Siamese cats are known as one of the oldest cat breeds globally. Many people believe Siamese cats originated from Thailand; this can be confirmed by their appearance in Thai manuscripts dating back to the fourteenth century.

They are named after the historical name of Thailand, which was Siam. Many people from Siam believed these cats had come from Egypt as they looked so similar to the Cat Goddess Bastet.

The Birman cat is related to the Siamese. They are often referred to as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.” It is not as easy to trace this cat’s origin, but many stories have been passed down from generation to generation that the Birman cats were companions to priests in the temples of North Burma.

There are also tales that the Birman cat was imported to France by an American who had stolen a pair from a temple in Burma. Their name is derived from Birmanie, the French form of Burma.

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Appearance

Siamese and Birman cats have beautiful blue eyes and darkened-colored fur around their faces. Siamese cats are very well known for their statement sleek, fine and gorgeous glossy coats. Their coats are either chocolate, seal, lilac, or blue.

Birman cats are semi-longhaired and have very distinct markings on their feet. All four of them are pure white, with the back two markings raising slightly higher than the front.

Legend states that a goddess rewarded a temple Birman cat for its love and devotion that it gave wholeheartedly to the priest and as a gift turned the cat’s eyes from yellow to blue and its white coat to gold but left its feet white as a sign of purity.

Siamese cats’ ears are quite pointy and long; they have very sleek tails. The Siamese is also known for their large, pointy ears, sleek tails, and bodies. Female Siamese cats tend to weigh lighter than males; on average, they weigh between 2.5 to 4.5 kg compared to Male Siamese cats, who weigh between 4 to 6 kg.

Siamese and Birman’s kittens are both born white, and within a week, their points begin to develop if they have dark colorings and up to two weeks if they are of lighter color. Their coat does not reach full development until the cat is two years old.

Their lifespan is around 15 – 20 years, though some have been known to surpass this.

Maintenance

Siamese cats have low-maintenance coat that requires minimal grooming. It is recommended to brush them at least once a week to help maintain a nice healthy coat that shines.

Ensuring you have a weekly grooming schedule in place, it will help reduce the risk of your cat suffering from hairballs.

A regular grooming schedule is so important as it helps to dislodge any dead fur follicles and therefore helps new and healthy follicles to grow.

Siamese cats, more often than not, have very good dental health, and you can help ensure it stays this way by brushing their teeth twice a week. Try to implement a dental schedule with your cat from a young age.

Their claws will require trimming on a regular basis, ideally every 10 to 14 days, and to protect your furnishings from becoming damaged, it is advisable to purchase a scratching post.

Unlike Siamese cats, Birman cats have a long coat and will require a little extra care when it comes to grooming.

You should brush and comb your Birman cat every week. Birman cats also benefit from having a bath, you can do this using a shower nozzle on a low setting, so it is gentle on their skin. Use a gentle cat shampoo to clean your cat’s coat to help loosen the dead fur in the early molt.

I would highly recommend that you purchase a cat comb that has rotating teeth, which will aid you in removing dead fur in a gentle way.

You should invest in a cat comb with rotating teeth. These are gentle on the cat but will remove a lot of dead fur. Unlike many other long-haired cats, the Birman cat does not have an undercoat and therefore does not suffer from its hair becoming severely tangled or matted.

For both breeds, it is best to start the grooming schedule when they are a kitten; at first, they may not enjoy it, and it may take several sessions for them to get used to the experience.

With the effort to make this an enjoyable experience for them and to save you some scars, try to play with them first to wear them out.

To make this experience enjoyable for them, play with them prior to grooming and give the kitten a treat so they can relate this experience to something good. After you have played with them, place them on your lap so that they are comforted by you.

Always start grooming with a wide-tooth comb just in case you come across any knots.

Temperament

Siamese cats are very friendly, affectionate, and very sociable with humans. They are highly intelligent and thrive when surrounded by a multitude of positive interactions with humans.

Siamese cats are chatterboxes and love to have long conversations with their owners. Many people describe the Siamese cat as ‘dog-like’; they love to greet their owners as they arrive home and will follow you around the house as you go from room to room. They love cuddles and receiving affection.

Siamese cats struggle with being left on their own for too long; they are highly affectionate creatures and can suffer from depression and anxiety.

They can also become jealous of other pets if they are receiving more attention than them; they can also become fixated with one person within the household.

Birman cats are very friendly, gentle, sociable, intelligent, and curious. They make fantastic pets for families with children due to their demeanor and making excellent companions who don’t make too much noise. Birman cats are very laid back; however, they do enjoy playing and enjoy being groomed.

Suitable for

Birman cats will make an ideal pet for families with children due to their laid-back nature and easy-going attitude.

The best cat breeds for families with children are the ones that are gentle, and Birman are gentle souls. They love to be part of what is going on within the house, and they will follow you around the house. Due to their level of intelligence, they are receptive to training.

Siamese cats are very friendly, affectionate, and sociable. They are highly intelligent and are also receptive to training; however, they will not do well if they are left on their own for long periods of time.

This breed can be pretty energetic, an attention seeker, and unfortunately, at times highly-strung. They would best suit a household with older children.

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Which cat is right for you?

If you are a couple with no children or a family with older children where someone is likely to be home for the majority of the day, then a Siamese cat may be best for you.

If you are looking for a cat that is affectionate and wants to be involved with everything going on, a cat that you can train who is laid back and will get on well with younger children, then a Birman is a perfect match.

Siamese vs. Birman Cat: Best Comparison