Birman

Birman cat, also known as the Sacred Birman, is said to have been originally bred by monks in ancient Burmese temples and is considered a temple guardian cat.

The Birman cat is a medium-sized cat with a long body, strong muscles, and medium-length limbs. The paws are large and round. The fur on the body is mainly light golden yellow, while the face, ears, legs, and tail are darker, appearing brown or deep gray. With a pair of unique sapphire eyes and four paws that look like wearing white gloves, the Birman cat, known as the "Sacred Birman", exudes a unique temperament.

Birman cats are gentle and very friendly. They have a pleasant voice and enjoy accompanying people. They crave the love and affection of their owners and enjoy playing with them. They are also very friendly towards other cats. Once they feel safe in a new environment, they will show their sweet and kind personality.

It is said that the Birman cat originated from Myanmar and was originally raised by Burmese monks. Legend has it that the color of the Birman cat comes from this story: the guardian deity of the LaoTsum temple is a white long-haired cat with golden eyes, while the revered goddess Tsun-Kyan-Kse has deep blue eyes. The temple's abbot had a companion cat named Sinh, who died in an attack, and when the abbot passed away, Sinh stood on his body and faced the revered goddess. At this moment, a miracle occurred and the white cat's fur turned golden, its eyes turned blue, its face, paws, and tail turned the color of earth, but the four paws standing on the owner remained white. After seven days, Sinh died, taking the abbot's soul to the paradise realm.

The Birman cat gradually evolved and took shape after being introduced to Europe in the 18th century. In 1919, a pair of Birman cats were first transported from Myanmar to France. During the journey, the male cat died, leaving only the female cat and her unborn kittens. Since then, the Birman cat has not ceased to develop in Europe and was officially recognized in France in 1925. However, during World War II, there were only two Birman cats left in Europe. To save this endangered breed, breeders had to use crossbreeding methods to rebuild the breed. Since then, a minimum of five generations of purebred lineage is required for the registration of a regular Birman cat.

The Birman cat was recognized in the UK in 1966, and the CFA recognized this breed in 1967.

Recommended for cat lovers

1. Minor illnesses

Symptoms: Cats with minor illnesses may have a fever, depression, and gradually decreasing body temperature. They may also experience weakness, dehydration, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Solution: Choose a good pet hospital for timely vaccination, keep the house clean and hygienic, and isolate appropriately. Rabies vaccine can be administered at 3 months of age; Cat three-in-one vaccine can generally be administered at 2 months of age, with a monthly interval.

2. Feline rhinotracheitis

Symptoms: Fever, excessive nasal mucus production, frequent sneezing, accompanied by conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers, and excessive tearing.

Solution: Once discovered, seek medical attention promptly. This virus can be spread through the air, so it is important to isolate it from other cats in a timely manner.

3. Hairballs

Symptoms: Cats may experience vomiting, loss of appetite, and the presence of hairballs in their feces.

Solution: Regularly feed cats with hairball prevention gel and it is recommended to grow some cat grass at home.

4. Gastrointestinal discomfort

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Solution: First, withhold food from the cat, then feed it with probiotics for regulation. If the condition is severe, seek medical attention promptly. Prevention: 1. Maintain a light diet; 2. Do not frequently change cat food. When changing cat food, follow the seven-day transition rule.

Hygiene: Because cats have a lot of hair, they are prone to carrying all kinds of germs and parasites. To ensure the health of cats and owners, cats should be regularly bathed and groomed;

Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Owners should not randomly choose cat food on the market for convenience. They should carefully select cat food based on the type, growth, and physical condition of the cat, and also prepare dedicated utensils for the cat;

Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When a cat is sick, it must be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccinations must also be conducted for cats. Only when a cat is in good health can it have the energy to play with its owner;

Safety: There is a saying "Curiosity killed the cat." Cats are restless creatures and always have great curiosity about various things. Their nature also causes them to like entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must close doors, windows, and lids to prevent cats from being in potential danger;

Living space: Cats love to take a nap, so as an owner, you should prepare a small mat for it to sleep on. After a long period of use, these mats will accumulate a lot of bacteria, so you must pay attention to cleaning and disinfection at all times;

Cat litter: The problem of pets defecating anywhere has troubled many pet owners. But in fact, cats are very clean animals, so as long as the owner provides the cat with cat litter, the cat will go to the litter box to defecate on its own;

Cats are not a pet that can be forced. When the owner forces it to do something, it becomes annoying. Therefore, owners should trim the cat's nails at any time to prevent scratches and infections while playing with it.

Grooming Time: Recommended once every three days

1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can start with a massage for the cat. Wait until the kitten purrs before proceeding with the work;

2. Brush along the fur: From the back → waist → hindquarters → tail; You can wet the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity. Brush along the direction of hair growth, from top to bottom;

3. Brush from chest to belly: Lift the cat, sit on your lap in a human posture, and brush from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so the owner must be quick and accurate when grooming;

4. Brush the cat's head and around the face: You can brush from the cat's head or face towards the neck, taking care of the cat's eyes;

5. Under the armpits and on the belly side: At this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift the cat's front legs, and brush from the armpits to the side of the belly;

6. Finally, use a comb to brush again, remove excess hair, and tidy up the cat's fur, completing the entire process.