Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Honolulu
A Burmilla fits easily into a Makiki or Mōʻiliʻili apartment. These medium-sized cats are happy with a window perch, a tall cat tree and a couple of good play sessions a day, and many cope fine with a workday alone. Screen any balcony or lanai, because a curious Burmilla will climb right up to the edge to watch the street. Their silvery, shaded coat and dark-rimmed green eyes tend to get comments from every guest.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Honolulu, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 4500 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 4508 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 1 y., 4514 miles
Bombay
M, 3-7 y., 4576 miles
Burmese
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 4683 miles
Tuxedo, Bombay
F, 0-6 mo., 4720 miles
Bombay
F, 0-6 mo., 4720 miles
Bombay
F, 0-6 mo., 4720 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 4720 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 4720 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female mated by accident and produced four shaded silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. These are muscular, medium-sized cats, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes outlined in dark color and a silky coat that is pale at the root and tipped with color. Both shorthaired and semi-longhaired versions exist.
Many Burmillas pair the Burmese's playfulness with the Persian's calm, staying kittenish into adulthood without being demanding. They're usually people-oriented and comfortable with other pets. In Honolulu, where homes are often apartments and the weather stays warm, that adaptable, low-key nature is a real plus, though every cat is different and the breed is uncommon.
Having a Burmilla in Honolulu
Burmillas are playful, medium-sized cats with modest grooming needs. In Honolulu, the main considerations are indoor enrichment, inherited kidney and head-structure risks worth discussing with a veterinarian, and keeping a curious cat safe around open windows and balconies.
Burmillas are often sweet, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and settling near their people without constant demands. Many get along with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions. Some are slightly talkative. A cat's comfort with handling and day-to-day behavior tell you more than the breed label.
Expect short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and a tall cat tree cover most of what a Burmilla needs indoors, and food puzzles keep a curious mind busy. A few interactive sessions a day help prevent weight gain in a small apartment, and rotating toys keeps games fresh.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors, along with the Burmese head defect, and both have DNA tests. Not every cat develops problems. A veterinarian can discuss testing and kidney screening, then track exams, dental care and weight over time. Since Hawaiʻi is rabies-free, ask which vaccines suit an indoor cat.
A Burmilla can do well in a condo or a house with climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Honolulu's many apartments suit an indoor cat like this one. Screen windows and balconies, and use a harness or an enclosed catio for outdoor time rather than free roaming.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,700 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing for a short or semi-long coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Honolulu.
Oʻahu has an open-admission humane society and foster-based rescues, and the cats listed here change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Honolulu area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Yes. Honolulu has no known breed-specific rules for cats, so a Burmilla is treated like any other pet cat. The main requirements are a registered microchip and, for cats that go outdoors, a collar with an ID tag. Burmillas are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search to hear about new cats.
Yes, a Burmilla usually does well in a Honolulu apartment. They're medium-sized, often quiet, and many cope with a workday alone. Give the cat a window perch, a tall cat tree and daily wand-toy play, and screen any balcony or lanai. Read your building's pet rules and deposit terms before you apply.
Yes, with some care. Honolulu's heat is steady rather than extreme, but humidity and strong sun add up for a cat in an upper-floor unit. Provide shade, airflow or air conditioning, fresh water and closed blinds on sunny afternoons. Never leave a Burmilla in a parked car, even briefly.
Yes, in a carrier. TheBus and Skyline allow pets only in a small, closed carrier held on your lap or placed under the seat. Most Burmillas fit a standard carrier, though a large male near 13 pounds may need a roomier one. Practice at home first, and confirm current fares before riding.
A Burmilla can fit Honolulu well if you want an affectionate, playful indoor cat. The moderate size suits condos, and many manage a workday alone. Plan for hot afternoons, New Year's fireworks and storm season with a carrier ready and a quiet room. A cat's own personality matters more than its breed, so look at each cat's profile.
About once a week. A quick comb keeps a Burmilla's short or semi-long coat silky and handles light to moderate shedding. Honolulu's humidity doesn't change that routine, though it's worth watching skin and ears in damp weather. Most owners groom at home, so costs stay small within the yearly Other budget.
No, Burmilla cats are not hypoallergenic. They shed like other cats, and the main cat allergen, a protein found in saliva and skin secretions, spreads onto the coat during grooming. There is no evidence that Burmillas produce less of it. People with allergies should spend extended time with the specific cat before adopting and discuss options with their doctor.
Burmilla cats typically live about 10 to 15 years, and many healthy indoor cats reach their mid-teens or beyond. Lifespan depends on genetics, weight, dental care and access to veterinary care. Inherited kidney disease from Persian ancestry can shorten life, so scheduling regular blood and urine tests as the cat ages is worthwhile.
A Burmilla is a medium-sized cat breed created in Britain from a cross between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. It is known for a sparkling silver or golden coat tipped or shaded with color, green eyes rimmed in dark outlines, and a playful, gentle personality. Burmillas come in shorthaired and semi-longhaired varieties.
Plan on roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for a Burmilla in Honolulu. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and other costs of $450 to $1,150 a year. Adoption fees vary by listing.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Honolulu.
