At home
Why is my Birman so quiet?
Hardly a sound all day, and no fuss at the vet's either.
What's going onBirmans are calm and soft-voiced. They will not cry to tell you something hurts, so watch for the day they stop jumping onto the bed.
Breed guide · Cats
Birman
He wears four white gloves and never complains. I weigh him every month anyway.
- Lifespan
- 12 to 16 years
- Size
- Medium to large
- Weight
- 2.7 to 6.8 kg
- Grooming
- Regular, easy brushing
Last updated 12 October 2026
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The Birman at a glance.
What is a Birman cat?A calm, blue-eyed colourpoint. Every Birman has four white gloves, a silky semi-long coat and a gentle, even temper.How big do Birman cats get?Medium to large, 2.7 to 6.8 kg. Males are usually the heavier ones, at 4.5 to 6.8 kg.What is the Birman cat personality like?Gentle, calm and quietly devoted. Sociable without being demanding, and quieter than many cats.Can a Birman live in a Dubai flat?Yes, indoors and cool. The coat copes well with air-conditioned homes, and they are content as indoor cats.How often should I brush a Birman?Once or twice a week. The silky coat resists matting, but tangles still form behind the ears and under the legs.What health problems do Birman cats have?Their heart comes first. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle) is a known risk for Birmans at every age.
Birman traits
What they brought with them.
Tap a card to see what is going on.
At home
Do Birman cats like being held?
Picked up, carried round the flat, lifted onto laps, and never a wriggle.
What's going onBirmans were bred to be easy to hold, and many never struggle. Put them down when the tail flicks or the ears turn, not when they wriggle.
At home
Why does my Birman follow me from room to room?
Always in the room you are in, close by but never insisting.
What's going onThey like to be near you without demanding it. They still need company, and a long day alone is harder on them than it looks.
At home
The hunter in white gloves
Too serene to bother with a ball, until a feather moves behind a cushion.
What's going onUnder the calm is a hunter. Drag a feather slowly behind a cushion and watch. Five minutes before meals, ending with food, keeps them moving.
At home
Why is my Birman's eye weepy?
A squint, a weepy eye, or a paw rubbing at their face.
What's going onCorneal Dermoid (a patch of skin tissue, sometimes with hairs, growing on the surface of the eye) is on their health record from kittenhood. It irritates the eye, so a squint or a weepy eye is worth telling your vet about, even if they seem fine.
At home
A heart problem that stays quiet
Fast asleep in the afternoon, their side rising and falling.
What's going onHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle) is a known risk for Birmans at every stage. Fast or shallow breathing while resting should be discussed with your vet immediately, within the same day.
A Birman in Dubai
The bit nobody tells you.
Their nature
Built for: Bred to be easy to handle.
In Dubai: Fits into a busy home without asking for much.
Their voice
Built for: Quieter than many cats.
In Dubai: Easy to miss in a busy household.
Their pain
Built for: Hidden, as every cat hides it.
In Dubai: Rarely a sound, even with something wrong.
When they are unwell, that quiet is the problem.
So you go looking. Their weight once a month, written down, will show you a change months before they do. The ten things below are how.
Your plan is built around what a Birman is prone to at every age, starting with their heart, and the care that goes with each one.
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Daily care for a Birman
Ten things that make their life better.
They rarely make a sound, so the signs are in their face.
Every age, most of all from 7 years
Why
They rarely make a sound, so the signs are in their face.
What to do
Learn their relaxed face first, while everything is normal. Then watch for narrowed eyes, flattened ears, a tight muzzle and a low head. If you see them and cannot find a reason, call your vet.
They will rarely wriggle, so you have to stop before they need to.
Every age
Why
They will rarely wriggle, so you have to stop before they need to.
What to do
One hand under the chest, one under the back legs. Keep holds short, and put them down when the tail flicks. Ask children to sit on the floor and let them come over. From 11 years, lift less and let them climb onto your lap instead.
The serene cat still hunts, and a hunt that ends in food is good for their weight and their mood.
Every age, most of all 7 months to 2 years
Why
The serene cat still hunts, and a hunt that ends in food is good for their weight and their mood.
What to do
Drag a wand toy slowly along the floor and behind a cushion, five minutes twice a day before meals. Let them catch it, then feed them. Keep your hands out of the game.
Obesity is a risk for Birmans in their mature years, and a calm indoor cat gains weight slowly and quietly.
