Burmese vs American Shorthair (The Great Analysis We Need)


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The Burmese cat is a well-loved breed from a hotspot of feline activity, Southeast Asia. The American Shorthair represents North America and is adored my many fans. This is a fascinating comparison since these two cat breeds have big differences between each other!

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

When considering Burmese vs American Shorthair, the American Shorthair wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds are loved, the American Shorthair is energetic, self-sufficient, and has excellent hunting skills. 

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 American Shorthair Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link):  Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair below!

Burmese Cat Appearance vs American Shorthair Appearance

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

American Shorthair Appearance

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair cat has a short, thick, dense coat and comes in numerous colors, patterns, and shades.

The eyes can be blue, hazel, copper, gold, green, or odd-eyed. It has a medium-size build, with the female weighing 8-12 pounds on average and the male weighing over 12 pounds.

The American Shorthair is heavily boned with a broad chest and strong jaws. Its legs are thick and robust, and it has a round face with short, well-spaced ears. The ear tips are rounded.

American Shorthair Colors

The American Shorthair can be found in these colors:

  • White
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Cream
  • Blue Cream
  • Chinchilla
  • Tortoiseshell
  • Came
  • Brown
  • Golden
  • Silver

The patterns can be found in Tabby, Bicolor, Tortoiseshell, Solid color, Tricolor, and Shaded.

Burmese Cat Hypoallergenic vs American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic?

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

Do American Shorthair Cats Shed?

American Shorthair cats usually shed moderately.  These cats have short but dense hair, and you should expect them to shed moderately throughout the entire year.  This means that if you plan to own an American Shorthair cat, you will want to be ready for the shedding hair. 

Our article discussing cats that shed a lot includes vital information on the American Shorthair and other higher shedding cat breeds:  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 an American Shorthair’s Fur Coat

The American Shorthair cat’s fur is dense and relatively easy to maintain. All it needs is to be brushed once or twice a week to eliminate any loose fur. It is unnecessary to bathe this breed too often, although sometimes bathing a cat will help control shedding fur. Ideally, you should get the cat used to the bath from a young age to become comfortable.

Burmese Personality vs American Shorthair Cat Personality

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

Burmese Personality

Video: Burmese Cat 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.

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.

American Shorthair Personality

Video: American Shorthair Cat Personality

The American Shorthair is easy going and gets along with people. It doesn’t crave too much attention, although it wouldn’t mind if it is given the same.

The American Shorthair cat is on the quiet side with its meows. It is easy to keep this breed amused; whether it is with a paper ball or a multi-colored string, it will find a reason to get amused!

American Shorthair Left Alone

The American Shorthair cat is comfortable being left alone or brought around different people in the family.  Since they are comfortable being left alone, this makes them an excellent option for single people, spend a decent part of the day away from the house or just only want one cat!

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 American Shorthair Cats Smart?

The American Shorthair is not known to have high cat intelligence. There seems to be some debate about how smart this cat breed is; however, it looks like this cat is one of the less intelligent breeds from my point of view.  It is possible some people feel this way due to the American Shorthair being easy-going.

We mention the American Shorthair and other cat breeds with lower intelligence in our article on the subject:  Click Here.

The American Shorthair loves being challenged with new games. Give it new puzzles or introduce it to interactive toys, and it will significantly enjoy itself!

It enjoys showcasing its hunting skills. This is no surprise since initially, it was bred for keeping away vermin and rodents from food stores!

Burmese Cat Lifespan vs American Shorthair Lifespan

There are significant differences in the feline lifespan of each of these cat breeds. 

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.

American Shorthair Lifespan

The normal American Shorthair Lifespan is 15 to 20 years. This is a pretty healthy lifespan, and you should have many quality years with your American Shorthair.

Enriching Your Feline’s Life

Merely owning a Burmese or American Shorthair 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 cat. 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 followed me around the house.  It turned out that she just wanted some 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 American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair 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 analyses the importance of cat grass:  Click Here.

Burmese Cat Health Issues vs American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair 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 which 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.

