Introducing the Birman
Find out everything you need to know about the Birman: its characteristics, its behaviour, its training and how much one costs.
THE BIRMAN
The Birman, the ultimate gentle soul
The Birman is a cat with a mysterious past. Also known as the Sacred Cat of Burma, it is often said to have royal origins. One thing is for sure, this breed was first developed in France. The Birman is a sweet-tempered, endearing and very affectionate cat. Very sociable and gentle, it is a great friend for children and families. Its unusual physique, undeniable elegance and sweet nature make it an extremely popular cat, loved by all. It is the ultimate feline friend!
BIRMAN FACT FILE
This section outlines the unique features of the Birman breed of cat.
Size
The Birman is a medium-sized cat. It is about 12 inches tall and weighs around 15 pounds.
Coat length
The Birman has medium-long hair. It is longer on the back, flank and around the neck. It has a very fine undercoat.
Allergies
The Birman is not a hypoallergenic breed. If you have allergies, another breed would be a better choice.
Coat colour
All colour combinations are permitted. Birman markings must be colourpoint with white "gloves" on each paw.
Living environment
The Birman can adapt easily to any living environment. Living in a flat is no problem for this breed.
Sociability
The Birman is a friendly and very sociable cat, both with humans and with other cats. It usually gets on well with children.
Health
The Birman is generally a very healthy breed of cat. Nevertheless, the breed does have some predispositions.
Training
The Birman is a gentle, highly intelligent cat that will do anything to please its owner!
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Birman, a breath-taking beauty
The Birman is a cat with a distinctive and unique appearance. Its blue eyes and silky coat give it a regal elegance.
Size and weight of the Birman
The Birman is a medium-sized breed with a balanced build. Male and female Birman cats are both around 12 inches tall.
Similarly, there’s no real weight difference between the sexes. Regardless of gender, a Birman cat weighs between 9 pounds and 15 pounds.
The Birman has a long growth phase. Puberty starts at around 6 months of age and it reaches its adult height and weight around its second birthday.
The Birman coat
Coat length
The Birman has a medium-length coat that's oh so silky! The coat is an irregular length and is longest on the back, flank, tail and around the neck giving the cat a little mane. Its undercoat is very fine and light.
Like the Maine Coon, the Birman is not a hypoallergenic cat, so if you're allergic we suggest you look for another breed.
Coat colour
Like the Siamese, the Birman must have a colourpoint coat. This coat is defined by a dominant colour on most of the body and a darker colour on the tips: the mask, the ears, the bottom of the legs and the tail. Its distinguishing feature is that it has to have white "gloves" on its paws.
The dominant colour has to be white or another very light shade. Anything goes for the tips: Seal point, Blue point, Chocolate point, Cinnamon point, Cream point, Red point or Lilac point.
Lastly, the only acceptable markings for the Birman are:
– Tortie: red patches
– Tabby: striped
– Silver: silvery
– Smoke: smoky
Coat care
With a medium-length coat and very fine undercoat, the Birman is a surprisingly low maintenance cat. It just needs brushing once or twice a week to untangle any knots and to keep its coat silky and soft.
When moulting in spring and autumn, you should brush more frequently to remove dead hairs and keep your Birman comfortable. You may need to brush them as often as every day.
Other characteristics of the Birman
Other physical characteristics
The Birman is an elegant looking cat. They are a well-balanced breed with a rounded body. They have a strong, muscular build. Their wedge shaped head features a rounded forehead, full cheeks and a broad muzzle. The Birman has beautiful blue eyes, the deeper blue the better! Its small ears are wide at the base and rounded at the tip. It has medium length legs and a full tail in good proportion to the body.
Grooming
There's nothing unusual about grooming your Birman cat! Apart from weekly brushing, you can also give them a bath if you think they need one. If they are an indoor cat, one bath a year is plenty. If they go outside and enjoy playing in the garden, 2 to 3 baths a year would be better.
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR
What is the temperament of the Birman?
The Birman is full of surprises! In keeping with its cuddly look, this is a very affectionate, gentle and sociable cat.
