The Burmese cat is one of the most beautiful and mysterious modern breeds. The ancestors of these affectionate, furry creatures lived in Buddhist temples in Burma and were considered sacred animals for thousands of years. In Europe, this fascinating breed was only registered in 1925, after the French billionaire Vanderbilt purchased two kittens from monks for a staggering sum.
Unfortunately, one of the purchased cats did not survive the rigors of travel through the East. The second cat survived and became the ancestor of all modern European Birman cats.
The Legend of the Sacred Birmans
It's no coincidence that Burmese beauties are also called sacred Burmese. There's a fascinating legend about their origins. One day, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess Tsun Huanze, believed to be the guide of the dead to heaven, was attacked by thieves.
The monks tried to protect the temple and the sacred objects within. However, they were soon weakened by their wounds. The chief monk was killed at the feet of the goddess's statue. Thieves were about to remove the goddess from its pedestal to carry her away.
However, at that moment, the chief monk's cat, Singh, leaped onto the statue's head. Its bristling fur burst into flames, and its eyes turned as blue as the goddess's own. This mystical behavior revived the monks' faith, gave them strength, and the thieves were driven out of the temple.
After some time, all the cats living at the temple began to grow fur. golden hue, and the eyes turned blue.
The appearance of the sacred Birman very beautifulThese cats are not particularly large. An adult weighs approximately 5–6 kg. Moreover, females are much smaller than males. In terms of coloring, Burmese cats resemble Siamese cats.
However, they may have fur medium or longThe Siamese coloring of a Burmese cat doesn't appear until six months of age. Kittens of this breed are completely white. Adult cats also boast a gorgeous frill.
Among other things, the characteristics of this breed include:
- rather stocky body;
- short massive paws;
- round wide muzzle;
- well developed chin and straight Roman nose.
Besides their striking coloring, Burmese cats are valued for very beautiful eyesThe breed's hallmark is their exceptionally rich blue or light blue color.
The back of the sacred Birman is always slightly darker than the belly. Currently, breed standards allow lilac, tortoiseshell, chocolate, brown, blue, cream and red coat colors.
Burmese cat personality
Like all temple cats, the Birman absolutely cannot stand noise and fuss. By nature, it is very calm, friendly Animals are friendly to everyone around them. The Birman cat gets along well with other pets, including dogs, and simply adores children.
Kittens of this breed are unusually active and playfulAdult cats are also happy to play with their owners, but they behave with greater dignity. These cats never engage in conflicts or territorial disputes. They meow very rarely. When they do, their voice is not too loud, but pleasant and melodic.
One of the characteristics of Burmese cats is their sociability. These animals are completely unafraid of visitors to the house and readily interact with them. They are only unsuitable for people who are overly nervous or have negative attitudes toward their owners.
The sacred Birman has earned its popularity for its good developed mental abilitiesThis is one of the few cat breeds that is easily trained. A Birman cat will happily play fetch with its owner and will easily learn any commands and individual words.
How to care
Caring for this breed is simple. A Burmese cat owner needs to remember just two important rules:
It's not recommended to let these animals outside. They don't tolerate cold, precipitation, or drafts well. You should only take your cat for a walk in sunny, but not too hot, weather. These animals also dislike stuffy conditions.- Owners of the sacred Birman should be careful with windows. They should be locked when leaving the house. Birman cats are notoriously difficult to land. Jumping even from the first floor can easily break a fluffy beauty's legs.
It's not recommended to let these animals outside. They don't tolerate cold, precipitation, or drafts well. You should only take your cat for a walk in sunny, but not too hot, weather. These animals also dislike stuffy conditions.The above recommendations It is absolutely necessary to observeOtherwise, caring for a Burmese cat is no different from caring for any other long-haired breed. It's recommended to bathe the cat once a month. The coat should be brushed once a week.
What to feed
If you prefer to feed your pets canned or dry food, it's best to avoid buying a Burmese cat. This breed strongly dislikes such food. Of course, a Burmese cat can also eat canned food.
However, they will be extremely reluctant to do so. Experts advise feeding these animals anyway. only natural foodMoreover, their diet should contain quite a lot of foods containing proteins.
It is essential to give your cat or kitten more meat and fishFermented milk products should also be included in your pet's diet. If your cat doesn't get enough of them, its fur may become dull and even lose its gorgeous light beige color.
How much do cats cost?
The sacred Birman (the photos of these gentle beauties on this page clearly demonstrate their luxurious appearance) is quite expensive.
The price of a kitten may fluctuate. from 25 to 50 thousand rubles Depending on the pedigree. It's best to buy animals of this breed, like any other, from a breeder. In any case, the kitten should be vaccinated and litter-trained.
