MyCatBreeds
Oriental Longhair is originated from United Kingdom but Birman is originated from France. Both Oriental Longhair and Birman are of same weight. Both Oriental Longhair and Birman has same life span. Both Oriental Longhair and Birman has same litter size. Both Oriental Longhair and Birman requires Moderate maintenance.
Your Oriental Longhair cat has his foundations in the Siamese breed. The Siamese came from Thailand to the UK in the 1800s.
Sometimes a litter of Siamese kittens produced a long-haired variety but in the 1950s breeders started honing in on these longer haired Siamese cats.
Various crossings took place and Oriental Shorthairs came about. By breeding these Shorthairs with Balinese cats, the Oriental Longhair came about in the 1970s.
There isn’t clarity as to this exquisite cat’s origins. Many people believe they originated as the companions of temple priests in northern Burma.
The cats somehow found their way to France, and it is believed that they have been in France since the 1920s.
The cats nearly disappeared during World War II, but luckily the remaining Birmans that survived were crossed with Siamese and Persians to strengthen the breed. In the early 1950s, pure Birnam litters were produced. It was in about 1959 that Birmans were brought to the United States.
The cats were also recognized in Britain in 1965 and in 1966 by the CFA. The first Birman cats were seal point but later other colors were brought in such as red, chocolate, and tabby.
The Oriental Longhair is a medium-sized cat with a fairly long, muscular, lean body. The Oriental Longhair actually resembles the Siamese cat.
They also come in an outstanding array of colors and patterns with the coat being long and silky. The coat can be a solid color but you can also find tabby-type coats as well as tipped coats. The cat doesn’t have an undercoat and coat lies fairly flat against the body. You will also hear it being referred to as a semi-longhair.
The tail is attractive and forms quite a bushy plume.
The Oriental Longhair cat has almond-shaped green eyes. If you see the white Orientals, they can have green or blue eyes. They can also be odd-eyed.
These cats are intelligent, curious, and good-natured and they love to talk. Therefore it is important that such a cat breed have a home where there is plenty of company.
They’re active cats too, loving to play and bound and leap. He'll want to willingly join in with some of your games. The cat will certainly need some exciting toys to keep him occupied.
They are loyal cats and become loving and devoted to their human family, getting on well with children in the home as well as other pets.
They don’t like being left alone at all and will prefer to have company, even if it is from another pet.
These are medium-sized cats which can become fairly large. They can weigh up to 4, 5 or 6kg. They are fairly heavily boned with a broad face and ears that are widely spaced.
The round eyes are deep blue. The cat’s fur is medium-long and should be silky to the touch with no undercoat. Ther cat is a moderate shedder.
The base color is whitish to cream, but the kittens are always born white. Coat color, whether red, cream, or chocolate is always pointed and the cat always has the white paws.
The Birman isn’t as outgoing as some of the other cat breeds and its a quiet, docile intelligent cat that attaches itself to one particular family member. They can actually become jealous of their human companion and demand their attention.
These friendly cats are wonderful choices for families with children and dogs. They are calm and affectionate, and softly spoken, quietly letting you know when it’s dinner time and enjoying just being around his human family.
He is able to get along well with kids and other pets in the home. He can become quite playful too and because he is so intelligent, you can buy him some toys that require him to think.
Your Oriental Longhair is such a friendly, lively cat and he makes a splendid companion. It is an inquisitive cat and likes to be part of the activity in the household.
He is a social, talkative cat and has always got a lot to say/ They love the attention of their human family and don’t like being separated too long from them.
When you get one of these cats, you get both an entertainer and a friend.
The Birman cat has to be one of the most beautiful cats there are, but the cat isn’t only a beautiful cat, it has wonderful characteristics as well.
It is a loving, affectionate cat with his human family, loving to spend time around them. Playful and healthy, when you bring this most wonderful cat into your home, it will be as though an angel has come to stay.
The Oriental Longhair is generally considered a healthy breed. Because the cat can be prone to some inherited conditions, it is always a wise move to buy a kitten from a reputable breeder.
A couple of these diseases to look out for include Progressive Retinol Atrophy which is a degenerative condition that can lead to blindness.
Also, look out for periodontal disease which is common in many cat breeds.
With good health your Birman can reach up to 13 years of age. With the Birman, the most serious illness is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which also happens to be the most common heart disease in cats.
It’s a progressive disease and can result in heart failure. The cats are also at risk of developing feline infectious peritonitis.
Also, because this is a larger cat and a stocky kind of breed, it can easily put on weight and then become overweight. Strict attention will need to be given to diet as well as daily exercise.
Also, look out for Corneal dermoid - skin and hair on the surface of the cornea in one eye or in both. Luckily this is an eye problem that can be surgically corrected.
This is a slim cat and you can easily tell when he has put on weight. Be very careful with how much you feed your cat and what you feed him.
Cats are carnivores and you need to ensure that his diet is rich in meaty ingredients. These cats have long slim legs and extra weight can put pressure on the cat’s joints. Keep your cat lean and healthy. If in any doubt about diet for your cat, speak to your vet, Always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water.
Prepare to have a cat included in your family. Invest in food and water bowls, a cat bed, grooming brushes, toys, climbing tree, scratching post and litter box. A cat box for transporting your pet to the vet is also a good idea.
The Oriental Longhair loves to leap up into high areas so he will need a climbing tree. Try to get your cat out into the sunshine where possible and allow him to climb into a tree.
The cat’s medium- to long hair will require brushing once or twice a week. When you brush your pet gently but purposefully, he loves it and it becomes a bonding session.
Provide your cat with a litterbox and make sure to clean out the box every day. You can do that by buying a small plastic rake at the pet shop and it keeps the litter nice and even for your pet.
Have your cat neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.
The Birman has a silky coat that sheds moderately so you want to give him a gentle brush once or twice a week to keep the coat of his soft and silky.
The Birman has a full topcoat, with no undercoat which means that you won’t have the coat matting or tangling.
He’ll need his nails trimmed and his teeth checked regularly. Your vet or professional groomers can do this for you and clean his teeth and check that there are no bad teeth making your pet sick.
The Birman cat has access to some great commercial cat food as there are some seriously good quality ones.
Many cat lovers choose cat foods that are AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved. It at least provides minimum standards for pet foods.
For your Birman you want to avoid artificial flavors and preservatives. Choose quality foods high in meat protein. As a carnivore, a cat has a huge need for meat protein. Get to know your pet food labels and choose foods with added taurine and vitamin A.