Experiences of Burmese cats

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I have two- they are 8 months. Always had dogs so they are less work obviously but much more 'high maintenance' than my friends cats. It's what I wanted and I love it but my goodness. My lap is never empty, they talk at me all day, are incredibly athletic and mad half hours are something to behold. They've destroyed every toy I've bought them. Just had a new delivery of Da Bird as the last batch and rods are knackered. Am wondering how people successfully keep them indoors all their lives, I just can't imagine containing them.

[cozietoesie]

I don't know Burmese but I've always had Siamese who, along with other Orientals, share some of the same characteristics. I'll confess that I never knew anything else when I was young (a Siamese was my first pet) so I thought that all cats were like that! When I had my first non-oriental I was rather worried by how apparently quiescent and non-communicative she seemed.

(You'll learn to talk to them all the time - always answer them although your comments don't have to be Shakespearean in complexity. You can get away with murder by variations of 'Unh-Huh'. I could 'You What?' at international level these days.)

[RubbishMantra]

Is there a possibility of you cat-proofing your garden? So they could work off a bit of energy out there?

They're a very trusting breed aren't they, is that why you'd prefer they didn't roam? I have a Devon Rex, almost a year old. They have a similar bold and trusting nature to Burmese, and not really equipped to deal with bully cats. Luckily, he's chosen not to leave the garden yet.

I've put a Loca8tor on him, which rests my mind a bit.

[cozietoesie]

PS - are they neutered yet? These days, I'd always have a cat neutered as soon as possible - preferably at four months if they were healthy and of a decent weight. Orientals in particular seem to come into puberty earlier than many people realize.

[RubbishMantra]

Oh yes the talking!

My little Monsier's a Si-Rex, so has Oriental traits.

I don't answer him back in English, I've learnt to speak his language. He doesn't miaow, he makes strange "errr, nnga ngaa nnga" noises instead. Which I can do quite a good impersonation of. Neighbours probably think I'm mad.

[cozietoesie]

Not at all - talking to a cat is quite sensible if they're an Oriental compared to - say - myself when much younger and living alone apologising to the telly for bumping into it. Now that was mad!

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They are neutered, it didn't seem to make any difference to their full-on ness, he he. I now talk cat and I think my understanding of all the chirrups and meows is coming along well. They're good and sleep all night, of course as soon as they hear us up its loud meows and pulling at the door handle. They can undo the lighter handles now. I've had some quotes for proofing the garden, the chap told me Burmese are the hardest to contain and Bengals are pussycats in comparison. We have one road which is pretty slow so I need to have a think. They're staying in until over the silly stage anyway.

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What do you think of the loca8tor RubbishMantra? Can it come off easily? Don't want to let them out without collars in case people think they're strays but they are chipped. Yes very trusting, chap came in today and they were rubbing his feet and rolling onto their backs. I guess it's a risk but I can't see this house being enough for them, despite my being here, and lots of enrichment.

[MrsFring]

We have a six year old neutered Burmese. He has an enormous personality; is known throughout our street (and neighbouring ones) and is totally street- wise. We also have two young Bengal boys who are restricted to our garden, being somewhat bonkers and none too bright. Our Burmese has always seemed able to negotiate our reasonably quite suburban street, I think that they are a clever and resourceful breed, maybe that will become more apparent once the kitten madness has receded a little!

[tangledzebra]

We have two Burmese - girl and boy and I have been thinking the same thing. They are so desperate to get out. We had a quote to garden proof the garden and it was very expensive and I cannot justify it at the moment. They have been outside when I am there, trying to cover up the holes in the garden and they love it but I just worry about them wondering off, being stolen or getting run over as we are by a quite busy side road. Not sure what to do for the best.
Sorry not very helpful post but just wanted to sympathise.
Mine are nearly 8 months too.

