Welcome to our Birman Cats page! Here you will find everything you could ever want to know about Birman cats and a complete list of all the Birman catteries we have located in the USA.

The Birman is among the most popular cat breeds in the United States. Its signature blue eyes and silky coat distinguish it as a sophisticated addition to any family.

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Birman

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Birman Cat Breed Information

General Information:

Height/Length: about 12 inches
Weight: about 8 to 12 pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Coloring:  Seal, blue, lilac, cream, red, chocolate, seal tortie tabby, seal tortie (females only), blue tabby, seal tabby
Area of Origin: France, Burma (Myanmar)
Similar Breeds: Siamese, Ragdoll

Breed History and Origins:

The history of the Birman cat is very fascinating, unusual, and enchanting. The actual origin of the breed is not known, but there are many interesting legends of their background. It is believed that the Birman cat originated in Burma where they were considered sacred. They were special enough to be loyal companions of the Kittah priests. Birman cats are also known as the sacred cats of Burma.

Legend says that the head priest of the temple had a mysterious white cat with yellow eyes named Sinh. One night the temple was attacked and the priest was killed. At the moment of his death, he was in front of a statue of a golden goddess with sapphire-blue eyes. Sinh jumped on the body of its owner to protect him. At that moment, the cat’s eyes turned sapphire-blue, his fur took on a golden sheen, and the priest’s soul entered into Sinh. Sadly, only seven days later Sinh died, taking the soul of his owner to paradise.

According to another story, a pair of Birman cats were shipped from Burma to France in the early 1900s. Unfortunately, the male Birman did not survive the long journey, but the female cat did survive – and she was pregnant. After some time, the cat gave birth to a litter of kittens in France. This helped to establish the breed in Europe. During World War II, the breed was nearly brought to extinction. However, breeders re-established this beautiful breed. The first Birmans arrived in the United States in 1959, and the breed was recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1967.

Size and Physical Characteristics:

Different breeds of cats have different traits that are characteristic of their breed. The Birman is a moderate sized cat, who is elegant and well-proportioned. The body should not be slim or rounded.  Females tend to weigh between 6 and 10 pounds and males between 10 and 15 pounds. Males are usually larger than females. The head has a robust and strong bone structure and full cheeks, and the forehead should be slightly rounded. They have a heavy jaw and a well-developed chin. The muzzle is heart-shaped with very prominent cheekbones. The nose is medium-length with a slight bump, and should not be too short or too long.  Their ears are medium-sized, but they are fairly small compared to other cat breeds. The tips should be rounded.

A striking feature of a Birman is its round, blue eyes. A Birman’s eyes are striking, intense, and expressive. The Birman cat should always have deep blue eyes and completely white feet called “gloves”. The presence of gloves and laces up the back of their hindlegs is a must and one of their most distinguishing features. An interesting fact is that all Birmans have white paws. As well as other colorpoint breeds, all Birmans are born pure white. They will start developing their markings between two days and two weeks. Birmans come in several color variations but always with color points. They have markings and darker color points on the face, ears, tail, and legs.

The Birman has no undercoat, and the fur does not mat. It should be long and thick around the neck. The fur is very soft, silky to the touch. The legs are quite short and robust compared to the rest of the body. The legs should be strong with big, round feet. Birmans are truly beautiful cats. Toe pads are usually pink, and the feet should be symmetrical. The tail is medium-length and bushy, and must be long enough to touch the shoulder.  The color of their coats should have a golden cast. Birmans come in several beautiful colours, including seal, blue, lilac, cream, red, chocolate, seal tortie tabby, seal tortie (females only), blue tabby, seal tabby.

Personality and Temperament:

Birman cats are very sweet and affectionate and fun to be around. They truly love their owners and enjoy being around them more often. Just like other pets, cats are fairly strongly affected by their experiences and their environment. Their personalities can change over time. Some cat breeds are more independent than others and may fit your busier life, including Birman cats. Birman cats are fantastic family pets. They really love to be with people, and are very patient and loving with children. Birmans attach themselves to the family and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. They truly enjoy the company of other pets, including dogs, and most especially, people. They possess a strong desire to please and will do anything for love and affection. They are highly obedient, playful, intelligent, gentle, and well-mannered, and they’re great with kids and kindly to strangers.

