History of the Birman Cat

The Birman was traditionally a sacred companion cat of the Kittah priests of Burma. The breed was introduced to Europe in 1919 but was not established as a breed in the UK, USA and Australia until the 1960's.  

Description of the Birman

This is a long and stocky cat with short solid legs and a medium sized tail. The Birman cat should always have deep blue eyes and white feet (known as gauntlets or gloves). The face is strong with a firm chin, heavy jaws and almost round eyes.

Size

Birman Cats are a large cat.

Coat of the Birman Cat

Semi-long (not as long as the Persian) and silky in texture. There is an obvious ruff or collar of hair around the neck that is especially noticeable in males. The colour should be light with darker ‘points' on the face, ears, legs and tail.

Temperament

The Birman Cat is a well adjusted and adaptable cat. They are people oriented and will follow you around the house out of curiosity and companionship but will also be content to have some time alone. They do like to have a conversation but do not have loud voices. 

Health of Birman Cats

This breed needs regular grooming to help remove dead hair and stay in top condition. Matts are rare as the Birman does not have an undercoat and the fur is silky and difficult to tangle. They can develop hair balls from self-grooming so you may need to add a hair ball formula to their diet.

Possible Genetic Disorders of the Birman

Some Birman lines may be predisposed to:

  • Development of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
  • Renal calculi
  • Thromboembolism

Best Suited

  • for a wide range of owners
  • to those willing to spend some each week in grooming

Not Suited

  • Birmans are not suited for neat freaks (they will shed more hair than a short haired cat)