Originally call the Sacred Cat of Burma , the Birman is an ancient breed that ’s been prized for generation for her beautiful marking and lovely , mild temperament . These mid - size cat are sociable , easy - going felines that make howling pets for masses of all ages .
It ’s hard to describe perfection , but Birman cats issue forth pretty penny-pinching . An ancient member of the cat kindred , Birmans ( to begin with known as the Sacred Cat of Burma ) have been charming mass for centuries . Once beloved by temple monks , these walking beauty have become democratic pets around the Earth .
Birmans are a mid - size of it stock with a luxuriant , cream coat with darker points , whitened - gloved paws , and sparkling naughty eyes . Yet , for all their glamour , Birman computerized tomography are anything but particular . They ’re always outgoing , friendly , and gentle - to - care - for cats .
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Appearance
You wo n’t forget the first time you see a Birman cat . That ’s because these fantastic felines sport a profuse ointment - color coat with counterpoint spot ( colour on the lower legs , ears , face , and shadow ) topped with blow white-hot gloves on all four feet and undimmed blue eyes .
Birmans in the main weigh between 8–10 pound . Their luxurious coats , while long , are remarkably easy to care for because there ’s no priming to get tangled and matted . Accepted point colors admit seal , downhearted , cream , hot chocolate , lilac , blue tortie , lilac tortie , Navy SEAL tortie , hot chocolate tortie , and blue cream .
Temperament
Sweet and affectionate ! That ’s the best way to describe a Birman cat ’s personality . These beautiful animal are bred to be social with everyone in the kinsfolk ( including other cats ordogs , if introduced properly ) .
" Birmans are ridiculously precious and sweet computed axial tomography , " order Ingrid Johnson , CCBC , cat groomer , and author ofFundamentally Feline .
You won’tfind Birmans with the zoomiesat all hours of the dark . Instead , you ’re more likely to find themcurled up on your lapor at the metrical unit of your bottom . Their repose - back attitude makes them an almost perfect family favourite , says Marilyn Krieger , endorse guy behavior consultantin San Francisco .
Birmans are a social breed that delight tending , and Krieger pronounce they ’ll oftenfollow their favorite personfrom way to room just to be by their side . And this dearest for humans extends beyond their family to novel people as well .
" They absolutely have intercourse their people , " Krieger tell . " They ’re very societal . It depends on the single cat , but in general speaking they do well when citizenry follow visiting , with strangers . They ’re very people - oriented and affectionate . "
Younger Birmans will love a good game of " chase the laser " orother fast - moving toy , but as your cat ages she will be happy just thread around the house check that everything is in Holy Order . They are a very curious strain andeasily trainable .
Living Needs
Birman cats may look glamorous , but that does n’t mean they need high - end accommodations to make them happy . In fact , Birmans will make themselves equally at home plate in a small apartment or palatial estate . They also do just fine with felid or canine roomy , just as long as everyone has proper introduction . But they do n’t mind the single life either — as long as you pass some quality time with them after you get home from oeuvre .
Krieger state Birmans " can be a little clingy and needy , " and they ’re not cats you could leave alone for time of day with nothing to do . If you must be out of the house , verify they haveplenty of miniature to keep them busy .
" As far as the Birman is concerned , they are so into their citizenry and so tie with their masses , " Krieger says . " They do n’t like to be home alone without somebody there . "
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Birman cats are moderately participating and enjoy batting around a few felt mouse or credit card balls to keep engaged . They ’ll alsoappreciate a cat treewhere they take in the view from above . Like other big cat , Birmans also love having at least onecomfy perch or hammockmounted by a sunny windowpane so they cankeep an center on the neighboring wildlifeand take a catnap or two . Although Birmans are more likely to commandeer your bed , it ’s still a serious idea to give thema bed or two of their own .
Care
Let ’s look it , farsighted - hairy cats take a minute more grooming to keep them looking expert . However , you may be surprised to find out how easy Birmans ' pelage really are togroom . That ’s because Birmans do n’t have a dull underseal like other long - hairy breeds , so their coat is n’t as likely to lustrelessness or tangle . Krieger says a simplebrushing or ransack a few time a weekis really all a Birman needs to keep her search great .
Johnson says that Birmans , even though they have long hair’s-breadth , " seem to require less grooming than other prospicient - haired cats . " For all cats , Johnson uses three groom cock :
She recommends that long - hairy cats , such as Birmans , be professionally groomed twice a year . Johnson also recommend " sanitary shaves " to keep the area around the genitals free of longer hairsbreadth , which allow cats to stay cleaner .
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As with all khat , proper Birman concern includestrimming her nails , keeping her litter box clean , andbrushing her tooth .
Health
fortunately , Birman cats do n’t have a circumstances of health trouble to vex about . Like a number of other cat breed , they are susceptible tohypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) , which is a disease of the heart , as well as kidney disease calledpolysystic kidney disease ( PKD ) . But overall , Birmans are a quite healthy breed .
Also , like other felines , Birmansneed veritable dental careto forestall dental disease . And because of their lay - back attitude , Birmans are a lot easier to take to the vet than some other cat-o'-nine-tails , so keep up withregular veterinary appointmentsto keep your feline bestie healthy .
History
Birman cat are an ancient breed , thought to have originated in Burma ( which is now Myanmar ) . It ’s believed they were temple cat and companions to Kittah priests , agree to National Birman Fanciers . According to legend , when a non-Christian priest die , his purport flow into his loyal computerized tomography before move on to the next life . Birmans are occasionally called the Sacred Cat of Burma .
The Birman ’s grand entrance into the West is a bit turbid , according to The Birman Cat Club of Australia . But it ’s broadly admit that in the early 1900s a pair of CAT , a male and a female , were shipped to France . The male died during the misstep , but the pregnant female , key out Sita , exist and gave birth to a kitten named Poupee de Madalpour .
By 1925 , Birmans were recognized by the Federation of Feline Francaise . But World War ll devastated the stock , and only two Birman cats remained in France when ill will terminate . Over time , however , the breed was reborn . By 1967 , the Birman stock was tell apart in the U.S. Today , the Birman breed remain democratic — deservedly so because of the cats ' beaut and sweet nature .
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