Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
Playfulness: | 4/5 |
Intelligence: | 4/5 |
Tendency to Vocalise: | 2/5 |
Likes Other Pets: | 5/5 |
Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
Shedding: | 3/5 |
- Great for first-time cat owners
- Enjoys playing games and is active at home
- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Slightly talkative cat
- Average build cat breed
- Requires grooming every day
- A bit of both indoor and outdoor space
- Great family cat
- Can be left alone all day
- Great for a relaxed home
The Birman cat breed can suffer from:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a disease were the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick which means the heart cannot beat effectively.
- Polycystic kidney disease which is an inherited condition where cysts form in the kidneys. This affects kidney function and can eventually lead to kidney failure. However, it is worth noting that the risk of developing this disease in this breed is lower than in other cat breeds that are prone to the problem.
- Hypotrichosis which is a condition where areas of fur do not grow and this can result in skin infections.
Testing available:
- DNA testing for polycystic kidney disease which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by this condition.
Personality
Due to their long history of selective breeding to fulfil a companion cat role, the Birman is an exceptionally friendly, laid back and relaxed pet. Birmans love to be with people, love to play and don’t have a strong hunting instinct. They are fairly gregarious, and will get along well with other cats and dogs if socialised well and introduced sensibly. Whilst not naturally a loud or noisy cat, the Birman can be quietly chatty.
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