Balinese Breed Guide

Balinese cats resemble the Siamese breed, with one notable exception: the Balinese has a considerably longer coat. Balinese are long-bodied, sleek, and muscular with a plumed tail. Unlike other longhairs, they have only a single coat. They weigh in at 5 to 9 pounds in adulthood and have large sapphire eyes and wedge-shaped heads topped by prominent triangular ears. Also like Siamese cats, Balinese have sophisticated color points with the same Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)-recognized hues: seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac point.

They weigh in at 5 to 9 pounds in adulthood and have large sapphire eyes and wedge-shaped heads topped by prominent triangular ears.

Balinese are similar to Siamese in temperament, too, but they are more mellow and have softer voices. Still, they are playful and sociable with a penchant for clownish behavior. These cats crave company and get along well with people of all ages, including children. They also do well with other pets. The Balinese breed is a physically fit, generally healthy one.

Red, cream, lynx, and parti point colorations are considered Balinese by some cat associations, but most classify these colors as the Javanese breed.

Many flattering adjectives describe Balinese cats. They're smart, inquisitive, loyal, entertaining, loving, affectionate, fun, and more. They can be a bit demanding and nosy, though they're generally considered a little less so than Siamese cats. They don't make requests quite as loudly as Siamese do, either. That's not to say these are quiet cats, but their voices are softer than those of the Siamese breed. In fact, Balinese can talk the ears off their human companions when allowed to carry on.

These cats are also prone to clowning around for their own and everyone else's entertainment, and they are likely to investigate and insinuate themselves right into the middle of any and all action to ensure they receive as much attention as possible. However, not everything these cats do is selfish. They have a reputation for being well attuned to human emotions and offering companionship and comfort when it's needed.

Balinese are active and extroverted, and they belong in households where someone is usually at home. They fare much better in environments with other pets. These cats get along very well with other animals, and they're also great with children.

The Balinese breed is a hearty one, with a lifespan often reaching 20 years. Optimize and protect the health of these cats by feeding a nutritionally balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Acquire a kitten from a reputable breeder for the best chance of getting a healthy, well-adjusted Balinese. Remember, no cat is entirely free of genetic risks, and although a breeder should provide a certificate of good health, no breeder can guarantee any cat is free of hereditary conditions or other health risks.

Balinese have a genetic predisposition to developing lysosomal storage disease, a condition of metabolic enzyme deficiency. It is relatively rare and most often diagnosed in young cats. Various substances that are normally eliminated by the missing enzymes accumulate in the cat's tissue, causing swelling, failure to thrive, inability to function, and other complications. While symptoms are manageable for some time, the condition is progressive, incurable, and invariably fatal.

These cats also have a genetic predisposition to feline acromelanism. This condition is marked by changes in coat color triggered by temperature variations. Generally, the legs, tail, ears, and face are affected.

Balinese are considered one of the most intelligent cat breeds. There's not much they can't learn to do, from leash training to learning tricks. They'll also learn to get into unsecured drawers and cabinets, so take proper precautions with valuable and potentially dangerous items and substances.

These cats are fond of climbing and finding elevated perches. Provide a tall cat tree if there aren't suitable places for the Balinese to get up high. Take steps to prevent fragile objects from being knocked off high spots.

Life with such a smart, curious, and active cat can be trying at times. These cats are best suited to people who can maintain patience and a sense of humor with a clownish and sometimes mischievous, insistent, talkative, attention-seeking animal. Also, their personalities make them prone to getting into trouble outside. This, along with the breed's small size and the many dangers an outdoor environment poses, makes it advisable to keep Balinese cats inside at all times.

The longhair, single-layer coat of the Balinese is luxurious and relatively easy to care for. The complications that accompany the double coat of other longhairs don't arise with these cats. They are light to moderate shedders, and their hair can generally be kept under control with a weekly brushing or combing. Bathing is typically unnecessary unless the coat becomes soiled with something dangerous or difficult for the cat to clean off herself.

Balinese have large ears that must be monitored for wax accumulation, debris, and signs of infection. Use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleanser as needed and seek treatment if the ears emit a foul odor, become red or swollen, or have any discharge. Also, protect against periodontal disease with regular tooth brushings using a veterinarian-approved feline toothpaste. Trim nails every one to two weeks.

Like most animals, Balinese aren't naturally receptive to most grooming processes. The best approach is to start getting them accustomed to these procedures at a young age. Handle the tops and bottoms of their paws, each individual toe, and their ears from early on. Begin brushing their teeth when they're kittens. Start with brief grooming sessions and gradually increase their duration as the cat grows older and becomes more cooperative.

The exact origins of Balinese cats are unknown. Balinese are believed to be the result of a natural spontaneous mutation that gave them their long, silky single coat.

Efforts were first made to establish the Balinese breed in the US during the 1940s. References to longhair Siamese cats predate this period, though. For example, they have been depicted on old Chinese tapestries, one was mentioned in an 1871 issue of Penny Illustrated magazine, and the Cat Fanciers Federation has records of one registered in 1928. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that breeders actively cultivated and promoted the look.

Today, the Balinese is a somewhat rare breed, ranked 35th in popularity among the 42 breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). The CFA officially accepted the breed in 1970; The International Cat Association (TICA) followed suit in 1979.