The Cats that Smile back
INFORMATION
This is where you can access information about Birman's as breed but for more specific information about our cats go to Our Queens, Our Kings and Our Kittens or contact us.
BIRMAN BREED
The Birman is a most attractive cat, exceptional to look at and very photogenic. They are a semi-long haired cat breed that are broadly similar in colour to siamese cats except that the tips of their feet are pure white. The cats have markings i.e. darker colouration on the face, ears, legs and tail.Ideally, the Birman is a medium-sized cat, strongly built cat with striking eyes, round face, and a Roman-shaped nose which all result in a pleasing expression.The Birman fur is a single-length (no undercoat) soft, silky, and lush coat; they have a longer ruff around the neck and a fluffy tail. Their coats do not mat, and they require a minimum amount of grooming.
COLOURINGS
Like all color point cats, Birman kittens are born all white and develop their color as they mature. They come in a rainbow of colors, including seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, cream, and tortie. All these colors can be either the traditional solid pattern or the dramatic lynx pattern. A special and unique feature of the Birman is their beautiful white paws.
FOUR MAIN BIRMAN COLOURS
SEAL POINT
This is one of the colours. The colour on the points is a deep seal brown which is warm and rich. The body colour is a shade of cream to beige with a soft golden .
LILAC POINT
The points are a delicate frosty grey with a pinkish tone. The body colour usually stays very clear and pale.
BLUE POINT
Another of the traditional colours like the seal point but a blue grey colour on the points. The body colour is a bluish white with a hue to tone with the points.
CHOCOLATE POINT
The points are a warm, milk chocolate colour while the body is an ivory tone. The hue of the body colour is very pale in comparison to the seal point and often keeps this lighter coat at maturity.
INDOOR OR OUT DOOR
The consensus among veterinarians and organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is that it’s wiserto keep cats indoors. “Considering the potential dangers outdoors, an indoor lifestyle is much safer for cats,” Brunt says. “Indoor cats have a much lower likelihood of becoming hurt or ill from outdoor hazards.”
As evidence, indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. Cats who are kept indoors can reach the ripe old age of 17 or more years, whereas outdoor cats live an average of just two to five years. Another reason for indoor cats’ longevity is that it’s easier for their owners to identify health problems early, before they become life threatening.
MULTI-BIRMAN HOUSE
There are benefits to having two cats, but they apply only when the two cats are well matched and have enough physical space to live together comfortably. One benefit is that the two cats provide each other with exercise, social interaction, and other forms of mental stimulation. Cats housed together have more opportunity to “be cats” by socializing and playing with each other, and this means they are less likely to be destructive or engage in other problematic behavior. For example, some single cats annoy their owners by trying to wake them during the night for play. Two cats might still wake the owner by tearing around the home, but at least the owner isn’t getting up out of bed to entertain the cat. Another benefit of two cats is that they are sometimes cleaner than a cat living by itself. Cats will groom each other’s ears and coat, often getting at places the cat can’t reach on its own!
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The positive impact of having multiple cats can be negated by “cohabitation anxiety” if the cats do not get along. Adult cats with a history of living alone are better off remaining solitary unless you can provide so much space that the cats essentially live alone in the same home. It’s also important to be aware that cats can take a LONG time to learn to like each other. Dogs usually decide to be friends, or not, within a few hours or days. Cats, on the other hand, can take as long as a year to stop squabbling and start hanging out together.