The origin of the Birman cat is not well known, with much of his history tied in with cultural legends, While there is no clear record of the origin of Birman cats, one pair was taken to France around 1919, from which the breed became established in the western world. However, Birman cats were almost wiped out as a breed during World War II and were heavily outcrossed with long-hair breeds (mainly Persians) and also Siamese lines to rebuild the breed. By the early 1950s, pure Birman cat litters were once again being produced. The restored breed was recognized in Britain in 1965. The Birman, also known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma” is semi-longhaired with darker coloring to the points, face, legs, ears, and tail, and a pale toning body color. It is a largish cat with a thickset body and short legs.The Birman cat has blue eyes and four pure white feet. The front gloves covering only the feet, but the rear socks are longer. The head is broad and rounded with medium-size ears. They come in lots of different colors.
The Birman is a calm, affectionate cat who loves to be around people and can adapt to any type of home. He likes to play chase with other pets, taking turns being the chaser and the one being pursued. Birmans make friends with kids, dogs , and other cats. In fact, unlike most felines, they don’t especially like being the “only pet,” so you may want to get your Birman a companion – he won’t care if it’s another Birman, a different breed of cat, or even a dog.
Birmans aren’t demanding of your attention, but they’ll definitely let you know when they need a head scratch or some petting. Then they’ll go about their business until it’s time for you to adore them again. You should also keep your Birman entertained with interactive toys that require him to do some thinking and moving to pop out treats or kibble.
Here we gathered for you the most common Genetic Predispositions about Birmans, let’s get started:
Luckily, Birman cats are relatively healthy and aren’t predisposed to any major conditions. But, the common health concerns that plague other cats are things to look out for. These include obesity, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and kidney disease.
Obesity
Because of the hefty weight of these kitties, they may be more prone to feline obesity, which can cause a myriad of other health concerns. Just like humans, it’s important to do everything you can to help your kitty maintain a healthy weight. By limiting their food intake, exercising them regularly, and keeping up with regular vet visits, you can completely prevent this condition. It is up to the owner of Birmans to make sure they stay at a healthy weight.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Not specific to Birman cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart condition in cats. It causes the walls of the heart muscle to thicken and can cause the heart to increase in size. This is a genetically inherited condition, and breeders can check their lines for this condition. HCM is something to always be aware of, even if your kitty has a clean bill of health. HCM ranges in severity and can be treated with supplements, herbs, and other natural remedies.
Kidney Disease
Some lines of modern Birman cats may descend from Persians, who are also prone to kidney disease. Because of this, Birmans may be more susceptible.
Sources:
https://canna-pet.com/breed/birman-cat/
https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/cat-breeds/library/birman
Photo credit:
https://prettylitter.com/blogs/prettylitter-blog/birman-cats-101-pretty-litter
