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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Burmese terrorists

19 replies

code · 26/05/2015 16:04

My burmese boys have been out for nearly 2 weeks, under supervision. I stay out there with them while they learn the lie of the land and so on.
So they seem fairly sensible, haven't dashed out front and mostly stayed in back gardens. Come back a lot and respond to food. Made friends with my rabbits, lots of relaxed body language and touching noses through the weld mesh plus cats rolling on backs. Neighbours all have hedges so it's easy to get into neighbouring gardens.
But...
They are quite bold...
...neighbour found one today in her bedroom, it entered through her cat flap. Her poor cat was outside making the most dreadful sound, cowering and obviously very distressed. My boys didn't seem at all bothered about her presence. She is twice their size. Next door on the other side there is a bruiser Maine coon, probably 3 times their size. He cowered indoors looking upset while they roamed his garden. He wouldn't come out of the cat flap to see them off.
Gah what to do, how do I tone down the bold? They don't seem to have aggressive stances when they spot the other cats, just nonchalant. Is this going to be a problem??

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RubbishMantra · 26/05/2015 17:06

I think Burmese sometimes aren't very good at understanding Cat Etiquette. Not aggressive, but it can be intimidating to other cats. I have a Devon Rex, the breed share many Burmese traits, (bold, friendly reckless) having been out-crossed with them. My big bruiser mog was terrified of the 13 week old little Monsieur at first.

Also they're a pair, so will be more of a perceived threat.

If they're not aggressive, neighbouring cats should realise they're not a threat.

Maybe take neighbours round some nice wine, to keep the peace in the meantime?

RubbishMantra · 26/05/2015 17:09

*PS, They're bold because they're so friendly and trusting. Comfortable in they're own skin, you might say.

Original poster

code · 26/05/2015 17:17

Thanks RM that's helpful to know. Neighbours cat came in our house quite a bit when she was small so they don't mind, it's pay back time, lol. Good to hear it's just a confidence thing, they are interested in other cats but quite laid back. I can't see them fighting, no aggressive posturing or staring. Was hoping the neighbouring large cats would scare them into staying in our garden but that hasn't happened...

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tangledzebra · 26/05/2015 21:39

Sounds familiar. I have two Burmese - boy and girl (8 months) and they are very bold (good word). They front up to cats that that are double their size and just have a little sniff and look around. Not aggressive at all just very intrigued! They definitely do not get the hierarchy of cats in our neighbourhood.

Apparently they knock on our neighbours window and then walk through their back door, not even glancing at their two cats!

I love them

Original poster

code · 27/05/2015 08:05

tangledzebra I love that they tap on the window (announcing their arrival). Do you let them out unsupervised now? How long did that take? We're still supervising them but it's becoming harder as their territory has expanded 2 gardens over on one side and next garden the other. Have they got into any problems?

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tangledzebra · 27/05/2015 21:38

Kind of unsupervised. We always bring them in when we leave the house and at night - early evening when the youngest DD goes to bed. We started letting them out after the girl was spayed at 6 months - he was done earlier- as we just couldn't contain them. We have such a busy house and as it started warming up, the children just didn't remember to close the doors.

They are really good and come when called - we don't let them out the front but they have managed to find a way through the neighbours hole in their fence. They may disappear but it is rarely longer than half an hour before they come back and check in. I still get really anxious but I see them having so much fun and that helps.

They haven't got into any trouble and generally like to hang out in the garden when we are all out there.
It probably took a couple of weeks- month. It does get easier watching them disappear over the fence!

tangledzebra · 27/05/2015 21:45

This is them

ErinBlockerBitch · 28/05/2015 07:27

We have two burmese next door. One persistently demands to be let into our house (and most of the houses in the neighbourhood) the other isn't bothered. They are both very bold for small cats.

Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 09:08

tangledzebra they are very lovely, a blue and lilac. We have 2 lilacs. I'm glad to hear they have been safe, I hope mine are too. They've expanded their horizons to the gardens backing onto ours but have managed to come back, I guess the longest I haven't seen them is half an hour. So fingers crossed. They are very happy to be out. They've crossed paths with the hunter/fighter next door (on his territory- wibble) but no consternations thank goodness.

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RubbishMantra · 28/05/2015 09:13

Your cats are beautiful, zebra!

When I was at school, one of my friends had one. She was called Betty Boop, Booper for short. She had a unique, lovely and mad personality. Everybody loved her.

Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 09:14

Erin that's what I worry about (well, and the road, however quiet it's still there).that they'll get trapped somewhere...

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tangledzebra · 28/05/2015 09:16

Ahhh look at them. They are beautiful.

I am so happy that we got Burmese - I have had lots of cats but never had Burmese before and never had cats as loving as these particularly the boy (lilac) he is 1/3 cat, 1/3 dog and 1/3 baby! He just loves to be picked up and snuggled. If I still had my baby sling, he would be quite happy to be carried around in it all day

It's lovely to talk to another Burmese owner.

RubbishMantra · 28/05/2015 09:20

Aoww! Just seen your beautiful lads code!

I love the photo of him scratching his belly. Should get him a string vest, baggy y-fronts and a can of lager.

Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 09:28

Thanks tangledzebra they are the most affectionate cats. We never have an empty lap in this house. As they like to be together the only problem is my dead legs. Both love being snuggled and giving kisses. One of them loves my daughter so much, he lies on her in bed with his head tucked under her arm. It's nice to hear about other burmese, not many people seem to have them.

Thanks rubbishmantrahe is hilarious. Loves to lie on the windowsill legs akimbo sunning his bits. A proper lad.

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Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 09:42

Rab C Nesbitt or Jim Royle?

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tangledzebra · 28/05/2015 17:10

This is the boys favourite position- he looks like roadkill!!! Just lies on his back with his paws in the air!

You are right, not many people have or know about Burmese - everyone thinks I am saying it wrong and really mean Siamese.

tangledzebra · 28/05/2015 17:15

Another one of the girl- I couldn't resist

Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 18:53

He he look at him, like he's been shot. Mine do the exact same thing. You can tell which one's the girl- she's all alert and thoughtful. Your boy is...asleep...

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Original poster

code · 28/05/2015 19:01

So today boys were next door and next doors cat came by. He carefully and slowly walked around them to access his cat flap. One of my boys initially had ears flat sideways, fur up on back, a stare off. The other was Mr nonchalant and not at all bothered. Next doors cat sat by his cat flap on sentry duty. I decided to bring them in at that point...

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