The famous Birman, which you may recognise from films and TV, is a truly beautiful cat. With their bewitching sapphire-blue eyes and their pale, fluffy coat, their sweet appearance matches their gentle, loving personality. This personable breed loves discovering new things and is always willing to join in with fun and games, but also enjoys curling up on the sofa with you.
Facts & advice
Birman
Gentle, loving and irresistibly fluffy, a perfect fit for families
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Silky and fluffy |
| Life span:9 | 9 – 13 years |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, loyal, easy-going |
Birman personality & temperament
Their good-natured temperament makes the Birman cat a great family pet.
- Bred to be companion animals, Birman cat personalities are generally social and calm, with less of a predatory instinct than other cats, like the Bengal, for example.
- Birmans make great family cats due to their affectionate temperament and love to be handled and cuddled. As with any cat, though, make sure you give your Birman plenty of space as well and learn to recognise when they need some alone time.
- With their easygoing personalities, Birmans tend to get along with other cats and children if they are well socialised, introduced slowly at their own pace and allowed to feel comfortable and safe.
- The temperament of a Birman cat is kind and affectionate, curious and clever – they are great companions and easy to live and get along with and make a lovely first-time cat.
- Birman cats have a loyal and friendly temperament and have lived alongside humans for generations. They often pick a “favourite” from their family, and form strong bonds with one of their owners.
- Not as chatty as, say, a Siamese cat, a Birman will let you know in an ever-so-gentle voice if they want or don’t want something so make sure you’re listening carefully.
Birman food & diet
Like all cats, Birmans will thrive on a high-protein, low-carb diet.
- The diet of any cat must be appropriate for age and life-stage; Birman cats have no special dietary requirements, meaning the best cat diet to aim for is meat based, as all cats are obligate carnivores.
- A wet-food diet provides cats with the majority of their hydration, but having extra fresh water to drink will ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
- Additional dry cat food will help to keep your cat’s teeth strong and clean as well as provide it with all the nutrition they need. Feed dry food sparingly, though, as most dry foods are high in carbohydrates. Always check with your vet if you’re not sure.
- This easygoing breed can become sedentary if left to their own devices so keep an eye on your cat’s diet to make sure they’re not eating more than they should.
Birman grooming & coat care
Birmans’ silky-soft luxuriant coats are deceptively low-maintenance and perfect for snuggling!
- Birmans can be spotted by their characteristic dark patches of fur, usually over their faces, ears, and tail. Sometimes they have darker fur on their legs, making it look as though they’re wearing leg-warmers!
- Grooming a Birman cat’s coat is a surprisingly easy task, and cats that have been carefully introduced to cat grooming, and have been regularly and gently groomed since infancy often revel in the process.
- Despite having a long and fluffy coat, healthy Birman cats are silky and relatively tangle-free, so matting isn’t often a problem. Grooming long-haired cats like Birmans may mean trying a few brushes before finding the right one.
- Weekly brushing or combing will avoid any tangles and keep your Birman cat looking their best. As their fur is so long, grooming them will enable you to feel any lumps and bumps, skin allergies, cuts, or flea bites that aren’t visible from afar.
- As Birman cats are often prone to dental problems, it’s important to keep a close eye on their teeth and gums – keep your cats teeth healthy by brushing them a few times a week.
- You should also keep on top of any claws that may need clipping, especially in older cats.
Birman training & behaviour
These good natured cats will love spending quality time with their owners, but remember, like all cats, they need their own space too.
- Birman cats can be seen as ‘lazy’ if under-stimulated and can put on weight easily, but they respond brilliantly to encouragement and play. They enjoy games and training, and will stay active, fit and sharp with the right cues.
- Training games using positive reinforcement methods for Birman cats often prove rewarding both for the cat and the owner – they are great learners and can learn all sorts of tricks.
- Toys that dispense food are a useful way to get your Birman cat to ‘work’ for their treats. As with all cats, start off with something simple like a cardboard egg box with some dry food in for your cat to paw out. Always show any cat how to use enrichment toys for a few minutes to help prevent frustration or boredom.
- Like all cats, the Birman needs somewhere they can feel safe and secure so make sure they have a dedicated area that they can go to when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Common Birman health conditions
As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Birmans are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Birmans.
Like most breeds, Birmans may suffer from gum and dental disease during their lifetime. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented with basic routine care such as feeding cats dry food and brushing their teeth, helping them to lead a normal, pain-free life.
Heart disease in cats refers to when the heart’s structures aren’t working as they should be. There are two categories of heart disease: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops later in life). Congenital heart diseases include defects in the wall of the heart, abnormal valves and blood vessels. Birmans are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.
The Birman, like all cats, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis caused by infections (like feline enteritis), poisoning or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the cat eating string for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery.
Cats’ kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from their blood into their urine. Birmans may be affected by kidney disease caused by infections, blockages, tumours or toxins (especially licking anti-freeze) as well as age related changes. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidney function deteriorates gradually over a period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and the extent of damage, but usually begins by flushing the kidneys using intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications. Unfortunately kidney disease is irreversible, but with the right support many cats can enjoy a reasonably normal life.
Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Birmans can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Birman cat
Considering welcoming a Birman into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Their friendly temperament and beautiful coat can make Birman cats a target for thieves. Owners may wish to create secure outside areas, such as ‘catios’ with multi-level enrichment areas and safe cat-proof fencing.
- Birman cats are generally very easygoing. When well-socialised, they love attention and company, and can get along well with other cats and responsible children if carefully matched and introduced.
- This breed can be prone to dental problems so make sure you’re checking your Birman’s teeth and gums regularly.
- Though they tend to prefer a calm environment, Birmans fit well into the everyday hustle and bustle of family life. Keep in mind, though, that cats generally prefer some alone time, and so owners, especially families with young children, should be mindful of this.
Birman frequently asked questions
There are many stories of the Birman cat’s origin, and most common is that it was a Burmese temple cat. According to legend, Birman cats were rewarded with beautiful blue eyes and silky coats for helping defend the temples. While the specific origins of Birmans are unknown, this is a fun little dinner party anecdote to have handy!
Birman cats have been bred for many years to be ideal companions for humans and have a charming and friendly personality. If you work from home, you can expect your Birman to follow you around for company - perhaps even offering you a bit of respite by sitting in front of your computer!
A Birman cat’s coat pattern is ‘pointed’, meaning there are darker patches making certain areas prominent. These points can be any of 20 colours including brown, red and even blue, but a Birman cat’s body is always a beautiful creamy white.
Birman cats respond brilliantly to positive reinforcement cat-training methods and can learn tricks; in fact, they enjoy the attention as well as the challenge. That said, perhaps don’t try anything too advanced as Birmans can be prone to boredom!
Birman cats are communicative but quiet, and if they talk at all do so with a soft, gentle tone, reflecting their quieter personality type.
Our data shows that Birmans are slightly more prone to certain conditions, such as heart and kidney problems, than other cats. However, every cat is an individual, regardless of their breed, and there are lots of factors that can affect a cat’s health. Always speak to your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s health.
Birman insurance considerations
Birmans sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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