The eyes of a Birman cat are mesmerizing. Their beautiful markings give them a fine look. But make sure you truly have a purebred in your hands.
A Birman is known by their eyes which begs the question, do all Birman cats have these sapphire blue eyes? Every Birman cat will have blue eyes.
This happens because of the absence of pigmentation development in the eyes.
The blueness of the eyes does not affect their eyesight or cause other issues such as hearing loss.
Birman kittens are born with sapphire blue eyes, and the color is maintained into adulthood.
It is crucial to know the characteristics of a purebred Birman if you wish to get one for yourself.
Birmans come in various colors including the lilac point Birman cat. Each type of Birman will have this outstanding color for their eyes.
Why does lilac point birman Cat Have Blue Eyes?
Every kitten is born with blue eyes regardless of the breed. The absence of pigment causes this.
Cats will eventually develop the natural pigment in their eyes when they reach 5 to 6 years old.
If the pigment doesn’t develop, you will have a blue-eyed kitty similar to a Birman.
The Birmans arrived on the shores of France around 1920s. According to anecdotes, the Birman has origins in Burma. Currently Myanmar.
Do Blue Eyes Cause Deafness in a lilac point Birman cat?
It is sad to note that there are prevalent cases of blue-eyed white cats who have hearing loss.
This disorder can be traced to the dominant white gene and is not related to genes that produce white spotting.
The dominance of the white gene in the lilac point Birman cat is a form of mutation and results in the white cat. The mutation contains one allele to produce a white color.
If two alleles manifest then the white will turn out deaf. The gene that causes white spotting creates patches of white on the cat that isn’t entirely white.
There are different colored eyes on white cats, and they will have various chances of becoming deaf. The following are the chances of white cats being born with hearing loss:
- Non-blue-eyed white cats will have a 17 to 22% chance of becoming deaf.
- Whites with both either a blue will have 65% to 85% chances of deafness.
Is the lilac point Birman cat Deaf?
Attributed it to Lucky genes but blue eyes in the lilac point Birman cat does not predispose it for deafness.
So, it is safe to get this breed without having to worry about health issues in the future related to hearing loss.
Other breeds with blue eyes that are not prone to deafness will include the following:
- Siamese
- Balinese
- Himalayan
- Persian
- Javanese
How to Take Care of Your lilac point Birman cat’s Eyes
You should be aware of the behavior of the cat when it comes to their eyesight. Watch out for behavior that indicates that your cat is having eye problems:
- rubbing their face against the rug
- constantly rubbing their face against solid objects such as furniture
- they often wash their face particularly their eyes with their paws
If you find your lilac point Birman cat is doing any of these behaviors there could be an eye problem. Examine those pretty blue eyes.
If they look cloudy instead of clear and limpid, something is off. Cat owners often neglect eyecare, but if your cat happens to have blue eyes, it is especially crucial to get them checked by a vet.
Eye discharge can signal several different conditions. It can be something serious that can be traced to the common cold, but you’ll need to consult a veterinarian first.
Some conditions that could be triggering the discharge include the following:
- Pink Eye
- Feline Upper Respiratory Infections
- Dry Eye
- Third Eyelid Problems
- Watery Eyes
- Corneal Disorders
Pink Eye
Indeed, your kitty is capable of having these conditions. These typically point to conjunctivitis.
The lining around your cat’s eyes that is pink in color may be inflamed. It can cause eyes to look swelled up and red. It also emits a thick discharge.
Look out for difficulty in breathing or diarrhea. It may indicate the presence of peritonitis which is a fatal disease.
Health problems of the Birman cat
Feline Upper Respiratory infections
This condition causes discharge in the eye. Infections in the upper respiratory area can indicate a few diseases, which include:
- Pneumonitis
- Bacteria
- Protozoa
- Rhinotracheitis
These diseases can cause your kitty to become seriously ill and can even result in death.
Dry Eye
This condition happens because of a lack of tears. Every cat suffers from a dry eye on the cornea that can become inflamed. If you don’t treat it promptly, blindness can result.
Third eyelid problems
Your lilac point Birman cat will have three eyelids which include:
- The upper—first
- The lower—second
- The third—a fold at the inside corner of the eye
This is located in the inner part of the eye socket and isn’t observable when the cat is alert. When they are relaxing, it moves across the eye. The job of the third eyelid is to produce tears. It is the location of the tear glands.
If the third eyelid pops up this condition is called prolapse, and it indicates a problem. The third eyelid should never be seen nor be prominent when the cat is alert. A third eyelid that is prolapsed could indicate several health problems, including the following:
- Intestinal upset
- Eye disease
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Nerve Damage to the face
Watery Eyes
Similar to humans, there are some cats that will have watery eyes. There are several factors why cats’ eyes could be watery, and these include:
- Blocked tear ducts
- Allergies
- Overproduction of tears
- Viral conjunctivitis
It should also be noted that contaminants may have been lodged in your kitty’s eyes. In this case, they would only need to be rinsed.
Effective rinses include the following:
Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse for Cat
This special medication minimizes eye irritation and helps get rid of tears. It also removes tiny materials such as debris.
Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Pet Eye Wash
This gives a safe and effective relief for eye irritations in your cats. It can be utilized to eradicate debris in regular eye care.
Miracle Care Eye Clear Sterile Eye Wash
These can come in eye drop form or as eyewash pads. They give you the chance to give your kitty a fast treatment. There is minimal waste in its application.
