• Balineses in Great Britain
  • Balineses in the UK
  • Balinese Cats
  • Balinese Breed
  • Balinese in Great Britain
  • Balineses
  • Balinese in the UK
  • Balinese Cat
  • Balinese
  • Balinese Cat Breed
Size:
Grooming:
Exercise Level:
Trainability:
Good with Children:
Good with other pets:
Affectionate:
Weight: 2 - 5kg M | 2 - 5kg F
Life Expectancy: 12 - 20 Years

Thinking of buying or adopting a Balinese?


Introduction

The Balinese cat is not from the famed Indonesian island. Rather, it emerged in the US among a litter of Siamese kittens and was later further developed. This cat breed is virtually the long-haired version of its ancestor and is not a crossbreed. Like its parent breed, this feline is affectionate, intelligent, curious, talkative, loves attention. Its loving and sensitive nature has endeared it to many cat owners all over the world.

Do you plan on getting a Balinese? Here is a brief background of these long-haired Siamese cats which are popular for their graceful movements!


book icon

History

Long-haired Siamese cats emerged every now and then in the past and were considered faults. As such, they were made available as pets. In fact, some documents attesting to the presence of such felines dated back to the 1900s.

Breeders in America later focused on developing the new kitty, particularly in the 1950s. They were careful about pairing the said cats so that the breed will not develop complications whilst still retaining Siamese traits. For this end, Balinese cat breeders never used felines outside the Siamese and Balinese breed.

In deciding on the new breed’s name, the breeders felt Long-Haired Siamese did not roll off the tongue rather well. Other breeders also did not approve naming the new feline as such. A breeder, Helen Smith, then called it “Balinese” in reference to the gracefulness of the dancers from the said Indonesian island. Balinese cats were noted for their very graceful movement.

In the late 1960s, this kitty was finally recognised by the CFA. Then, in the early 1970s, the breed reached the UK. However, it was not until in the 1980s that the said breed was fully acknowledged by the GCCF. This helped boost the popularity of the Balinese cat in various parts of the world.


comb icon

Appearance and Grooming

Finely boned and elegant, this cat‘s medium-sized body is lithe and very graceful. Its wedge-shaped head is of a nice proportion and has large ears that can be tufted or non-tufted. Its eyes are rather slanted in that distinctly Oriental style and are always blue, although the shade may vary. Its face has a “mask” of colouring similar to that of the Siamese.

The Balinese cat has a furry tail that is lighter-coloured compared to the other parts of its body. Its legs are slender, with the hind legs a bit higher than the ones on the front. Its paws are small and oval-shaped.

This kitty’s coat is its most distinctive feature and is very similar to its parent breed. In fact, if you ask what its difference from the Siamese one is, the coat length is the only apparent distinction. It is medium to long in length and does not have an undercoat. As such, its fur is not as prone to tangling and matting compared to other breeds. The coat is not fully grown out until the feline itself has reached full maturity. Balinese kittens emerge all white or all cream in colour.

The Balinese cat colours, as seen the darker hues in its legs, face, ears, and tail, can come in a wide variety of hues. Are Balinese cats really hypoallergenic? Whilst no cat is such, this breed has been noted to produce fewer amounts of the allergy-triggering proteins. Grooming is not a problem for this kitty. A weekly brushing is sufficient to keep it in good condition.


bulb icon

Temperament and Intelligence

The Balinese cat personality is similar to that of the Siamese: playful, curious, and very affectionate. It is also rather vocal and can be demanding. It likes to be involved in whatever its human is doing and is sensitive to its human’s moods. As such, it makes a loyal companion at home.

Despite its sophisticated appearance, the Balinese is quite the clown. It also gets along well with children and other pets, making it a wonderful family pet.

As an intelligent and active feline breed, it likes to engage in activities that challenge its mental capacities. It also likes to keep itself busy, and, as such, should be given stimulating toys and engaged in interactive games. It enjoys retrieving tasks and can be taught tricks, even being walked on a lead.


food icon

Nutrition and Feeding

The Balinese should be provided a nutritious diet that fulfils its daily requirements. It should be consistently given the same food following the same feeding times. If there are changes to its diet, those must be done gradually to prevent digestive problems.

The serving portions should depend on this feline’s weight, age, and activity level. Its meals must include at least 25% protein and just 5% carbohydrates.


stethoscope icon

Health and Exercise

On average, Balinese cats have a lifespan between 12-20 years. Balinese cats are generally healthy, but they can develop a few health issues as the Siamese as they get older. These include amyloidosis, asthma or bronchial disease, crossed eyes, and congenital heart defects, among others. It is a good idea to consult a veterinarian regularly and check for initial signs of these diseases.

Balinese cats are known for their high intelligence and energy. Getting them to exercise is not a problem since they like exploring and playing. They relish cat trees or climbing towers, and they also love to play games of fetch for hours on end. They are content to be indoors but make sure to provide them with a good variety of interactive toys to keep them occupied. Their brains can stay sharp by letting them play puzzle toys.


pound icon

Cost of Ownership

The cost of owning a healthy and well-bred Balinese Cat is around £300–£500. Your feline should be given high-quality cat food to ensure that her body acquires all essential nutrients. Set aside at least £20–£55 for her monthly food expenses.

Make your cat feel comfortable in her new home by providing her with basic necessities such as cat toys and litter trays. The cost may range from £50–£400.

Balinese kittens are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Thus, they must have vaccinations, which approximately cost £40–100.

Preventative treatments should not be skipped to avoid parasitic infestations. Spare around £50–£60 for tick and flea treatments and £60–£120 for heartworm treatments.

Each check-up session with the vet has a fee of £30–£60. Getting pet insurance greatly helps in mitigating expensive vet bills. If you decide to acquire a lifetime coverage, over £10 will be added to your monthly expenses. Going for a time-limited coverage costs around £6–£15 a month.


Balinese Breed Highlights

  • This feline is a healthy breed with a longer lifespan and fewer issues.
  • Its affectionate ways and amiability with children and other pets make it a wonderful family pet.
  • It can be too chatty and may be quite the demanding kitty.
  • The Balinese is easy to groom.
Balinese

Are you sure the Balinese is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.

Cat Breed Selector Quiz

Is the Balinese your purrfect match? Take our Cat Finder so you can find the most suitable breeds for you.

Cat Finder
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.

Listings for Balinese