The Balinese Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Spoiler alert…

These cats are pretty awesome, which is why anyone currently considering purchasing a kitten or adopting a rescue cat should seriously consider making one of these blue eye beauties their own! But that said, there are many different cat breeds out there, and while we here at IndulgeYourPet will freely admit that the Balinese cat breed is one of our favorites, we can understand why these cats can sometimes get on a person’s nerves!

This is why…

We wanted to take a moment to discuss what it would be like to own a Balinese cat so that if you do decide to include one of these energetic little guys in your family, you won’t be disappointed six months from now.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Balinese Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States

Size:  Medium

Weight:  5 to 10 pounds

Eyes:  Almond-shaped (blue)

Shape of Head:  Triangular

Life Span:  18 to 22 years!

Origin of the Balinese Cat Breed

Essentially, the Balinese cat breed is simply a longhaired version of a Siamese cat, which the Cat Fancier Association has recognized as a separate and unique breed, which means that when it comes to determining when and where the Balinese cat breed was first created, we need to decide when that longhaired gene was first “bred” into the Siamese gene pool.

And here is…

We run into several competing theories that make determining where the Balinese cat originally came from impossible. Some common theories as to how the longhaired gene was introduced into the Siamese cat breed include:

Introduction after World War I in Europe…

During this time, cat breeders selectively interbred several cat breeds, including the longhaired Persian or Turkish Angora, with the Siamese cat breed to help rejuvenate the war-destroyed breeding stock of the Siamese cat.

This caused longhaired Siamese kittens to appear spontaneously in the early 1900s in litters that otherwise would have been shorthaired.

Another theory is that…

The gene for longhaired cats in Siamese litters is a natural mutation of the breed, and the appearance of the Balinese cat breed is simply the result of a beautiful genetic accident! And while we would love to be able to give you a definitive answer as to which theory is correct, the truth is, your guess is as good as ours because, as of right now, no one is quite sure which version of how the Balinese cat breed came into existence is correct.

What we can tell you is…

These “longhaired Siamese” cats were called Balinese cats in honor of the exotically beautiful and graceful Balinese dancers from the island of Bali, which just “seems” appropriate considering how pretty and elegant these little guys are.

It’s also true that while the Balinese cats have been around since the early 1920s, they were not “officially” accepted as a breed until the Cat Fanciers Federation began to recognize them in 1961. The Cat Fanciers Association followed in 1970.

Physical Characteristics

The Balinese cat breed is essentially indistinguishable from the Siamese cat breed, except for its coat length, as Balinese cats are long-haired. As we’ve already mentioned, the Balinese are medium-sized cats that typically weigh 5 to 10 pounds and usually have muscular bodies with a head shaped like a long, tapered wedge or triangle. Balinese ears are also noticeably large, with a point at the tip, and traditional Balinese will only have blue eyes. Breeders also say that Balinese have almond-shaped eyes, but we here at IndulgeYourPet always wonder what breeders mean by this because they look pretty round to us.

Built for speed and agility…

The Balinese cat’s back legs will be higher than their front, and their legs will be long and slim. They’ll also contain all of the traits of a traditional Siamese cat with their dainty and oval-shaped paws with a long and tapered tail. The coat of a Balinese cat will also be very similar to that of a Siamese cat, which is very silky, but only now, this fur will be much longer. It should be noted that the Balinese cats are considered hypoallergenic cats.

Their coats…

They will also come in the same colors as their Siamese cousins: chocolate, lilac, blue, and seal. These are considered show Balinese, but the Traditional Cat Association also recognizes a fluffier, rounder type of Balinese.

Grooming and maintenance of a Balinese cat

One might think that with all this fur, the Balinese cat breed would be difficult to groom or care for, but the truth is that they are pretty easy to care for in terms of grooming.

Most Balinese cats…

It must only be combed or brushed once a week, and a bath is rarely needed. It’s a good idea to keep Balinese cats indoors only, as they are susceptible to disease from other cats, attacks from dogs or other predators, and due to how pretty these guys are, it’s often very “tempting” for neighbors to suddenly try to adopt any outdoor Balinese cats roaming around the neighborhood!

Temperament and Personality

Balinese are perfect cats for lonely people, as they are very chatty and loving. They love to “help” their people by following them around and are usually found underfoot or supervising every move their owners make. This makes them a nuisance who like cats but don’t necessarily like super “needy” cats. Or for folks who walk with a cane or a walker simply because you may find yourself “swearing” that your cat is trying to KILL YOU!

This is why we mentioned at the beginning of our discussion that while we here at IndulgeYourPet love the Balinese cat breed, we can certainly understand why they aren’t always the “perfect” cat breed for everyone.

Did we mention they like to “meow” a lot?

Well, if not, we definitely should have because the Balinese cat does like to “speak up.” And while his voice is not as loud as the shorthair Siamese, that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to notice them.

Also, Balinese cats, especially Balinese kittens, love to play, and because they are brilliant, they can often get bored sitting around the house all day without someone to play with or stimulate their minds. And by play, we mean “run and jump.” These guys are very agile and athletic cats who love to chase and climb almost anything, including you!

Balinese are also…

They can play fetch and have been proven able to walk on a leash and learn tricks, like many dog breeds. Essentially, they need to be constantly entertained, so be ready to have toys out that they can play with, or you may find your house in disarray when you come back after work.

And you know…

Who else does this describe? Kids! This is why the Balinese cat breed is such a great one for those with small children. Their pleasant disposition and constant desire to have someone to play with “meshes” perfectly for any parent looking to entertain a cat and a toddler.

But be warned…

If you love the look of the Balinese cat and you want to make one your own, if you’re not willing to put in the time to make sure your little buddy is happy, chances are both of you will end up miserable. This is why you want to ask yourself if this is the “right” cat breed.

Potential Health Concerns

Overall, it’s safe to say that the Balinese cat breed is generally pretty healthy, even though it is known to be at risk for many of the same hereditary medical conditions that also affect the Siamese cat breed.

Conditions such as:

• Crossed eyes
• Asthma
• Bronchial disease
• Amyloidosis
• Congenital heart defects
• Megaesophagus
• Lymphoma
• Hyperesthesia syndrome
• Nystagmus
• Progressive retinal atrophy

While being sure to only work with a “reputable” breed that only specializes in breeding Balinese cats can help you avoid adopting a kitten that may develop one of these conditions, one can never know for sure!

This is why…

We here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner, particularly one who intends to spend a lot of money to purchase their new pet, to take a few moments and consider what it might cost to buy a pet insurance policy for their new animal. If your new pet becomes sick or injured, providing the care they need could be pretty expensive.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be “right” for everyone? 

No, certainly not. But until you know what a pet insurance policy will provide coverage for and how much it would cost, how will you determine if purchasing one might be “right” for you?

For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.