Burmese vs. Bombay Cats: Uncovering Their Distinct Differences

If you wish to carry a brand new furry member of the family into the house, it’s important to analysis totally different breeds to grasp extra about their appears, persona, traits, and care wants earlier than making a remaining dedication. Realizing the variations between breeds will in the end allow you to resolve which is extra appropriate in your family.

The Burmese is a really unique-looking cat breed that has been round for the reason that Nineteen Thirties and has remained a highly regarded breed to at the present time. The Bombay is a hybrid breed that was created within the Sixties by breeding the Burmese with black home shorthairs to get the look of the breathtaking black panther however in a smaller package deal.

The reality is, there aren’t very many variations between the 2 except for appears, however on this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into every breed in an effort to study a bit of extra about them.

divider-catclaw1

Visible Variations

Burmese vs Bombay Cat side by side
Picture Credit score: (L) jojosmb, Shutterstock | (R) Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock

At a Look

Burmese

  • Common top (grownup): 9–13 inches
  • Common weight (grownup): 8–15 kilos
  • Lifespan: 10–17 years
  • Exercise Stage: Energetic
  • Grooming wants: Delicate
  • Household-friendly: Sure
  • Different pet-friendly: Sure
  • Traits: Pleasant, loyal, loving, affectionate

Bombay

  • Common top (grownup): 9–13 inches
  • Common weight (grownup): 8–15 kilos
  • Lifespan: 9–15 years
  • Exercise Stage: Energetic
  • Grooming wants: Delicate
  • Household-friendly: Sure
  • Different pet-friendly: Sure
  • Traits: Pleasant, loyal, loving, affectionate

cat paw divider

Burmese Overview

The Burmese cat breed bought its begin in 1930 when Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco introduced house a small brown feminine cat from the nation of Burma, which is now generally known as Myanmar. Her title was Wong Mau and thru selective breeding with Siamese males, the distinctive brown coat colour generally known as sable was established.

The breed rapidly grew in recognition throughout the USA due to their distinctive look, sociable nature, and affectionate persona.

As a consequence of an rising variety of hybrids in cat reveals, the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation withdrew the popularity of the breed in 1947 however they have been finally re-established and granted championship standing with the CFA in 1957.

These days, the Burmese cat is available in a number of coat varieties, 4 of that are acknowledged by the CFA: sable, champagne, blue, and platinum.

lilac burmese cat in purple background
Picture Credit score: Linn Currie, Shutterstock

Character / Character

Burmese are well-known for having sure dog-like tendencies. They’re very smart and revel in studying methods and should even get pleasure from old style sport of fetch. The breed could be very sociable and can love spending time with their household and snuggling up on their laps.

These cats are very affectionate and loving. They typically do very effectively in properties with youngsters and different animals, together with canines. As a result of they get pleasure from having firm, they usually don’t get pleasure from being left alone. They are usually a bit chatty, so count on the Burmese to attempt to talk with you vocally, particularly when they need your consideration.

Exercise Wants

The Burmese have a really athletic physique and are recognized for being solidly constructed. In addition they have pretty excessive vitality ranges that stick with them far past kittenhood. They’re glorious climbers and sometimes get pleasure from leaping.

These cats ought to be saved as indoor home cats and would not have any particular train necessities, as they’ll sometimes hold themselves entertained. It’s a good suggestion to have quite a lot of toys, a cat tree, and a few scratching posts useful to maintain them occupied.

Champagne Burmese
Picture Credit score: SeraphP, Shutterstock

Well being

Common veterinary care is vital to conserving the Burmese as wholesome and blissful as doable. Burmese are usually a really wholesome cat breed, however they’re recognized for having fun with meal, which might simply result in weight problems if parts should not monitored.

Since weight problems can result in different critical well being considerations equivalent to diabetes, coronary heart issues, and extra, it is very important feed your Burmese a correctly portioned, nutritionally balanced weight loss plan and keep away from overfeeding.

Grooming and Care

Burmese have quick, glossy coats that require little or no grooming. You possibly can at all times carve out time for a pleasant, stress-free brushing session that can assist take away any free fur and permit time for bonding.

It’s a good suggestion to start out common nail trims and tooth brushing throughout kittenhood to assist them turn into accustomed to those practices. Oral hygiene is very essential since cats are extremely vulnerable to dental illness.

lilac burmese cat sitting on couch
Picture Credit score: Julija Sulkovska, Shutterstock

Appropriate for:

Burmese cats make nice companions for anybody in search of a pleasant, playful indoor cat. The breed’s demeanor makes them glorious for households with youngsters, seniors, and households with different pets. They don’t get pleasure from being alone, so if there aren’t any different pets within the family, it’s a good suggestion for his or her people to be house all through many of the day.

