Torby vs Birman - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Torby is a rare cat and the name ‘Torbie’ is shortened for Tortoiseshell-tabby. They are known for their tri-colored coats. In fact, when a cat has tabby stripes along with Tortoiseshell markings, the results are Torbie. Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Males do exist but they are rare. They’re also referred to as Torties with their coat resembling that of the shell of a tortoise. The colors represented are usually red, orange and black. Just like the Tabby cat, the Tortie cat is not actually a breed, but is rather referring to the coat pattern. Pure breed cats such as the Maine Coon can also have a Tortoiseshell pattern.

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.

There is a type of tortie cat that is called a torbie and it comes with tabby-like features. They are striking looking cats and can be medium to large size, weigh between 3 and 7kg and be muscular and athletic. Essentially when there are tabby stripes you get a Torbie. Some people call them patched tabbies because they are a tabby with Temperament: No two Tortoiseshell cats have the same personalities, and because they can be any breed of cat, they have a wide range of personality characteristics. They can be energetic, docile, curious, lazy, playful, shy, reserved, aloof, social, friendly, angry, calm, or something else. Not every Torbie cat will have the same characteristics, but most make the most awesome pets. It is true that a cat’s personality and behavior are formed a lot by the people who own it and the lifestyle they provide for it.

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.

Temperament:

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 torbie cat isn't going to turn out the same way as your friend's torbie cat. This is because torbie is just indicating the type of coat your cat has. Yes, they can be strong-willed, social and even angry sometimes, but they can also be quiet, sweet and content. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to a cat's personality. The type of personality you have and the lifestyle you provide your cat with can play a big part in how your Torby turns out. Give him lots of love and care and you'll be blessed with an awesome friend and pet.

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.

Torbie cats are such lovable felines and because they are describing the type of coat the coat has and not the breed, nobody can be sure how long these cats will live for. Some will only live to be 10 while others can reach 15 to 18 years of age. The diet and lifestyle you give your torbie can influence his health and longevity. Health issues in a torbie are certainly not connected to the color of the coat. No matter what cat breed you have, most of the common cat illnesses to watch for are issues that affect the kidneys, the eyes, the skin, and heart. Make sure you get your torbie vaccinated against some of the deadly cat diseases there are.

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.

It can be difficult to decide which food to go with for your feline friend as the cat food manufacturers have provided pet lovers with a generous selection. With a cat, it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, but in the long run, it will just increase your vet bills. Diet plays a massive role in the health of your cat. The important thing to remember is that your cat is a carnivore and he will require meat as the biggest part of his diet. If in doubt, speak to your vet about the type of food to give your cat and how much. Ensure your cat has a constant supply of fresh, cool water. All cats are low-maintenance, and your Torby isn’t going to require much grooming. Make a habit of regular grooming, even if it is only once a week. Your Torby will also need his claws trimmed regularly. You can visit your vet or pet groomer to do this for you. Just like human parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby, you have to prepare for the arrival of a cat in the home, whether it comes to you as a kitten or an adult. Make a list of the essential cat accessories you will need. Buy some fun toys for your Torby, more so if you are bringing a kitten home. Cats need to be stimulated to steer away from boredom. Essentially your Torby checklist will look like this - • Litter box and cat litter • Cat bedding • Veterinarian-recommended cat food • Bowls for food and water • Toys • Collar with tag and contact info etched in • Brush for grooming • Scratching post • Climbing tree

General:

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.

Diet:

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.