 In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Burmese cat. The Burmese cat is medium-sized, with a rounded head and an elegant yet well-muscled body. The breed is not as large and sturdy as the British Shorthair cat breed nor is slender and dandy as Siamese cats. The eyes are large and lustrous and may be any shade of yellow, often seeming to change in variations in light quality. The tail is straight and ends in a rounded paintbrush tip. The fine, short glossy coat is a distinctive feature of the Burmese cat and lies close to the body. The Burmese cat comes in 10 colors but in all colors, the underparts will be lighter than the back and the shading will be gradual. Here are some of the interesting facts about the Burmese cat, which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament. 1. Burmese cat's history. The ancestors of the Burmese are the Siamese and the Copper cat of Burma. It's thought that they were temple and palace cats bred and kept by priests. The matriarch of the modern Burmese was a small, dark brown cat named Wang Mao. She belonged to Dr. Joseph Thompson, who either required her from a sailor or brought her back himself from his travels, depending on which store you believe. Wang Mao was at first thought to be a Siamese with a chocolate colored coat. Such Siamese wasn't unheard of. Chocolate Siamese was described in the 1880s. Their bodies were tan or brown, and they had seal brown or nearly black points. The seal point Siamese, also known as royal Siamese, had lighter bodies that contrasted with their dark points and were preferred by breeders in the public. The chocolate colored cats eventually disappeared in Britain, but they still existed in Thailand and Burma, where they were probably the offspring of natural matings between free roaming Siamese and solid colored Burmese cats. Wang Mao was one of them. Dr. Thompson bred Wang Mao to a seal point Siamese named Tai Mao. His breeding program, in conjunction with breeders Virginia Cobb and Billy Gerst and geneticist Clyde Keeler, produced kittens with beige, brown, and pointed coats. The results, including the discovery of the Burmese gene, were so interesting that Thompson published an article on the subject in a 1943 issue of the Journal of Heredity, the first such piece on feline genetics. 2. Burmese Cat's Personality The Burmese is energetic and friendly. He has the charm and determination of his Siamese ancestors, and enjoys conversation as much as that breed, but his voice is soft and sweet, belying his tendency to run the household with an iron paw sheathed in velvety fur. He is highly intelligent and seeks out human companionship, so he's not best suited to a home where he will be left alone much of the day. If no humans will be around to engage his intellect, be sure he has the company of another pet. He gets along well with other cats and with dogs, but of course another Burmese will be his best pal. The Burmese is about as curious as cats come. Expect him to explore your home thoroughly and know all of its nooks and crannies. He is playful and remains so into adulthood. Teases clever mind with interactive toys, and teach him tricks that will allow him to show off for an audience. Besides sit, roll over, wave and cum, he can learn to fetch a small toy or walk on a leash. With proper early conditioning, car rides and vet visits will be a breeze. A Burmese is a good choice if you don't object to complete loss of privacy. This cat will want to be involved in everything you do, from reading the newspaper and working at the computer to preparing meals and watching television. He will, of course, sleep on the bed with you and may even snuggle under the covers. When you are sitting down, he will be in your lap or right next to you, waiting expectantly to be petted. You will be scolded if you ignore him. Guess will receive his full attention, and it is likely that he will win over even those who claim to dislike cats. A female Burmese is the very definition of queenliness. She likes attention, and she likes to be in charge. Males are more restful, satisfied to fill a lap. 3. They're the extroverts of the cat world. If a lap cat is what you seek, the Burmese cat will be glad to oblige. They've got killer cuddling skills, and they'd prefer to be in the company of their owners. Endlessly curious, the Burmese have a habit of getting into things. They like to investigate their owner's activities from a high vantage point usually their owner's shoulders. If you're considering adding a Burmese cat to the family, be prepared for an energetic and engaging playmate whose greatest desire is to be involved in all household activity. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out, BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife, to get 20% off. 4. Burmese cats health concerns. Burmese cats are quite robust health-wise but some lines of the breed do seem to be susceptible to diabetes mellitus. Hypoglylemic polymyopathy, a muscle weakness due to low levels of blood potassium is seen occasionally in young Burmese cats. A few Burmese cats have developed an unusual condition called feline orophacial pain syndrome. This condition causes exaggerated licking and chewing movements and pawing at the mouth, which can be very distressing for the cat. In the USA there has been a problem with a head and brain deformity but is not reported in the UK. Some lines of Burmese cat breeds also have unusual eating habits and will eat wool garments and other inedible items, this is known as pika. 5. Taking care of Burmese cat. The soft, short coat of the Burmese is easily cared for with weekly brushing or combing to remove dead hair and distribute skin oil. A bath is rarely necessary. Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don't run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50 to 50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear. Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, Burmese are very particular about bathroom hygiene. It's a good idea to keep a Burmese as an indoor only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Burmese who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it. 6. Burmese cats coat color. The Burmese are often described as a brick wrapped in silk, a testament to his solid, muscular body. While the original Burmese was a dark solid brown color known as sable, he now comes in other shades as well, including blue champagne and platinum. The cats have a compact body with a rounded head, large, expressive eyes in gold or yellow, and medium sized ears that are rounded at the tips and tilt slightly forward. The coat is short and satiny. The traditional sable is a rich, warm brown, slightly lighter on the underbody. A kitten's coat darkens as it matures. Nose leather and paw pads are brown. A champagne colored Burmese is a warm honey beige shading to a pale gold tan on the underside. Nose leather is a light warm brown and paw pads are a warm pinkish tan. Blue Burmese have a medium blue coat with a slightly lighter belly. Nose leather and paw pads are slate gray. Platinum Burmese are a pale silvery gray with light fawn undertones and a slightly lighter color on the underbody. The nose leather and paw pads are a pretty lavender pink. Some associations permit other colors, including tortoise shell, lilac, and red. 7. Burmese cats to children and other pets. The active and social Burmese is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He will play fetch as well as any retriever, learns tricks easily and loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely and with respect. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority. Always introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also don't forget to subscribe with notifications on, so that you don't miss out on videos like this. 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