Calico vs Birman - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Calico vs Birman - Breed ComparisonCalico is originated from Egypt but Birman is originated from France. Both Calico and Birman are having almost same weight. Both Calico and Birman has almost same life span. Both Calico and Birman has same litter size. Calico requires Low maintenance. But Birman requires Moderate maintenance

History

calico - historyNobody can say with certainty where Calico cats originate from, but it is thought they they hail from Egypt, and that they later came to port cities in Spain, Italy and France.

Today these cats are found all over the world. Wherever these cats come from, they are 99.9% female and this is because of the cat’s unique chromosomal makeup. Most of the calico or tortoiseshell male cats are because of the chromosome abnormality.

The weird aspect with these amazing cats is because of their unique genetic makeup, and also because of the fact that the males are born sterile, these cats can’t be bred and they can emerge in different litters.

Since 2001 this cat has been Maryland's state cat. An interesting fact is that the Calico became the official cat of the state of Maryland because of its amazing colors of its fur which happen to be fairly similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.

birman - historyThere 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.

Basic Information

Origin:
Egypt
France
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Sacred Cat of Burma
Colors Available:
White, black and orange
White, cream, chocolate
Coat:
Long or short
Medium-long, silky and shiny
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

calico kitten - descriptionCalico cats are known for their jaunty tri-colored coats with color such as white, black and orange. In fact, to be known as a Calico cat, these 3 colors need to be present, Calico isn’t a breed of cat as such, but is actually referring to the cat’s color variations.

Some of the most distinctive breeds of cars such a the Cornish Rex and Persians have these calico coats. One odd spec with these cats is that nearly all calico cats are female and this is because of the chromosomal makeup.

Size, coat texture, shade of coat, coat length and ear shapes can all vary with the type of calico cats you get so their weight can be anything from 3 to 7kg.

Temperament:

As mentioned, Calico cats aren’t a specific breed, and that is why it is actually difficult to describe the personality of a calico cat.

You’ll find certain calico cat owners describing their cat’s behavior but you won’t find any particular scientific studies of the cat’s personality. You could have a calm cat, one that is laid-back, a very vocal cat or a very active cat. In other words, these cats can be quiet, calm, excitable, friendly, shy, or mellow – their personality is formed from the way they are brought up and socialized.

birman kitten - descriptionThese 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.

Characteristics

calico cat - characteristicsThe Calico is such an amazing type of cat and because it comes from so many cat breeds, the personality will vary, although having said that, there are a few characteristics that seem to be specifically attributed to the Calico cat.

One thing is for sure, these are intelligent, sweet, appealing, warm-hearted, loving cats that are good with children too. Perhaps in keeping with the quirky, jaunty coat, there is some quirkiness in the personality too, but that is precisely what makes these amazing cats the interesting characters they are.

To add to that, when you do research, you find that some have acted in bravey and saved their humans from harm in one way or the other.

birman cat - characteristicsThe 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.

Health Problems

calico kittens - health problemsThe lifespan of the Calico cat be anything really and if you provide your calico with a wonderful home it will be able to reach 15 years of age.

Sometimes Klinefelteris Syndrome is a threat with this cat as a result of the XXY chromosomes. Their health is impacted because the disease can cause problems such as increased body fat and reduced bone mineral content.

birman kittens - health problemsWith 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.

Caring The Pet

calico cats - caringGently brush the Calico’s fur from time to time to ensure the jaunty colored coat is always shiny and healthy. It helps with the removal of dead hair as well and the cat enjoys the attention.

Every cat requires vaccines to prevent him from getting the deadly cat viruses there are, and to keep the cat free from parasites.

If there are any warning signs that there’s something wrong with your Calico, get him to the vet immediately.

Your Calico kitten will need to receive 3 meals a day. As your cat matures, two smaller meals a day will be good for your cat. You’ll find both canned- and dry packaged foods and your cat will let you know which one he prefers.

Your adorable Calico may beg for treats in between but as a responsible pet owner, make sure you don’t allow your Calico to overeat as obesity brings its own set of health issues.

General:

birman cats - caringThe 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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Calico vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Calico vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Calico vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Calico vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Calico vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Calico vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Calico vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Calico vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Calico vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Calico vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Calico vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Calico vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Calico vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Calico vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Calico vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Calico vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Calico vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Calico vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Calico vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Calico vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Calico vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Calico vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Calico vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Calico vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Calico vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Birman vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Birman vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Birman vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Birman vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Birman vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Birman vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Birman vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Birman vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Birman vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Birman vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Birman vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Birman vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Birman vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Birman vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Birman vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Birman vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Birman vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs Birman - Breed Comparison

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