Birmans are very sociable cats. Unlike many other cat breeds, they will greet visitors with curiosity and happiness. Birmans are generally not shy or scared of strangers. They want to investigate and explore any changes in their environment. Birmans are a quiet breed of cat and they have lovely soft voices. Although they are not vocal cats, the Birman can be talkative.

Birmans have an average energy level. They are less active than some other cat breeds, but they tend to be very playful even in their old age. They can be very easy to train and are a good match for first-time owners. Birmans need daily contact with their owners and loved ones. Their temperament is usually affected by a number of factors, including training, and socialization. Like every cat, the Birman needs early socialization. Socialization is important for all cat breeds, but for a gentle cat like the Birman it can be instrumental in discouraging any shyness. They are not aggressive cats, but they do need proper socialization to avoid any fearfulness.

The Birman loves nothing more than to be the center of his owner’s care and attention and is so affectionate that you’ll never feel alone. Like every cat, it requires plenty of love and attention. Birmans make excellent family pets and provide gentle and intelligent companionship throughout their lifetimes. If you’re looking for a companion who’ll be your partner and your friend for life, then the Birman may be the cat for you.

Nutritional and Exercise Needs:

Birmans do not have any special exercise needs, but they can easily become overweight, which can lead to several health problems. Good nutrition is essential for your cat’s health. The Birman will need approximately 70 Kcals of cat food per kg of bodyweight per day. Keep your Birman in good shape by measuring his food.  Make sure you feed your cat with a high-quality food specially formulated for cats. Birmans are not fussy eaters, but they will enjoy in different treats. However, they tend to be very picky about their food. Changing cat food is sometimes necessary and it will help to give your cat some variety. Offer your cat canned cat food along with dry cat food. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Cats can be sensitive to changes in their diet, so changes should be made gradually. Proper nutrition is very important. You should provide your cat with a highly-digestible food and fresh water at all times.

The Birman can become quite large. Depending on his temperament, he can be very active or he can simply enjoy snuggling up on the sofa with you. Regular physical exercise is very important for the well-being of your cat. A well-trained, obedient cat is much happier than an untrained cat. Daily exercise is necessary to keep your cat in good physical and mental condition. It is also a good idea to invest in a cat tree and scratching post. There are lot of available toys for cats, including balls, stuffed animals, and feathers. Regular aerobic exercise is good for the cardiovascular system and helps to keep muscles strong. Lack of exercise leads to boredom, and is a major cause of some cat diseases.

Cats are born athletes and regular physical activity provides many benefits for their health. Believe it or not, one of the best activities for your Birman is playing with other cats. If you can handle it, getting another cat would be a good idea. They will have someone to hang and play with when you are not home.

Grooming and Upkeep:

Proper grooming and trimming of the Birman is one of the essential characteristics of the breed, but also the most difficult part of taking care of your cat. Basic grooming consists of keeping your cat’s coat, skin, nails, teeth, and ears in good condition. Of course, depending on the coat and the age of the cat, it can take from a few hours a week to a couple of hours a month. Weekly grooming of your Birman is highly important for good health and appearance. The Birman requires regular grooming with a brush and a wide toothed comb. It is an important part of keeping your cat healthy, beautiful and happy. His coat has no undercoat so it doesn’t require a daily brushing and combing, but a healthy and shiny coat is easy to keep and maintain and shedding is minimal if your Birman is thoroughly brushed and combed weekly. Birmans do not need brushing very often, perhaps only once or twice a week depending on the cat. You should comb them more frequently in spring, when Birmans shed their coat.

