Balinese cats are sometimes misidentified as long-haired Siamese cats. Which makes sense, because that’s where they came from! The first breeding programs for Balinese cats began in the 1950s after long-haired kittens spontaneously showed up in two Siamese litters. The cats’ owners decided to develop more of them. Balinese cats today are a breed in their own right. They have hung on to the fine bones, chatty, affectionate nature and slim, silky appearance that defined their ancestors.
Contents
- Are they good family pets?
- How big do they grow?
- What is their coat care like?
- How is their health?
- Finding a kitten
The cats were called Balinese because their grace reminded one of these owners of Balinese dancers. There is no connection between Balinese cats and the country of Bali.
Cat Confusion
Balinese cats have been compared to Himalayans, but there is no close relation between these types in reality. Despite appearances! Balinese cats can also be mistaken for Javanese cats. Javanese cats were created by crossing a Balinese cat and a Colorpoint Shorthair. However these cats are no longer recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association as a separate breed.
The history of the Balinese cat is fairly short. An 1871 magazine called Penny Illustrated refers to a long-haired Siamese cat, and there’s a registration record for one at the 1928 Cat Fanciers’ Federation.
Are They Good Pets?
Balinese cats are outgoing and gregarious. But with that comes a certain amount of demand for attention. They are also mischievous and playful. These cats are considered to be smart and loving. They like to be involved in everything. But be warned, like some other outgoing cats breeds, if not given enough attention, they may become destructive.
However these cats are also affectionate. They are demonstrative about this affection too, which is lovely. These cats bond closely with their families.
They get along well with children and other pets. Sometimes they feel threatened by dogs, however. If you have a dog you’ll want to introduce your Balinese kitten to her carefully, and make sure that she is well socialized and happy in his company.
These cats may look aristocratic, but they are clowns at heart. Many believe they are less vocal than Siamese cats, with a softer voice, but they still like to talk. Balinese cats like soft places to sleep and enjoy sharpening their claws, so a scratching post is a good investment if you want to get a Balinese cat.
Balinese Cat Size
When fully grown, these cats are medium-sized. Males usually weigh between 6-8 lbs. Females weigh 5-7 lbs.
They are sleek and dainty cats with fine bones and musculature. They appear long and lithe in legs, body, and tail. Balinese cats can grow to be about 1.5 feet long, with a one foot-long tail.
Coats and Colors
Because they were originally bred from Siamese cats, pedigreed Balinese cats have the same colors as traditional Siamese cats. They have sapphire blue eyes and a pattern in which the body is creamy white, while the face, ears, legs, and tail may have a contrasting color. These are referred to as color points.
There are seal point Balinese, red point Balinese, lynx or tabby point Balinese, tortoiseshell point Balinese, blue point Balinese, chocolate point Balinese, and lilac point Balinese.
Long Haired Cat Grooming
The coat length of a Balinese cat is really what separates it from Siamese cats. The silky coat of these cats is fine, growing to half an inch or two inches over the body. But, unlike most long-haired cats, which have an undercoat and an outer coat, the Balinese just has a single coat of hair.
Hair lies close to the body, flowing naturally towards the cat’s tail. So, a Balinese cat still looks slim and svelte. The hair does not obscure the long lines of the body. Their tails, however, are often plumed and luxurious, with hairs up to five inches long.
Double coats can get frequently matted, but the single coat of the Balinese does not. Balinese cats require just a quick combing now and then to remove loose, dead hair.
Are They Hypoallergenic?
Some breeders and others claim that Balinese cats are hypoallergenic. This has not been scientifically proven. In fact, scientific research has not shown that any hypoallergenic cat breeds exist.
However, Balinese cats do secrete less Fel d1, a cat-specific allergen that people react to, than some other cats. Fel d1 is created in the saliva, tears, skin, and perianal glands. During grooming, it becomes distributed across fur. The perianal glands secrete it onto feces, too.
However, Fel d1 only accounts for about 60 percent of cat allergies. Over 12 other substances found in mammals can cause allergic reactions. So, there are other factors to consider.
