Cat Breed Facts: Birman

The Birman is a fabled breed that is shrouded in mystery and legend. This cat, often referred to as the Sacred Cat of Burma, was honored in Burma because the people there believed that the souls of their departed priests returned in the form of these stunning cats. The greatest legend surrounding this breed comes out of the temple of Lao-Tsun, located in western Burma.

A priest named Mun-Ha lived here, and each night, as he prayed, his sacred cat Sinh was at his side. One dark night, the temple was raided and Mun-Ha was killed. Sinh stood with his paws on his dead master, facing the sacred statue of Tsun-Kyan-Kse, the goddess of the transmutation of souls. Sinh began to transform. His coat, once white, glowed gold. His eyes turned blue, and his legs took on the color of brown velvet. His feet, however, remained a sparkling white, a symbol of the purity of Mun-Ha’s soul.

By morning, all other cats in the temple had completed this same transformation. For seven days, Sinh remained with his master. Finally, on the seventh day, Sinh died, carrying with him the soul of Mun-Ha.

While such a tale is certainly worthy of the Birman, it does nothing to illuminate the true origins of the breed. It is unlikely that anyone will ever discover the true beginnings of this illustrious cat.

The Development of the Birman

The introduction of the Sacred Cat of Burma to Western Europe is also surrounded in doubt. It is likely, however, that a pregnant female was shipped from Burma to France in 1919. Though no one seems to know what became of that cat, or why she was sent to France, it seems reasonable to assume that her kittens, including a beautiful female named Poupee, were the foundation used to establish the breed in France.

By 1925, the Sacred Cat of Burma was established well enough in France to take part in various competitions. The arrival of World War II, however, was hard on the breed. There was a point just after the war when there was only a single pair of these cats left. Concerned breeders used outcrossing to reestablish the breed as best they could.

In 1955, the Sacred Cat of Burma was firmly reestablished in France. Four years later, a breeding pair was imported into the United States. By the mid-1960s, the breed was accepted for competition in North America and England. Around this same time, the name was changed to Burman, and eventually to Birman.

Some Breed Standards for the Birman

The standards for the Birman, as with many other breeds, are quite strict. It is quite easy to have a cat that is penalized or even disqualified, so those picking a show or breeding kitten should do so with care.

General: The Birman is a colorpointed cat with long, silky hair and four pure white feet. The head is distinctive, and the eyes are a bright blue.

Head: The head of the Birman should be strong, broad, and rounded. There should be a slight flat spot just in front of the ears. The Birman has full cheeks and heavy jaws.

Ears: Medium in length, the ears are almost as wide at the base as they are tall.

Eyes: The eyes of the Birman should be round and convey a sweet expression. The eyes should be blue in color, and the deeper blue, the better.

Body: The body should be long and stocky. Females tend to be smaller than males. Legs are medium in length and heavy, paws must be large, round, and firm.

Tail: The tail of a Birman is beautiful and pleasing in proportion to the body. It should be medium in length.

Coat: The Birman has a medium long to long coat, and is silken in texture. There should be a heavy ruff around the neck, and slight curl on the stomach. The color of the body should be fairly even, with subtle shading allowed. The points should be clearly defined, and the gloves should be clean and obvious.

Penalties: Uneven gloves, delicate bone structure, or white shading on chest or stomach are all causes for penalties.

Disqualifications: Any cat lacking full gloves will be disqualified. Other grounds for disqualification include: kinked or abnormal tail, crossed eyes, incorrect number of toes, white on the back legs beyond the hock.

The Birman is a sweet and gentle breed. Its lovely disposition and beautiful coat make it a delightful addition to any household.

Where Can I Find Wellness Cat Food Coupons?

Wellness cat food has risen in popularity recently. This brand of cat food is delicious, balanced and natural. It also is high quality and very nutritious. However, as one of the better cat foods on the market, it is not cheap. For many families, Wellness cat food is too expensive to purchase without the use of coupons. For these people, locating Wellness cat food coupons is necessary in order to provide their feline companions with a high quality meal. Fortunately, these coupons are not that difficult to locate.

