business. It has kept the Burmese's curiosity and mischief, checking cupboards, playing with puzzle toys and staying playful for a long time, while also having the calm of the Chinchilla Persian. It rarely speaks up, and its voice is soft. According to the CFA, it gets along well with dogs, other cats and children, so it does well in multi-pet homes. It is usually friendly with guests. It handles a few hours alone calmly, though it is happiest when someone is home. It is a good breed for people who want an affectionate cat without any extremes.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Burmilla for?

The Burmilla is a good choice as a first pedigreed cat: for families with children, homes with a dog or another cat, and people who want a sociable but undemanding cat. It does well in an apartment. It is less suited to someone looking for a very active cat for intense play, or a completely independent loner. In Poland, there are only a few breeders.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Burmilla's coat is short, dense and soft, and grooming comes down to a weekly combing with a steel comb or a small brush to remove dead hair. A bath is usually unnecessary. The CFA also reminds owners to trim the nails, clean the ears and look after the teeth regularly. The Burmilla enjoys play but does not need hours of vigorous exercise; 2–3 sessions a day with a wand toy, a small ball or a treat toy are enough. It does well in an apartment, but it needs a scratching post and a high spot for watching the world. Because it loves food and is calmer than the Burmese, keep an eye on portions and weight. Introduced gradually, it accepts new pets well, and its calm nature means it usually copes easily with vet visits and trips in a carrier.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Burmilla is considered a healthy breed: TICA gives a life expectancy of 15–18+ years. The CFA notes, however, that it can inherit some of its parent breeds' problems, so responsible breeders test their breeding cats. On the Chinchilla Persian side, the main concern is polycystic kidney disease, which a DNA test can rule out. On the Burmese side, it is the ALX1 mutation responsible for a fatal craniofacial defect in kittens; labs list the Burmilla among the breeds worth testing. International Cat Care also lists diabetes and feline orofacial pain syndrome in the Burmese, although there are no data on how often they occur in Burmillas. Before buying, ask for both parents' test results.

• polycystic kidney disease (PKD)A risk inherited from the Chinchilla Persian, one of the foundation breeds; a DNA test is available.
• craniofacial defect (Burmese head defect)An ALX1 mutation from Burmese lines; the Burmilla is listed among the breeds for which a DNA test is appropriate.
• diseases known in the BurmeseIn Burmese, International Cat Care lists diabetes and feline orofacial pain syndrome (FOPS), among others; the CFA recommends testing for the parent breeds' diseases.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Burmilla came about entirely by accident in Britain in 1981. Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg bought her husband a Chinchilla Persian male. Before he was neutered, he mated with a lilac Burmese female, and four shorthaired kittens with black shaded silver coats were born. Their looks and gentle nature persuaded breeders to work deliberately on a new breed. The name combines the words Burmese and chinchilla. The Burmilla gained recognition in Europe, where FIFe places it among the shorthaired cats, and later in America: the CFA accepted both coat lengths for registration in 2011 and granted championship status in 2014. Alongside the shorthaired variety there is also a rarer semi-longhaired one, recognized by TICA, among others.

Fun facts

• The Burmilla came from an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese female in 1981.
• The name combines the words Burmese and chinchilla.
• A Burmilla's green eyes are rimmed with a dark line that looks like makeup.
• In the chinchilla pattern, color covers only about 1/8 of the hair's length.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – Burmillacfa.org
2. 2TICA – Burmilla breedtica.org
3. 3International Cat Care – Inherited disorders in catsicatcare.org
4. 4UC Davis VGL – Burmese Head Defectvgl.ucdavis.edu
5. 5International Cat Care – Persian cats and brachycephaly (PKD)icatcare.org
6. 6FIFe – Breedsfifeweb.org
7. 7WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.