Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in SLC
A Burmilla suits an apartment in SLC's Avenues, where a sunny window sill is all this easygoing cat really asks for. The neighborhood's older apartment buildings and quiet, steep streets give a curious cat plenty to watch, and a wand-toy session in the evening covers the rest of its energy. Most Burmillas are sociable without being demanding, and many cope fine with a workday alone. They're uncommon, so finding one here takes some patience.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Salt Lake City, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
F, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 1228 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female produced an unplanned litter of shaded silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. These are medium-sized, muscular cats, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes outlined in dark color and a shimmering coat that is pale at the roots and tipped with color.
Many Burmillas pair a playful, sociable streak with a mellow calm, and they stay kittenish well into adulthood. They tend to be quiet and people-oriented, and both short and semi-long coats stay tidy with weekly combing. That makes them a comfortable fit for a rental or a house in SLC, though no two cats act exactly alike. The breed is uncommon in North America.
Having a Burmilla in SLC
Burmillas balance play and calm: lively in short bursts, then happy to nap nearby. Their needs are modest, mostly daily play, weekly combing and screened windows. Inherited kidney and head-structure risks are worth understanding before you adopt.
Burmillas are often sweet, curious and sociable, and many are comfortable with visitors, respectful children and cat-friendly dogs once introductions go gradually. They're usually quiet and not clingy. In a busy SLC rental that adaptability helps, though each cat's comfort with handling and noise matters more than breed averages.
Plan on a couple of short, energetic play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and a climbing tree, plus food puzzles for their curiosity. During SLC's long winters, indoor play carries most of the exercise load, so rotate toys and keep a tall perch by a window. Daily play also helps prevent weight gain.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors, along with the Burmese head defect. DNA tests exist for both, and not every cat is affected. A veterinarian can discuss testing, kidney checks and dental care. Annual exams and weight checks matter more as the cat ages, and the rabies vaccination needs to stay current for licensing.
A Burmilla does well in an SLC apartment or house that offers climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many manage a workday alone. A cat tree and scratchers are easy to add to a rental. Keep windows and balconies screened, and use a secure enclosure or harness for any outdoor time.
| 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* | $475 to $1,175 per year | $475 to $1,175 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,225 to $2,725 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $25 Salt Lake County license for a spayed or neutered cat, litter, 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 Salt Lake City.
Shelters and rescues around SLC list cats of every kind, though Burmillas turn up only occasionally. Here are the rescues & shelters in the SLC area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Salt Lake City
511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Yes, as long as the cat stays in a carrier. UTA allows pets only when they're securely contained in a cage, kennel, carrier or container, and staff can't carry or help with it. Most Burmillas fit a standard carrier, so buses, TRAX trains and FrontRunner are all workable. Keep the carrier closed and with you the whole ride.
Yes, for an indoor Burmilla. Winters are cold and snowy and summers are hot and dry, but a cat kept inside handles both well with a cool, shaded room in July and a warm window perch in January. On smoggy winter inversion days, keep windows closed. Limit outdoor time to a screened enclosure.
Yes. Utah bars cities from adopting breed-specific rules, so no SLC ordinance targets Burmillas. You'll need to license the cat by 5 months of age or within 30 days of getting one, with proof of rabies vaccination and sterilization, and renew each year. The city doesn't cap licensed cats, but your lease might.
Yes, a Burmilla usually does well in an apartment. Renting is common in SLC, so confirm pet rules, deposits and monthly pet rent before you sign. Provide a tall cat tree, window perches and daily play, and screen any balcony. Many Burmillas cope with a workday alone, though they enjoy company in the evening.
Very little. Weekly combing keeps both short and semi-long coats in good shape, and a professional groom is rarely needed. SLC's dry air and heated winter homes can make coats staticky, so comb a bit more often then, and expect extra shedding in spring. Home grooming costs little and falls within the yearly Other costs on this page.
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.
Yes, Burmillas usually make good indoor cats. They tend to be adaptable, relaxed and content with home life as long as they have toys, climbing spaces and window perches. Many are comfortable being alone for a few hours. Daily interactive play keeps them fit and engaged, and a secure enclosure or harness can add safe outdoor experiences.
Budget roughly $1,225 to $2,725 a year for a Burmilla in SLC: food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and $475 to $1,175 a year for litter, flea prevention, dental care, supplies and the license. Adoption fees appear on the listings.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Salt Lake City.
