BalineseCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The Balinese does not come from Bali. Its story begins with the first Siamese cats brought from Thailand to the USA and Britain in the mid-nineteenth century. Some of them carried the hidden gene for long hair.

Longhaired kittens born in Siamese litters were at first considered a fault and were sold only as pets. In 1928, “longhaired Siamese” were registered as show cats for the first time, with the American Cat Fanciers Federation.

In the mid-1950s, breeders in the USA began developing it as a separate breed. The breeder Helen Smith gave it the name “Balinese”, after the grace of Balinese dancers. In the 1960s–1970s, Sylvia Holland, an illustrator at the Walt Disney studios, worked on the breed standard.

How the breed developed

• Mid-nineteenth century – the first Siamese brought from Thailand carry the gene for long hair.
• 1928 – “longhaired Siamese” registered at shows in the USA.
• The 1950s – breeding as a separate breed begins; it gets the name “Balinese”.
• The 1960s–1970s – Sylvia Holland works on the standard.
• 1983 – recognised by FIFe.

• People who spend a lot of time at home. It demands a lot of attention and does not like being ignored.
• People who want a cat that “talks”. It meows often, but more softly than the Siamese.
• Active families. It has lots of energy and loves acrobatics.
• Less suited to anyone who wants peace and quiet. It makes itself heard when it does not get attention.

It is a slender, graceful cat with fine bones, long legs and tail, oval paws, almond-shaped eyes and large, pointed ears. German Wikipedia gives 3–4 kg for females and 4–5 kg for males.

As with the Siamese, there is a traditional type, sturdier, with a broader head, and a modern type, with a wedge-shaped head, a long muzzle and a more elongated body.

General appearance

The coat is of medium length, soft and silky, without the dense undercoat of most longhaired breeds. The tail must have a clear plume of long hair. The eyes are blue, from light blue to sapphire; the shade can change a little with age and diet.

The pointed pattern is a form of partial albinism: the enzyme that produces colour works only in the cooler parts of the body. That is why the muzzle, ears, paws and tail are darker. Kittens are born white or cream, and the points appear gradually; the colour can be recognised at about 4 weeks. Cats in warm climates usually have a lighter coat.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Siamese is the same breed, but with short hair. The Oriental Longhair has the same body, but colours without the pointed pattern and usually green eyes. In the USA, some Balinese colours are called a separate breed, the “Javanese”, although it has nothing to do with the island of Java.

Wikipedia says it has the character of the Siamese: very sociable and playful, with a keen interest in everything going on around it. It meows often and insistently, but more softly than the Siamese. It is “clingy”, demands a lot of attention and is often described as dog-like. It has a reputation as the most intelligent longhaired breed and loves acrobatics and close contact with its owner.

Socialisation

German Wikipedia says it is sensitive and very attached to people; if it does not get enough attention, it makes itself heard.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It has lots of energy and loves to climb and jump. Daily play with its owner matters, not just toys left around the house.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

Because it has no thick undercoat, the coat tangles less easily than in other longhaired breeds. Brushing once or twice a week is enough.

Common health problems

The Balinese was formed from a small group of Siamese carrying the long-hair gene, so its genetic diversity is low. Wikipedia mentions progressive retinal atrophy, a degeneration of the retina that can weaken eyesight.

Recommended genetic tests

Ask the breeder whether the parents have been tested for progressive retinal atrophy and had their eyes checked by a vet.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

The Balinese is among the breeds said to cause milder allergic reactions. However, research on whole breeds is not complete, so someone with allergies should spend time with the cat before taking it home.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• Nothing to do with Bali. The name comes from the grace of Balinese dancers, not from its place of origin.
• A Disney illustrator. Sylvia Holland, who worked for the Walt Disney studios, helped set the standard.
• Completely white kittens. Kittens are born white or cream; the colour of the points shows at about 4 weeks.
• The coat depends on temperature. In warm climates, Balinese cats usually have a lighter coat.

How is it different from the Siamese?

Only in its coat: the Balinese has semi-long, silky hair and a plumed tail.

Is it hypoallergenic?

No cat is completely hypoallergenic. The Balinese is, however, among the breeds said to cause milder reactions.

Does it meow a lot?

Yes, it is talkative, but its voice is softer than the Siamese's.

How much does it weigh?

Females weigh 3–4 kg and males 4–5 kg.