Taron Birmans:

GENERAL CARE OF BIRMAN CATS

by: Jackie Bell (Birbell Birmans)

Birmans are wonderful cats. They are sweet, quiet, affectionate and love everyone in the family even relatives. But as everything living in this world, they require care taking used with common senses.

Vaccinations:

Although Birmans are not outdoor cats, they require vaccinations by a qualified veterinarian. Once a year we give our adult cats a booster shot of Felocell CVR, for Rhinotracheitis- Calici- Panleukopenia.

We are a Feline Leukemia negative cattery (all have been tested neg.) Personally I don't believe in over immunizing our cats but giving a modified live virus vaccine to your cat is a personal choice between you and your vet.

Rabies shots are required by state law but we recommend not to do so until the cat is at least 6 months old.

I also recommend that if you get a cat, while you may have cats already in your household (presuming they are healthy), NOT to let your friend's/relatives cats get together as if they were children in a play group. Every home has it environmental conditions (resident bacteria that is harmless to your group) but don't jeopardize your cat's health by bringing in danger from other's home.

Neutering:

Birmans don't mature until they are almost 3 years old! Part of a cat's personality is directly related to their sexual designation. We want the personality well established before we alter that sexuality. If there is no sexual behavior that is causing you inconvenience, hold off on neutering/spaying. We recommend that at 10-12 months.

Disciplining:

Use a newspaper to gently swat your Birman off the kitchen counter or tries to sneak out the door. NEVER HIT A CAT! Never hit anything. When my kittens start using my face as a chew toy when I am sleeping (they teeth like babies before they get placed in new homes), I gently blow in their faces. I guess morning breath really works, they never come back!

Feeding Instructions:

Kittens eat 3x a day. See previous page on Basic Equipment. Give last feeding right after exercise before bed and they will sleep through the night. Never give raw meat, egg white, milk (there may be lactose intolerance, which will cause diarrhea. The dry food should have calcium in it), or tuna fish/seafood (will cause a vitamin E deficiency).

Avoid:

Semi-moist foods with chemicals and sugar

Dog food

No meat with a bone attached to it

ABSOLUTELY NO CHOCOLATE, highly dangerous

Grooming:

Birmans love to be touched. Unlike Persians, their coats do not mat. They lose their kitten coat when around a year old and then what grows in is a beautiful ruff around the neck (much like an Elizabethan collar), a darker mask and point color and a beautiful ivory body. You only need to groom once a week but since Birmans shed seasonally, perhaps then more frequently to get out loose hair.

Good Luck with your Birman Baby. No matter where you get your Birman, always send the breeder photos so they can monitor genetic development for their breeding program. And feel free to call your cat's breeder anytime to thank them for letting you have such a wonderful addition to your life!

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