The Birman is a cat brimmed with legends and mystique, but has a calm and affectionate demeanor and loves the company of his family. This former temple feline has a stocky body, deep blue eyes, white feet, and long, silken coat, which come in various pointed colors. While less active, they have a playful side, often chasing or fetching balls, otherwise curling in your lap.
Origin of the Birman Cat
The roots of the Birman cat are not well-renowned, but much of it is associated with Asian cultural legends.
It was believed that the Birman cat originated from a feline from an Asian temple named Sinh. The ancient furball used to sit beside the priest when he is worshipping the golden temple goddess with deep blue eyes. However, raiders came one night and killed the priest. As the priest was at the brink of his death, Sinh touched him, faced the temple goddess and the feline and all other ones in the area, transformed and acquired a golden body, deep blue eyes, just like of the goddess. Their legs turned brown, while the feet remained white, implying purity. Sinh stayed with the priests for about seven days but died eventually. It was then deemed that the feline carried his master’s soul to paradise.
Some of these cats were transported to France or Britain and were soon bred with other felines, producing the Birmans we have today.
Physical Characteristics of the Birman Cat
- Length:15 to 18 inches
- Weight: 9 to 15 pounds (Male), 6 to 10 pounds (Female)
- Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
- Coat Color: Blue, Frost, Seal, Chocolate, Cream, Red, Cinnamon, Faw, Lilac
- Type of Coat: Medium to Long
- Eye Color: Deep/Sapphire Blue
Birman cats are fairish to largish members of the feline family. They resemble the Siamese cat but boast a thickset pale toned body, pure white feet, and long, silken coat, with darker tones to the points, face, ears, legs, and tail. The head is wide, and rounded, with wide-placed mid-length ears.
Birman Cat Personality
The Birman Cats are social, friendly cats with a gentle and sweet demeanor. Being former temple cats, they are people-oriented, enjoy the attention, and will follow their masters from room to room, jiving in any activity that is happening in the area.
While these felines tend to be relatively quiet, they will communicate with their owners in soft, chirping voices, often to remind them about dinner time, or to ask for some cuddle time, as they enjoy curling in their master’s lap or relaxing in their arms.
Birmans are docile, but they are intelligent and are filled with curiosity. They will roam around to explore their immediate surroundings and are known to get trapped in certain areas of the house, requiring extra attention to where they are.
Generally, their personality is easy to handle, making them an ideal pet to those who want less-spoken furballs, but will offer veritable amounts of love and affection towards their owners.
Caring for the Birman Cat
While the coat of the Birman cats is soft and silky, their fur is relatively easier to handle than that of the Persians. Weekly grooming using comb and brush will suffice to keep their coat in top-notch condition. Bathing is rarely necessary. However, should an owner decide to bathe them, they must be accustomed to it at a young age as these furballs do not like grooming activity.
As with all cats, brushing their teeth once a week is necessary to keep them away from developing periodontal disease, gingivitis, and other oral illnesses. Nails must be examined weekly to see signs of infection and must be trimmed if necessary to keep their paws healthy. Regular checkups, parasite control, and required immunizations must also be observed.
While they are not relatively active, Birman Cats need ample amounts of exercise each day to keep them away from gaining extra weight. Moreover, they are curious, and getting different toys will help satisfy both their exercise requirements and playful side. However, their energy and activity may tone down as they age, and they may prefer peaceful or calmer games.
When it comes to food, these cats are healthy eaters, picking quality over quantity of food. They will love to munch on natural meats, such as chicken, turkey, or beef. Preparing their food instead of buying ready-made one is preferred, as cheaply-made food items might affect their coat, ski, and digestive system.
Birman cats are open to living with other cat-friendly dogs, long as they are introduced properly in controlled environments. They also get along with children that are taught to treat them politely. If they are dealt with respect, these cats would not hesitate to play with toddlers.
These cats are undoubtedly one of the most stunning cat breeds, and as well as one of the most affectionate felines, making them an ideal pet to many families. They are perfect for owners who are looking for less-spoken, yet affectionate companions to be with them in their lovely homes.