Graceful, talkative, and super sweet. That’s the Balinese cat. This breed comes from a warm country but feels happy everywhere – especially in a home with lots of attention and cuddles. Ready to fall in love? Keep reading!
In this blog:
- What is the personality of a Balinese cat?
- What does a Balinese look like?
- How to care for a Balinese?
- How long does a Balinese live?
- The health of Balinese cats
- The origin of the Balinese
- How much does a Balinese cost?
And we’ll also tell you:
- Can a Balinese be left alone for long periods?
- What’s the difference between the personality of a Balinese and a Siamese?
1. What is the personality of a Balinese cat?
Balinese cats are true Oriental cats. This is reflected not only in their appearance – which we’ll describe later – but also in their character. A Balinese cat is primarily a chatterbox. Hungry, thirsty, wanting to play, cuddle, or receive attention? This breed will let you know by chatting with you. And they love doing that, because Balinese cats have a close bond with their owners. Give them attention, and you’re guaranteed to be rewarded with headbutts and loud purring.
The answer to whether a Balinese can be left alone for long periods is: no. At least, not for too long. But if you make sure there are other friendly companions around, you can comfortably leave them alone for a few hours.
Furthermore, these cats are active and adventurous. They love to explore, can watch the outside world for hours, and prefer playing with their owners. Balinese cats are also particularly smart, which means you need to ensure they’re constantly stimulated. Variety in toys is important, as well as intelligence games and a good cat tree that provides enough challenge and playtime.
2. What does a Balinese look like?
Balinese cats are slim yet muscular, weighing on average between three to four kilograms. Male cats are usually heavier than females, just like in any other breed. In terms of appearance, they resemble Siamese cats a lot, but their fur is much longer. Their tails are especially beautiful and full.
Their fur is very similar to that of the Siamese. They belong to the color-point family. This means their fur is mostly light-colored, but the fur on their snout, legs, tail, and ears is darker. This is due to their genes, which cause less pigmentation on the rest of their body. The warmer parts of their bodies are the darkest in color. Quite amusing, right?
Fun fact: Balinese cats have bright blue eyes, just like the Siamese
3. Everything about caring for a Balinese
Balinese cats are strong and easy to care for. They primarily need a lot of love and attention from their owners and the family they live with. They really appreciate it when you brush their fur regularly – and during shedding season, it’s best to brush them once extra per week.
Proper care is, of course, always important, just like with any other pet. A Balinese cat needs:
- A safe home with soft cat beds
- A stable cat tree
- Care when ill and regular check-ups at the vet
- A sitter when you go on vacation
- Healthy food and fresh water daily
- Clean litter boxes with good litter
- Cat toys
- Treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms
4. How long does a Balinese live?
Balinese cats can live very long, anywhere from 15 to 20 years. If you’re thinking of getting a Balinese, keep that in mind because every cat needs good care, attention, and love from you over those many years.
A Balinese cat usually stays indoors. And that’s fine, but you need to prevent the cat from getting bored. Make sure to have a place where your Balinese can play and climb, and place a good indoor scratching post in the house!
5. The health of Balinese cats
Pedigree cats are bred for unique characteristics. The Balinese also has traits that make it special, such as:
- Slender and muscular body
- Color-point coat
- Bright blue eyes
Do you think a Balinese might be the right cat for you? Then make sure to thoroughly research the health of this breed. As of now, it seems the Balinese is a healthy and strong pedigree cat.
If you want to be sure you’re bringing a healthy pedigree cat into your home, ask advice from a veterinarian. You can also check the websites of Dier & Recht and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, where you’ll find information on the health of the breed, whether it’s allowed, and what rules apply to breeders.
Always buy a Balinese from a reputable breeder, preferably one affiliated with a breed association. This way, you can be sure the cat is healthy and well cared for. Also, ask the breeder for a health certificate or guarantee for extra assurance.
Now you’ve read a lot about the Balinese, but you don’t know where this cat breed originates from yet. Definitely not from Bali! Want to know how this breed came to be and why it’s named the way it is? Keep reading!
6. 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—comes from Thailand and was brought to England and America by travelers. At that time, the cats had long fur, and breeders weren’t interested in them. True cat lovers found them beautiful, so they took the animals into their homes.
But in the 1950s, breeders began to show interest in the long-haired breed, but they didn’t consider it a true Siamese. They also thought the name “Longhaired Siamese” was too long. Because they found the breed so beautiful, elegant, and slender—just like Balinese dancers—they named the breed the Balinese.
7. How much does a Balinese cat cost?
Do you want to buy a Balinese kitten? Then go to a certified breeder, preferably one affiliated with a breed association. This way, you can be sure you’re buying a healthy, well-socialized cat that has been bred in a humane manner. Always ask for the papers, a health certificate, and check the kitten’s parents. Also, take a look at their living conditions: is it clean and homely, and are the parents present? That’s a good sign. Don’t buy cats through platforms like Marktplaats, eBay, or from unregistered breeders.
A Balinese from a good breeder costs about 1000 euros. If you’re looking for a cat, but it doesn’t need to be a pedigree, consider checking shelters or adoption agencies. Many loving cats are waiting for a nice home there.
And remember: you’re not getting a cat for a short time, but for its entire life. Are you willing to take good care of the animal and set aside money for its care and vet visits? If so, a Balinese could become your new best friend!
Discover here what the approximate cost of caring for a cat entails
The Balinese in a nutshell:
- Balinese cats are smart, talkative, and love their owners.
- The coat of a Balinese is long and color-pointed.
- Balinese cats shed and need to be brushed.
- A Balinese is a healthy cat breed.
- A healthy Balinese lives between 15 to 20 years.
- Balinese cats originally come from Thailand.
- A Balinese kitten can be bought from a good breeder starting at 500 euros.
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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.
