Siamese vs Burmese (The Unbelievably Gigantic Review)


More Meows is an Amazon Associate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

The Siamese cat is quite famous and represents Southeast Asia.  The Burmese cat is well-known in cat circles but less famous with the average person.  The Burmese cat also represents Southeast Asia. They are two separate cat breeds from approximately the same geographic area, and a comparison between the two cats is in order!

This article tackles traits such as their physical appearance, lifespan, intelligence level, and temperament.  So, when comparing the Siamese vs Burmese, which feline is the winner?

When considering Siamese vs Burmese, the Siamese wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds are well-known and loved, the Siamese cat is talkative, quite intelligent, pet-friendly, and exceptionally affectionate. 

Cat Product Note:  I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life.  These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you.  These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!

For Burmese Cats:

  • I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Burmese cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here.
  • The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Burmese catsClick Here.  This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Burmese cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.

For Siamese Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link):  Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Siamese cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link):  Click Here.

We go into more detail about the different considerations in deciding between the Burmese vs Siamese below!

Siamese Appearance vs Burmese Appearance

Let’s start by discussing the appearances of Burmese cats and Siamese cats.

Burmese Cat Appearance

Burmese Cat

Burmese Cats are domestic cats, and they are small to midsized cats averaging between 6 to 12 pounds. Male Burmese Cats can weigh up to 12 pounds. Female Burmese Cats usually weigh from 6 pounds to 10 pounds in weight.

Burmese Cat Colors

Burmese cats can have a wide range of colors that show up on their fur coats. Burmese Cats are available with combinations of colors and a few patterns. They could contain any of the following colors:

  • Blue
  • Platinum
  • Lilac
  • Fawn
  • Red
  • Sable
  • Chocolate
  • Cinnamon
  • Tortoiseshell
  • Champagne
  • Cream

Burmese Cats are going to be in the following patterns:

  • Solid color
  • Tortoiseshell

Burmese Cats have solid colors that can be evenly separated all over the body with a Tortoiseshell pattern (somewhere) and lightly shaded undercoat. Burmese Cats have wide ears on a broad head over an average body.  They are really nice-looking felines.

Siamese Appearance

Siamese Cat

Siamese cats have an exotic Asian aesthetic appearance, boasting a lean and extended tubular-shaped body with darker shades on the tail, feet, and face. This is topped with a wedge-shaped head, substantial triangular ears, and bright blue slanted yet almond-shaped eyes.

They are medium-sized cats, with males growing to weigh around 11 – 15lbs, and females weighing around 8 – 12lbs.

Siamese cats have slender legs with longer hind legs, which results in a distinctive stance and strut, and they have long, thin tails that taper towards the tip. They also appear to have a ‘mask’ on their face, with shades surrounding the whisker pads and eyes.

Siamese Colors

Video: Veterinarian Discusses Siamese Cats

Siamese cats come in a range of colors, including brown, chocolate, blue gray, lilac, ivory, cream, and glacial white.  This cat can come in a Tabby pattern also. 

Their relatively muscular bodies are generally a lighter color tone.

Siamese Hypoallergenic vs Burmese Cat Hypoallergenic

Are Burmese Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, Burmese cats are not hypoallergenic.  Since the Burmese cat is a short-haired cat breed, they are thought to be hypoallergenic; however, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. Even “hairless” cat breeds like the Sphynx aren’t hypoallergenic.

With or without a big fur coat, every cat breed sheds dead skin cells (that often have cat saliva on them), causing a cat allergy in humans.

Do Burmese Cats Shed?

Yes, Burmese cats shed, but they do not shed that much.  The coat of the Burmese cat is not the source of the allergy. Cat fur can contribute to the allergy because the dead skin cells on the cat hair spread throughout your house and onto your clothes, but the hair is not an allergen.

The actual allergen is thought to be in the cat saliva that is often on the shed cat fur.  The Burmese cat doesn’t shed much, so they need very little grooming. 

For excellent information on Burmese cat shedding, check out our article:  Click Here.

Are Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?

Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic. You should expect that this cat breed will affect your cat allergies if you have them.

Do Siamese Cats Shed?

This cat is a great option if you are looking for a relatively low shedding feline friend. These cats love humans, so they will love it when you do end up brushing them.  They will probably think you are showing affection!

