FAQ
1. Cat hair
The Sacred Birman is generally a healthy breed of cat without common genetic defects. It belongs to the semi-longhaired breeds that require grooming, so special attention should be paid to hairballs that form in the digestive tract and can eventually cause intestinal blockage. If the cat is apathetic and has no appetite, the first suspicion should be a hairball.
To prevent this, it is recommended to add a little vegetable or fish oil to wet food every day. It is also possible to apply a special paste, such as Gimpet (Malt-Soft complex against hairballs).
When the cat turns one year old, it can also start eating dry food that helps prevent hairballs, as indicated on the packaging.
Regular brushing (once a week) also reduces the frequency of hairball formation. Already-formed hairballs are most often vomited out by cats, and this is a normal process. When you see this, you can be assured that everything is fine. The appearance is similar to a sausage, about the size of a finger, and odorless.
2. Domestic Cats
The Sacred Birman is a house cat, and it is recommended to keep it indoors. If you have a yard, outings can be done on a leash. A cat that has never been outside will never develop the desire to go out. If you allow it to roam freely outdoors, you increase the risk of negative outcomes such as traffic accidents, infections, getting lost, or being stolen. A cat that gets used to life outside the house will do everything it can to reach the outdoors, and it will be difficult for you to keep it within the boundaries of your own yard. Even if you live in a house and there are areas you don’t want the cat to enter (such as the bedroom), you should be consistent and never allow it, because if it likes the space, it will persistently try to get in and it will be difficult to break this habit.
3. Nutrition
Recommended dry food: Premium food with a high protein content of 30–40% (Royal Canin, Concept for Life, Applaws, Purina One, etc.).
It is recommended that dry food be available to the cat all day.
Recommended wet food: Premium food with a high protein content (Cosma, Applaws, Royal Canin, etc.).
Note:
Cats love wet food and will eat as much as you offer. Follow the feeding recommendations in the instructions, but you do not need to follow them blindly. It is important that the cat also consumes dry food, primarily to maintain dental hygiene. The brands listed are only examples. Other types of food are acceptable as long as they are high in protein.
You can also give meat that you prepare yourself (except pork). Remember that cats are primarily carnivores.
Since cats are not naturally inclined to drink much liquid, you can encourage them with water fountains, though a simple bowl of water is also sufficient.
Strictly prohibited:
Pork
Cooked bones
Cow’s milk
Food low in protein and high in grains (Whiskas, Kitekat, etc.)
Dog food
Sweets
Food served directly from the refrigerator (may cause tonsillitis or sore throat)
4. Hygiene
When an unpleasant event occurs, the cat may become confused and hide. Do not pull it out by force. Take it to the litter box several times, even just to let it smell the area and learn where to defecate. By the way, whenever you see it, place it in the litter box. The cat may soil the floor, but this is only because it is stressed and does not yet know where its litter box is. Once they get into a routine, they will always use the litter box, as cats are naturally clean animals. Of course, the litter box must be kept clean.
Wash and disinfect the litter box once a week or every two weeks using Sanytol. Sanytol is suitable because it does not contain chlorine, but you may also choose other appropriate products.
I recommend using a covered litter box (for easier maintenance and to prevent litter from scattering).
Cat litter: Tigerino litter (or any other brand that suits you). We use this one; it is affordable and of good quality, available at zooplus.si.
There is no need to bathe the cat. If bathing makes you feel better, I recommend doing it every 4 to 6 months (if the cat allows it—wear protective gloves for the claws 😊). Use shampoos specialized for cats.
This breed has so-called “tear stains,” which can make the corners of the eyes look dirty (like debris). They can be removed using pads moistened with water.
5. Safety
Cats, especially kittens, are very curious, so pay attention to:
Half-open windows
Balconies and terraces if you live in an apartment building
Flowers and plants: many plants are toxic to cats, especially lilies (see the list on ZOOHIT.si)
Open washing machines and dishwashers (check before turning them on)
Charging cables for mobile phones and laptops (cats particularly like to chew on them)
Before a kitten arrives in your home, you should acquire:
A carrier (used to pick up the kitten and for trips by car)
A scratching post (check the selection at zooplus.si; available in small, medium, and large sizes—choose based on your living space and what suits you best)
A covered litter box and litter
Food (wet and dry)
Ceramic bowls for food and water (or a water dispenser)
A bed for the cat is not necessary (it will settle where it likes, and often it will not use a specific bed; scratching posts have their own resting areas, so you will often find the cat sleeping there, as cats like elevated spots)
Recommended products can be found at the online store zooplus.si, but many are also available at other specialized pet stores. The advantage of Zooplus is its convenience, allowing you to see everything in the world of cats in one place. This makes it easier to decide what you like and what you ultimately need.
That’s a brief overview 😊 We are available for any questions you may have.