The Birman is naturally quite clean, but a healthy coat will definitely enhance your enjoyment in owning this beautiful breed of cat. Your Birman should be bathed at least once every two weeks if you want to maintain the beautiful silky coat that the breed is known for. You could use a line of special shampoos for bringing out the best in a cat’s coat color. Birman kittens should be acclimated to baths at an early age so that grooming will be easier. To keep them looking their best, they do require some time, effort, and dedication.

One of the most important steps in grooming a Birman is regular teeth brushing. Weekly brushing is even better if you want to prevent dental issues and bad breath. Birmans are gentle and will allow their teeth to be brushed. If done properly, brushing can become a pleasurable time for both cat and owner.  Trimming your cat’s nails can be stressful, but it’s necessary. In case you are not experienced in trimming cat nails, ask a vet or specialist for pointers. There are many different kinds of nail trimmers available. At first it will take a little while to do it thoroughly, but as both you and your Birman get used to it, you will be surprised how little time is actually needed.

Every once in awhile, give your cat’s eyes a quick and painless exam. Eyes should be clear, with no redness. Your careful weekly exam will help you notice potential health problems early. Cat ears should be checked weekly for redness, which can indicate an infection. Make sure your cat’s ears stay healthy by cleaning them regularly. Remember that the one thing that makes any cat look its best is good care and training, and that grooming does take time and practice.  Regular grooming and inspection at least once a week are necessary for your cat. If you can manage thirty minutes a week to groom and inspect your Birman, you should have no trouble maintaining its beautiful and shiny coat.

Characteristics Unique to the Breed:

Birmans are very special and very different from other cat breeds. Among the qualities that make them stand out are their patience with children and their willingness to obey. Birmans bond closely with their owners.

There are a variety of traits that hallmark the Birman as a unique breed. The most visually powerful are coat colors and markings. Birmans are amazingly beautiful inside and out. They are sweet and affectionate and love to be pampered. They are playful, curious cats. Grooming definitely plays an important role in their routine and training. Another unique characteristic of the Birman is its completely white paws. Birmans are quite similar in appearance to Siamese cats that many cat owners have difficulty telling the breeds apart.

Birman cats are not hypoallergenic and they are considered one of the easiest breeds to care for. Birmans are suitable for anyone and make wonderful family pets due to their gentle nature. This breed does well in homes with other pets and doesn’t show aggression toward other animals.  Birman females are known for being good and patient mothers. They usually produce 3 to 4 kittens in a litter.  Each cat has his own unique set of characteristics and personality, but one thing is certain – these beautiful and wonderful companions are fascinating creatures. If you want a companion for life who wants to be around you often, then a Birman is definitely for you.

Health and Wellness:

Birmans are generally healthy, but like all cat breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. The Birman cat can suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is the most common heart condition that appears in cats. Birman cats are prone to dental and gum disease. Regular teeth brushing is highly important. This will hopefully prevent dental diseases. The Birman can also suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior, if he is left alone for too long.  Some Birman cats may develop kidney disease.

Birman cats are very clean and sensitive about their hygiene. They will not use a dirty litter box. The box should be disinfected quite frequently and available at all times. It’s crucial to keep your Birman’s litter box fresh. However, don’t clean it with harsh chemicals. Cleaning your cat’s litter box can be frustrating, but it is very important because a dirty litter box is dangerous for your cat.

Birmans require annual vaccinations against common feline diseases. As every cat owner knows, annual physical exams for cats are highly important. Like all cats, Birmans tend to hide signs of their illnesses. Semi-annual veterinary exams are also recommended for your cat. Many cat owners skip annual checkups, but they are the key to a healthy pet. Always consult your veterinarian for any cat health issues.

Interesting Facts about Birmans:

• Birman cats are extremely friendly, affectionate, and people-oriented.
• The Birman is a relatively rare breed of cat.
• All Birmans have four completely white paws.
• The Birman is one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States.
• The Birman is not a high-maintenance cat and is adaptable to any type of environment.
• Birmans have a distinctive nose called a “Roman nose”.
• Their distinctive white feet are known as gloves and laces.