Eyes of the Birman cat
Corneal Disorders
The cornea of your cat’s eyes can become damaged. It may become inflamed or even ulcerated. You will see the cloudiness in the eyes.
Your cat might also blink frequently and have increased tear production.
Be vigilant about the condition of your kitty’s eyes and help keep them in their best possible shape. If you have doubts as to the root cause of your cat’s eye discomfort, you should seek out a vet’s help.
Other Cat Eye Colors
You might ask yourself why cats have different eye colors. The color variation can be traced with the iris since it contains the eye color.
Within the structure are two layers called the epithelium and the stroma. These layers will have melanocytes. Colors of the iris in cats can have various colors:
- Blue
- Orange/yellow
- Green
- Odd-eyed
Blue
a shade of blue eyes will develop because the iris doesn’t have any melanin. A white-coated cat is the most associated cause of blue eyes.
Orange/yellow
The pigment within the irises and the way it reflects in their eyes will give the cat orange-hued peepers. These are typical among black cats.
Although not every black cat will have orange eyes, some colors include the following:
- Hazel
- Green
- Copper
- Yellow
However, orange eyes are the most dominant. Because of this, your cat will have that eerie, scary Halloween appearance.
Green
Just like blue-eyed cats, green eyes will lack melanin. However, melanin is not totally absent, but it does affect the eye color. Breeds that are popular for having green eyes include:
- Russian Blue
- Tonkinese
- Chinchilla Persian
Aside from sweet domesticated cats, the wild Jaguar cat will also have bottle green brilliant eyes.
Odd-eyed
Odd eyed cats will have one blue eye while the other will be a different color. Although this type of coloring will manifest in white cats it can be found in other colors.
A precondition for this eye color is the white spotting gene. This condition is a type of complete heterochromia which is caused by the following:
- Heredity
- Disease
- Injury
Most of the time, this condition is genetic. It should be noted that this can also occur in humans.
Weight Management of lilac point Birman cat
Excess weight or obesity is a top disease that contributes to a large number of illnesses and deaths in the feline world.
This fact is more well-known and understood in current times than in the past decades. But too many owners are still not paying proper attention to the dangers of extra weight on their cats.
Too much weight is one of the top reasons for the development of arthritis, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.
It is a fact that shedding even just a few pounds can result in better mobility and improved motivation to be physically active. The same is true with your cats.
Excess weight
Many researchers reveal that having excess weight may shorten the lifespan of your pets by as much as two years and can cause arthritis two years soon
Diabetes which is an inherited disease, results in a bigger chance of developing in obese pets. But it is not a problem for a cat in a healthy weight range.
Fatty liver is another fatal disease which can potentially occur in overweight pets. Fatty liver can develop in as little as 14 hours when an overweight cat ceases from eating.
Staying Trim
How do cats remain trim? It is crucial to understand the dietary habits of your cat. The typical cat will eat 10 to 15 times a day with as little as a few nibbles at a time.
Free feeding is effective for most cats, but boredom may provoke your cat to make constant trips to the food bowl.
When you keep your cat playfully active and stimulated, your cat will not be thinking of food and stay healthy.
You can create a makeshift toy by tying a string to a stick and have something squeaky or furry on the other end.
With a little imagination, you and your cat can have tons of fun. Food puzzles such as kibbles placed in a paper bag or inside a box may inspire cats who love to chow to explore, romp, and tumble.
Overeating
In some cases where your cat overeats, you need to put them under firm discipline and regulate your cat’s diet.
Instead of overfilling the bowl up to the top, follow the feeding instructions on the package of the food and be sure to give them a high-quality cat diet that has your vet’s recommendation.
Give your cat stimulation so they will not eat when they are bored and instead play and seek affection. Cats typically show their desire for interaction if you offer them affection.
If you ignore your cat, your cat will ignore you. Playing with your cat will cause them to desire more time with you. A cat that is physically active means a healthier and happier cat and cat parent.
lilac point Birman cat color standards
Lilac Tabby point
A Lilac tabby point lilac point Birman cat should have a body that is white or near magnolia color. The coloring should be extremely pale.
The lilac point Birman cat coat should look good and ideally, it should be free from body markings.
However, the presence of body shading of light ghost strip toning down to a point is acceptable. Points except for the snow gloves should be frost gray shade to pink.
The tone markings of the lilac point Birman cat should stand out on the pale beige background.
The markings on the back of the hind legs should be solid and must be frosty grey to a pink tone. The color of the tail should be frosty grey color enhanced with a pinkish tone.
The leathery nose of the lilac point Birman cat should be pink to red brick-coloured and has a pink outline to complement the points. A solid color nose to tone with the color points is acceptable to the standards.
LILAC POINT
The body of the lilac point Birman cat is almost entirely white. It will have points except for the gloves, and it will be frosty grey with pinkish tone.
The nose of the lilac point Birman cat should have a leathery texture and have lavender-pink color.
Final Thoughts
Birman cats stand out for their pale color and blue eyes. They will have shadings and patterns in various colors. Most notable is the lilac point Birman cat.
The lilac point Birman cat will have subtle smoky hued colorings that add to its appeal.
If you have a lilac point Birman cat and you want to show it, you should know the standards for this type of coloring to see if your cat is up to the quality and has a chance to land a place or the top prize.
