The sacred cat of Burma or the Birman cat  , is a beautiful breed of cat that is distinguished by being a copy of the Siamese cat, but with long fur and mainly, by having the tips of the legs, white.

This last characteristic is especially important for recognizing that Bermans are purebred cats or if they have a pedigree.

But beyond these details, we are faced with a very special cat, which also hides a curious beauty. Let’s get to know him better.

The origin of the Berman cat

The name Birman cat has a strange history that goes back centuries.

According to legend, the Khmer people built a temple to worship their Goddess Tsun Kian Kes, a golden goddess with sapphire eyes.

There lived a priest named Munha with Sihn, the temple cat. This priest was killed one night in front of his cat and Tsun-Kyan-Kse.

The cat climbed up the corpse and upon looking at the golden goddess, her paws suddenly changed color to white.

His eyes turned sapphire blue and his fur took on a golden hue. Like all the cats that inhabited the temple.

But this is just a legend. Well, this sacred feline is originally from Burma, which is an Asian country.

The first Birman cats arrived in Europe in 1916, specifically in France. The breed would not be recognized until 1925.

Later, it was on the verge of extinction, after fighting the Second World War, of which only one male and one female remained. It was from them that they tried to save the breed.

Berman cat shape

Berman cats have a beautiful physique, and in fact this breed is considered one of the most beautiful cats by many critics of cat exhibitions and competitions.

They are medium sized cats, with a round to pointed head.

They have a strong and long body build. Medium-tailed, long-haired.

However, it has two main characteristics on which its lineage depends.

Their eyes should be blue and their little hands should be white, like they wear mittens on their paws. They usually weigh from 4 to 7 kilos , considering medium to large cats.

The Birman cat has a body similar to the Siamese cat, in fact it is often thought to come from a cross between a Siamese cat and an Angora or Shirazi , which is another theory about its origin.

They have a dark pigmentation on their nose, ears, and legs (with white hands), with a cream, white, or small golden body, indicating the Burmese blue cat.

But there are other variations in the color of their fur, such as seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, cream point, and black turtle point.

A spotted coat or other shades will not be recognized as sacred to Burmese, that is, it will not have a pedigree.

It is important to clarify that when Birman kittens are born, they are white, and the tones of their fur develop over time and begin to appear at the age of 3 months.

Characteristics of the Berman cat

Birman cats are known to have an incredible personality, as they are very social and affectionate.

They are docile and easy to tame , so they get along with other pets and humans without any problem.

They can even get along in the best way with a dog. They are active cats, but not overly so. For this reason, you should play with him, so that he can exercise a little to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

It can be said that Birmans are excellent companions for life, as they will always be behind you and give you lots of pampering and keep your attention until you agree to them.

They create loving bonds with their owners, though they are also affectionate with any home visitor who spoils them.

They have the special characteristic of manipulating their owner with their gentle and gentle looks. His eyes convey so much tenderness, that he will get from his human being what he wants.

They are docile cats but not stupid cats, in fact they are very smart and inquisitive cats . They love to explore the whole house and enjoy new things.

Sacred cats of Burma are suitable for living in families with children, as they will be patient with children’s games due to their calm personality.

They are not aggressive cats, so you can be calm while your son and kitten play together.

So, if you have the desire to adopt a new family member, the Berman cat will be ideal not only for its gentle personality, but also for the beauty and elegance of its structure that distinguishes it a lot.

Sacred Burmese Cat Health

Birman cats are healthy and in good physical condition, in fact their average lifespan is between 14 to 16 years , which is above average.

However, in general, all pedigree cats are likely to suffer from congenital changes, because in order to maintain the purity of the breed in breeding houses, they sometimes cross cats from the same family.

These possible congenital alterations can lead to diseases such as:

• Feline spongiform degeneration: consists of a degenerative disease of the central nervous system of sick cats. This manifests itself in uncoordinated movements and weakness, especially in the hind legs.
• Creatinine concentrations in the blood : This may indicate a problem with the kidneys, as creatinine must be eliminated through the urine, while the kidneys are functioning optimally.
• Congenital hypotrichosis: a very strange disease. It consists of lack of hair in young children. Fortunately, it’s very unlikely.
• Thymus aplasia : a very rare deficiency of the immune system. This leads to the risk of getting infected by not having defenses.
• Alterations in the CS gene : can lead to the development of cataracts in old age.
• Trichobezoars : It consists of an accumulation of hair balls in the digestive tract. (common in long-haired breeds)

Birthman cat care

The care we recommend for the Berman cat is similar to all the tips given for most long- or semi-long-haired breeds, which consist of:

• Combing 2-3 times a week . It is important to remove dead hair with regular brushing of its undercoat, in order to avoid the development of hair bezoars or the build-up of hairballs in its stomach.
• Watch out for sudden changes in temperature . Despite the fact that Berman cats do not usually suffer from respiratory diseases, it is recommended to protect them from the weather so that they do not contract a disease.
• Regular hygiene . It is important to clean their eyes, ears and tail periodically. This will help prevent infection and generally work on her health.
• Brush her teeth. It is recommended to do this at least once a week, in order to avoid gum disease.
• Take care of her diet . It is important that the feed that is provided contains the recommended nutritional values.

Finally, our top recommendation is that you give him lots of affection, love, and pampering.

We hope you learned something new about this lovely breed and leave us your feedback if you have a Burmese cat at home.

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