BirmanCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The origin of the breed is unclear. The best-known legend says the cats were kept by priests in a temple in northern Burma. The FIFe profile says the breed reached Europe around 1900, and France was the first European country to recognise it, in 1925.

During the Second World War the breed almost disappeared: by the end of the war only two cats were left in Europe, Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa. The breed was rebuilt from their kittens, crossed with Persian and Siamese cats. By the early 1950s, purebred Birman kittens were being born again.

How the breed developed

• Around 1900 – the breed reaches Europe.
• 1925 – recognised in France.
• 1945 – only two cats are left in Europe.
• 1949 – recognised by FIFe when it is founded.
• 1966–1967 – recognised in Britain and the USA.

• Families with children. German Wikipedia describes it as an ideal cat for apartments and children.
• Homes with several cats. It does not like being alone.
• People who want a quiet cat. It has a soft voice and is calm.
• Kept indoors. It lets even strangers pick it up, so it should not roam freely outside.

It has a medium-sized, slightly elongated body with short, strong legs. The face is broad, with a “Roman” nose. It weighs 4–6 kg (French Wikipedia).

General appearance

The hallmark of the breed is its “gloves”: all four paws are completely white. On the back of the hind legs the white runs upwards and ends in an inverted “V”. The eyes are round and deep sapphire blue. The ears are as wide at the base as they are tall.

The body is white to cream, and the muzzle, ears, legs and tail have the colour of the points: seal (dark brown), chocolate, red and their dilute versions, plus tabby and tortie. Any other white patch on the points is a serious fault. The best contrast only shows at about 2–3 years.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Siamese has the same points, but short hair, a slender body and coloured paws. The Ragdoll has similar colours, but is larger. Unlike the Persian or the Himalayan, the Birman has no undercoat, so its coat mats much less.

The FIFe profile describes it as very playful and friendly. It loves human company and gets on well with other cats or dogs. It likes to be treated with respect and quickly lets you know if you forget that.

French Wikipedia says that, although it looks like the Siamese, it is calm and has a gentle voice.

Socialisation

It does not like being alone and gets bored; German Wikipedia advises people who work all day not to keep it on its own.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is moderately active. It is happy in an apartment if it has daily play and company.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

Because it has no undercoat, the coat rarely mats. Brushing once or twice a week is enough.

Common health problems

A British study of veterinary records found a life expectancy of 14.4 years, above the 11.7-year average for all cats. However, the breed has one of the lowest genetic diversities and a high risk of chronic kidney disease. It is also prone to feline infectious peritonitis and urinary stones, and a form of sound-triggered epilepsy (FARS) seems to be common in Birmans.

Recommended genetic tests

The kidneys can be checked with blood tests (creatinine and SDMA). In Birmans creatinine is normally higher, so the results should be read by a vet who knows the breed.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• Names by the alphabet. Many breeders give all kittens born in a year names starting with the same letter: in 2016 with “N”, in 2017 with “O”.
• Saved by two cats. After the war, the breed was rebuilt from the kittens of just two cats, Orloff and Xenia.
• Compulsory “gloves”. The white must cover all the toes on all four paws.
• A colour that ripens. The contrast of the points only peaks at 2–3 years.

Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld's cat

The best-known Birman is Choupette, born in 2011, the cat of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The temple legend

The story of the Burmese priests who kept these cats made the breed famous as the “sacred cat”. The sources say clearly, however, that there is no historical evidence for this origin.

Why does it have white paws?

The white paws, called “gloves”, are the hallmark of the breed and the standard requires them on all four feet.

Does the coat get matted?

Only a little, because it has no undercoat. Brushing once or twice a week is enough.

Can it be left alone all day?

It does not like it. If you are away a lot, it is better for it to have another cat.

How long does it live?

A study from the United Kingdom found 14.4 years on average.

How much does it weigh?

Usually 4–6 kg.