

The Best Pet Insurance for Birman Cats
As pet parents, we always want the best for our fur-babies. We strive to provide them with a happy and healthy life, and that includes giving them proper medical care when they need it. Since unexpected vet bills are a major financial burden, pet insurance has become a must-have for emergencies. How do you know what is the best pet insurance for your Birman? In this blog, we'll explore the options and compare the benefits to help you make an informed decision.
The first (and most important) step is to know exactly what kind of benefits your Birman needs.
Birman Health Risk Profile
With unexpected vet bills ranging from $1,000 for a minor incident to $50,000 or more for a major emergency, choosing between our savings and our fur-baby can become a reality for many. Here’s an idea of how likely Birmans are to rack up big vet bills.

For Birmans, your best bet is to make sure there are no reimbursement limits on your pet insurance.
10 Inherited Health Problems in Birmans
Here’s a quick peek at 10 inherited health problems in Birmans. Be sure these conditions are not excluded from your benefits:
1
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy is a group of eye disorders that cause gradual loss of vision in cats. This happens because the cells in the retina (the part of the eye that detects light) start to deteriorate over time.
2
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited condition in which cysts develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure over time. As the disease progresses, the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste, leading to a buildup of toxins in the body.
3
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that affects cats. In HCM, the heart muscle becomes thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. This can lead to heart failure and other complications.
4
Congenital deafness
Some cats are born with a lack of ability to hear, which is referred to as congenital deafness. This can be caused by various factors such as genetics or poor nutrition during pregnancy.
5
Feline inherited asymmetrical hypertrophy (IAH)
Inherited asymmetrical hypertrophy is a condition in which one side of the heart is larger than the other. This can lead to an imbalance in the heart's ability to pump blood and may lead to heart failure.
6
Renal amyloidosis
Renal amyloidosis is a condition in which abnormal protein deposits called amyloid build up in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and eventual failure.
7
Platelet disorders
Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that help the body form clots and stop bleeding. Some cats may have a disorder that affects their platelets, leading to abnormal bleeding and bruising.
8
Distal neuropathy
Distal neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects the limbs and paws. Cats with distal neuropathy may experience weakness, difficulty walking, and a loss of sensation in their limbs.
9
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a condition in which abnormal protein deposits called amyloid build up in different parts of the body, leading to organ damage and eventual failure.
10
Ocular melanosis
Ocular melanosis is a condition in which pigment deposits build up in the eye, leading to vision loss and other eye problems. This condition is usually seen in older cats.
This is where pet insurance comes in. …Or, does it?
Depends on what do you mean by “best” pet insurance.
As you know, pet insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers veterinary medical expenses when your Birman becomes sick or injured. Depending on the policy you choose, pet insurance can cover a wide range of medical expenses, including surgery, medication, and hospitalization.
However, it’s important to understand that coverage exclusions exist in all pet insurance companies, which limit the effectiveness of even the best pet insurance. More importantly: because pet insurance is a type of property insurance, it does not provide the same level of benefits we expect in our human health insurance.
Many pet parents find out too late that all pet insurance excludes pre-existing conditions, and this can be a major deal-breaker. Plus, without pre-existing condition coverage, you can't switch pet insurance companies without losing coverage on all previous health problems after your Birman is sick or injured. Better hope you choose wisely the first time, because there are no do-overs with pet insurance.
As you can see, pet insurance is an option to cover (some) big vet bills, but it’s far from perfect.
What’s the best pet insurance for Birmans?
Luckily there are pet insurance alternatives for Birmans, such as pet medical cost shares. Pet medical cost sharing allows pet parents to pool financial resources to cover eligible pet medical expenses.
"Unexpected pet medical expenses can happen at any time."
Of the available options, Pawamedics pet medical cost share is the best pet insurance alternative for Birmans. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Pawamedics' focus is on providing better benefits and value than any pet insurance offers.
Unlike pet insurance, Pawamedics includes pre-existing conditions on a phased-in basis, and offers unlimited reimbursements for pet medical expenses. All your Birman’s conditions are included in benefits, whether they are the inherited conditions above or something else entirely. Plus, medications are always included with Pawamedics, making it a simple and straightforward way to cover your Birman's medical expenses.
Pawamedics pet medical cost share Membership benefits include illness, injuries, and wellness care for Birmans.
Unexpected pet medical expenses can happen at any time. Waiting until you already have big pet medical costs to sign up is always too late to get help with current expenses. But even if your pet already has big vet bills, getting pet insurance, joining a pet medical cost share, or finding another pet insurance alternative now will avoid big pet medical costs in the future. As pet parents, it's up to us to make sure we provide the best care possible for our beloved pets, and Pawamedics can help us achieve that goal.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we do not accept compensation for our blog posts, nor for reviewing, recommending, or linking to others.
Disclaimer
This website is not a substitute for medical/veterinary counsel, financial counsel, or legal counsel. Please always consult an appropriate qualified professional for advice on your specific situation. Information provided by this website may not be accurate or complete at any given time. Pawamedics disclaims all liability regarding any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this website.