Birman Cats and Kittens

Habits

The cat is a carnivore, popular with humans as good companions and vermin hunters. A Cypriot grave unearthed skeleton of a human and a cat in close proximity, thus pushing back the link of man with cat 9,500 years. The average longevity of a cat is 14/20 years.
All domestic cats are descendants of desert wildcats. A cat is intelligent, can obey commands and communicate with various types of ‘meow’. Cats have been registered as pedigreed pets.

One of the best pedigreed cats is the Birman. Its beauty is striking – long coat flecked with colour and white feet. These stocky creatures are affectionate and soft. The head is large, chin is firm and the nose is Roman. The ears are medium and the ideal Birman should have sapphire blue wide apart eyes. They are ready for breeding within one to two years of age and are not prolific breeders. The Birman combines in it the hardiness of longevity with an ethereal endearing quality.

Coat

The silky long angora coat of the Birman cat requires little grooming. A weekly brush will suffice. Bathing should be occasional. Cats manicure their nails by scratching on rough surfaces of the furniture.

With each passing year more people are turning to Birman cats as pets. In all respects it is ideal for the urban jungle of flats and condos. Birman cats look out for human company in a dignified manner. Their tone is soft like gentle bells and a pat on the head will make it start purring. Birman cats crave attention and need to be reassured that they are the most beautiful creatures on earth.

Temperament

Even with age Birman cats do not lose their playful habits and frolic around with bottle corks, paper bags and balls. The life of the Birman cat revolves around the family as it curls up in the ironing basket or rushes to the front door hearing the key turning on the lock. They make wonderful pets for children – being both tolerant and playful.

It is advisable to keep Berman cats indoors away from the aggression of life outside. However the Berman cat can be taught to live with a cat-friendly dog.

The Birman cat originated in Burma and is the Sacred Cat of Burma. Even before the time of Buddha temples were built in lonely mountain retreats dedicated to god and goddesses. In one lived hundred white cats and when the priest died he returned as one of them. In this way the cats became sacred.

In the first half of the 20th century a pair was shipped to France. In 1925 they were officially registered as a breed. In England the recognition came in 1965.

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