Many people want to know how a Birman cat differs from a Siberian cat. Therefore in this post, I will discuss what makes Birman cats different from a Siberian cats. There are undoubtedly many things that make both the breed you need from one another than you may have thought.
After reading this article, I hope you will be surprised to know about their energy level, affection, vocalization tendency, and shedding frequency compared to other felines or one another. Hence, without wasting time, let’s find out the five key differences between a Birman cat and a Siberian cat.
Birman Vs. Siberian Cat: 5 Key & Major Differences
Appearance
Body: Siberian cats usually have a prominent musculature medium size body compared to Birman cat‘s solid musculature medium-sized bodies. Both breeds’ back is slightly arched higher than the shoulder.
A Siberian cat’s body is more significant than a Birman cat, so they feel heavy for their size. Usually, Birmans have rounded Delhi, whereas Siberian cats have barrel-shaped abdomens but are firm. The Siberian cat looks beautiful, with a moderate stomach pad on the lower abdomen.
Head: The head of a Birman cat is usually well-rounded, with a broad skull without strong flatness or angle. On The other hand, the head of a Siberian cat has slightly modified wedges and rounded contours.
The nose of a Birman cat is roman shaped with a round chin forward but not receding. But talking of Siberian cats, they are blessed with well-rounded muzzles with prominent jowls in males.
Ears: Both breeds had almost the exact size of medium ears with broad bases and round tips. The bottom of a Birman cat ear tends to be nearly wide and tall, whereas Siberian cat ears should be set on top of its head while tilting forward.
Eyes: You are lucky to find many acceptable eye colors for Siberian cats, but when it comes to colorpoint, Siberian cats must have blue eyes. Talking about Birman cats, they are blessed with vivid Blue eye coloring by Burma’s temple goddess.
Plus,
Legs: The legs of a Siberian cat should be of medium length with substantial bony compared to the well-proportioned legs of a Birman cat. A Birman cat’s feet are well-rounded and white but not as significant as Siberian cats.
Tail: Siberian cats’ tail usually has a white base made of paper to blunt tape. On the other hand, Birman cats’ cat tail is also the same as Siberian cats but papered to a round tip and fully plumed.
Coat: The coat of a Birman cat tends to be very soft and silky and resists matting, knotting, or tangles. But when we talk of Siberian cats, their coat should be medium to long that shed aggressively in the shedding season.
The triple-layered skin of Siberian cats is more suitable for winter than summerTimes. The grooming of a Birman cat will be easy and less frequent than Siberian cats because they lack an undercoat.
Personality
Siberian cats are a very energetic and playful breed that require frequent exercise to keep their energy level low. If you leave Siberian cats with pent-up energy, expect it to be destructive in your absence. On the other hand, a Birman tends to be a very relaxed and calm breed who can tolerate being alone for an extended time if engagement is available.
It is better to offer interactive toys or play TV/music that keeps your cat entertained while you are away for a long time. Apart from this, both breeds are affectionate, making them suitable for kids. But Birman cats will be more convenient for the little ones who don’t know how to respect a cat boundary.
They can even learn how to fetch or play dead. Coming to Siberian cats again, they are very friendly and will always appreciate strangers at the doorstep. They will never shy away or back off from meeting new people.
If you are looking for a playful and outgoing breed, then a Siberian cat may be more suitable than a Birman cat. Birman cats are an indoor breed that thrives on human attention and tend to follow their owner from room to room to participate in whatever they happen to be doing.
Care
Siberian Cat: When it comes to caring for them, they don’t have any special dietary requirements. However, keeping their food rotated for stimulation and interest is essential. If you serve the same food every day, they will get bored.
Apart from that, cats are prone to allergies. Therefore it is always recommended to provide them with food rich in Omega 3 fatty acid that supports a healthy coat and skin to excellent condition. When it comes to grooming, they come with a thick triple coat with long guard hair.
Even though their coat may remain tangle-free for a moment without frequent blushing, they still need to be brushed if they’re back from outdoors to prevent any dirt from accumulating on their skin or coat. In the winter, you won’t face much shedding compared to summertime.
As they are also very active, Siberian cats will never hesitate to show their athletic power and perform their best in any outdoor session. You don’t have to provide too much encouragement to play with your Siberian cats, as they can keep themselves busy while being around you.
Whereas,
Birman Cat: Birman cats don’t need special nutrition if they are kept on a high-protein diet and proper supplements. I recommend you only feed high-quality food to your Birman cats, as vet visits for them are quite an expensive experience.
Regarding grooming, even though they have long hair, a Birman cat’s coat is he to care for compared to their counterpart breed. Birman cat’s long hair is fine and silky, so you don’t need to brush them every day.
Just routine brushing once a week or daily can keep your Kitty coat in great shape while providing a particular time for a bonding experience, as Birman cats are highly active and will follow you from room to room. Thus it is essential to give them plenty of exercises.
Even though they will happily play with toys, getting yourself engaged in the playtime session is also necessary. It encourages relationship and trust between you two. Apart from this, you can also offer a cat tree as a source of entertainment which keeps them happy. Birman cats need to climb and stretch a lot.
Health
Birman Cat: Even though Birman cats are considered healthy cat breeds with no breed-specific sickness shown till now. This is why, it is essential to provide them with proper food that is nutritionally balanced and beneficial for them.
Although they are relatively healthy, some may develop cardiomyopathy leading to sudden death because of heart failure in Birman cats. I recommend you always consult your vet for routine check-ups, diet plans, and cat care instructions.
Siberian Cat: Being a natural breed, Siberian cats are seamlessly healthy.
But, some problems of Siberian cats, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are a significant cause of heart failure in felines.
Thus it is essential to visit your vet from time to time to rule out any developing health issues. The most common hereditary diseases of Siberian cats are heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, urinary crystal, gum disease, and allergies.
Adaptability
Birman cat is a very calm and affectionate breed; it can adapt to any house. They will love to chase your kid while taking turns being chased. They make great friends with the little ones, other cats, and dogs. Siberian cats appear to be well adapted to cold weather because of the Siberian climate.
To resist cold weather, Siberian cats acquired a warm long hair coat on their stocky body that is suitable for all weather.
Conclusion
Being a natural breed, Siberian cats might be the first choice for many people, but Birman cats are also better than Siberians in many ways. Birman cats are most suitable for little ones because of their playful, affectionate, and calm nature.
They are very tolerant of kids. Even though your kids don’t know how to interact with cats and respect their boundaries, Birman cats will never harm your child. I’ve given my best to give you all the information on why both breeds are perfect and what makes them different.
It’s better to visit them first before adopting one. Do share this article if you like it. You will help people choose the right breed according to their needs and family requirements. Check out our other article on Birman cats care; take care and goodbye.