We look at the Siamese cat’s shedding and other low-shedding cat breeds in our article:  Click Here.

Maintaining a Burmese Cat’s Fur Coat

Burmese Cat

Burmese cats have a short, soft coat that doesn’t need too much grooming—brushing a Burmese once a week to remove dead; loose hair is sufficient…just make sure you are gentle. Burmese cats seldom need baths, so be careful that you are not over bathing this cat. Other grooming that might be needed is regular cleaning of the ears or trimming of the nails.

Maintaining a Siamese’s Fur Coat

Since their fur coats do not shed very often, maintaining a healthy and soft coat is quite simple. They will need to be combed at least once a week to keep them tangle and mat-free. However, they should not be over groomed, as this could cause negative effects.   Additionally, you will not want to bathe them very often. 

Siamese Cat Personality vs Burmese Cat Personality

The Burmese cat has a personality that is distinct from the Siamese, so they are worth comparing.

Burmese Personality

Burmese cats love people. They love to play with their cat owners, especially when they are kittens or young adults. When a Burmese cat gets older, they can become introverted. Burmese cats can be trained to do tricks because they are smart. Some people say the Burmese cat acts like a dog because of its desire to be with their humans all the time.

Video: Burmese Personality and Physical Info

Burmese cats are quite vocal and will let their caregivers know what they want. They are good around children, dogs and are comfortable around other Burmese cats but might not get along with other feline breeds.

When Burmese cats are not playing or “talking,” they love receiving attention and affection, so owning a Burmese cat means lots of cuddles, stroking, and snuggling. I would never take a Burmese cat outside unless I was doing it in a controlled way, like through a cat backpack, cat stroller, cat harness, and leash, or Catio. Burmese cats are very trusting and fearless, which could be dangerous when they go out of their safe home.

Burmese Left Alone

I would not leave a Burmese cat alone for long periods because they want to be around humans so much.  Due to this, you may want to consider adopting a feline friend to keep your Burmese cat company. 

They should be comfortable around other Burmese cats; however, if you consider other cat breeds, my advice would be to let the cats meet ahead of time to see if they will get along. 

If you do end up looking to adopt another cat to keep your Burmese cat company, I would consider a Domestic Shorthair, like my cat Charlotte.  They are great cats, and there are usually many available for adoption.

Siamese Personality

Video: Siamese Personality

The Siamese breed is highly active and energetic and loves to play and run jump around. They are very loving and attentive cats and enjoy the company by spending time with other adults, caregivers, children, and other pets like cats or dogs.

They are most comfortable when they have another cat in the home to share their time and space, mainly if it’s another Siamese, and they hate being left alone at home.

Siamese cats are incredibly chatty and emit a broad range of naturally resonating sounds, including a sound that somewhat resembles a human infant’s cry. They will talk to anyone keen on listening to them, as well as to those who are not.

Siamese Left Alone

I would not leave a Siamese cat alone since Siamese cats enjoy company.  They thrive off having friendship, to the extent that humans cannot always offer. Getting a playmate for this breed is a great idea for caregivers to ensure they are getting the social activity they demand.

Are Burmese Cats Intelligent?

Burmese cats are a smart and trainable cat breed. Being very people-oriented, they tend to have exceptionally playful, dog-like characteristics and can be taught several tricks such as “tag” or “fetch.” Burmese cats are a social cat breed and likely need a companion to prevent boredom and loneliness.

Are Siamese Cats Smart?

Siamese cats are incredibly intelligent and will consistently seek out activities or distractions to keep themselves busy. Paired with their high energy levels, this can amount to plenty of built-up liveliness and shenanigans.

But, they are relatively easy to train and channel this energy and intelligence constructively, and activities for building their intelligence such as puzzle feeders and games will aid in keeping your Siamese out of trouble.

Siamese Lifespan vs Burmese Cat Lifespan

There are some differences in the feline lifespan of these cats, but also considerable overlap. 

Burmese Cat Lifespan

The usual lifespan of The Burmese Cat is from 10 to 17 years. But Burmese cats need proper care and good nutrition if the owner wants to enhance the cat’s life span.

Siamese Lifespan

Siamese cats typically live for approximately 12 – 15 years.  If you take great care of your Siamese cat, I think you might have a good chance of hitting the higher end of this age range, but that is something you should discuss with your veterinarian.

