Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Omaha
Burmillas suit Omaha's apartment neighborhoods well, since they're quiet, sociable cats that don't need a yard. A Burmilla could settle into a Midtown Crossing condo or an Aksarben Village apartment, nap on a window perch all day, then ask for a game of chase when you get home. They're playful without being loud, which neighbors in a shared building tend to appreciate. The coat is easy too: a weekly combing handles most of it.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Omaha, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 658 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 658 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 8 y., 747 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 5 mo., 747 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 8 y., 747 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3 mo., 747 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 4 mo., 747 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 750 miles
Bombay, Domestic Long Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 756 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 3-7 y., 761 miles
Burmese
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese met by accident and produced a litter of shaded silver kittens. The name blends the two parent breeds. Burmillas are medium-sized, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes rimmed in dark "eyeliner" and a silky coat that is pale at the root and tipped with color.
In temperament they mix Burmese playfulness with Persian calm, so many stay kittenish for years without being demanding. They're people-oriented and often comfortable with other pets. Shorthaired and semi-longhaired coats both need only regular combing. In Omaha, where long winters keep everyone inside, that easygoing, companionable nature fits well, though every Burmilla's personality varies.
Having a Burmilla in Omaha
Burmillas are playful but not frantic, and affectionate without being clingy. Before adopting one in Omaha, it helps to know their activity level, inherited health risks and what they need from a home, especially through the city's long, cold winters.
Burmillas tend to be sweet, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and then settling near their people. Many do well with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions. In a busy Omaha apartment they're usually calm company. A cat's own history and comfort with handling say more than breed expectations.
Expect short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and a tall cat tree cover the athletic side, and food puzzles keep a curious mind busy. During Omaha's cold months, daily indoor play sessions matter even more, since they help prevent weight gain. Rotate toys to keep interest up.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors, plus the Burmese head defect; DNA tests exist for both. The breed's small gene pool makes health records useful. Not every cat develops problems. Ask a veterinarian about testing, and keep up regular exams, dental care and weight checks. Nebraska law also requires rabies vaccination.
A Burmilla can thrive in an Omaha apartment, condo or house as long as there are climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many handle a workday alone well. Screen windows and balconies, and add a perch by a sunny window for the cold months.
| 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* | $472 to $1,172 per year | $472 to $1,172 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,222 to $2,722 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the Omaha cat license, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing supplies.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Omaha.
Omaha has an active rescue community, and the shelters and rescues below list cats of many breeds and mixes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Omaha area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Yes. Omaha's breed-specific rules apply to certain dogs, not cats. You'll need to license your Burmilla by 4 months of age with proof of rabies vaccination, and a spayed or neutered cat costs less to license. A household can have up to five cats without a permit. Burmillas are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search.
Yes, as indoor cats they handle Omaha winters well. Lows average about 18°F and snow is common, so keep your Burmilla inside with warm bedding away from drafts. Its silky coat isn't built for cold, and salted sidewalks can irritate paws if you walk it on a harness. Daily indoor play keeps it active and comfortable.
Yes, in a carrier. Metro buses, including ORBT, require pets to ride in a carrier unless they are service animals, and a medium-sized Burmilla fits one easily. Keep the carrier on your lap or the floor, out of the aisle and exits. Omaha has no subway or rail transit, and the planned streetcar has no pet policy yet.
Yes, a Burmilla is a good apartment cat. It's usually quiet, content with moderate space and happy to nap through a workday. Provide a tall cat tree, a window perch and daily play with a wand toy. Before signing, read the lease for pet rent or fees, and keep balcony doors and windows screened.
Often, yes. Burmillas enjoy company without being demanding, so they suit people who want a companion cat for evenings at home. Omaha's long winters and stormy springs mean indoor life, which suits the breed well. Plan for daily play, since a bored Burmilla may gain weight or look for mischief, and for regular vet checks.
Plan on combing your Burmilla about once a week, whether the coat is short or semi-long. Dry winter air can add static and loose hair, and shedding may rise as spring warms up, so comb a bit more often then. Professional grooming is rarely needed; combing supplies are part of the yearly Other costs shown above.
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 $25 to $50 a month for food and $25 to $50 for insurance, plus $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care. Other yearly costs, including litter, the cat license, flea prevention, dental care and supplies, run about $472 to $1,172. That puts a typical year at roughly $1,200 to $2,700.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Omaha.