The lack of an undercoat in Balinese cats makes it possible that allergy sufferers may react less to Balinese cats than to other long-haired breeds. Less hair means fewer allergens. Spend time with a cat to determine if it triggers your allergies! There are no guarantees for cat allergy sufferers. Frequent baths and brushings can help, however.
Overgrooming Issues
Balinese cats can be prone to feline hyperesthesia syndrome. This causes oversensitivity of the skin, and results in over grooming or rippling of the skin.
Doctors believe this is a nervous disorder that can resemble a skin disorder. Treatment consists of reducing anxiety, limiting physical activity, and perhaps anti-seizure drugs.
Balinese cats also been known to succumb to psychogenic alopecia, in which the cats groom themselves excessively. This can be a behavioral or dermatological issue, caused by allergies or stress.
Eventually, amyloidosis can lead to rupture and internal bleeding.
Potential Health Problems
All pedigreed cats have health problems that are specific to the breed. This is due to small population sizes, population bottlenecks, and founder effects, which occur when a population is descended from a small number of ancestors.
Siamese cats and their variants were once considered delicate and prone to health issues, but are much hardier today. Some conditions to watch out for include:
- Chronic bronchial disease
- Central nervous system issues
- Heart problems
- Liver amyloidosis
- Vision difficulties
How Long Do They Live?
The life expectancy of a cat is based upon a number of factors, including diet, lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Most Balinese cats live from 10-15 years.
Finding a Good Breeder
If you want a purebred Balinese cat, make sure you are dealing with a conscientious and ethical breeder. Find out if your breeder is registered, if you’re interested in a pedigreed cat.
Meeting the kittens themselves is recommended. You can ascertain health and living conditions, and view the sire and dam of the litter for yourself. Ask questions. Find out what kind of home the breeder is looking for to place the kittens in. This can tell you how concerned the breeder is about the kittens’ welfare.
Don’t forget to ask about health issues. Good breeders will have had genetic testing done, and can tell you the cats’ medical history in detail. View any health documentation before you commit. If you have any concerns about the health of the parents or feel the breeder is being evasive on the topic of their family history, then walk away and re-start your search.
Breeders will generally make Balinese kittens available between 12-16 weeks of age. They should have basic inoculations at around 12 weeks. At this time, they should have enough social and physical stability to thrive in a new environment.
Kittens
Purebred kittens of any breed can cost quite a bit. The amount you pay a breeder depends on factors such as age and the value each breeder assigns to individual genetic lines. In general, expect to pay $800 or up for a Balinese kitten.
Good breeders normally charge more as they spend time and money ensuring that their breeding pairs are in the best possible health. This will include health testing as well as good diets and high levels of care.
Do They Turn Up In Rescue Shelters?
Breed-specific rescues do exist for Balinese cats. Balinese cats may also appear in regular shelters, but this is rare. Getting a cat from a shelter costs less, but the chances of getting a purebred kitten are extremely low.
You may not have options regarding the cat’s age or pedigree status. Also, you may not receive any information on the cat’s health. If these things don’t matter to you, adopting a Balinese cat from a shelter or breed-specific rescue might be a great idea! But be patient. This process might take time.
Do you own a Balinese? Are you thinking of getting one? What’s yours like? Let us know in the comments!
We have a gorgeous Balinese Beauty, & she’s such a joy!! We found her online by a breeder search because we needed as hypoallergenic a cat as we could find. It was love at first site! She’s so silky soft, snuggly, clever, & she even plays fetch!! She’s so smart! We have 2 boys that just love being chased around by a cat! This article is spot on & very informative! Thank you!
How allergic were you to begin with? I am considering a Balinese and have read mixed reviews on the hypoallergenic claim.
Hi Clyde,
I know this is a few months after the fact, but I just discovered this site yesterday in doing some research on Balinese cats. I’ve been allergic to cats my whole life…hives, sneezing, my eyes will itch, water and swell up. We found a cat about two months ago that looks and acts just like a Balinese. I haven’t had a single issue with being allergic to him. I thought it was odd until I read about the hypoallergenic potential of these guys yesterday. He can even plant himself right on my face without it affecting me! A Balinese is definitely worth considering!
our cat a female balinese loves to be close to us likes to be petted but can’t stand to be held will not sit on lap any ideas? She is 1 year old we got here from a rescue agency for Louisiana flood victims
We have a male Balinese that we got as a kitten. He loves to be petted in his terms and will lie beside us but not cuddle on our laps like previous Siamese kittens that we had. He is now 8 months old and so I will have to wait and see. Affectionate- yes. Cuddly? Sometimes and only for short periods ?
