Balinese Cat Information

Group

Long Haired

Weight

3.6-6.8 kg

Length

20-28 cm

Lifespan

15-20 years

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About the Balinese Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Balinese cats are beautiful and intelligent, and although they look very different from their Siamese ancestors, they are very closely related.

These striking cats are essentially Siamese and have many of the same characteristics: they are loving, fussy, graceful, and easy to bond with! Find out more about these rare cats and why they make a perfect choice of pet for the home.

Origin & History

As with many luxury cat breeds, the Balinese cat doesn’t originate in Bali or Indonesia; instead, it comes from the US when some of the first Siamese arrived in the country. This was in the late 19th century.

These lovely long-haired Siamese cats result from a recessive gene.

What is a Balinese Cat Breed?

Balinese cat breeds are essentially Siamese; they have the same colour of coat and the same colour of eyes. These cats also have similar personalities and behaviours.

As mentioned, the breed is a result of a genetic mutation that gives them long showy hair.

Who Are Balinese Cats Best Suited For?

Balinese cats are friendly, sociable, and active; because of this, they suit active people and families, and they also get along well with children.

That said, if you want a cat that is more passive and introverted, this cat breed might not be the most suitable pet for your family.

Appearance

Also known as long-haired Siamese, Balinese cats have a unique look, being of medium size, but at the same time slender and fine-boned.

Typical to the breed are the triangular faces with slanted eyes and pointed chins, making them look elegant and sophisticated. These cats can be either blue or chocolate coloured.

Coat

The coat of a Balinese is very similar to that of a Siamese cat, that’s why they are sometimes called long-haired Siamese.

The Balinese coat is thick and fluffy and it sits close to the body and is light to touch. The coat is usually cream coloured with brown and chocolate accents. The coat sheds every season.

Colour

Balinese cats have a range of colours, and these include white, cream, brown, blue, and chocolate. However, since the Balinese is essentially a purebred long-haired Siamese, the colour scheme is fairly uniform throughout the species.

This means that the body is usually cream and the head brown.

Patterns

When it comes to patterns for this long-haired breed, there are a few variations. By far, the most common colour pattern is seal-point, which is a cream body with a chocolate head and paws.

The other patterns include Lynx Point, Chocolate Point, Chocolate Lynx, and Blue Point.

Grooming & Shedding

Although the Balinese cat is long-haired with a silky coat, it is surprisingly low maintenance. This cat sheds much less than other long-haired cats reducing the need for regular grooming.

That said, it sheds its hair two or three times a year when it’s hot or cold and needs a brush regularly.

Character Traits & Temperament

Balinese cats are as intelligent as they are beautiful and as playful as they are fussy. As a longhair Siamese mutation, they are friendly and inquisitive as well as being somewhat demanding.

These cats need regular attention, but they make enjoyable and loyal companions.

Habits & Activity

Intelligent cats such as Siamese and Balinese cats have active personalities and need regular attention and plenty of stimulation. While Balinese cats will spend much of their time in their own world, they also need adequate affection and stimulation at certain times.

Habits

As an active cat, a Balinese needs plenty of spaces to explore and plenty of things to scratch. If you have a Balinese cat, make sure you have lots of scratching posts and cat toys for them to play with. This cat is also vocal and will let you know when they’re hungry and need attention.

Activity

A Balinese cat is not a passive cat; on the contrary, it needs a lot of attention, toys, and places to explore. Don’t be surprised if your Balinese cat takes up a lot of your time – not that you’ll mind playing with such a friendly cat! And if you’re working from home, it might call you to attention or interrupt your work.

Are Balinese Cats Vocal?

Siamese cats are known as fussy vocal cats, and Balinese cats also have these traits, although these cats are a little less vocal than their ancestors. That said, you shouldn’t be surprised if your Balinese meows often for no reason, although they might simply want some affection from you.

Weight, Height & Size

A Balinese is a healthy breed of cat that’s medium-size. And for a pure breed cat, it has very few genetic conditions. Their size is also perfect because it means they are a good fit for any home.

Weight

Picking up a Balinese cat isn’t too difficult; it weighs about the same as an average house cat. A typical Balinese cat weighs between 3.6 and 6.8kg, so even the largest Balinese cats are small enough for a family home. Contact a cat breeder for more information on the weight of the cats.

Height

Expect your Balinese cat to stand between 20-28cm. Again, this is a medium-sized cat that works well for the majority of households. The tallest domestic cats you can find are 60cm in height, and the smallest is around 15cm. So, a Balinese cat is an average size and height.

Size

A Balinese breed is considered a medium-sized cat which is the perfect size for a household cat. Some people prefer a larger cat, such as a Savannah cat, especially if they have a large house with plenty of places to explore. However, a smaller cat is suitable for all household sizes.

Training

The Balinese breed is an intelligent long-haired Siamese, so they are very easy to train. After you welcome your long-haired Siamese kitten into your home, you will have to litter train it, which is easy because they learn fast. They can also learn tricks using a clicker and some treats.

Potential Health Issues

Balinese breeds are generally healthy without many genetic issues; that said, they can suffer from some of the congenital issues found in other cats. Quality cat fanciers will conduct rigorous health checks but still look out for eye issues, respiratory issues, and heart issues.

Lifespan

There’s good news, a Balinese cat is a long-liver, thanks to their cat fanciers association and heritage. Expect a Balinese cat to live between 15-20 years, meaning your furry companion will be part of your family for many happy years.

Feeding

The cats are like most pure-breed cats when it comes to food; they are fussy and need high-quality protein-based cat food to maintain their quality of life. Try to avoid cat food with additives and sugars, and also provide quality dry kibble to improve their dental health and gums.

Balinese Cat Prices In Australia

If you want a Balinese cat in your life, then be prepared to look for quality cat fanciers because this breed is rare. If you do find one, you can expect to pay between $800 and $1500 for a kitten from Balinese breeders.

Find out more from a Balinese breeding program or the cat fanciers association.

FAQs

Is a Balinese cat a good pet?

A Balinese is an excellent cat for a home or a single person. These cats are friendly, fun, intelligent, affectionate and long-living. They are easy to build a bond with and get along well with children.

If you want a pet that’s a joy to be around for a long time, consider this cat breed.

Are Balinese cats cuddly?

Yes! Unlike their Siamese cousins, Balinese have longer hair making them more fluffy and more cuddly. So if you want a cat to cuddle up to in the evening, or a fluffy animal for your young children to pet, a Balinese cat ticks all boxes.

And although a Balinese is fluffy, it doesn’t shed often.

What is the difference between Balinese and Ragdoll?

Although Balinese and Ragdoll cats look similar in many ways, they are very different cats. Both are long-haired cats with cream and chocolate-coloured coats, but you will notice a difference in the facial shapes.

They are in fact completely different breeds with Ragdolls originating from California.

Do Balinese cats like dogs?

Cats and dogs don’t always get along, but Balinese cats could be one exception. These cats are very amiable and get along well with other cats, kids, and dogs.

That said, it does depend on the dog; some dogs might be a bit too large and scary for them, but smaller dogs will be fine.

Why are Balinese cats hypoallergenic?

These cats are hypoallergenic because they don’t trigger allergies in the same way as other cats. Although they have long hair, they don’t shed the hair and skin cells that cause allergies as frequently as other domestic cats.

Contact the Cat Fanciers Association for more information if you’re concerned about allergies though.