Professionals

  • Prefers being round individuals
  • Pleasant and playful
  • Loving and affectionate
  • Low-maintenance grooming wants
  • Typically wholesome
  • Nice with youngsters and different animals

Cons

  • Doesn’t do effectively alone
  • Are likely to turn into obese

3 cat face divider

Bombay Overview

The Bombay breed was developed by breeding the Burmese with the black home shorthair. Nikki Horner, a cat breeder from Louisville, Kentucky, got down to create a cat breed that bore a robust resemblance to a black panther.

The try to create a domesticated mini black panther was profitable in 1965 and the Bombay was formally acknowledged as a breed and registered by the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation in 1970. Championship standing with the CFA got here shortly afterward in 1976.

The Bombay falls into the identical top and weight vary because the Burmese and in addition options that shiny, glossy coat. In truth, the breed will get the vast majority of its traits from its Burmese roots; the largest distinction between the 2 is coat colour. Whereas the Burmese are available quite a lot of coat colours, the Bombay is stable black.

bombay cat sitting in a brown background
Picture Credit score: Ton van de Blaak, Pixabay

Character / Character

The Bombay is a really social, clever cat that likes to be round individuals. They type very robust bonds with their relations and like to be of their firm as a lot as doable. They don’t like being alone and it’s widespread for the breed to exhibit indicators of separation nervousness when left alone for lengthy intervals.

That is an extremely pleasant breed that will get alongside effectively with youngsters and different pets. The Bombay is usually solely vocal when needed and has a really delicate, quiet voice. They are going to totally get pleasure from sleeping both on or close to their individuals and can usually really feel the necessity to hold by your facet all through the day. This isn’t a breed that can draw back from the commotion of the family.

Exercise Wants

Bombays, just like the Burmese, have a sturdy, robust construct. They’re very agile climbers and jumpers, so it’s greatest to have a cat tree and different excessive surfaces they will get pleasure from. They’re fairly lively, so they’ll profit vastly from having loads of toys to maintain them engaged and stimulated.

Whereas they’ll haven’t any hassle curling up for nap, this breed will get pleasure from having a household that may put aside time for one-on-one interplay and play. Like all cat, they might begin to decelerate as they age however their excessive vitality ranges shall be carried effectively into maturity.

bombay cat lounging outdoor
Picture Credit score: Lolame, Pixabay

Well being

The Bombay tends to be a really wholesome breed with little to no predisposition to particular genetic well being issues. Maintaining with common veterinary care is essential in sustaining their well being.

Just like the Burmese, they have an inclination to turn into obese if their weight loss plan is just not monitored rigorously or if they don’t seem to be getting common train. Bombays ought to be fed a high-quality, well-balanced weight loss plan that’s appropriately portioned to assist forestall weight problems and any of the associated well being circumstances that may occur in consequence.

Grooming and Care

The Bombay’s quick, glossy, black coat could be very simple to take care of. They require little or no grooming however can at all times profit from routine brushing to take away any free fur, in addition to nail trimmings as wanted. Tooth brushing ought to be applied throughout kittenhood since dental illness is widespread in cats and preventative measures are crucial for sustaining total well being.

bombay cat sitting on grass outdoor
Picture Credit score: Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock

Appropriate for:

Very similar to the Burmese, the Bombay is appropriate for many households looking for an indoor cat that’s pleasant, social, and lovable. Since they don’t prefer to be alone, they’re greatest suited to households which have somebody house more often than not. The breed is nice for households with youngsters, households with different pets, and seniors that may dedicate their time to them.

Professionals

  • Individuals-oriented
  • Pleasant and playful
  • Loving and affectionate
  • Low-maintenance grooming wants
  • Typically wholesome
  • Nice with youngsters and different animals

Cons

  • Doesn’t do effectively alone
  • Weight should be monitored

cat paw divider

Which Breed Is Proper for You?

In terms of evaluating the Burmese with the Bombay, you’ve in all probability observed there’s not a lot distinction between the 2 apart from coat colour. The Bombay is a hybrid breed that’s straight descended from the Burmese and attracts a variety of its traits straight from these Burmese roots.

Each breeds are extremely sociable, clever, pleasant, and like to be round individuals. Every does effectively with youngsters and different pets and can get pleasure from being concerned in family actions. They’re constructed very equally, have excessive vitality ranges, and revel in leaping, climbing, and exploring.

Neither the Burmese nor the Bombay prefer to be left alone and should present signs of separation anxiety when left alone for lengthy intervals. It’s essential to recollect every cat is a person with its personal distinctive persona however total, the choice between the 2 in the end comes down as to whether you like the coat color varieties of the Burmese or are in search of a stable black cat that appears like a bit of black panther.

thematic break

Featured Picture Credit score: (L) Ivanova N, Shutterstock | (R) Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock