The Burmese cat is one of the most beautiful and elegant cat breeds. Famous for its silky fur, adorable blue eyes and friendly nature, they require suitable grooming to keep them healthy and looking amazing. In this article, we present a comprehensive guide to the care of Burmese cats.
1. Coat care
The Burmese cat has semi-long, silky fur that has no undercoat. This makes it less likely to have mats, contrary to other long-haired breeds, but it still requires regular grooming.
- How often am I supposed to brush my cat? It is sufficient to brush your cat twice or three times a week to avoid coat tangling.
- What brushes should I use? Make sure you use a natural bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb.
- What about the shedding period? In spring and autumn, we’d recommend combing your cat daily to remove dead hair and reduce the amount of hair in the house.
2. Bathing - is it necessary?
Most Burmese cats take excellent care of keeping their coat clean, so regular bathing is not required. However, it is a pretty good idea to bathe your cat if its coat becomes excessively dirty or oily. Use gentle cat shampoos and remember to rinse them well.
3. Eye and ear care
- Eyes: Burmese cats have large, blue eyes that can tear on occasion. Make sure you regularly wipe them with a cotton pad soaked in lukewarm water or a special eye wash for cats.
- Ears: Check your cat's ears once a week and gently clean them with a wet cotton pad if earwax builds up
4. Take proper care of their claws and teeth
- Claw trimming: Trim claws every 2 or 3 weeks to prevent excessive keratinisation and protect people against accidental scratching.
- Oral hygiene: If you clean their teeth with a special toothbrush and cat toothpaste on a regular basis, it helps prevent tartar and gum disease.
A healthy diet - the key to beautiful fur and health
Your Burmese cat’s diet will have a huge impact on their appearance and health.
- What food should you choose? High-quality dry and wet food rich in animal protein will do the trick.
- Suplementation: omega-3 and omega-6 acids support their coat and skin health.
- Avoid: dairy products, as they can cause lactose intolerance, and cheap grain cat foods, which do not provide the nutrients that your cat needs.
6. Health and prevention
Burmese cats are a pretty healthy breed but there are a few health issues that are worth looking at, i.e.:
- Regular visits to the vet: a check-up at least once a year is recommended
- Vaccinations: protect your cat against infectious diseases such as feline panleukopenia and herpesvirus.
- Anti-parasite treatment: regular deworming and use of anti-flea products should do.
Burmese cat at home - how to create a comfortable environment?
- Scratching post and toys: Burmese cats love staying active and playing so it is worth providing scratching posts and interactive toys.
- Clean litter tray: Burmese cats are very clean and sensitive to the condition of the litter tray. Make sure you keep the cat litter clean to ensure highly hygienic conditions
- Time with the carer: They are a very sociable breed and very much attached to people. Burmese cats do not take staying alone too long that well so try to make time every day to play with them and pet them.
They make an extremely charming and intelligent breed and they will show you loads of gratitude and affection if you give them the right care. Regular coat grooming, eye and ear hygiene, a healthy diet and the right amount of attention and playtime will keep your cat healthy and happy. Remember, a well-groomed Burmese not only equals beautiful appearance, but also a long and healthy life at the side of its carer!