American Shorthair Health Issues

The American shorthair is usually healthy; however, it may be susceptible to some diseases. You have to watch its weight carefully as it may get obese and catch diseases such as diabetes and arthritis as a result.

You will want to watch for these conditions associated with the American Shorthair:

  • Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that may result in an American Shorthair becoming less mobile, and as a result, you could see your American Shorthair lose weight.  You will want to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your feline has hip dysplasia.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM):  This is a common heart disease found in felines that is hereditary.  A veterinary cardiologist would be a vital expert to consult in determining if your cat has HCM.

Burmese Price vs American Shorthair 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 American Shorthair kitten for sale, you will possibly be paying over a thousand dollars (Cha-Ching!).

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. 

American Shorthair Price

I did some research and found data on the prices for American Shorthair kittens for sale.  There are quite a few American Shorthair cattery websites online, and I looked over 7 of them, trying to find their pricing information for American Shorthair cats; however, not all of them had cat price information on their websites.

It appears the range of pricing for American Shorthair kittens for sale is $500-$5000, with the sweet spot around $1000. 

Silver Shorthairs

At Silver Shorthairs, you can expect to spend $1250 on pet quality American Shorthair kittens.  Breeder American Shorthair kittens will run you $1800.

Deposits at Silver Shorthairs are pretty low at $50.  This deposit is refundable up until you purchase your American Shorthair cat for sale.

Silver Shorthairs will transport kittens to their new owner.  They state the usual rate for transport is about $200 but can range depending on the airline used.  Sometimes, they may utilize a VIP transport option, if that is necessary.  Your cat will arrive in an airline-approved carrier that you are welcome to ship back to them for a $30 refund.

Silver Shorthairs accepts different payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and checks.

Cacao Cattery

Cacao Cattery generally charges between $600-$1000 per American Shorthair kitten for sale.  If you are looking for a breeder and show cat, you can expect those prices to start at $1200 and higher.  So, as you can see, you will want to do some research on the type of American Shorthair cat you are looking for.

Kelloggs Cattery

At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to pay around $1000 for pet quality American Shorthair kittens for sale.  They sell show quality American Shorthair kittens starting at $1500.  If you choose to buy two American Shorthair kittens, you can expect to receive a nice discount of $100.

Deposits will run you $100 for your American Shorthair kitten.  You should not expect a guarantee of receiving a cat if you do not give them a deposit. So, you will want to make that deposit.

At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to receive the following things with the purchase of your American Shorthair kitten:

  • Spay or Neuter
  • Current Vaccinations
  • Registration Papers
  • Health Certificate

Fenton Farm

Fenton Farm will charge you the following costs for American Shorthair kittens and cats for sale:

SexQualityPrice
Male KittenPet or Breeder$500-$1000
Female KittenPet or Breeder$500-$1500
Male KittenShow Potential Quality$1000-$3000
Female KittenShow Potential Quality$1500-$3000
Male or Female Young AdultPet or Retired Breeder$400
American Shorthair Costs

At Fenton Farm, you can expect to receive the following with your purchase of an American Shorthair cat:

  • Vaccination
  • Deworming
  • Litter-Registration
  • 30-day Complete Health Guarantee
  • Lifetime Replacement Guarantee Against Genetic or Congenital Defects

Burmese Breeders vs American Shorthair Cat Breeders

I found more information while researching cat breeders on American Shorthair 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.  

American Shorthair Cat Breeders

I found several American Shorthair cat breeder websites available, but the ones that I am going to highlight here are the ones that I thought included the most quality information on their websites. 

Silver Shorthairs

Silver Shorthairs is in Walla Walla, Washington, USA.  Brent and Thyra received their first American Shorthair in 2004 and fell in love with this breathtaking cat breed. They acquired a male American Shorthair cat and started breeding and raising these wonderful cats. Their original cattery was Talariah Cattery, which was started in an agricultural area inside Washington State wine country.

They were able to combine programs with another cattery, Silver Shorthairs.