The Wellness Pet Food Website

Wellness, like many companies, has their own website. Using this website, individuals can join the Naturally Well Pet Community. Members receive many benefits, including notices of discounts and special offers. You can even sign up for special Wellness contests and giveaways. In addition, coupons will occasionally be sent to established members, both through e-mail and regular mail.

Online Auction Sites

Sites that specialize in online auctions, such as eBay, often have coupons for auction. Sometimes these sites will have Wellness cat food coupons available in bulk for a very good price. Many sellers will even offer these coupons as “Buy It Now” items, so you won’t even have to wait for an auction to end. You can simply order your coupons as you would any other Internet item. When using online auction sites to purchase coupons, ensure the coupons are legitimate. Look carefully at each listing and ask the seller questions regarding their items. Remember that photocopies are not accepted by most retailers, so make sure you know they are original cat food coupons before you commit to buy.

Online Coupon Sites

Internet sites exist that allow you to select coupons and either print them yourself or have them mailed to you. Most retailers will accept online coupons provided they are from a legitimate site such as Coupons.com, MySavings.com or RedPlum.com. Check these sites frequently, as the offers are subject to change. Keep in mind, however, that most of these sites limit how many times per month you can order coupons. It is best to order all your coupons together to take greater advantage of the available offers.

Local Sources for Wellness Cat Food Coupons

Don’t underestimate your local newspapers and flyers as sources for coupons. Local pet supply stores are also a good place to look. They may offer free samples or coupons to return customers. They may even have a program for a free bag of food once you’ve purchased a certain number of bags at regular price.

Take the time to ask the salespersons about any promotions Wellness might be having in the near future. They may know of a booth or event Wellness may be hosting in your area. You can usually obtain free samples and a great many coupons simply by making a point of visiting certain locations on certain days.

Before you throw out your used food bags or tins, check the packaging for coupons. Sometimes these coupons will be on the back of the bag, the label of the tin or even hidden inside the bag wrapped in plastic. Check all packaging carefully before you discard it.

One of the best ways to save money with coupons is to keep them until your local grocery or pet store has a sale. Most of the time, retailers will let you use your coupons on top of the sale price, reducing the money you’ll have to pay for the cat food significantly. Some stores will even allow you to stack your coupons. But check to make sure your local store allows this, at it is a rare practice.

By using Wellness cat food coupons you can obtain a premium, healthy cat food at a fraction of the cost you might normally pay. Check local newspapers and flyers, old packaging and online to find these coupons and you’ll soon find yourself becoming a thrifty cat food shopper. If any brand of cat food will do, look for deals on Whiskas, Iams or Friskies cat food.

Cat Breed Facts: Balinese



The Balinese is the result of a concerted effort in the 1930s and 1940s to produce a longhaired, pointed cat. This breeding strategy was eventually successful. The Balinese, considered to be a cousin of the Siamese, is known for its grace and poise, and are often called the ‘Bali dancer of the cat world’ which is the source of the exotic name. Their strong personalities make them wonderful pets and loving companions.

The Development of the Balinese

Even before there was an effort to develop a longhaired version of the Siamese, there were occasionally kittens born to Siamese parents that had semi-long hair. Most breeders of Siamese kittens ignored or discarded these kittens, but some thought they were desirable enough to make a breed out of them. And so began the effort to create the Balinese.

Whether the longhaired Siamese is a result of hybridization of mutation is not entirely clear. Regardless, Siamese breeders took exception to the label ‘longhaired Siamese’, and so a woman by the name of Helen Smith proposed the name Balinese, since the graceful cats reminded her of Bali dancers she had once seen. The name was quickly accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Federation in 1963.

