The Birman cat is a domestic cat known for its striking appearance, friendly disposition, and charming personality.
Birman cats are a relatively ancient breed with roots that can be traced back to Burma (now Myanmar) in Southeast Asia. They are sometimes called the “Sacred Cat of Burma” due to their association with Burmese temples and religious beliefs.
Origin and History of the Birman Cat
The Birman cat is a long-haired cat breed believed to originate from Burma and has similar physical characteristics to the Siamese cats and Himalayan cats. Behind the cute appearance of this cat breed are quite epic legends. DailyPets.net has collected and summarized for you as follows:
Thousands of years ago, the Khmer built a temple called Lao-Tsun to honor their goddess Tsu-Kyan-Kse. One night, a group of robbers attacked the temple. In trying to protect the golden goddess statue, priest Mun-ha was murdered.
At that moment, the white cat named “Sinh” (priest Mun-ha’s beloved cat) jumped on the priest’s body to protect its owner and the golden statue. At that time, the spirit of the Goddess appeared and entered the cat “Sinh” to repel the robbers. The priests then saw that Sinh’s body had changed; his ears, legs, face, and tail all changed to brown, his eyes changed from yellow to blue, and only the soles of his feet remained. pure white. This is because, at that time, “Sinh” still stood on his master Mun-ha. It showed that no matter what, it was always loyal to its master, maintaining the purity of the place in contact with its own.
The cat “Sinh” then lived for another 7 days without eating or drinking. When the remaining priests gathered to elect a successor, they were surprised to see 99 other white cats that had completely changed to look exactly like the cat “Sinh.” Since then, Birman cats have been considered sacred, containing great priests’ souls. The name Birman Cat is also from this legend.
Of course, there are also many people who do not believe in this legend, who believe that this cat breed is often seen in Burma around temples, and they live with priests. There are other records saying that Birman cats were sent to France to Mr. Gordon Russell and Mr. August Pavie to be protected from attacks by foreign invaders to the temples. There is also a record that an American millionaire bought two Birman cats from smugglers, etc.
In any case, the story is still just a story, and the origin of the Birman cat breed is still a mystery without an exact scientific answer. One thing is for sure: the Birman cat breed was recognized in France in 1925, in England in 1966, and since the CFA in 1967.
Birman cat appearance characteristics
The Birman is a cat with a round head, a fat face (but not as fat as the British Shorthair), attractive blue oval eyes, and high-pricked ears that create an overall cat-like appearance. Siamese cat but a bit fatter, very cute.
The Birman has a long, thick, silky coat, often the same color as the Siamese. There will also be a charred color on the face, ears, legs, tail, etc., but the soles of the feet will be white, so it will feel like they are wearing a pair of stockings.
Birman cats can weigh from 3 to 6 kg and fully develop by the time they are 3 years old. Males are usually slightly heavier than females. This is also a fairly healthy breed and rarely gets sick, although there are some reports that they are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a disease that is also common in cats when they get old.
How to distinguish Birman cats from Siamese cats and Ragdoll cats
If you are a cat lover or have learned about cats, you may have noticed that Birman, Siamese, and Ragdoll are similar, right? When placed next to each other, a person who does not have much knowledge about cats will not be able to distinguish them. DailyPets.net would like to share with you how to differentiate as follows:
First, look at the soles of these three cat breeds; the cat whose soles are not white will be the Siamese. The Birman and Ragdoll cat breeds both have white soles.
Next, to distinguish the Birman cat and the Ragdoll cat, pay attention to their chin. Ragdoll cats will have white chins, while Birman cats will not. In addition, the Ragdoll cat’s body size is also much larger than the Birman cat. It’s not too hard to tell the difference, is it?
Birman cat personality traits
Like most Western cats, the Birman is gentle, easy-going and friendly. They can quickly become friends with other dogs or cats in the house, love children, and are very attached to their owners. If you want to keep both dogs and cats in the house and want to have pictures of cats sleeping with dogs, Birman will not disappoint you.
Besides, Birman cats are also known to be curious and mischievous but not destructive. You just need to spend some time playing tag with them, throwing things for them to pick up, or simply letting them watch you surf Facebook or check email on your computer or phone.
Birman cat lifespan
The average lifespan of a Birman cat is about 12 to 16 years or more with proper care. However, like all cat breeds, individual lifespans can vary based on genetics, diet, environment, and access to healthcare.
Birman cat price
The price of a Birman cat can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the cat’s pedigree, age, gender, color, and the breeder’s reputation. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more for a Birman kitten from a reputable breeder.
It’s crucial to do thorough research before purchasing a Birman cat. Look for a reputable breeder who follows ethical breeding practices, properly cares for their cats, and offers health guarantees.