Enriching Your Feline’s Life

Merely owning a Burmese or Siamese cat is not enough.  As a good cat owner, you will likely want your cat to live their best life possible.

Let’s explore some ways to enrich your cat’s life:

Give your Cat Affection

Being affectionate and giving your feline friend a little more affection is crucial to the bond between humans and cats. A loved cat is usually a purring cat. Cats might not show their love back like some other animals, but it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t need that love. Felines just express themselves in different ways.

An excellent example of this is my feline friend, a domestic shorthair cat named Charlotte, who just jumped up on my desk as I was writing this.  She was asking for some attention and pets.  I spent some time giving her affection, and she was purring a lot.

Cats can benefit from your love and affection so much. If you choose to ignore your kitten, it will gradually develop disinterest and may not feel lively. Most people don’t even consider this aspect at all. But the simplest form of affection might make your cat a happier feline!

Taking your Cat Outside

It is NOT recommended for house cats to explore outside by themselves freely; however, there are plenty of ways to take your cat outdoors with you. If your cat is curious about the outside world, you might want to take them outside with a harness and a leash.

It’s essential to find a harness that snugly fits your pet and makes sure that they feel comfortable wearing it before they venture outside. We take a closer look at cat harnesses and if they are safe in our article:  Click Here.

If your feline is more of the observer type, then a unique cat backpack or cat stroller might be more their speed. Don’t be fooled, though; these forms of going outdoors can be just as spectacular as walking on a leash. Your cat gets to enjoy new scenery, new smells, and fresh air.

For more information on whether your cat might like a cat stroller, take a look at our article on the subject:  Click Here.

  • I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Burmese cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here.
  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link):  Click Here

Cats Love Cat Condos

Cat condos or cat trees are a must for felines because they tend to live in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Having a high spot to hang out in helps with your cat’s sense of security; they have the high ground, after all.

A cat condo is also a good spot for viewing the home’s indoor world, especially if the cat condo has integrated toys or scratching posts. Make sure that your cat tree has areas that are big and sturdy enough to hold your cat.

Our article on if cats really do like cat condos / cat trees:  Click Here.

My cat, Charlotte, uses her cat condo multiple times a day.  I frequently find her perched on the top platform, in the cat house, or scratching on the scratch posts – which is precisely where I want her to scratch (not my furniture!).

I recommend this cat condo / cat tree for both the Burmese cat and the Siamese cat (see links below).

  • The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Burmese catsClick Here.  This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here

Catios Are Wonderful

If you have access to a backyard, you might want to buy a cat enclosure (Catio).  Here are some key considerations when looking for (and using) a good Catio:

  1. This space should have a strong cover, and the wire should be partially buried to prevent predator attacks.
  2. Your cat should never be out in extreme weather conditions, and you should be nearby to watch them.
  3. The space should include a variety of toys and perches. If you look to purchase a Catio, you will often see places for a cat to perch or lay.
  4. Make sure it is easy for you to keep clean.
  5. Make sure your feline always has access to fresh water. Lots of people underestimate how much water a cat needs to drink.  If you take your cat outside, bring water.
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Burmese cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Siamese cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link):  Click Here.

Cat Grass for The Win

Most felines love chewing on grass, so cat grass is a solid choice.  Cat Grass consists of a grass mixture such as wheat, oats, or rye and is different from outdoor grass you have on your lawn.

Cat Grass contains vitamins and minerals, which are quite beneficial to the digestive system of felines. It’s a tasty, healthful snack that also provides happiness for your cat. 

Our article that analyzes the importance of cat grass:  Click Here.

Siamese Health Issues vs Burmese Cat Health Issues

Let’s talk about the different health issues that these two feline breeds generally have to face. This is a vital topic since a cat owner will want to know about and be prepared for their Burmese cat or Siamese cat’s future health prospects.