This cattery has some great information on their website about what to expect on arrival day for your new American Shorthair cat. 

Cacao Cattery

Cacao Cattery originated in 1971 and appears to sit in the Dallas / Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas, USA.

Cacao Cattery not only breeds American Shorthair cats but also breeds American Wirehairs and has a Persian and Himalayan cat breeding program.  This cattery has quite impressive accolades, having become a cattery of distinction through Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).    They have produced over 200 CFA Grand Champions and Grand Premier cats.

This cattery has a mission to improve the feline breeds they work with and want all their cats to go to loving homes.  This cattery will even try to place their retired adults in quality homes as well.

The American Shorthair breeding program started in 2003.  These American Shorthairs were Silver Tabbies.  The American Wirehair cat program was started at Cacao Cattery in 2010.  Due to the smaller gene pool of the American Wirehair cat, Cacao Cattery is able to breed them (outcross them) to pedigreed American Shorthair cats to widen the genetic diversity.

Kelloggs Cattery

Kelloggs Cattery is in Maple Valley, Washington, USA.  The cattery is managed by Heinrich and Carly Kellogg and sits on 5.5 acres of land.

Kelloggs Cattery has a passion for cats since they are such wonderful creatures.  This cattery was a Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) Breed Council Member in 2010.  This is prestigious because it means they were valued advisors on breed standards to the Executive Board of the CFA.

Fenton Farm

Fenton Farm is in Warrenton, VA, USA.  Fenton Farm has a long history of working with animals since they started as a thoroughbred horse farm with two catteries.

You can tell Fenton Farm adores their American Shorthair cats, and they specifically call out the traits that they love about this cat, such as their hunting instinct, health, and intelligence.

Fenton Farm raises their American Shorthair kittens for sale in bedrooms inside their home so that they get familiarization with the sounds and activities of home life.  Their cattery is climate controlled (A/C and heat) and is disinfected continuously to keep it clean.

Burmese Cat Adoption vs American Shorthair 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 their 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 together how you are going to get the Burmese cat for adoption from point A to point B.

American Shorthair Cat Adoption

Adopting an American Shorthair kitten or American Shorthair cat is a great way to give an American Shorthair cat a loving home.  It looks like the two best websites to review if you are looking to adopt an American Shorthair cat are Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) and Rescue Me!

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 American Shorthairs.  One of the nice things about the American Shorthair Rescue through Rescue Me is that they show you a map of the USA and the available American Shorthair cats in each state (which makes it easy to visualize where the cats are).   There appear to be a lot of American Shorthair cats currently available.

Burmese Cat Sounds vs American Shorthair Sounds

Burmese Cat 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 Meow

American Shorthair Sounds

Video: American Shorthair Meow

American Shorthair cats known to be less vocal than other feline breeds.  This doesn’t mean they don’t make meow sounds, but you will probably hear them meow less than other cats. 

Burmese Cat History vs American Shorthair 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 original color, but now the Burmese cat is available in many colorations.

American Shorthair Cat History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bedmWQEniOw&t=60s
Video: American Shorthair Facts and History

The American Shorthair cat is believed to have originated in Europe and migrated to America along with European settlers.  The first American Shorthair cats were probably valued as mousers, meaning they likely were excellent hunters.

The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognized a cat that was meant to represent the North American working breeds in 1906.  This cat was initially named the Domestic Shorthair but is known as the American Shorthair now.  The breed was renamed to American Shorthair in 1966.

Since then, catteries and breeders have tried to breed quality American Shorthair cats by selectively breeding to control the characteristics of today’s American Shorthair cat.

Conclusion

Video: American Shorthair Cat Breed Spotlight

Both the Burmese cat and the American Shorthair cat are loving cats with intriguing feline histories.  If you are lucky enough to have either one of these super cats, I think you will be extremely happy. 

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

If you are thinking of purchasing a Burmese kitten or an American Shorthair kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do further research on breeders or catteries so you can be sure to get the high-quality kitten you are looking for!

If you enjoyed this article, check out a couple of other informative articles:

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.

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