Balinese Cat | Graceful & Silky-Coated Cat Breed

A striking mix between a Siamese and a Balinese, these cats are charming and loveable. Their blue almond-shaped eyes, paired with silky furr bring out their elegance and grace, manifesting in their affectionate nature. Balinese are cat companions that get along well with other people, making them good pets for families.

As their name suggests, Balinese cats correlate with Balinese dancers through their posture, fluidic movements, and agility. They display poise as well as charm. Balinese cats are very vocal and fiercely loyal companions. Thus, they form strong bonds with their human counterparts. Balinese cats are good for people living alone as well as with families since they tend to be active and friendlytowards everyone.

History of Balinese Cat

Balinese cats are believed to have developed from a Siamese cat as a long-haired mutation. Beginning in the early 1900s, Siamese cats were sometimes born with longer fur than their peers, but breeders didn’t consider it an important characteristic. It wasn’t until the 1950s that devoted breeding programs started that attempted to keep the Siamese intelligence and personality while incorporating the long coat.

Breeders in America, like Marion Dorsey and Helen Smith, became interested in these long-haired Siamese cats. Inspired by the traditional dancers of Bali, Helen Smith is credited for naming the breed Balinese. The breed started to gain popularity in the U.S. as Balinese cats were recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in the 1960s. Since then, the breed has continued to grow in popularity throughout the world.

Classification of Balinese Cat

The most striking feature of Balinese cats is their shape and physique, which are reflective of its semi-long haired coat. Balinese cats have a medium-size body and are known for their sleakness. Their arms and legs are fairly long and their bone structure is of a rather tender nature. In spite of their fragile look, Balinese cats are actually quite athletic and agile, making their movements appear very fluid.

Key Features

Head: Triangular with a straight profile.

Eyes: A large sapphire blue and are almond shaped.

Ears: Pointed, wide at the base, and rather large.

Coat: Lies close to the body and is silky and medium in length. They show little tendency to mat because they do not have an undercoat.

Tail: Fluffy and plume-like in nature, the tail is long and silky in texture, the same as the coat.

Common Coat Colors (Points)

Seal Point: Has dark brown creamy points.

Blue Point: Cool grey and a bluish white body.

Chocolate Point: Ivory body with milk chocolate points.

Lilac Point: White body and frosty gray pink points.

The points resemble those of a Siamese cat, appearing on areas such as the face, ears, paws, and tail. However, they come off with much softer and elegant flair owing to the longer coat.

By Purpose

The companionship of humans is what Balinese cats are bred for, hence why they are known as companion cats. They are highly social, affectionate, and very friendly. Velcro cats is an affectionate term they’re often known by due to their tendency of wanting to stay close to their owners. Much like the Siamese, Balinese cats are very sociable and can be easily seen having conversations.

Behavioral Traits

Highly Interactive: They tend to take part in family activities a great deal.

Vocal: Pets from this breed interact with their owners often and “talk” by meowing to get their needs met or show emotions.

Intelligent and curious: This breed of cats is able to learn tricks and will even play fetch if taught.

Loyal and loving: These cats bond tightly with their owner to the extent that they can follow their humans to different rooms.

These traits combined will prove to make Balinese cats a perfect fit for families with school going children, active people, or households with other pets.

By Size

These cats are classed as Balinese and are considered medium in size. They normally weigh anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds and males are usually heavier than females. The slim and athletic body structure further enhances their body and catlike movement.

Physical Attributes:

Length: Long and fit with a need to maintain a certain image.

Weight: On average weighs anywhere from 5–10 pounds.

Build: Muscular as described above, not bulky. Light on their feet, swift and quick footed.

Even though they have light-weight bodies, these cats are extremely energetic and enjoy jumping, running, and exploring everywhere. These factors paired with their outgoing nature mean that these cats are full of life.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Balinese

While planning on getting or adopting a Balinese cat, these are some of the points or features to think about:

1. Attention Requirements: Balinese cats need a lot of attention. They tend to feel lonely when left to themselves for long periods, making them ideal for households with frequent presence.

2. Exercise and Mental Engagement: This breed is intelligent and highly energetic, so they need different climbing structures, toys, and puzzles to keep them mentally engaged.

3. Grooming: Since Balinese cats possess a long coat, they do not require much grooming because they only have a single layer of fur, and shredding is minimal. Rubbing them once a week is usually enough to keep Balinese cats clean.

4. Health: The health of a Balinese Cat is generally robust, like other pure breeds they are also affected by:

It is advised to see a veterinarian for checkups frequently as a good precaution.

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Where to Purchase or Adopt Balinese Cats

For anyone interested in adopting or buying a Balinese cat, there are a number of cats listed in the Petfinder and Adopt a Pet sites. Some of the sources of reputable breeders are the Cat Fancier Association and the International Cat Association. These organizations make sure that the breeders adhere to certain code of ethics and this means that you are likely to get a healthy and well socialized kitten.

When buying a kitten, do not forget to ask the breeder for the kitten’s medical records and information about the parents of the kitten and their tests.

Tips for Responsible Balinese Ownership

Social Interaction: Make it a point to talk and play with your Balinese Cat daily as a part of their social requirements.

Rotate Toys: They can stay engaged with puzzle toys and outside play using laser pointers and feather wands.

Groom Weekly: Regular brushing once or twice a week will help maintain their coat’s shine and smoothness.

Vet Care: Having yearly visits for preventive checkups, oral care, and immunization are vital for maintaining your pet’s health.

Safe Exploration: Fulfilling their need to climb with vertical space, like window shelves and cat trees, is a great way to keep them safe.

Fun Facts About Balinese Cats

They’re Chatty: Balinese cats are sociable and tend to “follow” you with meows and chirps throughout the house.

Not So Hypoallergenic: No cat is truly hypoallergenic, but Balinese cats are gentler on the allergies as they produce lesser amounts of Fel d 1 protein.

Graceful Movers: They possess long limbs, which combined with their light body make, easily makes them great climbers and jumpers.

FAQs About Balinese Cats

These cats are a wonderful choice because they are soft, playful, and patient enough to engage with younger children.

Even though there are no non-shedding cats at all, Balinese cats are thought to be a better choice for those who suffer from allergies because they have shorter hair and do not possess an undercoat. However, this depends with the individual’s sensitivity of the skin.

Being a silky coated cat, the Balinese does not need much grooming and does not develop matting. The frequency of brushing them once or twice a week will enable them to maintain their coat and have the smooth and shiny fur.

Conclusion

The Balinese cat is the most latest discovery in the world of felines. Like other cats it possesses brains and boundless affection too. With their elegant looks, loving temperament, and talkative nature, they bring both joy and so much warmth. They never fail to delight anyone so are considered Ideal for families and individuals. But especially for those who care for them along with attention, love and play.

Whenever you have to deal with an active lap cat, a Balinese cat can always come to the rescue. What sets them apart is the fact they have an exceptional choice. When provided with the right amount of care and attention they live up to fill your life with joy, laughter, and feline flair.