If you are a cat enthusiast, you already know how fun it is to learn about different feline breeds. Learning about them makes it easier for you to choose a specific cat breed that fits your family’s needs. You should only adopt a cat if you are in the market for a new pet with research.
It is best to always learn more about his great personality and appearance before getting your hand on any pet. If you want to know the things that can help you tell both the breed apart, keep reading while we look at the characteristics, appearance, health issues, and specific needs differences between both species to help you make the right choice.
Birman Cat Vs. Himalayan
Birman Cat Vs Himalayan: Appearance
A Himalayan cat is slightly more extensive compared to a Birman cat. In addition, a Birman cat comes with an elongated body, whereas a Himalayan cat has a stocky body. Himalayan cat comes with a deep chest, rounded belly, and sturdy bones, whereas the Birman cat’s head is broad but rounded with heavy jaws.
Birman cats also come with glittering Blue eyes that look mesmerizing and astounding. Birman cats have medium-length Roman noses and are prone to sensitive health issues. Even though Himalayan cats also come with vivid Blue eyes, the main feature is their long flowing coats.
Their coat tends to be a bit rough compared to a Birman cat, so it is prone to matting and knotting if not groomed frequently. Birman cats need fewer grooming practices compared to a Himalayan cats.
Talking about color, a Himalayan cat comes in white to cream color with darker points on its ears, tail, face, and legs. The same is with Birman cats. Birman and Himalayan cats have several accepted colors, including lilac, blue, red, seal, and chocolate.
A Birman cat is more suitable for people with allergies. A Himalayan cat is prone to shedding if not kept on regular grooming. They will shed heavily in the shedding season, making them unsuitable for people with over-sensitive immune systems or allergies.
The tail of a Himalayan cat is not very long but fluffy to the touch. Talking about the bottom of a Birman cat, it developed later as it matured.
Birman Cat Vs Himalayan: Characteristics
Birman cats are social, shy, and amiable, whereas Himalayan cats are somewhat soothing and boring. Although Himalayan cats also play with toys, they are not very active with movements. They are talkative, though, but not energetic. Birman cats are very social and hate to be alone.
Both breeds are ready to greet their loved ones at the doorstep after an absence. Birman cats and a Himalayan cat will also love to be petted, cuddled, and spent time with.
Birman cats are a playful and curious nature that will follow you from room to room to participate in whatever you happen to be doing. Don’t think the Himalayan cat’s sedative personality makes them dull and boisterous because they can acclimate to any home with kids or other pets, including dogs.
A Birman cat will need more exercise compared to a Himalayan cat. The amount of shedding in Himalayan cats is higher in the shedding season than in Birman cats.
Birman Cat Vs Himalayan: History
Even though the history of Birman cats is not available and well known, they still share a legendary story. According to the legend, they are known to be a sacred cat of Burma because this breed got its Blue eyes, golden coat, and white paws from a goddess of Burma’s temple.
Fortunately, the Birmans found their way back to England and France in the early 1900s. Talking about the history of a Himalayan cat, this shares a short history. They are relatively new and have been in this world for less than 100 years.
The breeders were competing for breeding long hair Siamese stretched-over using a person’s body and ended up with the new breed, ‘a Himalayan cat’. In 1957, Cat Fanciers Association officially recognized this breed; now, they are trendy among families as pets.
Even though Cat Fanciers Association has dropped its recognition, they are still a great variety of Persian and Siamese mixes.
Birman Cat Vs Himalayan: Health Issues
Surprisingly, Birman cats are healthier than Himalayan cats. Even though Himalayan cats are more prone to health issues than its counterpart, they can live and enjoy a very long life if kept and cared for properly.
It is essential to always ask for a health clearance paper from the breeder before adopting any purebred Himalayan cat. That said, Birman cats are fortunately healthy with no known breed-specific diseases.
However, it is still better to bring your Birman cats to your nearest veterinarian once in a while for periodic testing on their complete body to ensure they are healthy. An occasional visit to the veterinarian for quick Health checkups once in a while or annually is best to identify any ongoing / developing health concerns.
