The question in the title is asking if Burmese cats make a lot of noise! The simple but slightly vague answer is that they will probably be more vocal than your typical domestic cat either purebred or non-purebred because they have some Siamese cat in them and the Siamese is known to be vocal. I am stating that the Siamese characteristic for having a distinctive, persistent meow has been given in a diluted way to the Burmese. That’s a personal thought and I’d appreciate comments from breeders.
Former cat show judge, Gloria Stephens, says that the breed is ‘vocal and talkative with a rather loud voice’. Sounds like the Siamese, right? They let you know what they want in no uncertain terms. Their voice is sometimes described as ‘persistent’!
This statement from Wikipedia tells us how Siamese cats characteristics were adapted by the Burmese:
Most modern Burmese are descendants of one female cat called Wong Mau, which was brought from Burma to America in 1930 and bred with American Siamese. From there, American and British breeders developed distinctly different Burmese breed standards.
The Burmese is a bit of a jumble as it fundamentally differs in appearance between countries. In some it has a more ‘Oriental’ (slender) appearance while in America it is more cobby (rounded and compact).
Perhaps an important point to make once again is that not all Burmese have Siamese-like voices. It depends on the individual cat and I expect the environment in which they live. A contented cat, well served by their human caregiver may be less vocal than a neglected cat who, as a consequence, has to demand food and water and the occasional bit of human interaction and love. Or they may vocalise anxiety. Their upbringing will also have an influence on character which in turn affects their motivation to talk.
Kirsten Kranz, director of Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue says that ‘as every cat is an individual, not everyone is chatty’. Absolutely. But the trend for Burmese cats is that they can be more vocal than the norm.
Interesting fact: Burmese cats are 5 times more likely than other breeds to develop Type II diabetes. Click this link to find out why.
American Burmese cat – evolution and comparison with European Burmese
