Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Seattle
A Burmilla suits a Belltown condo or a Columbia City apartment better than you might expect. These cats play hard in short bursts, then settle into long naps, so a cat tree and a window perch over the street cover most of what they need. Seattle's gray, drizzly days make that indoor routine easy. Burmillas are uncommon here, so save a search and watch the listings on this page.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Seattle, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 31 miles
Bombay, Abyssinian
M, 0-6 mo., 31 miles
Abyssinian, Bombay
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 31 miles
Bombay, Norwegian Forest Cat
M, 4 mo., 93 miles
Bombay
F, 5 mo., 93 miles
Bombay
F, 5 mo., 93 miles
Bombay
F, 7 mo., 93 miles
Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 141 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 141 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
F, 0-6 mo., 141 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bombay
The Burmilla began in Britain in 1981, when an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female produced four shaded silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. Burmillas are medium-sized and muscular, 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 the Burmese's sociable, playful streak with the Persian's mellow calm, staying kittenish into adulthood without being demanding. They're usually quiet, people-oriented and comfortable with other pets. Both shorthaired and semi-longhaired coats are easy to maintain with a weekly comb, which suits a rainy city where cats spend most days inside. Cats vary, and the breed remains uncommon in North America.
Having a Burmilla in Seattle
Burmillas balance play and calm, with modest grooming needs. For Seattle adopters, the practical questions are how to keep an indoor cat active through rainy months, which inherited kidney and head-structure risks a veterinarian can screen for, and whether a rental has room to climb.
Burmillas are often sweet, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and settling near their people without constant demands. That suits a Seattle apartment, where hallway sounds and city noise are routine. Many get along with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions, though a cat's own personality and comfort with handling matter more than breed expectations.
Most Burmillas play in short, energetic bursts followed by long naps. On rainy Seattle days, wand toys, chase games, climbing trees and food puzzles keep them busy indoors. Daily interactive play helps prevent weight gain, and rotating toys keeps interest fresh. For outdoor time, a harness or secure enclosure is safer than free roaming, since coyotes are reported in several neighborhoods.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors and the Burmese head defect, and DNA tests exist for both. Not every cat will develop problems. A veterinarian can discuss testing and set up regular exams, dental care and weight checks as the cat ages. Seattle's mild climate means few heat worries, but keep weight steady through the long indoor months.
A Seattle apartment or house can suit a Burmilla when it offers climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many handle a workday alone well. Dense areas like Belltown work fine if the cat has vertical space to explore. In any upper-floor unit, screen the windows and balconies, since curious cats can slip 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* | $480 to $1,180 per year | $480 to $1,180 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,230 to $2,730 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the $30 Seattle license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing supplies.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Seattle.
Seattle's shelters and rescues work with many cats, and because Burmillas are uncommon, new listings come and go. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Seattle area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Yes, nothing in Seattle's rules stops you from adopting a Burmilla. The city requires a license for every cat, $30 a year if spayed or neutered and $80 if not, plus a rabies vaccination under state law. A typical lot is limited to three dogs and cats combined. Burmillas are uncommon, so save a search and watch this page's listings.
Often, yes, if you can offer daily play and some vertical space. Burmillas are sociable and playful but usually settle into long naps, which suits a rainy city where most days are spent indoors. They do best with people home for part of the day, though many manage a workday alone. Each cat's personality varies.
Yes, a Burmilla can do well in a Seattle apartment, from a Belltown tower to a Capitol Hill mid-rise. Look for a layout with room for a cat tree, a window perch for watching the street and a quiet corner. Because Burmillas are curious, use sturdy window screens and keep balcony doors closed unless the space is enclosed.
Yes, Seattle's mild, damp climate suits an indoor Burmilla well. Winters rarely freeze and summers are short, so the main challenge is keeping the cat active through long rainy stretches. Heat waves are rare but real: Sea-Tac hit 108°F in June 2021. Plan for shade, water and closed blinds on those days.
Yes, in a carrier. King County Metro buses allow cats in a carrier at no fare, and Sound Transit's standing rule lets pets ride in small containers. The King County Water Taxi requires cats in an enclosed carrier, and Washington State Ferries asks that non-dog pets stay in a crate or carrier. Choose a sturdy, ventilated one your Burmilla knows.
A weekly combing is enough for most Burmillas, whether shorthaired or semi-longhaired, though shedding can rise and fall. Seattle's damp weather matters less for indoor cats, but towel-dry any damp fur or paws after a harness outing. Combing supplies are part of the yearly Other cost, and professional grooming is rarely needed.
Almost certainly not. Washington's food code generally bars live animals from food establishments, and the exception covers pet dogs on outdoor patios where a restaurant has a health-department-approved plan. Most cats also find crowds and noise stressful, so a Burmilla is usually happier at home with a comfortable perch and some toys.
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.
Expect roughly $1,230 to $2,730 a year for a Burmilla in Seattle across food, insurance, routine vet care and other costs. Food and insurance each run about $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care $150 to $350 a year, and other costs $480 to $1,180. Illness or emergencies would add to that.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Seattle.
