The history of the Sacred Birman as a temple cat fits well with its personality. These cats are known to be calm, devoted and loving. How much a Sacred Birman talks varies. Some would say it is a quiet cat breed, while others find that they communicate well with their voice and have a lot on their mind. For example, when the food bowl is empty, or if they want to cuddle. They also have a unique "boffe" sound if they are unhappy. Sacred Birman is well suited as a family cat as they are social, relaxed and love to play. Although some Sacred Birman cats are more child-friendly than others, it is important to teach children how to treat a cat and respect the cat's boundaries and need for peace. Another personality trait of the Sacred Birman is that it is very curious! They will happily be with you where things are happening, and will explore places they perhaps shouldn't be. This can be open cupboards that are otherwise closed, in the garage or at the neighbor's house if a window has been left open.

Although the Birman does not require as much attention as a dog, they enjoy company and prefer not to be left alone at home for long periods. If you are away for several hours a day, it is therefore a good idea to have a second feline companion, as well as several entertaining cat toys and a climbing frame. The activity level of the Birman is not too daunting, as it is good at keeping itself active. But remember that playing with your cat and giving it physical and mental stimulation is an important part of maintaining good cat health.

Size and appearance

The Sacred Birman is known for its incredibly blue eyes, silky coat and light paws. The coat has Himalayan markings, or colorpoints, which means that the face, ears, tail and paws can be a different color than the rest of the body. They can also have other color variations such as stripes or tortoiseshell on the mask. Otherwise, you will recognize the silhouette of the Sacred Birman with its medium-sized body, bushy tail and heart-shaped head.

Weight

A female sacred Birman cat weighs approximately 3 - 4.5 kg.

A male sacred Birman cat weighs approximately 4.5 - 7 kg.

Lifespan

14 - 15 years

Hereditary diseases

Some hereditary diseases of the Sacred Birman cat breed are the heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease . Polycystic kidney disease can cause multiple cysts to form in the kidneys, which in turn can develop into enlarged kidneys and kidney failure. Otherwise, the Sacred Birman is a healthy cat breed if purchased from a reputable breeder.

Sacred Birmans can have a semi-long-haired to long-haired coat. Although they are furry, they require less grooming than other long-haired cats. Sacred Birmans have little undercoat, which means their coat does not mat as easily. It is still recommended to brush your cat regularly to avoid loose fur around the house, especially around winter when they shed extra heavily.

When choosing cat food for a Sacred Birman, you should choose a type of food that is suited to the cat's health and lifestyle. For example, if a Sacred Birman kitten has just moved into your home, it will need more nutrients through its diet than an older Sacred Birman cat. As with all cats, your kitty should always have access to clean, fresh water.