Cat breed

Birman

The Birman is a semi-longhaired colorpoint cat with blue eyes and snow-white gloves on all four paws. It is gentle, devoted to people and quiet, and its silky coat, which lacks a dense undercoat, mats far less than a Persian's.

Recognised by: FIFE, WCF, TICA, CFA

Weight: 2.7–6.8 kg
Lifespan: 12–16 years
Origin: France (ancestors from Burma)

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Photo: Jon McKnight, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Birman is sociable without being pushy. It likes to be where people are: it sleeps on the couch beside you, climbs into your lap in the evening and greets the family at the door. Its voice is soft and chirpy, and it speaks up out of politeness more than to insist on anything. It is patient with children and accepts dogs and other cats very well, which makes it a popular choice for multi-pet homes. It enjoys play and learns simple tricks, but it does not need hours of activity: after fifteen minutes or so of hunting a wand toy, it is happy to nap. This friendly nature has one downside: it takes long hours alone badly and can get bored or sad. If no one is home for most of the day, it is better to get two cats.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Talkativeness: quietchatterbox
Indoor-only life: needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Birman for?

The Birman suits families with children, homes with a dog or another cat, and anyone looking for a gentle, affectionate cat without big grooming demands. It makes a great first cat. Look for another breed if the house is empty most of the day and you do not plan on a second pet, or if you want a very active cat for intense play.

Pros

gentle with children, dogs and cats
quiet
coat rarely mats
one of the longest-lived breeds in VetCompass data

Challenges

copes badly with long periods alone
tends to gain weight
risk of HCM
seasonal shedding

Size and looks

Size and looks: Birman
Weight	males 4.5–6.8 kg, females 2.7–4.5 kg
Lifespan	12–16 years
Coat	long
Colors	seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, cream point, tabby point, tortie point
Country of origin	France (ancestors from Burma)
Recognition	Recognised by: FIFE, WCF, TICA, CFA. Recognized by all four major registries; in FIFe and WCF as the Sacred Birman (SBI). White gloves on all four paws are required.
Also known as	Sacred Birman, Sacred Cat of Burma

Care and exercise

2/5grooming needs

3/5shedding

The Birman's coat is silky and has no dense undercoat, so it rarely mats. Combing once or twice a week is plenty, a little more often in spring when the cat sheds its winter coat. A bath is not necessary except before a show. The white gloves get dirty easily, but the cat keeps them clean itself. The Birman is calm and gains weight easily, so 2–3 small, measured meals a day work better than a full bowl. Fifteen minutes of play every day helps keep it fit. It matures slowly, reaching full maturity at around three years old. It is happy in an apartment, but it needs a sturdy scratching post, a few soft beds in different rooms and, above all, the company of people or a second, equally gentle cat.

How much should the Birman eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

Birmans are considered a healthy, long-lived breed: in a UK VetCompass analysis they had, together with Burmese, the highest life expectancy, about 14.4 years from birth. The GCCF, however, names hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as the most serious threat. The disease can go without symptoms for a long time, so the parents should have heart ultrasounds. The risk of polycystic kidney disease in the breed is very low. In 2015, a recessive FOXN1 mutation was described in Birmans that leaves kittens almost completely hairless and with a short life; a DNA test identifies carriers. Given the breed's calm nature, watching its weight is important.

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)The GCCF calls it the most serious threat to the breed; it progresses and can lead to heart failure and sudden death.
congenital hypotrichosis with short life expectancyA recessive FOXN1 mutation: kittens are born almost hairless and with impaired immunity; a DNA test is available.
polycystic kidney disease (PKD)According to the GCCF, the risk in this breed is very low.
excess weightA laid-back lifestyle makes weight gain easy; 2–3 small, measured meals a day are recommended.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) of the parents for HCM
hypotrichosis DNA test (FOXN1)
blood typing

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Birman's origins are wrapped in a legend about cats guarding a temple in Burma, which a goddess gave a golden tint and white paws. Its documented history begins around 1919, when a pair of cats from Burma reached France; the female arrived pregnant and founded French breeding. The breed's name comes from the French name for Burma, Birmanie. During World War II the breed nearly died out, and breeders rebuilt it by crossing the surviving cats with Persians and Siamese; pure litters were being produced again by the early 1950s. Birmans reached the US in 1959, and the CFA accepted them for registration in 1967.

Fun facts

The breed's name comes from the French name for Burma, Birmanie.
Birman kittens are born white, and the points appear during the first weeks.
During World War II the breed nearly died out and was rebuilt with the help of Persians and Siamese.
The white socks on a Birman's hind legs reach higher at the back, forming points called laces.

Frequently asked questions

How long do Birman cats live?

The GCCF gives 12–16 years, and in a UK VetCompass analysis Birmans had one of the highest life expectancies of any breed, about 14.4 years from birth.

Do Birman cats shed?

Yes, moderately, with a noticeable coat change in spring. Because it has no dense undercoat, its coat rarely mats, and combing once or twice a week is usually enough.

How big do Birman cats get?

According to the GCCF, females weigh about 2.7–4.5 kg and males about 4.5–6.8 kg. The breed matures at around three years old, so a young cat may still be gaining weight.

What is the difference between a Birman and a Ragdoll?

Both are semi-longhaired, pointed and blue-eyed. The Birman always has white gloves on all four paws and is somewhat smaller, while the Ragdoll also comes without white markings and is heavier.