I have a Balinese cat that I got as a rescue. He is now 6ears old and he does not smuggle, sits with you on his terms and though he purrs a lot you can’t hear him. He is feisty and fun. But his being a cuddly cat he’s not. I guess you have to remember that all cats have their individual personalities and many traits are generalization a d don’t fit every cat
S.M. Thompson
I ‘m balinese breeders from Ukraine/. balinese cats usually choose one member of the family as a favorite host. May be You can take a “friend” for her? it can be small or midlesize dog?,or another kitten ( they prefer cats of oriental breeds: oriental, balinese,
siamese, burma).
Some years ago we bought cat in USA. She was 10 month old, affectionated?yes, but not loving/ May be, when she was a kitten, she hadn’t enough attention and love from breeder/or previos host/
and I noticed that very often kittens choose thier “human parents” themselves.
We found a kitten a few weeks ago on the side of the interstate, and I’m wondering if he is possibly a Balinese. Do they ever have stripes on their legs? I would love to know what kind of cat this little guy is!
We have a lovely Balinese female named Lucy. She is two years old. She likes to cuddle when she decides to on her own terms. Generally it’s during specific times, usually when it’s quiet a calm around the house. I’m allergic to cats, and we got her because of the hypoallergenic claim. I still have reactions to her from time to time, but for the most part I’m okay. If I brush her or if she sleeps on my bed I’ll get itchy eyes and a little sneezy. She’s a very playful cat at times , and mischievous too. She loves to be in the same room as us and will often follow us around and nap in the same space. I think we wish overall that she would be more cuddly. For this reason we may get a dog, so the kids have a pet that will be interactive and love on them!
We do have a Balinese cat Benjamin ! the best decision we ‘ve ever made!
Beautiful, smart, playful, affectionate,there are NOT enough words to describe THE HAPPINESS we have! Personality is amazing and remind me a dog behaviors… He is fetching anything he likes, bringing to us saying “lets play…’. He likes to yap but very quiet and not annoying… sleeping always with us and WE LOVE that. HE IS OUR SON!!! love love love my hairy baby ….
I adopted an ex breeder from a local reputable cattery last October and she has been wonderful. She just turned five years last month. She is overly affectionate and playful. She enjoys playing by herself while waiting for me to finish up chores. She gallops through the house chasing her favorite toys. Her personality is complex and her attempts to outwit me to get her way are amazing. Of course she never succeeds. She likes people but will misbehave for attention if others interrupt our play time. She is a constant companion and I am grateful to have her.
We have a wonderful friend. Chino. It was salvaged as a six week kitten left alone when our neiboughr was in holidays. It was 40C and it had no food or water and was distressed.
His beautiful deep blue eyes and cute face where a deal sealer when I took it to my wife. He went immediately on her laps and started to suck her neck.
Chino is now nearly 2 years old. love the 2 dogs.Chihuahua Teddy and Mixed Maltese/Chitzu and Chihuahua dad Pudding.
Has rearanged the house to his liking and love boxes and love watching me cooking.
My Balinese cat Sarang Joy (about 14 months old?) is a rescue found at the airport with a badly mangled leg. Animal Control brought her to my vet as she was so bad that she needed her back leg amputated. No one “claimed” her. Everyone in the vet clinic thought of me to be her mom. A month earlier I had to put my previous 13 year old Balinese to sleep after he suffered 3 months of being very sick and no chance of recovery. Sarang was terrified of people walking around. I’m sure she was chased a lot in the parking ramps. I tried many things to gain her trust including cat behaviors like blinking my eyes slowly while looking at each other, rubbing my forehead on hers, sitting and reclining on the floor with a blanket over my legs just out of arms reach while playing with toys with her. Within a couple weeks she would approach me often while I sat. Within a month she wanted to be near me a lot. After 2 months, I was able to walk over her without her running away. Now it’s been 4 months. She isn’t a lap cat but occasionally does, but prefers being being by my head. She loves to run and is fast for only 3 legs. She loves to give me nose kisses too. She can demanding about getting attention. I’m so happy to have her!
