Raising your Burmese kitten
Creating a cozy, reassuring space for your Sacred Birman kitten
Prepare for your kitten’s arrival several days in advance. Set up different areas in your home: one for feeding, one for the litter tray and one for sleeping. If your kitten is limited to certain rooms at the outset, make sure these areas are close together.
For her food, opt for two separate bowls or a double bowl with a separate compartment. Don’t mix food and water; your kitten should have access to both throughout the day. Change the water every half-day if possible.
As for the litter tray, place it in a slightly secluded but not isolated area. Keep it away from food and water bowls. Burmese kittens, with their semi-long fur, need a clean litter tray all day long. Promptly remove soiled litter, especially clumping litter. If your home has several floors, consider installing a second litter box on the top floor.
Birmans prefer a quiet environment more than other races. They are sensitive to routines and don’t take kindly to sudden changes. It’s therefore recommended to place the food and litter tray in areas where there’s little traffic, especially if you have young children. Create a comfortable sleeping area with soft, fluffy bedding.
Even though your kitten may change sleeping places during the day, it’s essential to offer her a cozy place to rest.
Finally, for your Birman kitten’s well-being, consider getting a cat tree and other equipment for climbing and monitoring her surroundings.
Provide games and mental stimulation for your sacred Burmese kitten
Birmans are notoriously less active than other cats, but your young Sacred Burmese loves to play. When he’s on his own, he’ll enjoy the many toys you provide.
Whenever possible, play with your kitten to stimulate his curiosity, reflexes and agility. Use toys designed for cats, such as shiny fish, fake mice, feather toys, sound toys and balls.
You can also create simple, homemade toys that kittens particularly enjoy, such as objects attached to strings.
Ensuring a healthy, balanced diet
Choose specialized protein-rich foods for your Birman kitten. Once you’ve made your choice, avoid changing your cat’s food (brand, type, composition), unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.
Your kitten can eat kitten food for the first twelve months. Avoid giving her human food, which can upset her digestion.
Make sure that kibble or wet food is available throughout the day and night. Kittens generally eat several small portions spread throughout the day. Once weaned, Burmese kittens no longer need milk; water is sufficient.
Pay special attention to your kitten
As soon as your Burmese kitten arrives in your home, try to establish a bond by playing and caressing it. It’s important to quickly establish physical contact with this kitten, who needs to be held and hugged by her owner and family members.
Although your kitten may form close bonds with everyone in your home, you will be its primary owner and caretaker. He’ll need to spend time with you every day to build trust and maintain the relationship.
From the very beginning, your behavior will create a safe and comforting environment in which your kitten can grow and flourish.
Maintain good hygiene and regular grooming
Because of their semi-long, silky fur, brush your cat regularly. This grooming routine will also be a moment of complicity between the two of you. Throughout the year, Burmese kittens need regular brushing to prevent the formation of tangles and remove loose hair.
Brushing becomes more intensive during moulting periods, which occur two or three times a year. Burmese are also more prone than other races to ingest hair during grooming.
Take care of his claws, ears and eyes, which may need occasional cleaning with a wet cloth.
Improve your Burmese kitten’s socialization
Your kitten belongs to a particularly sociable race. They are easy-going pets who enjoy the company of adults, children and the elderly. So don’t hesitate to invite people over, even if your kitten is very young. She’ll love to be hugged and kissed. Over time, you’ll learn to understand your kitten’s meows and interpret her various requests.
As far as other animals are concerned, Burmese kittens should naturally get on well with cats or dogs. However, be patient and wait until your kitten feels secure in its home before introducing it to your other pets.
Scheduling obligatory veterinary visits
When your kitten is 2-3 months old, schedule her first visit to the veterinarian. Vaccinations, identification by microchip or tattoo, and advice – your vet is your main source of information for all questions relating to your Burmese kitten’s health. Regular check-ups will help your kitten feel comfortable when being handled and cared for. Keep contact details for local emergency veterinary services close at hand.
Talk to your vet about sterilizing your kitten, and follow his or her recommendations.
Even if your kitten becomes an adult, don’t skip veterinary visits; schedule at least one annual check-up. Even if your kitten seems to be in good physical shape, she may be prone to certain kidney and heart-related health problems as an adult.
Educate your Sacred Birman kitten and teach it good hygiene
If your kitten has spent enough time with its mother, she will have taught it essential hygiene habits. As soon as she arrives, show her the litter tray. To help her understand that this is the place where she needs to relieve herself, place her inside it, scratch the litter and encourage her with your voice. Your kitten should soon understand and use the litter box.
Also, if your cat has become dirty due to indoor or outdoor activities, Nappytime is the ideal solution to restore their cleanliness and comfort
Optimize the safety of your kitten’s environment
In anticipation of your kitten’s arrival, make sure your home is safe for her. Hide electrical cables as much as possible, as kittens tend to chew them. Install plug covers, similar to those used for child safety, on electrical outlets.
Remove fragile objects, glassware and sharp objects from areas frequented by your kitten. If you’re going to be away for a while, make sure the toilet seat is down; a small kitten could slip and be unable to get out if it falls inside.
Finally, remove or eliminate houseplants that are toxic to cats, such as amaryllis.
Your Sacred Birman kitten will need all the care young cats require. Also, your Birman kitten will require special attention from its owner in terms of hygiene and grooming. Last but not least, you’ll need to devote time to your pet through tender gestures, communication and daily play.