Description of a Burmese

Burmese are compact well-rounded cats with surprising weight for their size. They should always show excellent physical condition and never be obese. Some refer to them as bricks wrapped in silk. They have a silky close-lying coat that covers a muscular body. With their big beautiful gold eyes and sweet expression Burmese are comparable to no other cat.

There are four colors of the American Burmese. The original, which is a rich brown is called sable; a warm honey-beige called champagne; a medium grey called blue; and a pale dove-grey called platinum. Burmese eyes are always gold regardless of the cat's color.

Burmese females tend to be princesses. With their beautiful big eyes and sassy personality, they will have you trained in no time. The boys are true lap cats and have that laid-back personality. They both love to greet your guests at the door and follow you around the house to "help" you do your chores. Anything that includes you interacting with them, whether it is watching TV or doing the laundry, your Burmese will be there with you. Most Burmese have been known to fetch small favorite cat toys. Burmese also love other animals, whether it be another Burmese or a even a dog. Whether male or female, Burmese are true people cats.

Thirteen ways to be a better cat owner

1. Spend more time with your cat - Just spending some quiet time before work, after work or midday, will make a big difference. Cats love to be talked to and made to feel important.

2. Groom - Most cats like to be groomed or brushed. - This also stimulates the skin and gets rid of dead hair. Regular grooming will also help keep your house cleaner from less shedding hair.

3. Play - Play is good for both you and your cat!

4. Understand your cat - Know his or her favorite type of play and their favorite time of day to play versus rest.

5. Feed a consistent quality diet - Use a high quality food with AAFCO approval formulation for your cats' life stage. Supplement with healthy treats only in moderation. I recommend feeding a quality brand such as Wellness, Royal Canin, or Innova. Try to feed your cat some wet canned food atleast once a day. Since cats do not always drink enough water, it is important to make sure they are receiving adequate amounts. The wet food also has more protein than dry food and lower carbs.

6. Supply plenty of fresh water at all times - Clean the water bowl once daily and make sure it is always full. The Drinkwell Pet Fountain is a water filter system that works great also.

7. Provide a comfortable place to sleep, your cat should always have a comfortable place to sleep.

8. Carefully choose toys for safety - Not just any toy will do. You really need to consider safety issues when choosing toys for your cat. For example, are there any parts that can be torn off and swallowed? Is it something he or she might "eat" thus causing a possible intestinal foreign body that could require surgery? Will it please your cat? Choose toys that cannot be chewed or swallowed. Small fur mice, round balls, or feather teasers are great interactive toys. Also, a laser pointer can be fun for both you and your cat!

9. Supervise - Always keep a watchful eye on your cat for dangerous or destructive behaviors.

10. Exercise - Daily exercise will keep your cat fit. Additional exercise can help with some behavior problems as well.

11. Don't let your cat get fat - Adjust food intake for body type, provide healthy treats, and exercise regularly to avoid extra weight gain.

12. Be observant - Monitor absolutely everything your cat does. For example, did he eat all his food today? Has he been drinking? Was his urine and bowel movement normal? Is his activity level the same? How does he look? Is his hair coat okay? If you pet him, do you feel any abnormal lumps? Have you seen any coughing or vomiting? Early recognition of symptoms can save your cats life.

13. Visit your veterinarian regularly - Be sure to maintain an appropriate schedule of wellness and recheck appointments. Your cat's needs may continue to change depending on their life stage or health conditions.