Talking about Himalayan cats again, issues like respiratory problems, asthma, progressive retinal atrophy, and polycystic kidney disease seem to be some known breed-specific diseases.
Therefore before you adopt 1, you should ensure your kitten is completely healthy before you bring it to your family. Make sure you also talk to the breeder and a veterinarian to reduce the potential risk of specific diseases in Himalayan cats.
A veterinarian will help you take positive and active steps to protect a Himalayan cat. They will also develop an action plan to enhance life quality and longevity.
Birman Cat Vs Himalayan: Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons of Birman Cats
- Pros: They are calm, shy, friendly, laid back, and gentle felines, perfect for a relaxed home.
- Cons: if not cared for properly or fed the proper nutrition, they may shed moderately.
- Pros: Birman cats are a very social, affectionate, and interactive breed who quickly get along with kids and other pets, including Himalayan cats, etc.
- Cons: As Birman cats are people pleasers who thrive on human attention and interaction, they don’t do well if left alone for more than 6 hours unattended without company or stimulation.
- Pros: This Breed acclimated very conveniently to any living condition. They are perfect for apartment living conditions, people sharing space, or senior citizens.
- Cons: The Birman cats are not an outgoing breed and don’t do well if left outdoors. They are prone to predation, theft, accidents, getting lost, and other things exposed to this feline when they are out.
Pros & Cons Of Himalayan Cat
- Pros: With a beautiful coat, Himalayan cats look incredibly gorgeous and an excellent addition to your family.
- Cons: As a Himalayan cat sheds heavily, you must invest in a good quality brush and frequently brush to resist matting and knotting.
- Pros: A Himalayan cat does pretty well with your kid if appropriately raised. They are even eager to perform in your kid’s daily playtime and activity as long as they know how to respect an animal boundary.
- Cons: Himalayan cats are prone to many health issues that are genetically related and breed-specific.
- Pros: A Himalayan cat always enjoys having many guests over and moving around. They are not shy.
- Cons: The real problem of having a Himalayan cat is their need for a specific diet. Their dietary routine and demand change according to their body weight, age, and level of physical activity.
FAQ
What 2 Breeds Make A Himalayan Cat?
In reality, the hybrid of a Siamese cat and a Persian cat developed in the United States is popular as Himalayan cats or shimmies.
Which Cat Is Better: Birman Cats Or Himalayan?
Depending on your preferences and family requirement, you should look for a breed that can acclimate to any environment. As both species have almost similar personalities, they are suitable for families. Birman cats are more active, laid back, and social with their loved ones than Himalayan cats.
Which Breed Is High Maintenance Birman Cats Or Himalayan Cats?
Himalayan cats can be considered a high-maintenance breed compared to Birman cats. However, caring for Birman cats is low maintenance but very expensive. Therefore if you are on a tight budget, the cost of Birman’s care can be a problem for you.
A Birman Himalayan Mix Guide
There is no offspring of a Birman and Himalayan cat because it can be an inhumane breeding practice. Even though it can be exciting to find a Birman Himalayan mix, it is not advised. In most cases, hybrids suffer from genetic health issues due to inhuman or unnatural breeding practices.
Conclusion
Both Birman cats and Himalayan cats can make excellent pets for you. Either would be a fine choice for people with kids or a large home. Both can get along well with anyone. Both breed love interaction and crave their loved one’s attention.
They won’t mind enjoying a good snuggle or cuddle session. But if you are looking for a more active breed, go for the Birman cats. But in terms of an instantly recognizable colorpoint coat, the Himalayan cat makes a great choice.
Nothing can be said because some unique varieties of Birman cats are also available. I hope you enjoyed this article and found your answer. I tried my best to help you choose your next pet. Make sure you share this article with people to spread some awareness.
Your share may help many people choose the right breed before jumping into trouble. Check our other articles on Birman cats care; see you in the next post.
