Please remember that cats and kittens are very curious and may climb into washing machines, dryers , dishwashers and freezers. many cats and kittens die this way each year. Always check before you close the door.

Diet: All cats need a varied and balanced diet and clean water should always be available. Many cats can not tolerate cows milk and will quickly develop an upset stomach so it is advised that you only feed recommended pet milk or goats milk. It is not advisable to feed dried food in large quantities, many breeders offer a wet diet of semi lean mince and some tinned variety of food added along with vitamins.

Never Give: Cats anything containing: aspirin, bromide, morphine (such as kaolin and morphine), castor oil and avoid using shampoos containing laurel and Tee tree as these can all prove fatal.

Please Note: Upset tummies, esp. diarrhoea can be indicators of serious problems or can themselves become very serious as kittens dehydrate very quickly. Always seek veterinary advice.

Grooming: A Burmilla Longhair will need regular grooming. A firm, but gentle handling. Generally, the best grooming tools are: a metal pin brush with rounded ends, a good bristle brush and, when necessary a round tooth metal comb. Lie the cat on its side and work slowly down from the head, brushing the coat forward towards the head, a small section at a time. Be sure to brush from the roots to the tips of the coat, otherwise the coat will tangle at the roots. Pay particular attention to the area around the bottom and under the front legs. Turn the cat onto its side and repeat the procedure until you have groomed tummy, both sides and back. It may take a little while to train your kitten to this grooming routine, but it does make things easier. A regular dusting of talc will help to keep the coat clean and knot free. Use a good baby powder. Part the coat and powder to the roots, taking care not to get powder into the eyes or up the nose, then brush the coat thoroughly. A shorthair Burmilla will require less grooming, however will appreciate been brushed and groomed as well. Follow as for longhair.

Never: Wet a matted coat or bathe a cat with knots. This will only serve to make matters worse. If your coat becomes badly knotted it is better to cut the knots away (taking great care not to cut the cat) than to cause the cat discomfort by trying to comb the knots out. (The cat would only be less willing to be groomed in the future).
Another interesting point is that your Longhair coat may be more likely to knot quickly if the cat sleeps in a bed with a fluffy (fur-like) bed. If the bed has a reversable cushion, turn it fabric side up and not 'fur' side up.

Care Of Ears: It is important to check the ears regularly. Wipe around the folds with dry or slightly damp cotton wool or a cotton bud, but never probe more deeply than you can actually see. A cat's ears should rarely show more than a slight film. A build up of wax or a foul smell indicates infection or ear mite. Consult your veterinary surgeon.

Care Of Eyes : Check your cats eyes daily. The area around and under the eye should be wiped gently with a cloth /make up wipe which has been moistened in warm water or eye cleaner. However be aware that some cats can react adversely to all kinds of solutions.) Contrary to popular opinion, a cat without problems should not have excessively runny eyes. A thick or purulent discharge indicates problems and your vet should be consulted.

Stud Tail: This is a greasy patch or area along the spine of the tail. Although the name would suggest, this is not a condition confined to entire males. It is important to keep this area clean and prevent a build up of grease which can result in hair loss and even abscesses. A regular dusting with powder during grooming should prevent problems, but the greasy build up can be removed by bathing the tail.

Bathing: It may occasionally be necessary to bathe your Burmilla so it is a good idea to get the cat used to this early on in your relationship. I have found that the best way to do this is to stand the cat in an empty bath and use a shower hose. (It is possible to buy a plastic one.) Remember that the cat's body temperature is higher that yours, so while the water should not be hot, water which feels lukewarm to you may feel quite cool to your cat. The breeder of you kitten should supply you with what the kitten is used to be bathed with.
It is important to brush the coat thoroughly before wetting it otherwise it may matt. Wet the coat, shampoo thoroughly (clean hair should feel squeaky between the fingers) and be sure to rinse every trace of shampoo out. Take care not to get shampoo into the eyes or ears, but the surrounding area may be wiped with cotton wool if necessary. Brush the coat knot free before drying. Dry the coat with a hand dryer and then keep the cat out of draughts for a few hours to prevent it from catching a chill. A dusting of baby powder will absorb any final dampness from the coat.

Fleas & Worming: Any cat can get fleas, but they need to be eradicated as quickly as possible before they get a foothold in the environment and because they can cause your cat a considerable amount of discomfort. There are a number of preparations on the market, including Advantage or Revolution which is available form your local pet store or vet.

Please note:

These tips are not intended as an alternative to veterinary advice and your vet should always be your first port of call. His/her advice should be sought before you use any preparations other than those prescribed by your vet.

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