I’ve haved a Balinese since December. She was a gift from my daughter! I also have a 19 year old mix from a shelter when she was 2 years old. Angelina (Balinese) absolutely loves Pickles (the mix). I have 5 grandchildren under 10 and she is great with all of them but happy when they leave. She can be destructive because she explores everywhere but when I tell her “it’s time for bed” she runs to the bedroom and jumps on my bed!! She is the smartest cat I have ever seen and crawls under the covers to snuggle.
We just lost our 15 year old Georgie to kidney failure. He was the best! My wife got him before I met her but she said he suckled on her ear as a kitten (and into adulthood, he did that to me too after he got to know me) and used to play fetch. He was vocal and playful, sometimes he would walk casually walk beside a wall and then do a backflip out of nowhere. He would fall asleep next to me ,wrapped around my arm usually, for hours. He loved being held like a baby and having his belly rubbed. He was cross eyed but somehow survived on the streets for months in his youth. Very smart, and sweet. Never bit or scratched me ever. He’ll be missed:(
I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁
I rescued what I thought was a Siamese kitten a few months back. As soon as the tail started filling in, I knew he was something special. He is now about 10 months old and has grown into his identifying markers. After much research, I am convinced he is Balinese. The coat is a single layer. The TAIL!! Omg, the tail rivals a Maine Coon. It is beautiful! His feet also have a great deal of hair on the underside. Though he talks more than my other cats, it is a small sweet voice. He cuddles on HIS terms, and on the rare occasion of intense snuggle, he is quite demanding. It MUST be on my chest with his face either in my neck or his nose loving all over me. When he is done…he is done. Playful is an understatement, even for a kitten. His favorite game is fetch. Amazing! He is responding very well to learning “tricks”. A bit of extra attention is all the reward he needs and he will repeat the action. (right paw shake was the first, now… ‘on the floor’, ‘toy’, ‘focus’, ect.) However, his best “tricks” are the ones he has conditioned in me! He is very aware of what sound gets my attention and will make the sound when he is not getting my undivided (rustling plastic sack, scratching on glass, ect).
He likes to uncover and discover. Opening a drawer seems to be a great bit of fun for him. I am in the process of creating a discovery toy with cardboard paper rolls of different heights to drop things into. Mental challenge seems to be a must with him. I keep looking at him, thinking him to be a “big” cat (I have a 20lb Blue), but he is actually quite small and light. Must be the hair!
To say he brings much love and joy does not begin to describe his presence. I am so thankful he has come into my life.
(I wish we could post photos, the Balinese are gorgeous).
It is great to read about Balinese cats from owners. I am thinking about getting a Balinese. I am worried that the talking will drive me crazy. I have owned dogs and one cat that was a mix. We have an active house with 3 kids but also work. I like my sleep and worry that the cat will be too demanding. We like the hypoallergenic aspect and intelligence of the breed. Looking for any thoughts.
I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments here. I have two beautiful Balinese, Louie and Coco who are 4 years old, they are half siblings and adore us and each other. They have silky soft coats and my husband who gets hay fever badly is ok around them. I was told they would have to be inside cats, but I’ve always had cats that live a normal outdoor life, so these guys do too. I shut them in at night so they don’t roam though. They are very talkative but we like that, can have a crazy conversation with them. They love to climb, scratch their post, chase anything and each other at high speed around the house. Don’t get a Balinese if you don’t want personality! I absolutely adore them.
I have 2 Balinese lynx point, brother and sister…we love them to death and adopted them both because they were so bonded, they are affectionate on there own terms only and hate to be held and are def.not lap cats. The Male is more affectionate that the female! There very playful and l am working on them to to have them trust us more and maybe get more affectionate with us.