Birman

The Birman is a sociable cat that loves being with people. According to the CFA's breed profile, it's intelligent, enjoys learning and responds well to training. It's playful, wants attention and is moderately active; one of its favorite things is "helping" with whatever you're doing. PDSA also notes that a Birman will follow you from room to room to see what you're up to, happily sits on your lap and prefers spending time on the floor to climbing and jumping.

It's a quiet cat. Most have a soft, chirp-like voice. But both sources point out the same thing: if you always answer when it meows, a Birman can become quite a talker over time.

The breed's most notable trait is that it doesn't like being alone. The CFA writes that it doesn't do well alone for long periods, and that if you work outside the home and have no other pets, you may want to consider getting two cats.

The Birman is a great fit for families who spend time at home and want a close bond with their cat. If no one is home all day and you're thinking of a single cat, think twice.

Being patient doesn't mean having endless patience. Teach children not to pick the cat up against its will, not to disturb it while it sleeps and to always leave it a way out. If you're thinking about a second cat, our guide to introducing two cats step by step can help.

Many folk tales explain how the Birman got its markings, and the "sacred cat" name comes from these legends. Its real history, though, isn't fully known. According to the CFA, here's what we do know: around 1919, a pair of cats was shipped from Burma (today's Myanmar) to France; the female arrived pregnant and became the foundation of the breed in France. The name "Birman" comes from "Birmanie," the French word for Burma.

World War II nearly wiped out the breed: according to the CFA, only one breeding pair was left in Europe by the end of the war. French breeders rebuilt the breed with carefully planned crosses to Persians and Siamese, and by the early 1950s pure Birman litters were being born again. The breed reached the United States in 1959 and was accepted for CFA registration in 1967.

According to the CFA, the Birman is a medium-to-large cat with a long, stocky body and solid bones; the FIFe standard describes it as medium-sized. The head is broad and rounded, the nose is medium-length and slightly arched (a "Roman" nose), and the eyes are almost round and deep blue.

• Weight: PDSA gives an average weight of about 12 pounds (5.5 kg); females are usually smaller than males.
• Points and gloves: The Birman is a pointed cat: the body is pale, while the face, ears, legs and tail are darker. But the breed's real signature is the pure white gloves on all four paws. According to FIFe, the white on the front paws should stop at the joints of the toes, while on the back of the hind paws it extends upward in an inverted V. Symmetrical gloves are prized.
• Golden mist: A faint golden-beige cast can appear on the body, especially on the back and sides; the CFA calls it the "golden mist."
• Colors: At first only seal (dark brown), blue, lilac and chocolate points were recognized; today there are also tabby points and red, cream and tortie points.
• Coat: Medium-long to long and silky, with a full ruff around the neck and slightly curly fur on the belly. There's no undercoat.

According to the CFA, the breed matures at about 3 years. In kittens, the golden mist may not be visible yet.

The Birman's coat is long but easy to look after. The CFA notes that because there's no undercoat, it sheds less than most other longhaired cats and doesn't mat easily, and that combing once a week is usually enough. PDSA recommends combing twice a week, and daily in spring when the winter coat sheds. Adjust the routine as you get to know your cat's coat.

• Bathing: Most Birmans don't need regular baths; if one is needed, use a cat shampoo your vet recommends.
• Play: Because it likes to play on the floor, wand toys, balls and hunting games are a great fit. A few short play sessions a day also help meet its need for attention.
• Company: If it will be alone for long stretches, a second cat, food puzzles and a window perch can make the hours easier.
• Claws, ears, eyes: Check them weekly; show your vet any redness, odor or discharge. A sturdy scratching post is a must.

For more ideas, see our articles on cat grooming and playing with an indoor cat.

Birmans don't need a special food; a complete, balanced cat food that suits their age and lifestyle is enough. Because it's a calm indoor cat that spends more time on the floor than climbing and jumping, portions matter. In the 2024 study by Teng and colleagues, cats whose weight was further from the median for their breed and sex had shorter lives.

• Measure food instead of eyeballing it; decide the daily amount with your vet based on your cat's ideal weight.
• Count treats as part of the daily food.
• A silky coat can hide weight: being able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat is a good sign.
• Always have fresh water available; kidney health matters especially in this breed.
• Weighing your cat once a month shows changes early.

The Birman is a long-lived breed, but there are a few things worth knowing. The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Kidney values

PDSA notes that blood tests of some young Birmans have shown signs of impaired kidney function. On the other hand, a 2018 study found that creatinine, a blood value used to assess the kidneys, was higher in healthy Birmans than in other breeds; the researchers suggest that looking at another kidney marker, SDMA, together with creatinine can help avoid misreading results in this breed. In short: when your cat has blood work, remind your vet that it's a Birman and discuss the results with that in mind. Regular checkups are the best way to catch kidney problems early.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, FIP is a serious disease caused by certain strains of feline coronavirus, a very common virus that is usually harmless; young cats are at greater risk. A 2013 study notes that Birmans are highly inbred and have a high rate of FIP; the researchers looked for a genetic predisposition but didn't find a single responsible gene. According to Cornell, the first signs are usually loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy and fever, and in some cats the belly swells with fluid. This disease, once untreatable, now has treatment options, so acting early matters: if you see these signs, see your vet right away.

Congenital hairlessness (rare)

A 2015 study identified the cause (a change in the FOXN1 gene) of a recessive inherited syndrome in Birmans in which kittens are born hairless and have a short life. About 3% of the Birmans tested in France were healthy carriers. There's a DNA test for it, so ask the breeder.

Heart

The CFA notes that breeders screen for HCM (thickening of the heart muscle) and other conditions, which helps keep the breed's gene pool healthy and diverse. Asking for the parents' heart screening results is a good idea.

A 2024 study using the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass data found a life expectancy at birth of 14.39 years (confidence interval 12.87–15.91) for 38 Birmans that died in the UK in 2019; together with the Burmese, this was the longest life expectancy among the 12 breeds studied, and longer than the 11.89 years for mixed-breed cats. The longest-lived cat in that group was over 22. PDSA also gives an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years for the breed.

That's good news, but every cat's lifespan is different. The same study shows that neutered cats and cats at their ideal weight live longer. In the senior years, regular blood tests, especially kidney monitoring, are particularly important for this breed.

• Consider a shelter: Purebred cats end up in shelters and rescues too. A calm, people-loving mixed-breed cat can make a similar companion.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask to meet the parents, and ask for the congenital hairlessness DNA test, heart screening and kidney blood test results, plus vaccination records. PDSA suggests discussing the health history of the parents and grandparents.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who won't show you the mother, can't provide test results, always have kittens available or rush you.
• Plan for alone time: If no one will be home during the day, plan for a second cat or someone to stop by from the start.
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned cats must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system.