Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in OKC
Burmillas fit easily into Oklahoma City apartment life, whether that's a loft in Automobile Alley or a low-rise in Deep Deuce. They're quiet, sociable and happy with a window perch and a short burst of wand-toy play before a long nap, so a normal workday away usually isn't a problem. The coat needs only a weekly comb. Burmillas are uncommon, so it helps to watch the listings here and stay flexible about age and coat length.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Oklahoma City, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 5 y., 84 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
F, 3-7 y., 119 miles
Bombay
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 1 y., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Medium Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 172 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female produced an unplanned litter of shimmering silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. Burmillas are medium-sized, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes outlined in dark color and a coat that is pale at the roots and shaded or tipped with color.
Many combine the Burmese's playful streak with the Persian's mellow calm, staying kittenish well into adulthood without being demanding. They're typically quiet, people-oriented and comfortable with other pets. The coat, shorthaired or semi-longhaired, takes little upkeep. That mix suits indoor homes with a sunny window, though cats of any breed vary in temperament and comfort with handling.
Having a Burmilla in OKC
Burmillas are playful without being frantic and affectionate without being clingy. Here's what to know about their temperament, activity needs, inherited health risks and housing before adopting one in Oklahoma City.
Burmillas are often sweet-natured, 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 a cat's comfort with handling and new people says more than the breed label, and most adapt well to quiet apartment routines.
Expect short, energetic play sessions followed by long naps. Wand toys, climbing trees and food puzzles cover an indoor Burmilla's needs, and a window perch gives it something to watch. Daily interactive play helps prevent weight gain. During storm season or an ice-storm power cut, a few rotating favorite toys keep a cat busy indoors.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors and the Burmese head defect, and DNA tests exist for both. Not every cat develops problems. A veterinarian can discuss testing and kidney screening, and yearly exams, dental care and weight checks matter more with age. A registered microchip helps if a spring storm sends a frightened cat bolting.
A Burmilla does well in an apartment or house with climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many cope well with a workday alone. Screen windows and balconies, and use a secure enclosure or harness for outdoor time, since coyotes turn up in city neighborhoods and traffic is a constant risk.
| 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 yearly dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and a weekly comb for the 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 Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City's shelters and rescues list cats of every breed and mix, and Burmilla listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the OKC area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
2811 SE 29th Street, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
9733 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Yes. Nothing in Oklahoma City bars the breed, and state law prevents cities from enacting breed-specific dangerous-animal rules. Practical steps are a rabies vaccination by four months of age, a tag and a registered microchip. Because Burmillas are uncommon, watch the listings on this page, save a search, and look at similar breeds or nearby cities.
Yes, a Burmilla suits apartments well. They're quiet, moderately active and usually fine alone during a workday, so downtown lofts and low-rise complexes both work. Provide a tall cat tree, a window perch and daily play, and screen any balcony. Get pet fees and deposit terms in writing before signing a lease.
Yes, indoor Burmillas handle OKC summers well. Highs average about 91°F and roughly 73 days a year reach 90°F, so air conditioning, fresh water and shade from sunny windows matter most. Plan for storm-season power outages with a cool interior room and extra water. The medium coat stays comfortable with a weekly comb.
Often, yes, especially for people who want a calm, sociable companion in a smaller home. A Burmilla handles hot summers and icy winters from indoors, but spring storm season means keeping a carrier and registered microchip ready. Cats vary, so look at a cat's comfort with handling and noise rather than relying on the breed.
Very little. A weekly comb handles both the shorthaired and semi-longhaired coats and keeps loose hair off furniture. Expect a bit more shedding as seasons change, so comb more often in fall. A comb and brush are inexpensive and fall within the yearly Other costs, so no routine salon visits are 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.
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.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for a Burmilla in OKC. 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 in other costs such as litter. Oklahoma City has no separate pet license fee.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Oklahoma City.