Birman sociability
A real cuddle bug
The Birman is love on legs! This very affectionate cat is bursting at the seams with love! They adore cuddles and any kind of love and affection. The Birman takes a very dim view of being ignored. They need to feel loved and appreciated to be happy. With a tendency to be clingy, they often follow their owners everywhere they go. You have to make it clear from an early age that you need your personal space!
Everybody's friend
The Birman is an incredibly friendly cat. This outgoing breed gets on well with humans, cats and even dogs. It's the perfect choice if you have children. These laid-back cats are extremely hard to annoy. If they do run out of patience, they prefer escape to confrontation. They don’t like to sulk though and will soon be back for more cuddles.
Living environment of the Birman
A chameleon cat
The Birman is a real chameleon! They will happily adapt to any environment as long as they're with their family. These cats like their indoor comforts, but they won’t say no to an outdoor adventure either! The Birman is an inquisitive breed of cat that enjoys hunting and exploring new places and smells. It's important that they have their own space where they can exercise, rest and indulge in some quiet R&R whenever they want.
If your cat enjoys going outdoors and you're worried about them getting lost, you can fit them with a little cat tracker which will allow you to track their every move. This handy device will keep your Birman safe wherever their adventures take them!
Training the Birman
The Birman is a very gentle cat, highly attentive and responsive to training. Often described as canine cats, they are intelligent and fast learners. It’s important to start training them from early kittenhood Birman cats respond well to play-based training with lots of rewards!
Which cat breed is right for you?
Choosing a cat that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!
HEALTH & NUTRITION
How to take care of the Birman
The Birman is generally very healthy. However, it is susceptible to a few particular conditions.
Health of the Birman
Common conditions
The Birman is a very healthy breed of cat. It does have some predispositions, though. The Birman may develop polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder where cysts form in the kidneys. They are also susceptible to hypomyelination, a fatal genetic condition specific to the Birman. It often manifests in kittens as young as 3 weeks of age, with acute tremors and seizures.
Lastly, there are also the common feline diseases like hypertrophic heart disease, which causes a thickening of the heart wall.
Routine care
Your Birman needs daily care to stay in good condition. Their eyes are ears are quite sensitive and need regular cleaning. Plus, their claws are always growing and need to be clipped regularly.
Last but not least, their vaccinations should be kept up to date to protect against common diseases, as should their worming and flea treatments.
Birman cats have a life expectancy of between 14 and 17 years.
Feeding the Birman
A balanced diet
Birman cats have different nutritional needs depending on their age and activity level.
Like all cats, the Birman needs a balanced diet that includes high quality protein, fats and carbohydrates. If they are very active, their diet can be supplemented with animal protein like red meat or chicken.
Weight management
The Birman is a breed of cat that is prone to being overweight. If your cat’s weight creeps up too high, this can lead to serious health problems. Wet food should only be fed occasionally as it may contain preservatives and additives. You should also avoid pre-prepared meals as they often contain a lot of sauce and can be rich in bad fats.
BREEDING OR ADOPTION & COST
What does a Birman cost?
The Birman is an extremely popular breed that people are eager to add to their families! Here are some tips for a problem-free purchase.
How to choose your Birman
Finding the right breeder
The Birman is quite easy to find in the UK as it's such a popular family pet. We strongly advise you to find a professional cattery or breeder. To check you're dealing with professionals, it’s a good idea to pay them a visit before agreeing to buy your Birman. You’ll see how the cats are living, their health and their behaviour.
Remember to make sure everything checks out before you take your new friend home! Kittens should be at least 12 weeks old and they need to be wormed, vaccinated and chipped. The breeder also needs to provide you with their paperwork as well as the parents' health records.
Lastly, from June 10, 2024 you must have your cat microchipped by the age of 20 weeks old and register its details in a relevant database such as Petlog or The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). This is a legal requirement in Britain, and failure to comply could result in a fine of
.
The price of a Birman
The Birman is a purebred cat. This means that prices can range from
to
depending on the sex, bloodline, age or reputation of the breeder. Females are often more expensive.
On top of the purchase price, you need to pay for their upkeep. If you're looking at buying a Birman, you need to factor in the cost of providing your cat with everything it needs. This comes to between
and
per year.
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