|
What
is a Birman or Why Choose a Birman?
The
Birman is a strikingly beautiful breed of cat with
semi-longhaired coat of colour-point pattern. It comes in a
variety of colours and possesses white feet. Males can be quite
large – adults reaching 5 to 6 kilos while females are
somewhat smaller tending to mature somewhere between 3.5 and 4
kilos. They are affectionate and sweet natured. Their origin is
cloaked in mystery and they do come with a very sweet Legend
which explains how they came into being. On the whole they are
robust healthy cats, many living to very old age yet they
possess an ethereal quality which is very endearing.
How
much Grooming is required?
The
Birman has an easy care angora coat which requires little
grooming. The fur is long and silky and has no undercoat so does
not knot or tangle. Regular weekly grooming with a brush is all
that is required for most of the year although your cat will
enjoy it if you decide to groom more regularly. The coat is
inclined to change during the hot months and at that time daily
grooming may be desirable to remove surplus dead hair. Like
other breeds your Birman can be bathed occasionally if desired.
Scratching carpet covered posts help to keep nails short.
Living
with Birmans?
The
Birman cat is gaining in popularity from year to year as more
people are introduced to this exceedingly beautiful cat. Their
popularity is of course only partly due to their beauty and the
variety of colour points that can be found.
They are exceptional companions and ideally suited to indoor
living. They also satisfy the desire to own a long haired cat
but without the continual grooming of such breeds as Persians.
However it is their personality that makes them such a treasured
addition to a family.
Birman
Cat Personality
Birmans
are people oriented cats. They are always pleased to see you and
where you are your Birman cat will not be far behind. If you are
working or relaxing in one room and the Birman has been in
another soon it will stroll in and indicate by it's expression
and a softly waving tail that it is happy to see you. Although
kittens are excited by your presence adults are more subject to
their inherited dignity. They have soft voices sometimes
described as “bell like” and some will hold conversations
with you and nearly all of them have wonderful purr machinery.
Picking up your Birman or a pat on the head will mostly start
the purr running. Some Birmans like to sit beside you and will
purr softly for hours. They may demand your attention but if you
give them time to agree that they are “the most beautiful cat
in the whole world” they will settle near by and allow you to
continue your activity.
It has been said that the Birman is intelligent, intuitive,
inquisitive, charming, curious, playful, and dignified. Birman
cats are generally easy going and relaxed but remain playful
into old age. Anything new needs to be explored and they enjoy
hours of fun with simple toys like wine bottle corks, paper and
cardboard bags and of course are ecstatic when offered felt mice
and tinsel balls. They love to help with all household tasks and
it is not unusual to find them in the ironing basket when you
are ironing, or in your waste paper basket when you are working
in your study.
Birmans love life and their life revolves around the family that
they love. If you go to work they are there to greet you when
they hear your key in the lock, If you are mainly at home they
follow you around the house and are content just to be near you.
Do
they make good Children's Pets?
Birmans
make wonderful pets for children. They are tolerant and also
being playful will join in games. If permitted they will sleep
on the child's bed and are always happy to see the junior
members of the household. Obviously small kittens and small
children need supervision so that neither gets hurt while they
are learning.
Can
you keep one Birman on it's Own or will it get Lonely?
Birmans
can live happily as a sole pet but some people who go to work
for long hours recommend keeping two because they are such
sociable cats. Because of their gentle friendly nature it is not
recommended that they live loose outdoors where there are then
prone to be attacked by marauding cats, dogs, stolen or may have
the risk of being run over. Some people provide outdoor enclosed
areas of the garden so that cats can enjoy the best of both
worlds and the wild life stays safe.
What
about Dogs and other pets in the house?
Birmans
can adapt to a cat friendly dog if introductions are made nicely
and can also adapt to a current resident cat – again if
introductions are careful respecting the “rights” of the
resident cat. Like all cats they would need to be supervised
with pets such as hamsters, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits –
never forget that all cats are obligate carnivores.
Unless
you have owned a Birman you may not realise the qualities and
the temperament they possess but by speaking to a Birman
lover/owner you will soon come to appreciate how much they
affect the lives of those they share a home with.
Special
thanks to: Heather
of Sharada
Birmans for writing this article & her photos, and Sara
for the use of the beautiful photo of Cromwell.
|
