Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Indy
A Burmilla suits Indy's mix of bungalows and downtown flats because it's happy in a sunny window. In Irvington's old bungalows or a Mass Ave apartment, this medium-sized cat is playful but not frantic, and it's usually content with a perch and a wand toy after work. Burmillas are uncommon, so don't count on a particular one turning up. If you're hoping to adopt one in Indianapolis, expect a sociable cat that likes company but copes with a workday alone.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Indianapolis, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 10 y., 94 miles
Bombay
F, 3-7 y., 94 miles
Bombay
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 149 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 149 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 y., 164 miles
Bombay
M, 3-7 y., 164 miles
Bombay
F, 6 y., 164 miles
Bombay
M, 3-7 y., 164 miles
Bombay
M, 5 y., 164 miles
Bombay
F, 5 y., 164 miles
Russian Blue, 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. Burmillas are medium-sized, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes that look outlined in dark liner and a shimmering coat that is pale at the roots and tipped with color.
Many Burmillas mix Burmese playfulness with Persian calm, staying kittenish into adulthood without being demanding. They tend to be quiet, people-oriented and comfortable with other pets, though every cat differs. The coat, short or semi-long, is silky and easy to keep up. In Indianapolis, that suits apartment and bungalow life alike, with a weekly comb and a few good perches covering most of what a Burmilla needs.
Having a Burmilla in Indy
Burmillas are playful without being frantic and affectionate without being clingy, with modest grooming needs. Here's a quick look at exercise, health and space, and what each means for a cat living in an Indianapolis home.
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. They're usually quiet and can cope with a workday alone, which suits Indy commuters. A cat's own comfort with handling matters more than breed expectations.
Expect short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and a tall cat tree cover their athletic side, while food puzzles keep their curiosity busy. A few play sessions a day help prevent weight gain, which matters in winter when Indy cats spend nearly all their time indoors. Rotate toys to keep games fresh.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors and the Burmese head defect, and both have DNA tests. Not every cat develops problems. A veterinarian can discuss testing and set up regular exams, dental care and weight checks. Indiana requires rabies vaccination for cats from three months of age, so keep that current.
A Burmilla fits a downtown flat or a suburban house equally well when there are climbing spots, window perches and a quiet retreat. Because the breed is friendly and curious, outdoor time is safest in a secure enclosure or on a harness, and screened windows and balconies keep a curious cat from slipping out.
| 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 Indianapolis.
Indianapolis has a city shelter and nonprofit rescues, and the cats listed here change as animals arrive and get adopted. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Indy area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Indianapolis
7929 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
2600 South Harding Street, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
1614 W Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis
Yes, a Burmilla can ride IndyGo buses, including the Red and Purple Line rapid-transit routes, when the cat travels in a carrying case. IndyGo allows service animals and other pets in a carrier. Use a ventilated, leak-resistant carrier that closes securely, and keep it on your lap or by your feet. Indianapolis has no subway, and current fares are worth confirming with IndyGo.
Yes, Burmillas handle Indianapolis winters well as indoor cats. Temperatures average roughly 24 to 39°F, with about 25 inches of snow a year, so the cat should stay inside, away from cold floors, drafts, antifreeze and ice-melt salt. A warm room, a cozy perch by a sunny window and daily wand-toy play keep a Burmilla comfortable through January.
Yes, you can own a Burmilla in Indianapolis, since the city has no breed restrictions and no general cat license. It does require permanent identification, such as a microchip, and Indiana requires rabies vaccination from three months of age. Burmillas are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search to hear when one appears.
Yes, a Burmilla usually does well in an Indianapolis apartment. It's medium-sized, typically quiet and comfortable alone during a workday, though it needs climbing space, window perches and daily play. Because so many Indy residents rent, read the lease for pet deposits and monthly pet rent, and keep window and balcony screens secure.
A Burmilla fits Indy life well if you can offer daily play and some company. It's sociable but not clingy, copes with a typical workday alone and adapts to flats or houses. It's a weaker match for households that want a cat roaming outdoors, since indoor living is safer. Each cat differs, so watch how a cat handles new people and noise.
Plan on a quick weekly comb for a Burmilla in Indianapolis, whether the coat is short or semi-long. The silky coat tangles rarely, but you may see more loose hair in fall, and humid summers are a good reason to keep combing regularly. Grooming is a small expense: combing supplies fall within the yearly Other costs, so a professional groomer usually isn't needed.
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 Indianapolis. 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 $450 to $1,150 a year for litter, flea prevention, dental care and supplies. Indianapolis charges no city cat license fee.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Indianapolis.
