Burmese Cats: Everything About Acquisition, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, Health Care, and Breeding

by Carolyn M. Vella, John McGonagle Jr.

Here is information on the history of the Burmese cat, its special behavior traits, and how to keep it as a healthy and contented pet. Information on selection, feeding, and health care is supplemented with dozens of full-color photos and informative line drawings.

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Becky Rice]

It's a good book in my opinion, with some good information and advice, particularly on Burmese cats as a breed. Although you could look some more information up online on google. Overall I think it's good. Good pictures of Burmese cats as well.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man]

You get the feeling there are a series of these books for the different cat breeds. All you would need to do is write a different Chapter 2 on the history of the breed, colours, physical attributes, etc, – then the rest of the book would be complete with just a global find – replace with the new breed’s name.

Amazingly for a book about cat care it really matters that this book is written in the United States.
* Firstly around the world different cat registries have different views on the what a Burmese is – there is a short section in the book on how the US registries accept a very limited range of colours for the Burmese compared with the international community – 2 of our three Burmese would not be Burmese under these limited definitions.
* The book provides insight into how the legal system has managed to infect all aspects of life in the US – the full 5 pages explaining the purchase contract, and numerous other mentions throughout the book provide a strong indication that the most important element in obtaining your new cat is a good lawyer!
* There is extensive use of brand-names and services that exist only in the US – those outside the US will have no use for references to Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, etc
* The links to cat registries, magazines and other further reading are all based in the US.
* I love the airline ‘under the seat in front of you’ cat carrier – certainly not in Australia, and I expect not even in the carry-on-luggage-rich US post September 11)

The ending of the book is pretty depressing – a chapter on how to deal with a dying cat, then what to do if you cat outlives you (again with some US legal system specific advice). A nice positive way to finish a book on the joys of pet ownership!

Having had Burmese for years there wasn’t really anything relevant that I learnt from this book. The target audience for this book also seems to be a bit odd – someone who has no experience with cats, who has somehow decided that they specifically want a Burmese. While this is true, the vast majority of the book (except Chapter 2) is breed independent and would be OK for all pet-quality purebred cats. If I were looking for a cat I would want some more information on animal shelter cats, non-purebred cats, and then list of purebred cats with photos and information on characteristics (behaviour, common ailments, etc)

[Maxine]

I thought this was an easy to read and informative book that covers everything from kitten through to elderly cat. As an owner of burmese over many years, this book does have good breed specific information on things like history and temperament. Would recommend this book to anyone thinking of owning or who does own a burmese, they are a loving and delightful breed to have.

[Mona]

I have owned cats for many years, but reading this book is good review before adding a new kitten to the family. It might have been better if the authors actually owned and bred Burmese which they don't.