Graceful, talkative, and super sweet. That’s the Balinese cat. This cat breed hails from a warm country but feels at home anywhere, especially in a house filled with attention and cuddles. Ready to fall in love? Read on!
Here we tell you:
- What is the character of a Balinese cat?
- What does a Balinese cat look like?
- How do you care for a Balinese cat?
- How old does a Balinese cat get?
- Health problems in Balinese cats
- The origin of the Balinese cat
- How much does a Balinese cat cost?
And we also tell you:
- Can a Balinese cat be left alone?
- What’s the difference in character between a Balinese and a Siamese cat?
What is the character of a Balinese cat?
Balinese cats are true Oriental cats. You can see this not only in their appearance – which we’ll tell you more about later – but also in their character. First and foremost, a Balinese cat is a real chatterbox. Whether they’re hungry, thirsty, want to play, cuddle, or simply seek attention, this cat breed will let you know by talking to you. And they do so gladly because Balinese cats share a deep bond with their owners. If you give the cat attention, you’ll be rewarded with headbutts and loud purring.
To the question of whether a Balinese cat can be left alone, the answer is no, at least not for too long. But if you ensure there are friendly companions at home, you can safely leave for a few hours.
Moreover, these cats are active and adventurous. They love to explore, can spend hours gazing outside, and prefer to play with their owners. Balinese cats are also exceptionally intelligent. This means you always need to provide plenty of stimulation. Variety in toys is crucial, as are intelligence games and a good indoor cat scratching post that offers enough challenge and play.
A Balinese cat usually stays indoors, which is fine, but you must prevent boredom. Therefore, provide a place where your Balinese can play and climb and have a good indoor cat scratching post at home!
What does a Balinese cat look like?
Balinese cats are slim but very muscular and typically weigh three to four kilograms. Male cats are often a bit heavier than females, as with any other breed. In terms of appearance, they closely resemble Siamese cats, but their fur is much longer, especially their tails, which are beautiful and full.
Their fur has almost everything in common with Siamese cats. They belong to the color-point family. This means that their fur is predominantly light in color, but the fur on their snout, paws, tail, and ears is darker. This is thanks to their genes, which ensure they have less color on the rest of their bodies. The warm parts of their bodies are the darkest in color. Quite amusing, right?
Fun fact: Balinese cats have bright blue eyes, just like Siamese cats.
All about the care of a Balinese:
Balinese cats are robust and easy to care for. They require a lot of love and attention from their owner and the family they live with. They also greatly appreciate regular brushing of their coat – especially during shedding season, an extra brush per week is preferred.
Good care is always essential, just like with any other pet, a Balinese cat needs:
- A safe home with soft cat beds
- A sturdy scratching post
- Care in case of illness and regular vet check-ups
- A pet sitter when you’re on vacation
- Healthy food and fresh water every day
- Clean litter boxes with good cat litter
- Cat toys
- Treatment against fleas, ticks, and worms
How old does a Balinese cat get?
Balinese cats can live a long time, up to 15 to 20 years. If you want a Balinese, keep that in mind, as every cat needs good care, attention, and love from you for all those years.
Health problems in Balinese cats:
There are no specific inherited diseases or conditions in Balinese cats. However, they can still be susceptible to common health issues that affect cats in general. Here are the top 5 diseases that cats can get:
Diabetes: A cat with this disease has high blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production. Symptoms include increased drinking, frequent urination, and weight loss.
Hyperthyroidism: This condition occurs when a cat’s thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to increased appetite, restlessness, frequent vomiting, and weight loss.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): FIP is a contagious and often severe viral disease causing inflammation in a cat’s body and organs. There is no treatment available, and affected cats become sick.
Upper Respiratory Infections: If a cat coughs and sneezes often, it may have an upper respiratory infection. Just like the common cold in humans, it is contagious, and while healthy cats usually recover, older cats and kittens can become very sick, experiencing symptoms such as fever and reduced appetite.
Chronic Kidney Disease: In this disease, the cat’s kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. This can be due to aging or infection. Symptoms include weight loss, increased drinking, and vomiting.
So, you’ve read quite a bit about the Balinese cat. But you don’t know yet where this breed originated. One thing’s for sure, it’s not from Bali! Want to find out how this breed came to be and why it’s called the Balinese? Keep reading!
The origin of the Balinese:
Bali, Balinese. You might think that the Balinese cat comes from the Indonesian island. But that’s not the case. The ancestor of the Balinese, the Siamese cat, originates from Thailand and was brought to England and America by travelers. These cats originally had long hair, which breeders weren’t interested in. However, genuine cat lovers found them beautiful and took the cats into their homes.
In the 1950s, breeders started taking an interest in the long-haired Siamese cats, but they didn’t consider them genuine Siamese cats. They found the term “Longhaired Siamese” too lengthy. Because they admired the breed for its beauty, elegance, and slim build, much like Balinese dancers, they decided to name the breed the Balinese.
How much does a Balinese cost?
The Balinese is a lovely, beautiful, and healthy breed. If you’d like to buy a Balinese kitten, you’ll need to save up a bit. A kitten from a reputable breeder costs between 500 and 1,000 euros. Always go to a recognized breeder or a reputable cattery affiliated with a breed association to ensure that all documents are in order and that you’re purchasing a healthy pet. Never buy a cat from platforms like Marktplaats, eBay, or from a kitten mill, as it can lead to sorrow and trouble – for both you and the cat.
If you don’t mind how your cat looks, consider visiting a local shelter where many affectionate and wonderful cats are waiting for a loving home. Your new best friend might just be among them!
The Balinese in a nutshell:
- Balinese cats are smart, talkative, and love their owners.
- Their coat is long and color-pointed.
- Balinese cats shed and need regular grooming.
- Balinese cats are a healthy breed.
- A healthy Balinese can live for 15 to 20 years.
- Balinese cats originally come from Thailand.
- You can buy a Balinese kitten starting from 500 euros from a reputable breeder.
Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or animal behavior specialist. All the content, information, and tips on this blog are meant to inspire you and have an informative character. If your cat has health issues or problems and you are unsure about its health, always consult a veterinarian or animal behavior specialist.