Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Des Moines
A Burmilla suits the brick cottages and bungalows of Beaverdale, where a sunny window and a cat tree go a long way. These medium-sized, easygoing cats play hard in short bursts and nap the rest of the day, so a quiet workday alone usually isn't a problem. Evenings are for wand toys and lap time. Des Moines winters keep cats inside for months, which fits the breed's indoor habits. Burmillas are uncommon, so the listings here may only occasionally include one.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Des Moines, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 843 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3 y., 845 miles
American Shorthair, Bombay
F, 3-7 y., 845 miles
Burmese, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 846 miles
Bombay
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 851 miles
Bombay, Siamese
F, 3-7 y., 852 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 852 miles
Bombay
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 858 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 858 miles
Bombay
F, 3-7 y., 862 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese met by accident and produced four shaded silver kittens. The name blends the two parents. Burmillas are medium-sized, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes rimmed in dark color and a shimmering coat that is pale at the root and tipped with color. The coat comes in short and semi-long versions.
Many have the Burmese's playful, sociable side softened by the Persian's calm, and they tend to stay kittenish for years without being demanding. Weekly combing handles the coat, and shedding is low to moderate. That makes a Burmilla an affectionate indoor companion for a small rental or a house, though cats vary, and a shelter cat's own personality matters more than its breed.
Having a Burmilla in Des Moines
A Burmilla balances playfulness with calm, and its modest grooming needs suit busy households. In Des Moines, long indoor winters make daily play, a secure home and routine veterinary care the main things to plan for.
Burmillas are often sweet, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and settling near their people without constant demands. Many do well with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions. Each cat differs, so notice how a cat handles being held and meeting new people. Many manage a workday alone, which suits Des Moines commuters.
Expect short bursts of chasing and climbing followed by long naps. Wand toys, climbing trees and food puzzles use up energy indoors, which matters through Des Moines winters when the cat stays inside for months. Aim for daily interactive play to keep weight steady, and rotate toys so games stay fresh.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors, plus the Burmese head defect, and DNA tests exist for both. Not every cat develops problems. A veterinarian can advise on testing and check weight and teeth, so plan yearly exams, dental care and weight checks as the cat ages.
A Burmilla fits Des Moines apartments in Drake or downtown as well as houses with yards, provided there are window perches, climbing spots and a quiet place to rest. Outdoor time is safest in a secure enclosure or on a harness, and balconies and windows need screens.
| 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* | $465 to $1,165 per year | $465 to $1,165 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,215 to $2,715 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the $15 Des Moines cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Des Moines.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa runs Des Moines' city shelter, and its adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccines and a microchip. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Des Moines area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Yes, you can get a Burmilla in Des Moines, and the city's breed-specific rules apply to certain dogs, not cats. Cats six months and older need a city license, $15 if spayed or neutered and $35 if intact, plus a current rabies vaccination certificate. Burmillas are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search to hear about new arrivals.
Yes, Burmillas handle Des Moines winters well as indoor cats. Lows average 17°F, with about 128 freezing nights a year, so skip outdoor time and offer a warm bed, a sunny window perch and daily wand play. Keep any trip to the vet short, with a blanket in the carrier.
Yes, a Burmilla suits apartment living in Des Moines. Most are quiet, medium-sized and comfortable alone during a workday when they have climbing spots and window perches. Read the lease for pet rent, fees and deposit terms before signing, and screen balcony doors and windows so a curious cat can't slip out.
A Burmilla fits Des Moines well if you want an affectionate, low-key cat and can offer daily play. Long winters mean months indoors, so the breed's love of games, climbing and company matters. It suits commuters and homes with respectful children or friendly pets, though each cat's personality varies.
Weekly combing is usually enough for a Burmilla's short or semi-long coat, with a bit more during spring shedding as Des Moines warms up. Grooming is mostly done at home, so its cost sits within the yearly Other budget of about $465 to $1,165, alongside litter, flea prevention and dental care.
No. DART buses in Des Moines don't allow pets other than service animals, and no carrier exception is listed. Des Moines has bus service only, with no subway. Plan trips to the vet by car, and use a secure carrier for every ride so the cat stays calm and safe.
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.
Expect roughly $1,215 to $2,715 a year for a Burmilla in Des Moines, covering food, pet insurance, routine vet care and other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and the $15 city license. Costs rise with dental work or illness. Adoption fees appear on each listing.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Des Moines.