Every age, most of all from 7 years
Why
Obesity is a risk for Birmans in their mature years, and a calm indoor cat gains weight slowly and quietly.
What to do
Weigh their daily food and split it into small meals, some in a puzzle feeder. Treats come out of the day's amount. Ask your vet to reset their portion from the day they are neutered.
The silky coat resists matting but still tangles, and brushing time is a good moment to check their eyes.
Every age, start as a kitten
Why
The silky coat resists matting but still tangles, and brushing time is a good moment to check their eyes.
What to do
Once or twice a week, with a wide-toothed comb and then a soft brush: behind the ears, under the front legs and the belly. Work a knot out gently, never pull. Note any lump you find. While they are on your lap, look at both eyes for squinting, weeping or anything on the surface. As they age and groom less, do more of the brushing for them.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle) can be silent in a Birman, and faster breathing at rest may be the first sign you see.
Every age
Why
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle) can be silent in a Birman, and faster breathing at rest may be the first sign you see.
What to do
Fast or shallow breathing while resting should be discussed with your vet immediately, within the same day. If they breathe with their mouth open at rest, contact your vet now. Cardiac auscultation (listening to the heart) is in your plan from their kitten months, and echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart) from their junior years.
Kidney disease is a risk from their mature years, and the tray and the water bowl show it first.
Every age, most of all from 7 years
Why
Kidney disease is a risk from their mature years, and the tray and the water bowl show it first.
What to do
Scoop daily and notice the number and size of the clumps, and their stools. Give some wet food every day, and set out a few wide, shallow water bowls away from their food and tray. A male cat straining, crying or going in and out of the tray with little or nothing coming out may have a blocked bladder. That is an emergency: contact your vet now. If a female cat is straining, contact your vet the same day. If they drink more or the clumps get bigger, call your vet. A baseline urinalysis (a urine test) is in your plan in their junior years, so their normal is on record.
They will sit still for anything, so stillness does not tell you they are relaxed.
Every age, start as a kitten
Why
They will sit still for anything, so stillness does not tell you they are relaxed.
What to do
Leave the carrier out, door open, with a blanket inside. Once a week, touch their paws, ears and mouth for a second, then give a treat. Watch their face, and stop before they stiffen.
Dental disease is a risk from their junior years, and they will keep eating with a sore mouth.
Every age, start as a kitten
Why
Dental disease is a risk from their junior years, and they will keep eating with a sore mouth.
What to do
Lift their lip and look at the teeth and gums. Brush a few seconds at a time with cat toothpaste. Notice if they drop food, chew on one side or leave their dry food, and tell your vet. A dental evaluation (teeth and gum check) is in your plan every year from their junior years.
In a cat who never complains, a written record is how you spot a slow change.
Every age
Why
In a cat who never complains, a written record is how you spot a slow change.
What to do
Stand on the scales holding them, then without them, and write down the difference. Note where they sleep and whether they still jump up. Call your vet about any steady loss or gain.
Three of these are in your plan. The rest you can do at home.
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Birman health by age
Their health, at every age.
How old are they?
Their age
Birman Kitten health
the first six months
What to watch for
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Congenital Hypotrichosis (kittens born with little or no coat)
- Corneal Dermoid (a patch of skin tissue growing on the surface of the eye)
- Gastrointestinal and external parasites
- Gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infectious disease
The care that goes with it
- Core vaccinations, microchip and Dubai Municipality registration
- Deworming, and flea and tick prevention
- Growth and nutritional evaluation, and early socialisation
- Cardiac auscultation (listening to the chest)
- Skin and coat evaluation
The full care detail
- Core vaccination programme, microchipping and Dubai Municipality registration. Titre testing discussion where clinically appropriate; not a substitute for completing the core vaccine series
- Deworming and external parasite prevention tailored to Dubai exposure
- Body Condition Score (BCS, a check on whether they are the right weight), Muscle Condition Score (MCS, a check on their muscle), dental, growth and nutritional evaluation, and early socialisation
- Cardiac auscultation and early echocardiography discussion (heart-disease-predisposed breed)
- Skin and coat care assessment
Their age
Birman Junior health
7 months to 2 years
What to watch for
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Corneal Dermoid (a patch of skin tissue growing on the surface of the eye)
- Early presentation of Dental Disease
- Early presentation of Congenital Hypotrichosis (kittens born with little or no coat)
The care that goes with it
- Neutering or spaying, with weight-management counselling
- Core vaccinations completed, and parasite control all year
- Annual dental evaluation, and brushing at home
- Baseline weight and urinalysis (a urine test)
- Baseline bloods, and FeLV and FIV status testing (two viruses cats pass to each other)