Burmese Health Problems

Burmese cats may be susceptible to the following health issues:

  • Diabetes Mellitus: Burmese cats in Europe and Australia are at higher risk of diabetes mellitus. The American Burmese do not share this higher risk due to the genetic differences between American Burmese and other Burmese cats.
  • Hypokalemia: This is a genetic disease that has symptoms which include skeletal muscle weakness. Consequently, the feline can have challenges walking and holding up their head correctly. In the worst cases, this health issue can result in death if not treated appropriately by veterinary staff.
  • Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS): Some Burmese bloodlines suffer from a teething disorder in kittens. The second teeth’ eruption causes discomfort, and the young cat will sometimes scratch at its face to alleviate the pain. The outbreak of the new teeth in the jaw that causes this health problem to begin may not get better until they have erupted, by which time the problem ceases.

Siamese Health Issues

The Siamese breed is more prone to certain conditions as a result of their unique head shape. These include respiratory illnesses, periodontal disease, retinal atrophy, and glaucoma.

They may also suffer from bladder stones or heart problems at a later stage in their life, and regular visits to the veterinarian are crucial for maintaining this breed’s health over time. 

They may also hold some physical abnormalities such as a kinked tail or crosses eyes, but there is no need for concern as they add more character than discomfort for the cat. This breed may also suffer from anxiety-related conditions if left alone at home too much.

Siamese Cat Price vs Burmese Cat Price

The prices for these two cat breeds can both get pretty high depending on demand and the quality of the feline.  If you are looking for a high-quality Burmese kitten for sale or a high-quality Siamese kitten for sale, you will quite possibly pay over a thousand dollars!

Burmese Price

I researched and found that the general price range for a Burmese cat was between $1500-$1800.

Evita Burmese

I researched Burmese cat breeders to find Burmese cat costs, and I discovered Evita Burmese and Bombay, a Burmese cat breeder in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and Minnesota, USA.  Their Burmese kittens cost between $1600-$1800.  They have a waiting list that you will want to be on if you are interested in purchasing a Burmese cat for sale.

Mocha Blast Burmese

I also found Mocha Blast Burmese, a Burmese cat breeder in Northern, CA, USA.  They also have a Bombay cat breeding operation.    Mocha Blast Burmese charges $1500 for Burmese kittens for sale. 

You will want to get a refundable deposit if you are interested in one of their Burmese cats.  It also appears they take PayPal and personal checks for payment. 

Siamese Price

I was able to find some websites for Siamese breeders and looked up the Siamese price information.  The Siamese cat cost ranged from $600 to $2500.  It is important that when purchasing a Siamese cat that you do so from an ethical breeder.  If your gut tells you that what you are paying is too low, it is probably a scam.

Responsible breeding of Siamese cats has a monetary cost.  This is because there are costs associated with the following:

  • Breeding cats that have paperwork registering them
  • Premium cat food
  • Supplements
  • Litter
  • Scratching posts
  • Registration costs
  • Website management
  • Time spent with the cats
  • Veterinary visits
  • Spay or Neuter

Black & Tan Siamese Cattery

Black & Tan Cattery charges a range of $600-$1500 for Siamese cats.  They consider their operating expenses when pricing their Siamese cats, which is probably a good business decision.  You should expect your Siamese kitten to be seen by a veterinarian before purchase and the health to be guaranteed. 

The Siamese cats will receive age-appropriate vaccines, but as the owner, you should expect to continue this process after you take ownership. 

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery charges $800 per Siamese kitten.  You should expect to pay a non-refundable $300 fee to have them hold a Siamese kitten for you.  If you use PayPal, you should expect the fees to total $310 for deposit and $515 for the rest of the balance. 

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery used to ship cats but does not ship any longer.  They do offer a reduced $100 price if you buy more than one Siamese kitten (or if you are a repeat customer). 

Blue Eyes Cattery

Blue Eyes Cattery charges an all-inclusive price of $2500 for Siamese kittens for sale.  This cost covers all the things that are necessary to raise a healthy pedigreed Siamese kitten, many of which we listed above (spay or neuter, registration, etc.). 

Blue Eyes Cattery wants you to think about your Siamese kitten costs as an investment in the 15-20 years of love that they will bring to your household. With Blue Eyes Cattery, you will be investing in a quality Siamese kitten.

Siamese Cat Breeders vs Burmese Cat Breeders

I found more information while researching cat breeders on Siamese cats than on Burmese cats, but I found enough to compare the catteries.

Burmese Breeders

Burmese cat breeders take a ton of pride in providing high-quality Burmese kittens to the people that love them.

