Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in SLC
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Salt Lake City, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 0-6 mo., 244 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 244 miles
Bombay
F, 4 y., 414 miles
Bombay
F, 5 y., 365 miles
Burmese
M, 5 y., 377 miles
Bombay
F, 2 y., 475 miles
Bombay
F, 4 y., 475 miles
Bombay
F, 4 mo., 475 miles
Bombay
F, 3-7 y., 480 miles
Burmese, Domestic Short Hair
F, 0-6 mo., 488 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla began with an accidental mating in Britain in 1981, when a Chinchilla Persian male met a lilac Burmese female and produced four striking shaded silver kittens. Its owner and a friend developed the line into a recognized breed, and its name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. Burmillas are medium-sized and muscular, with green eyes outlined in dark color, as if wearing eyeliner, and a shimmering coat that is pale at the roots and tipped or shaded with color.
Many combine the Burmese's sociable, playful streak with the Persian's mellow calm, staying kittenish well into adulthood without being demanding. They are usually quiet, people-oriented and comfortable with other pets. Both shorthaired and semi-longhaired coats are easy to maintain. The breed remains uncommon in North America, so adopters may find one only occasionally through rescues.
Having a Burmilla in SLC
A Burmilla offers a balance that many cat lovers look for: playful but not frantic, affectionate but not clingy, and strikingly pretty with modest grooming needs. Its temperament, activity level, inherited health risks and home needs are worth understanding before adopting.
Burmillas are often sweet-natured, 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 tend to be gentle and quiet. A shelter cat's history and comfort with handling count more than breed expectations.
Most Burmillas enjoy short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and climbing trees satisfy their athletic side, while food puzzles and clicker training engage their curiosity. Daily interactive play helps prevent weight gain. Many keep a kittenish love of games well into adulthood, so rotate toys to keep interest fresh.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors and the Burmese head defect, both of which have DNA tests. The breed's small gene pool makes careful health records valuable. Not every cat will develop problems. Ask a veterinarian about DNA testing, and keep regular veterinary exams, dental care and weight checks as the cat ages.
An apartment or a house can suit a Burmilla when it offers climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many cope well with being alone during a workday. Because they are friendly and curious, outdoor access is safest in a secure enclosure or on a harness, with windows and balconies screened.
| 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 national averages for Burmillas; we don't have costs specific to SLC yet.
* 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 Salt Lake City.
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
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.
Yes, Burmilla cats are rare, especially in North America. The breed only dates to 1981, and the CFA registry did not grant it championship status until 2014 and still considers it a minority breed. Few appear in shelters, so adopters interested in one may need patience and should also consider similar shaded or silver cats.
No, Burmilla cats are not usually talkative. The CFA registry describes them as not typically vocal or overly demanding, and most communicate with soft meows or chirps when they want attention. Individual cats vary, and some are chattier than others. A cat that suddenly becomes much more vocal may be stressed or unwell and should see a veterinarian.
A Burmilla should not have bold stripes or a pointed, Siamese-style coat. The breed's standard calls for a pale silver or golden base with even tipping or shading, and tabby marks in the tipping are penalized. Faint ghost markings can appear on the face or legs, especially in golden cats. A strongly striped or pointed cat is likely another breed or a mix.
Burmillas can go outside safely only with supervision, on a harness or in a secure enclosure. Their friendly, curious nature can lead them to wander and approach strangers, and roaming cats face traffic, predators, disease and theft. Most veterinarians and welfare groups recommend keeping cats indoors. Window perches and a screened catio offer fresh air without the risks.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Salt Lake City.
