Burmilla is elegant cat created accidentally UK 1981 when Burmese cat and Chinchilla Persian unexpectedly mated, producing distinctly attractive kittens. Rather than discarding hybrid kittens, breeders recognised potential and deliberately developed Burmilla as distinct breed. Combines tipped/shaded coat aesthetic of Chinchilla Persians with fine-boned, athletic Burmese build; offering visually distinctive, sophisticated appearance with moderate care requirements. Affectionate, moderately vocal, people-oriented companions bonding closely with families. Intelligent, playful; enjoy interactive games and enrichment. Friendly with children, cats, dogs; versatile in family settings. However, Burmese ancestry predisposes to health issues (HCM, PKD, anaesthesia sensitivity) requiring careful veterinary monitoring. Moderate energy and gentle nature suit families with varying activity levels. Moderately available through ANCATS breeders in Australia.
Burmilla Overview
Burmilla Personality & Temperament
Understanding the Burmilla temperament is the most important step before bringing one home.
Burmilla cats are intelligent, affectionate, moderately social. Curious, playful; enjoy interactive toys and climbing structures. Inherit vocality from Burmese ancestry (moderate, 3/5); communicate with soft meows, chirps. Bond closely with families; enjoy daily involvement. Patient with children; tolerant of handling. Friendly towards other cats and dogs; suitable for multi-pet homes. Affection high; enjoy laps and cuddles but respect independence. Moderately demanding of attention but not overly dependent.
Breed Ratings at a Glance
How the Burmilla scores across key traits (1 = Low, 5 = High).
Is a Burmilla Right for You?
Burmilla Size & Appearance
Burmilla Health & Lifespan
Known Health Conditions
Heart thickening from Burmese ancestry
Est. treatment: $600–$1,500Kidney cysts; genetic testing available
Est. treatment: $400–$800Knee dislocation
Est. treatment: $600–$1,500Gum inflammation and tooth loss
Est. treatment: $200–$600Burmese-descended; requires specialised protocols
Est. treatment: $300–$800Pet Insurance for Burmilla
Avg Annual Insurance (Australia): $480
Est. Monthly: $15–$25/month AUD; may include Burmese-related clauses
Recommended Australian Cat Insurers:
• Bow Wow Meow (bowwowmeow.com.au)
• PD Insurance (pdinsurance.com.au)
• Petinsurance.com.au (PetSure)
• Budget Direct Pet Insurance
• Petcover
• Woolworths Pet Insurance
• HCF Pet Insurance
TIP: Insure before 6 months to avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.
Compare insurance policies for your Burmilla
Given this breed's known health conditions, comprehensive coverage is recommended for Australian owners.
Compare Pet Insurance →Burmilla Cost of Ownership (AUD)
| Category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| PURCHASE PRICE | $800 - $2,000 |
| Food | $1,300 |
| Vet/Health | $370 |
| Grooming | $80 |
| Insurance | $480 |
| TOTAL/year | $1,620 |
| LIFETIME COST (15 yrs) | $24,300 |
| Desexing | $200–$500 |
| Vaccinations (kitten) | $150–$250 |
| First vet check | $80–$150 |
All prices in AUD. Costs vary by state, vet, and lifestyle. Sources: PetSure, RSPCA, Animal Medicines Australia.
Burmilla Grooming Guide
Burmilla Exercise & Enrichment
Training Your Burmilla
Trainability: ★★★☆☆/5
Vocality: ★★★☆☆/5
Cats can learn: sit, high-five, fetch, recall, harness walking
Method: Clicker training + high-value treats (chicken, tuna)
Sessions: 3–5 minutes max; always end on a success
Socialisation Tips:
• Handle paws, ears, mouth from 3–7 weeks
• Introduce to carrier, car, vet smells early
• Positive exposure to children and gentle dogs
• Feliway diffuser helps in multi-pet households
Burmilla Feeding Guide
Avg Annual Food Cost (Australia): $1,300
High-quality, balanced protein (25–30%) suited to Burmese metabolism. Premium feed $80–$120/month AUD. Fresh water essential; ensure adequate hydration for kidney health.
General Feeding Tips:
• Mix wet food + dry kibble for hydration and dental health
• Cats are obligate carnivores — high-protein diet essential
• No grapes, onion, garlic, chocolate, xylitol, raw dough
• Fresh water always available (consider cat fountain)
• Avoid all-dry diets — linked to urinary tract issues
• Measure portions to prevent obesity (40% of cats are overweight)
Finding a Reputable Burmilla Breeder
REGISTRIES / FINDING AN ETHICAL BREEDER:
• ANCATS
• CCCA
• RightPaw
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
• Registered with ANCATS, CCCA, or ACF
• Health-tests parents (HCM, PKD, FIV/FeLV as appropriate)
• Allows kitten visit — you meet the mother
• Kittens raised underfoot in family home (not caged)
• Provides vaccination certificate, microchip, desexing agreement
• Screens buyers with questions
RED FLAGS — AVOID:
• Kittens always available without waitlist
• Multiple breeds always available
• Refuses home visit
• No health certificates or registry papers
• Selling via Facebook/Gumtree without ANCATS/CCCA/ACF credentials
✅ Green Flags
- Registered with ACF, GCCF, TICA, or a state feline body
- Invites you to visit and meet the mother (queen)
- Provides health test results for parents
- Includes vet certificate, microchip, and vaccination records
- Has a waiting list (sign of demand, not a kitten mill)
❌ Red Flags
- Multiple breeds always available with no wait
- Won't let you visit or meet the mother
- No health testing mentioned
- Price significantly below market average
- Meets in a public place instead of their property
ACF (acf.asn.au) · GCCF of NSW · Feline Control Council of QLD · CATS Victoria · TICA (tica.org)
Adopting a Burmilla in Australia
RESCUE & ADOPTION:
• Burmilla rescue (limited)
• PetRescue.com.au
• RSPCA
ADOPTION COST: $150–$350 AUD (includes desexing, microchip, vaccinations)
BENEFITS:
• Often past the demanding kitten stage
• Lower upfront cost
• Temperament known by carers
• Gives a cat a second chance
Search PetRescue.com.au — Australia's largest cat adoption platform
Note: Many Australians find wonderful pets via RSPCA and council shelters.
❤️ Thousands of cats need homes. Rescue cats come desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Burmilla — Frequently Asked Questions
Accidental origin?
Created accidentally UK 1981 when Burmese and Chinchilla Persian mated unexpectedly. Breeders recognised appeal and deliberately developed breed.
Cost?
Kittens from ANCATS breeders $1,000–$2,000 AUD. Moderate rarity and breeding complexity influence price.
Health issues?
Prone to HCM, PKD, patellar luxation, gingivitis, anaesthesia sensitivity from Burmese ancestry. Responsible breeders screen.
Good with children?
Yes, patient, gentle, tolerant of handling.
Grooming?
Minimal compared to long-haired breeds. Weekly brushing (1–2× per week) maintains coat. Professional grooming every 8–12 weeks ($40–$70) optional.
Outdoors?
Yes, supervised access in secure gardens or leads. Calm, social nature suits outdoor exploration.
Climate?
Adapt to most climates. Short coat suits hot areas; fine coat minimal insulation in cold. Provide warm resting spots in cold climates.
Trainable?
Yes, moderately trainable due to intelligence and curiosity. Respond to positive reinforcement.
Other pets?
Yes, friendly towards cats and dogs. Gentle, non-aggressive nature suits multi-pet households.
Lifespan?
Typically 12–16 years; some reach 18 years. Regular checkups and health monitoring support longevity.