Evita Burmese

At Evita Burmese and Bombay, they are focused on producing Burmese cats that meet important Burmese cat standards.  It is important that the Burmese kittens they produce meet the expectations of a sweet disposition for Burmese cat personality and are genetically and physically healthy. 

Evita Burmese and Bombay cattery won the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Midwest Region Spotlight Award in 2012.  They are also a 2020 CFA breed council member. 

Evita Burmese’s website also offers some great tips for improving as a cat owner, such as daily exercise to keep your cat in shape.  These tips are worth a quick read. 

Mocha Blast Burmese

Mocha Blast Burmese and Bombay is in Northern California, USA, and the Burmese cattery was originated as an outlet out of love for the Burmese cat and as an operation that could grow as the owner’s knowledge improved over time.  They really love the Traditional American Burmese cat breed. 

Mocha Blast Burmese and Bombay also makes it clear that they offer a health guarantee with their quality Burmese kittens.  They state that a health guarantee is important when buying any pedigreed kitten but that they take pride in keeping their Burmese cats up to health standards. 

Mocha Blast Burmese also recommends new owners get their new Burmese kittens seen by a veterinarian within seven days of taking the feline’s receipt.  

Siamese Cat Breeders

Siamese cats are one of the cat breeds that usually comes to anyone’s mind when they think about felines.  So, it is essential that if you are breeding them that you keep to the necessary standards set forth by organizations like TICA and CFA.

Black & Tan Cattery

Black & Tan Siamese Cattery is registered with CFA.  This means they keep to their standards when breeding pedigreed Siamese kittens.  Additionally, Black & Tan cattery is the owner’s hobby, and they run this operation because they enjoy it, not because they wanted a business.

Black & Tan Cattery ensures their Siamese kittens are healthy, have a good temperament, and are socialized.  They have a mission to improve the breed for posterity, which is very noble. They feed their Siamese cats premium cat foods from Royal Canin. 

This is what their breeding cats eat, and then when the kittens get old enough, they also feed them Royal Canin options as well.

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery is a small in-home cattery that is dedicated to breeding traditional Apple Head and Classic Siamese cats.  These Siamese kittens are well socialized as they state that they are all raised by hand.

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery ensures their cats have plenty of enrichment through premium cat food, cat condos, cat toys, etc.  They feed their Siamese cats Kitten and Adult Purina Pro Plan. 

Rosebud’s Siamese cats are purebred from registered lines that are CFA, Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF), and American Cat Association (ACA) registered.

Blue Eyes Cattery

Blue Eyes Cattery is a Siamese cattery located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, USA.  This is in Southern Maryland.  The cattery is located at their 8000 square foot home, which sits on 15 acres of land. They have a stud cottage that was built in 2010 at the cost of $50,000.

Blue Eyes Cattery is serious about taking an environmental approach and ensures that their cats never encounter harmful chemicals. This means they take special care to use safe, natural cleaners in their operation.

If you contact Blue Eyes Cattery about visiting them, there are some precautions they will expect you to take to reduce the risk of transmitting anything to their kittens.

  • Removing your shoes at the doorway
  • Prior to handling kittens, you must wash and sanitize your hands
  • You must wear clean clothing with no contact with other pets

Blue Eyes Cattery does not condone the inbreeding of cats because they can cause health issues and defects.

This cattery is registered with the following organizations:

  • Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)
  • Traditional Cat Association (TCA)
  • American Cat Association (ACA)

Additionally, Blue Eyes Cats have generations of strong ancestry with Champion and Grand Champions.

Burmese Cat Adoption vs Siamese Adoption

Burmese Cat Adoption

Adopting a Burmese kitten or cat is a spectacular way to give a cat a loving home.  The NABB’s Burmese Breed Rescue Program seems like the best place to look if you are trying to adopt a Burmese cat.

NABB Burmese Breed Rescue Program

The NABB is the National Association of Burmese Breeders.  They have a Burmese Breed Rescue program that was established in the year 2000. 

The idea behind this program is not to aggregate Burmese cats that need adoption all in one physical place, but to instead provide an online way for Burmese cats that need new homes to get connected with the new owners that will adopt them.   

They state that they see about 85 requests to re-home Burmese cats in a given year.  These cats may be in another state, so if you are interested in them, you will need to talk to the current owner and figure out how you will get the Burmese cat for adoption from point A to point B.