- Cardiac auscultation and a first echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart)
- Ophthalmic evaluation (eye exam)
The full care detail
- Neutering or spaying, with weight-management counselling from the day of surgery
- Completion of the core vaccination programme and year-round parasite control
- Annual dental evaluation and a home dental-care routine started young
- Baseline weight, Body Condition Score (BCS, a check on whether they are the right weight) and urinalysis to set the adult reference point
- Baseline blood work, and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV, the feline leukaemia virus) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, the feline virus equivalent to HIV) status testing
- Continued monitoring of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Corneal Dermoid
- Cardiac auscultation and baseline echocardiography
- Ophthalmic evaluation
Their age
Birman Prime Adult health
2 to 6 years
What to watch for
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Congenital Hypotrichosis (kittens born with little or no coat)
- Dental Disease
- Corneal Dermoid (a patch of skin tissue growing on the surface of the eye)
The care that goes with it
- Annual dental evaluation, and brushing at home
- Neutering or spaying, if not done yet
- Core vaccinations and parasite control
- Diet and body condition scoring (a check on whether they are the right weight)
- Baseline weight and urinalysis (a urine test)
- FeLV and FIV status testing (two viruses cats pass to each other)
- Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart)
- Ophthalmic evaluation (eye exam)
The full care detail
- Annual dental evaluation and home dental care
- Neutering or spaying, with weight-management counselling from the day of surgery, where it was not done at the Junior stage
- Core vaccination and parasite control
- Diet and body condition scoring
- Baseline weight and urinalysis
- Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV, the feline leukaemia virus) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, the feline virus equivalent to HIV) status testing
- Cardiac auscultation and baseline echocardiography
- Ophthalmic evaluation
Their age
Birman Mature Adult health
7 to 10 years
What to watch for
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Dental Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD, long-term kidney failure)
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal Disease
The care that goes with it
- Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart), repeated
- Dental scaling (a clean), as needed
- Renal bloods and urinalysis (a kidney and urine test)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight management and diet planning
- Faecal examination (a stool test) and gut health
The full care detail
- Periodic cardiac auscultation and echocardiography
- Dental scaling as indicated
- Baseline renal bloods and urinalysis
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight management and diet review
- Faecal and gastrointestinal health check
Their age
Birman Senior health
11 to 14 years
What to watch for
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD, long-term kidney failure)
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Dental Disease
- Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)
- Osteoarthritis (worn, painful joints)
The care that goes with it
- Bloods, renal panel (a kidney check) and urinalysis, twice a year
- Thyroid hormone screening
- Blood pressure measurement
- Echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart) and cardiac monitoring
- Joint and mobility evaluation (joint and movement exam)
- Dental evaluation under anaesthesia
The full care detail
- Twice-yearly bloods, renal panel and urinalysis
- Thyroid hormone screening
- Blood pressure measurements
- Echocardiography and cardiac monitoring
- Joint and mobility evaluation
- Dental evaluation under anaesthesia
Their age
Birman Geriatric health
15 years and over
What to watch for
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD, long-term kidney failure)
- Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle)
- Neoplasia (cancer and tumours)
- Osteoarthritis (worn, painful joints)
The care that goes with it
- Physical examination twice a year, with weight, muscle, teeth and mobility
- Bloods, urinalysis (a urine test) and thyroid testing
- Neoplasia screening (for cancer), and any weight loss or lumps looked into
- Nutrition, hydration and grooming support
- Quality-of-life assessment, comfort care and end-of-life planning
- Echocardiography and blood pressure monitoring
The full care detail
- Biannual physical examination including weight trend, Body Condition Score (BCS, a check on whether they are the right weight) and Muscle Condition Score (MCS, a check on their muscle), and dental and mobility evaluation
- Complete Blood Count (CBC), biochemistry including renal parameters where appropriate, urinalysis including Urine Specific Gravity (USG), and total T4 according to age and risk
- Neoplasia evaluation including lymph nodes, oral cavity, skin and subcutaneous tissues, and abdominal palpation. Investigate unexplained weight loss, appetite change, masses or lymphadenopathy
- Nutrition, hydration and grooming support
- Quality-of-life assessments, a tailored palliative and comfort-focused care plan, and compassionate end-of-life planning with your veterinary team, available earlier should it become clinically evident
- Ongoing echocardiographic surveillance and blood pressure monitoring
Breed predispositions indicate an increased risk rather than certainty of disease. What is right for them always comes from their own history and an evaluation.
