Burmese Cat Health Problems: An Honest Guide
An honest, factual guide to Burmese cat health problems — hypokalaemia, diabetes, the Burmese head defect, flat-chested kitten syndrome and dental disease.
By Matt, founder · 19 June 2026 · Lived-experience guidance, not medical advice.
The Burmese is a robust, long-lived and much-loved breed, but like all pedigree cats it carries a few specific health risks that prospective and current owners should understand. Knowing what they are — and which have DNA tests or are preventable — helps you choose a kitten wisely and care for your cat well. Here is an honest, factual guide to the main Burmese health problems, with no scaremongering and no false reassurance.
Hypokalaemia (familial episodic hypokalaemic polymyopathy)
The condition most strongly linked to the breed is hypokalaemia, a low level of potassium in the blood, in its inherited form known as familial episodic hypokalaemic polymyopathy. Low potassium interferes with muscle function, causing episodes of weakness. Typical signs include a wobbly, unsteady gait, a lowered or bobbing head and neck, reluctance to jump or move, and general weakness, often coming and going in episodes. It usually appears in young cats.
The good news is that a DNA test is available for the mutation involved, so responsible breeders can test their breeding cats and avoid producing affected kittens. If you are buying a Burmese kitten, ask whether the parents have been DNA-tested. Affected cats can often be managed well with veterinary care, including potassium supplementation and addressing any underlying issues, but prevention through testing is far better than treatment. Always involve your vet if you notice episodes of weakness.
Diabetes mellitus
Burmese have a recognised predisposition to diabetes mellitus — a higher risk than the general cat population — and that risk increases markedly if a cat is overweight. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly. Classic signs to watch for are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss despite a good or increased appetite, and lethargy. If you spot these, see your vet promptly, as early diagnosis improves outcomes.
The single most powerful thing you can do to reduce the risk is to keep your cat at a healthy weight through measured feeding, an appropriate diet and plenty of activity. Diabetes can often be managed — sometimes even put into remission in cats — with veterinary care, diet and, where needed, insulin, but it is a serious, ongoing condition best avoided where possible. Our cat portion control and obesity guide, the pet calorie calculator and a slow feeder all help with weight management.
The Burmese head defect
Some breeding lines carry the Burmese head defect, a serious inherited craniofacial malformation affecting the development of the head and face in kittens. Severely affected kittens are not viable. This is very much a breeding issue rather than something most pet owners will encounter, because ethical breeders work to avoid the affected lines. It is, however, a strong reason to buy only from a knowledgeable, reputable breeder who understands the breed's genetics and breeds responsibly — see our cost and buying guide for what to ask.
Flat-chested kitten syndrome
Flat-chested kitten syndrome is also reported in the breed. It describes an abnormal flattening of the ribcage in young kittens, which can range from mild to severe. Mild cases often improve as the kitten grows and the chest develops, while severe cases can affect breathing and are more serious. A good breeder rearing kittens carefully will monitor for it and seek veterinary advice where needed. If you are choosing a kitten, this is another reason to see the litter in person and buy from someone who knows the breed.
Dental disease
As in all cats, dental disease is common in Burmese and can cause pain, affect eating and impact overall health if left unchecked. Signs include bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, and red or sore gums. Prevention is straightforward: brush the teeth with cat toothpaste if your cat will tolerate it (introduce it gradually and gently), provide appropriate dental care, and keep up regular veterinary dental checks. Browse our dental care range for suitable products.
Other points to bear in mind
Like all cats, Burmese benefit from routine vaccination, parasite control and neutering, and from microchipping — which is now a legal requirement for pet cats in England. Their easy-care short coat means grooming is low-effort, but a quick weekly brush still gives you a chance to spot lumps, parasites or skin problems early. As they age, move towards twice-yearly vet checks and watch for the early signs of the conditions above.
Keeping it in perspective
It is important not to let this list put you off the breed. The fact that Burmese *can* carry these conditions does not mean your cat will be affected — DNA testing and responsible breeding exist precisely so the risks can be managed rather than left to chance. Where the evidence on prevalence is limited, it is honest to say so: exact figures for some of these conditions in the UK pet population are not well established. What is clear is that a kitten from health-tested, responsibly bred parents, kept at a healthy weight and given good routine care, has every chance of a long, healthy life — and the Burmese is, after all, one of the longer-lived pedigree breeds.
Practical steps for a healthy Burmese
- Buy from a GCCF breeder who DNA-tests for hypokalaemia and breeds away from the head defect.
- Keep your cat lean to cut the diabetes risk dramatically.
- Brush teeth and keep up dental checks.
- Insure early, before any condition can be excluded as pre-existing.
- See your vet promptly for weakness episodes, increased thirst or urination, or any worrying change.
You can find local and emergency clinics through our vet finder, and check whether everyday foods are safe with our can my pet eat this tool.
*This is general guidance, not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always consult your vet about your individual cat.*
Sources
Common questions
What health problems are Burmese cats prone to?
The breed can carry hypokalaemia (low blood potassium causing muscle weakness, also called familial episodic hypokalaemic polymyopathy), which has a DNA test that responsible breeders use. Burmese also have a recognised predisposition to diabetes mellitus, particularly if overweight. Some breeding lines carry the Burmese head defect, a serious craniofacial malformation, and flat-chested kitten syndrome is also seen. Dental disease is common, as in all cats. Buying from a breeder who tests and keeping your cat lean reduce the risks considerably.
Is there a DNA test for Burmese hypokalaemia?
Yes. Inherited hypokalaemia in the Burmese — familial episodic hypokalaemic polymyopathy — is caused by a known mutation for which a DNA test is available. Responsible breeders test their breeding cats and use the results to avoid producing affected kittens, so when buying a kitten you should ask whether the parents have been DNA-tested. The condition causes episodes of muscle weakness, often a wobbly gait and lowered head, usually in young cats, and affected cats can often be managed with veterinary care and potassium supplementation.
Are Burmese cats prone to diabetes?
Yes — the Burmese has a recognised predisposition to diabetes mellitus compared with the general cat population, and the risk rises significantly if a cat becomes overweight. Watch for increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss despite a good appetite, and lethargy, and have any of these checked by your vet promptly. The most effective way to reduce the risk is to keep your cat at a healthy weight through measured feeding and regular activity, with routine vet checks as your cat ages.
About the author
Matt — founder, Giddy Pets
Matt started Giddy Pets to make getting pets the good stuff simpler and fairer. Everything in these guides comes from real life with pets and a lot of trial and error — it's practical guidance, not veterinary advice. If a guide gets something wrong, tell him directly.