Siamese Cat Adoption

Adopting a Siamese kitten or Siamese cat is a great way to give a Siamese cat a loving home.  It looks like there are a few good options to review if you are looking to adopt a Siamese cat, such as Siamese Rescue, Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR), and Rescue Me!

Siamese Rescue

Siamese Rescue is working to help homeless cats nationwide. The website brings together a collaboration of individually operated rescue organizations that are non-profits.  They go on to state that each of the organizations represented has what you would expect from a non-profit:

  • Separate 501(c)(3)
  • Its own Board of Directors
  • Policies and Procedures

The four organizations that I saw mentioned were the following:

  • Siamese Cat Rescue Center
  • Rocky Mountain Siamese Rescue
  • Pacific Siamese Rescue
  • Southern California Siamese Rescue

The Siamese Rescue website states that they have rescued 25,803 Siamese cats when this article was written.  That is a ton of cats!

In addition to providing ways for you to adopt a Siamese cat and to contribute to their non-profit, Siamese Rescue also provides some informative articles on cat education.

Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue

This group has been working to find wonderful homes for abandoned or surrendered purebred cats for 21 years!  That is an exceptionally long time to be doing this.  Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) gives you the ability to search for available purebred cats on their website. 

SPCR states that the approximate adoption fee for a purebred mix cat (if you don’t mind if your cat is mixed) is $75-$175.  The adoption fee for purebred cats is $100-$400.  The adoption fee for rare breed purebred cats is $250-$600.

These adoption fees include:

  • Spay or Neuter
  • Feline Leukemia/FIV Testing
  • Distemper Vaccination
  • Microchipping
  • Deworming
  • A Flea Free Feline
  • Grooming
  • Temperament Testing
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Blood Panels for Older Cats (If Necessary)

Rescue Me!

Rescue Me is an animal rescue network that looks for loving homes for many cat breeds, including Siamese cats.  One of the nice things about the Siamese Rescue through Rescue Me is that they show you a map of the USA and the available Siamese cats in each state (which makes it easy to visualize where the cats are).  

There appear to be a lot of Siamese cats currently available.

Burmese Sounds vs Siamese Sounds

Burmese Sounds

Burmese cats are well-known to be quite talkative cats with soft voices.  This means you will hear this cat, which adores people, talking to you, but it will be super sweet sounds.  Below is a video of Burmese cats using their soft voices.

Video: Burmese Cat Sounds

Siamese Sounds

You are going to hear the well-known sounds from a Siamese cat.  Siamese cats are known to be quite vocal!  To prove this, see the below video of a Siamese meow.  

Video: Siamese Cat Sounds

Burmese Cat History vs Siamese History

Burmese Cat History

Historically, Burmese cats come from a hotbed of feline creation, Southeast Asia, specifically Burma, in this case.  It is generally thought that most Burmese cats are descended from a cat named Wong Mau, who was brought to the USA in 1930 and bred with an American Siamese cat. 

There are two different offshoot breeds of Burmese cats, the American Burmese cat, and the European Burmese cat.  The European Burmese is thought to have been brought about by British breeders. Historically, in Burmese cat lore, the Sable (dark brown) color is the Burmese cat’s original color, but now the Burmese cat is available in many colorations.

Siamese Cat History

Siamese cats are known to have been initially exported from Siam (Thailand) in the 1800s.  These cats are known to be an ancient breed of cat that is obviously recognized anywhere now.  Siamese cats have been temple cats in Siam that were gifted to an American President in 1878.  

A breeding pair of Siamese cats are thought to have traveled to the United Kingdom in 1884.  After this, the Siamese cat breed started appearing in more places worldwide, especially Europe and Asia.  The Cat Fanciers Association officially recognized the Siamese cat breed in 1906.

Conclusion

Video: Siamese Cat Information

Both the Burmese cat and the Siamese cat are intelligent cats with special characteristics.  If you are lucky enough to have either one of these terrific cats, I think you will be extremely happy!

Personally, after researching this article, I think the Siamese cat is superior to the Burmese cat.  You will need to judge for yourself, though, because you might weigh different feline traits differently than I do.

If you are thinking of purchasing a Burmese kitten or a Siamese kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do more research on breeders or catteries so you can be sure to get the right kitten you are looking for!

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

Recent Posts