The Best Cat Food for Birmans (Kittens, Adults & Seniors)

The Birman cat is easily one of the most popular breeds that get adopted from shelters or bought from pet stores. Cat lovers and neutral pet lovers alike naturally gravitate towards Birman cats because of their charming blue eyes and long, fluffy coat that’s irresistible to pet. These adorable cats can grow quite large over their lifetime, so as a responsible pet owner, one must know the best cat food for Birmans in order to make sure they’re in optimal health.

Quick Snapshot: Top 5 Birman Cat Foods​

About the Birman Cat

The origin of the Birman cat stems from a mysterious legend from ancient Burma. Legend states that robbers stormed the Temple of Khmer to steal the statue of Tsun-Kyan-Kse, a golden goddess with blue eyes. A high priest named Mun-ha was mortally wounded during the encounter, and his Birman cat Sinh placed its paws on his chest to accompany him in his passing. Today, the Birman cat’s prominent features are said to be caused by a magical transformation due to Sinh’s loyalty.

The Birman cat is a large breed with characteristic blue eyes and long, light-colored fur. They are generally said to be territorial and possessive of their owners and can be very attached to them. Although they can act a bit clingy, these cats are a gentle breed who just like to be around their owners.

Aside from their charming appeal which makes them a popular breed, Birman cats are also great for companionship and can make a good family pet. They can be very patient with other animals and people, especially children. Moreover, they are quiet cats with soft voices, so you don’t have to worry about constant loud meowing.

Both male and female Birman cats can grow to around twelve pounds and live up to thirteen years. Their large frame combined with their very long fur call for a moderate grooming habit to avoid matting, and as the owner, you need to be prepared for a lot of shedding.

A Birman Cats Diet and Nutritional Requirements

Big cats require more calories than the average sized cat. However, you would still need to be careful to avoid overfeeding, as Birmans tend to become overweight given their large frame and tendency due to breed.

Most owners claim that Birman cats are generally not very picky eaters, but you should still need to experiment with different types of cat food to see which one your pet will like the most. Thus, before getting a Birman cat, it’s important to be financially prepared to support its needs, since they may require higher quality cat food. Your cat may eat cheaper food, but they won’t be as healthy.

For Birmans, wet cat food works better than dry food since they generally prefer moist food and need something that can be easily digested. Although, don’t steer away from dry food completely; you can still combine your Birman’s food into a pattern of wet and dry food each week for a more varied diet.

Senior Birman cats may need less food as they age as their mobility is lessening. Make sure to adjust once they get to that ‘senior' stage to avoid obesity and other feline health-related problems.

Macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat

An adult Birman cat needs about 400 calories per day to maintain their weight. It is recommended that Birman cats are fed high-quality cat food with human grade ingredients, which is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

1. Carbohydrates

Cats need carbohydrates for immediate energy release. Birman cats, in particular, have a moderate level of physical activity, so you don't need to feed them extra carbohydrates. Moreover, a Birman cat has a tendency to become overweight or obese, so it's important not to feed them grains. Excessive carbohydrates would give them too much energy which, when not used, would lead to weight gain, and can also lead to digestive problems.

2. Protein

Birman cats, like every other cat, needs a lot of protein in their diet. Although a raw food diet would yield lots of usable protein for your cat, it is not recommended as the sole source of nutrition for Birman cats. Raw cat food may cause some issues with digestion.

When selecting the best cat food for Birmans, choose a high-quality cat food that is abundant in protein. Protein helps them build mass and repair tissues. Big breeds like Birmans need a high protein diet to support their larger muscle mass.

3. Fat

The meat in cat food contains fat which is also necessary for a Birman’s nutrition. Essential fatty acids such as Omega-6 is important to maintain the cat’s silky coat, so it’s best to look for these fatty acids in nutritional labels.

Aside from a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, Birmans also need to have a good amount of taurine and Vitamin A to make sure that they can maintain the softness of their fur. Taurine and Vitamin A helps healthy hair growth, which is essential for a hairy cat like the Birman.

Common Health Problems with Birman Cats

Some cat breeds are more susceptible to certain diseases. In this case, the Birman breed is vulnerable to HCM or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease mostly found in purebred cats. It causes the walls and ventricles of the cat’s heart to become too thick to function properly. Knowing that a Birman is predisposed to this disease, it’s best to test with a veterinarian early on. More on HCM in cats is explained in this video:

Hairy cats are also more susceptible to fleas than short-haired ones. Keeping your Birman cat clean is necessary but may not be the only measure to avoid fleas. Keep the cat away from infested pets and make sure to check for fleas every now and then to keep them from multiplying.

The 5 Best Cat Foods for Birmans

1. Wellness Canned Food Turkey and Salmon

As stated earlier, Birman cats require a high protein diet to help them grow and repair tissues. Cat parents who want the best for their pets can opt to get the Wellness Canned Cat Food Turkey and Salmon Formula to get the best protein sources.

More importantly, this product has no meat by-products or artificial flavors. Your Birman can enjoy the natural taste of salmon and turkey without the choking hazard or flavorings that are not safe for animals. The Wellness canned food also has no grain; only protein-packed nutrition in the form of a smooth loaf for your pet.

2. Purina One Healthy Kitten Formula

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Here’s a good option for when your beloved kitty is 0-12 months old. The Purina One Healthy Kitten Formula is a dry cat food with real chicken as its main ingredient. It’s rich in protein and DHA to facilitate proper growth and development of your kitten. Plus, it has zero fillers which means it’s only made with human-grade ingredients.

3. IAMS Proactive Health Senior Adult Dry Cat Food

If your Birman cat is getting a bit too old for regular adult cat food, IAMS has an option for senior cats who are more than eleven years old. Like most cat foods, the IAMS dry cat food is made primarily of chicken. High in protein, this particular brand is also supplemented with prebiotics (for digestive health), Vitamin E, and natural chicken flavor that even senior cats will love.

4. Purina Friskies Indoor Adult Cat Food

Purina also caters to Birman cats who are indoors only. Remember that the nutritional requirements of cats vary with physical activity. The Purina Friskies Indoor Adult Cat Food is specifically formulated for the nutrition of indoor adult cats, providing complete nutrition without putting your cat at risk of obesity.

This pack comes with three flavors namely chicken and turkey casserole, saucy seafood bake, and homestyle turkey dinner. If you have a slightly picky pet, you can purchase this pack so you can experiment a bit on what flavor it likes best.

5. AvoDerm Natural Grain Free Cat Food

AvoDerm Grain Free wet cat food is formulated for all stages of cat life with the high-quality protein made from real chicken. The AvoDerm cat food is recommended for hairy cats such as the Birman breed because it contains California avocados which contains essential fatty acids for a healthy coat.

AvoDerm wet cat food also contains no grain, wheat, corn, or soy-- no worries for unwanted weight gain there.

Conclusion

A lot of cat owners aren’t aware of the proper nutritional needs of their pets. Remember that simply dropping a handful of pellets in a bowl isn’t "proper" nutrition. All cat breeds have their different nutritional requirements. In this article, we talked about the best cat food for Birmans and the general recommendations for this particular breed’s nutrition.

In conclusion, a Birman cat needs more food than smaller cats. They require a high-protein diet which will be best if it comes from a natural, high-quality brand with no fillers or grains. If you’re thinking of switching up your Birman’s diet, do consider one of the options in our recommendations