Getting a Birman in Dubai
Before they come home.
Types of Birman cats
Solid, tabby or tortie points
Every Birman shares the same look: a pale body, darker points on the face, ears, legs and tail, deep blue eyes and four white gloves. What differs is the points themselves: a solid colour, soft tabby stripes, or the patched tortie pattern.
Colours
From seal brown to pale cream
Seal points are the darkest and best known. Blue, chocolate, lilac, red and cream points soften the same look, so the same gentle cat comes in many shades.
The first six months
Caring for a Birman kitten
Their vaccinations, microchip and Dubai Municipality registration come first, and the vet listens to their chest from the very first visit. Start the carrier, the comb and short, gentle holds now, while it is all new.
Kitten health, 0 to 6 months
Getting the home ready
Indoors, cool and rarely alone
Birmans are content as indoor cats, and the coat copes well with air conditioning. Leave the carrier out with a blanket in it, set a few wide water bowls away from their food, and plan their days so they have company.
Ten things that make their life better
Before you commit
Know what their heart needs
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM, a thickened heart muscle) is the first risk for a Birman, from kittenhood. Their vet listens to the chest from the first visit, with a first heart scan in their junior years, so plan for those visits from the start. If you are choosing a kitten, look at the coat and eyes of the whole litter: Corneal Dermoid and Congenital Hypotrichosis (kittens born with little or no coat) both show early.
Before the clinics open
Join the founding families
AED 1,999 of essential care for AED 199. No payment now.
If it's a kitten: First 30 days with a new kitten · Kitten vaccinations in the UAE
When to see a vet
When it is not behaviour.
He'll keep his gloves white and his complaints to himself. Keep weighing him.
Birman history
Before they were yours.
An African wildcat, the ancestor of every house cat. This one is the Arabian type, Gordon's wildcat. Photo: Vassil, CC0 (cropped). About 10,000 years ago
The Near East
Every Birman descends from the African wildcat, which began living around the first farming villages of the Near East.
What they still carryThe whole hunter, including the habit of hiding pain.
A Birman today. A legend
The temple cat
The breed's other name, the Sacred Cat of Burma, comes with a legend about temple cats in Burma. It is a lovely story, and only a story.
What they still carryThe name, and a story still told with every kitten.
A cat show at the Salle Wagram, Paris, 1932. Agence Meurisse, public domain. 1925
France
The Birman was established in France and recognised there in 1925, with its pointed coat, deep blue eyes and four white gloves.
What they still carryThe look, and a gentle, even temper.
Two Siamese cats, about 1900 to 1920. Photo: C. B. Nieuwenhuis, Tropenmuseum, CC BY-SA 3.0. 1939 to 1945
Nearly lost
The Second World War nearly ended the breed. Breeders rebuilt it from a handful of survivors, with Persian and Siamese crosses.
What they still carryA breed rebuilt from very few cats, one reason some health conditions run in the breed.
A seal point Birman, 2014. Photo: Jon McKnight, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped). 1966 and 1967
Britain and America
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy recognised the Birman in 1966, and the Cat Fanciers' Association followed in 1967.
What they still carryThe gentle nature people have kept them for ever since.
A Birman today, indoors and in the shade. Today
In Dubai
A familiar pedigree cat in UAE homes, often living indoors for life.
What they still carryA calm, sociable, soft-voiced cat who seldom complains.
Birman questions
The ones you type at midnight.
What is a Birman cat?
Why is it called the sacred Birman?
How big do Birman cats get?
How long do Birman cats live?
Do Birman cats shed?
What colours do Birman cats come in?
What is the Birman cat personality like?
Can a Birman cat live in Dubai?
What health problems do Birman cats have?
Breeds like the Birman
If the Birman suits you, so might these.
RagdollThe same kind of cat: another calm, blue-eyed colourpoint who is happy to be held, bigger, with a coat that wants two or three brushes a week
RagamuffinThe same kind of cat: bred for the same gentle temperament, in a bigger, plusher body and almost every colour
SiberianThe same love of company and soft voice, in a big forest cat with more play and a heavier coat
Turkish VanA similar size and the same weekly brush, in a busy, playful cat from Turkey with colour on the head and tail