[RugBugs]

I have two Burmese and a Burmilla.
They are indoor cats now but when I had a walled garden they were out in it, my lilac girl found a weakness in the netting I installed and came back stinking of perfume!
I have to warn anyone who comes through the door about them, they are so bold and immediately introduce themselves and jump on shoulders.
The door handle turning gets worse, cream boy can turn round door knobs, there is literally no containing now!
They do calm down, the mad half hours are much less frequent now but the playfulness is still there and a da bird has them tearing around like kittens again
They are such a massive part of our household and are so so tolerant of the DC, 18mo DD2 mimics the different sounds each of them make.

[RugBugs]

For keeping them occupied indoors we have lots of baby/toddler toys around and the cats love playing with them. Shape sorters and play tunnels are good robust entertainment for cats. We have a green tunnel from ikea, I hear the cats going crazy in it at night!
Have you got any cat trees? We have a Russell Hardy one they've had for six years, it's been great and is favoured sleeping spot.
We have a lot of floor space which I'm sure helps too, I can't imagine having the three in my old 2 up, 2 down terrace, they'd have been constantly underfoot.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

H isn't oriental and I have deep and meaningful conversations with him although I'm not sure he always appreciates it!

I remember once being upset and missing my Dad. I was telling H about him and the little git looked at me, yawned and turned his back!

[Gumps]

Have you tried them with a harness and lead? My Siberian forest didn't take to it but I know of cats that love it.
He too is dog like in his behaviour. We had a party at christmas and he kept bringing everyone volovonts.

[RubbishMantra]

Code, the Loca8tor tags are in a waterproof casing that threads onto the collar, so unlikely to come off. mine never have. I always use the quick release safety collars though. The elastic ones are far too dangerous. You can buy replacement collar tags if needed.

A few weeks ago, during the gale, our older cat went missing. We found him really quickly, walking around waving the loca8tor receiver about. Poor thing was freaked out by the wind and hiding in someones garden.

You can also do a Pavlov's Dogs thing with them, if you give them a Dreamie/other treat every time you make their collar bleep, they come running when you activate it.

[RubbishMantra]

"He too is dog like in his behaviour. We had a party at christmas and he kept bringing everyone volovonts" Sounds more like a waiter!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I've had a bengals & chinchillas which I was advised to keep in but I've let them out and they were happier cats for it.

Both breeds are deemed not streetwise.

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Lol-ing at cats bearing vol-a-vents.

Thanks everyone, great to hear your stories. I have tall cat tree, lots of perches and toys so they're pretty occupied. Haven't tried a harness so worth considering. The quote was £10k (!!!) to cat proof my nightmare garden and the chap was worried about it. I'll see how they go, they seem very intelligent so am hopeful they'll have enough wit to navigate outside and the road is slow and not busy. I think the gardens out back will be interesting enough. Anyway lots of time to think as want them to be a bit older first.

[Luna177]

My Burmese mix has taken out ceiling tile, opened deadbolt, shredded paneling...i had extra door latches put on inside and outside and use a chain that screws together on door when I go to sleep. He can't unscrew the chain links. I also shut the breaker to the stove off when I leave or go to sleep to keep him from turning the stove on.

[Luna177]

I'm going to get deadbolt that opens w key inside and outside.Starlight can't use a key.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Our family cat was a Burmese when I was a kid. Treated her like a normal cat, had a catflap and she was fine, other than the fact fact that she was an obsessive ornithologist and it wasn't unusual to find a bird or two flying round the house...
She did talk a lot too .

[Burmilla]

I had a Burmese for years. A naughty cat, but very much loved. He was a practiced thief, stealing one expensive bit of sailing kit, and bringing its companion in the next. He stared malevolently through closed windows until he was bribed with a piece of meat to clear off. He did, until a couple of days later . . . He knew the visitors that didn't like cats and sat on their shoulders, grooming them . . . I still miss him. 😢

[TuttiFrutti]

We have a Burmese and a Tonkinese (breed is half Burmese, half Siamese). They are great fun and both people-focused and very intelligent.
We let ours go out. The Burmese is much more adventurous and has a bigger territory, but that might just be this individual cat rather than the breed.