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So, you want to get a Burmese cat, but you aren’t sure if you are the right home for them or they are the right cat for you. You are to be commended for doing your research; it is a great first step towards responsible pet ownership. Perhaps you are wondering if a Burmese cat will need company because you think that your own Burmese cat might be lonely.
Burmese cats need company. They are attached to their owners and derive pleasure and comfort from being around them. Burmese cats are dependent on their owners and cannot be left alone for long periods of time. They are not adapted to outside life, and companionship is vital to any indoor cat.
Unlike breeds such as the Ragdoll cat, whose affectionate nature is one of the main considerations in its careful breeding (although appearances are not disregarded). Burmese cats were and are still bred mostly for their distinctive coloration and round-featured appearance. But that doesn’t mean that Burmese cats aren’t affectionate. Read further for more!
Do Burmese Cats Need Company?
Burmese cats are universally proclaimed as being extremely affectionate and human-orientated cats. A Burmese cat is not likely to be attached to just one member of the family, but every family member will feel that they are irreplaceable to their Burmese cat.
Burmese cats are sweet and cuddly cats, happy to snuggle with you in bed or in front of the television. They will hop onto any available lap and may require quite a lot of convincing to leave such a prime sleeping spot.
If Burmese cats are left alone for long periods of time, they can become very unhappy. They absolutely adore their human families and really miss them when they are away. Burmese cats love interaction with people. To learn more about whether Burmese cats like to be held, check out my article: Click Here.
It is recommended that Burmese cats be kept indoors because they are fearless but also clueless about the potential dangers posed by the outside world. If, however, you do decide to allow your Burmese cat to wander in and out freely, you may find that they will seek the company of a willing neighbor if you are away too often. Hopefully this neighbor knows your cat already has a home!
If your neighbor enjoys these visits from your cat, consider purposefully leaving your Burmese cat with them while you are away.
Are Burmese Cats Playful?
Even though Burmese cats will never turn down a cuddle, they aren’t lazy! They actually behave like kittens long into their adult life and have plenty of energy for playing.
If you take the advice of the CFA and keep your Burmese cat indoors, you accept the responsibility of being their sole provider of entertainment and stimulation. This is not a heavy burden, however. Burmese cats have such attractive personalities that you will do anything for them.
Burmese cats love to play with toys, especially interactive toys. However, their favorite forms of play will involve their families. They even love to play fetch and will carry a toy around like a dog until they find someone to throw it for them.
They also like jumping and watching out the windows, so give your Burmese cat some cat trees to climb, cat shelves and beds located near a prime viewpoint.
Burmese Cats Love Being in The Middle of Everything
Burmese cats are busybodies who love to follow you around the house and get involved in whatever activities are on the go.
Your Burmese cat will also probably have an opinion about all these activities and will tell you all about it. Burmese cats are very vocal, chattering to their owners about anything and everything in their sweet voices.
Since Burmese cats like being around so much, you may wonder if you can let them outside for a while. Check out my article on if Burmese cats can go outside: Click Here.
Burmese Cat Separation Anxiety
Burmese cats are one of the breeds susceptible to developing separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is an extreme form of loneliness. It can develop in response to being continually left alone for long periods of time, inconsistency in your routines, which leave them unsure if and when their owners will return, and boredom.
Signs of loneliness in Burmese cats:
- Scratching and biting furniture, doors, window frames, etc.
- Abnormal litter box behavior (like urinating or defecating outside of the litter box).
- Reduced appetite.
- Gastric irritation.
- Overgrooming (a sign of extreme and long-term loneliness is the formation of bald patches).
- Unusual fearful or aggressive behavior.
Some cats display increased vocalization as a sign of loneliness. But this may be difficult to notice in your already incredibly vocal Burmese cat.
Ideal Homes for Burmese Cats
Single-person homes where the owner works part-time or full-time from home. In these homes, neither the Burmese cat nor the owner will even be lonely.
Big families and families with children of all ages. As mentioned earlier, Burmese cats love every member of the household. They are even-tempered and playful, making them ideal cats for homes with small children. If your kids want to try dressing the cat up, a Burmese cat will often let them. It will also accept being toted around or pushed in a pram like a doll.
These silky, medium-sized cats are a lot sturdier than they look, which you will figure out as soon as you try to pick them up. So, while teaching small children good cat manners is vital, they won’t be playing a delicate or fragile feline.
Additionally, their short, silky coat is not prone to matting or tangling, so allowing them to participate in dress-up games won’t make grooming a nightmare. Speaking of their coat, check out my article on if Burmese cats shed: Click Here.
Busy homes with strangers and guests coming and going often. Burmese cats are confident, human-orientated cats. They have even been described as extroverts. They are not likely to run and hide from guests or strangers.
If you run a lodge, a bed and breakfast, or a home business, your Burmese cat will take the comings and goings of visitors in its stride and will more than likely win the hearts of almost every guest.
Do Burmese Cats Like Other Cats?
Burmese cats have an overly sweet and tolerant nature, making them ideal in multi-pet homes (provided the other pets are amenable). Hill’s Pet suggests that Burmese cats are more tolerant of fellow Burmese cats than they are of other breeds.
According to the CFA, Burmese cats are addictive, and most owners end up with two or more of these delightful cats. So, if they get on better with other Burmese cats, this can be used as an excuse to get a second one!
Some older cats are distressed by the introduction of a high-energy kitten, but as Burmese cats are just big kittens themselves, this should not be a problem.
Getting a second cat can help to prevent loneliness in your Burmese cat when you are away at work, but if you will be away longer than that, they will need human care and companionship. Remember, your Burmese cat also loves you specifically, so if you are someone who often travels for work or pleasure, it may be wise to consider getting a different breed.
Conclusion
Burmese cats definitely need company. While the company of another cat, a pet sitter, or friend will be acceptable for a certain amount of time, Burmese cats become very attached to their particular families and can become lonely and unhappy if separated from them for long periods of time.
Burmese cats are playful, vocal, and love to be in the thick of whatever is happening in their home. Burmese cats will happily join in with children who are playing dress-up and will even allow themselves to be treated like dolls.
The Burmese cat is a great breed if you live alone and work from home and if you run a home business and have lots of strangers coming and going. They are perfect for loud, busy, family homes; they are fine with other pets and absolutely adore children.
The Burmese is an excellent companion, but they need you to commit to them and be an excellent companion in return.
If you enjoyed this article, check out a few more:
- Maine Coon vs Burmese (Best Feline Comparison): Click Here.
- Devon Rex vs Burmese (Remarkably Unique Cats!): Click Here.
- Burmese vs American Shorthair (The Great Analysis We Need): Click Here.