Though continued outcrosses with the Siamese have led to a shortening of the Balinese coat, they are still and will continue to be a distinct and recognized breed.

Some Breed Standards for the Balinese

The standards for the Balinese, as with many other breeds, are quite strict. It is quite easy to have a cat that is penalized or even disqualified, so those picking a show or breeding kitten should do so with care.

General: The Balinese is a svelte cat with a long, lithe, strong, and muscular body. The Balinese must be neither flabby nor bony, and must have clear eyes.

Head: The head should be a long and tapering wedge, medium-sized and in proportion to the body. The wedge of the head begins at the nose and flares out to the ears, creating a triangle, with no break at the whiskers.

Ears: Strikingly large and pointed, the ears of the Balinese are wide at the base and slightly pricked forward, as if listening.

Eyes: Should be almond shaped and medium in size. Uncrossed eyes are desirable, and they should be slanted towards the nose. Eyes must be blue in color.

Body: The Balinese should have a long and dainty body, with a combination of fine bones and firm muscles. Hips must not be wider than the shoulders, and the abdomen should be tight. The neck should be long and slender, the legs long and slim, and the toes dainty, small, and oval.

Tail: The tail of the Balinese should be long, thin, and tapering to a fine point. Tail hair should spread out like a plume.

Coat: The coat of the Balinese is long, fine, and silky, but with no apparent undercoat. Acceptable colors include chocolate point, seal point, and lilac point; some associations accept other colors and patterns. There must be no ticking or white hairs in the points.

Penalties: Crossed eyes warrant a penalty for all Balinese cats. Also, any cat with a lack of pigment in the nose leather or paw pads in part or in total will be assessed a penalty.

Disqualifications: Any sign of illness or poor health is grounds for disqualification. Also, nasal obstruction or occlusion, kink in the tail, or eye color other than blue will result in a cat being disqualified.

The Balinese is a slender and beautiful breed. Their unique temperament and stunning physical appearance combines to make them a delightful companion for all cat lovers.

Characteristics of the Siamese Cat


In the world of cat breeds, Siamese are interesting. They can be docile one moment, and racing around the house like a mad-cat the next. Typically, people either love Siamese or hate them. They are generally acknowledged to be a unique breed, even by those people with no interest in cats.

The Siamese is thought to have originated in Siam, which is called Thailand today. This is just a theory, however, with no real proof to support it. Though they likely originated in and around this area of the world, no one knows for sure.

The Siamese has a cream-colored coat with dark tips on the ears, feet, face, and tail. Kittens, however, are born without these points, which begin to show at approximately four weeks of age. There are several color variations available for the Siamese, including lilac point, seal point, chocolate point, and blue point. Some cat associations even recognize additional colors, such as lynx point, particolor point, and solid point, but these are considered ‘new’ colors for the Siamese. All Siamese should have bright blue eyes.

Despite their reputation, the Siamese is actually less dependent than most other breeds of cat, and so they tend to become very attached to their owners. If you want a cat who enjoys cuddling, this might be the breed for you. They are highly intelligent and easily trained, but they can also be incredibly stubborn, and they definately have their own minds.

The coat of the Siamese is short and smooth, and so doesn’t require much grooming. However, it is a good idea to run a brush over their coat approximately once a week, as this will help remove any excess hair. In this way, you might be able to reduce the shedding associated with the Siamese, and it will help with the hairballs all cats are prone to as well.

One of the most unique and entertaining traits of the Siamese is their voice. They are very talkative creatures, sometimes to the point of being annoying. Some people compare the mewling of a Siamese to the cry of a baby, and when a Siamese wants to make itself heard, it will. The voice of a Siamese can reach a similar decibel level as an ambulance siren. For Siamese lovers, this only makes the cats more endearing.

The Siamese, if kept indoors and with standard veterinary care, can live for fourteen years or more. They are not a commitment to be made lightly. For those who take the time to get to know them, however, they can be among the greatest companions and most loving of felines.