Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmese in Wauconda
Find your Burmese
While we don't have enough cats near Wauconda, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 3-7 y., 1 mile
Burmese, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 358 miles
Burmese
M, 7 y., 319 miles
Burmese, Domestic Long Hair
F, 3-7 y., 319 miles
Burmese, Domestic Short Hair
F, 8 y., 319 miles
Burmese, Domestic Long Hair
F, 1 y., 434 miles
Burmese, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 488 miles
Burmese, Bombay
F, 1 y., 561 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Burmese
M, 2 y., 561 miles
American Shorthair, Burmese
F, 3-7 y., 699 miles
Burmese
Nearly every Burmese in America descends from one small walnut-brown cat named Wong Mau, brought from Southeast Asia to San Francisco in 1930 and bred with Siamese cats to establish the line. The breed is compact, muscular and surprisingly heavy for its size, with a short, glossy, satin-like coat and large, expressive gold eyes. Sable brown is the classic color, with champagne, blue and platinum also common. American and European lines differ in head and body shape.
Burmese are famous for being people-focused, playful into adulthood and eager to join whatever their family is doing. Many follow owners around, ride on shoulders and greet visitors. They usually suit homes where someone is around often or another pet provides company, and adopters should know about a few inherited conditions, including diabetes, in the breed.
Having a Burmese in Wauconda
A Burmese packs a lot of personality into a dense, satin-coated body. Its need for companionship, lifelong playfulness, very easy grooming and a few breed-linked health risks all affect how well one fits a household's schedule and lifestyle.
Burmese tend to be affectionate, sociable and curious, often described as dog-like for following people and learning games. Many spread their affection across the whole family and get along with respectful children and cat-friendly dogs. They are typically less loud than Siamese but will speak up for attention. Individual personalities vary, especially in adult shelter cats.
Most Burmese stay active and playful well past kittenhood. Daily interactive play with wand toys, fetch games and climbing spaces helps burn energy and prevents weight gain. Puzzle feeders and short clicker training sessions engage their clever minds. Their dense, muscular build means they enjoy leaping, so sturdy cat trees and shelves are worthwhile.
Burmese can be predisposed to diabetes mellitus, hypokalemia, feline orofacial pain syndrome and, in some contemporary lines, a severe inherited head defect seen in kittens. The breed also has low genetic diversity. Keeping a Burmese lean, watching for excessive thirst or weakness and scheduling regular veterinary checkups, including blood work as it ages, helps catch problems early.
A Burmese adapts well to apartments or houses as long as it has company, play and vertical spaces to climb. It usually does best as an indoor cat, with a secure window perch or catio for fresh air. Many cope poorly with long hours alone, so busy households often find that a second compatible pet helps.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $125, one time | $125 in year one |
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| 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) | $1,260 to $2,820 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,385 to $2,945 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on Burmese listings in Wauconda on GetBuddy today. Other costs are national averages for Burmese; we don't have costs specific to Wauconda yet.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and climbing furniture, and minimal grooming for the short, satin coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Burmese available.
Here are the rescues & shelters in the Wauconda area where you can find Burmese and other cats available for adoption.
A Burmese is a medium-sized, muscular shorthaired cat known for a glossy, satin-like coat, gold eyes and a famously people-oriented personality. Most American Burmese trace back to a single brown cat, Wong Mau, brought to San Francisco in 1930. They are playful, social and affectionate, and they come in sable, champagne, blue, platinum and other colors.
The name Burmese simply means from Burma, the country now called Myanmar. It refers to where the breed's foundation cat, Wong Mau, was believed to come from, in the region near the border between Burma and Thailand. Brown cats resembling the Burmese are thought to appear in old Thai cat manuscripts, long before the modern breed was developed in America.
Burmese cats are moderately vocal. They usually speak up when they want attention, food or company, but they are generally quieter than their Siamese relatives, with softer, sweeter voices. Many hold chatty conversations with their people and greet them at the door. Individual cats vary, and some are quite talkative while others rarely meow.
Burmese cats are safest kept indoors, with outdoor time limited to a secure catio, an enclosed garden or a harness and leash. Their trusting, people-loving nature can lead them to approach strangers, cars or other animals. Indoor living also lowers risks from traffic, disease and parasites. Window perches and play help satisfy their curiosity.
Burmese is pronounced bur-MEEZ, with the stress on the second syllable, the same way the word is said when referring to people or things from Burma. Some people say it with a soft z sound and others with a slight s sound at the end. Both are widely understood when talking about the cat breed.
Many Burmese do seem to feel the cold, likely because their short, fine coat has very little undercoat. They often seek warm laps, sunny windows, heated beds or a spot under the blankets. Keeping your home comfortably warm and offering cozy bedding helps. A cat that seems unusually cold, lethargic or shivering should see a veterinarian.
Yes, Burmese cats generally need plenty of company. They are highly social and tend to bond closely with their people, so many become bored or stressed when left alone for long hours. Homes where someone is around often suit them best. Busy households can help by adopting a compatible second cat or a cat-friendly dog.
Yes, Burmese cats purr, and many purr readily and loudly when they are content, being petted or curled up with their people. Purring is a normal cat behavior, though cats also purr when stressed, unwell or in pain. If a normally relaxed Burmese purrs while hiding, not eating or acting unusually, check in with a veterinarian.
Burmese cats usually behave like affectionate, curious and playful companions. Many follow people from room to room, enjoy fetch and puzzle games and want to be involved in everything. They often stay kitten-like well into adulthood and get along with considerate children and other pets. Personality still varies, so an adult cat's known history is a useful guide.
We have 1 rescue with Burmese available: Illinois Animal Rescue, Inc. You can see every rescue with Burmese available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Burmese near Wauconda.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Wauconda.
