Balinese
The long-haired Siamese who loves a chat
The Balinese is a Siamese with a long coat. Long-haired kittens turned up in Siamese litters in the United States in the early 20th century, and breeders in the 1940s and 1950s began to develop them as a breed. The name comes from the graceful look of Balinese dancers.
You get everything people love about a Siamese: the blue eyes, the points and a voice that carries, wrapped in a flowing, feathered coat.
Balinese at a glance
- Origin
- USA
- Size
- Medium, slim
- Weight
- Usually 2.5 to 5 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 12 to 18 years
- Coat
- Medium-long, fine and silky, lying close to the body
- Colours
- Pointed colours such as seal, blue, chocolate and lilac
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 4 out of 5
- Affection
- 5 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 5 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 3 out of 5
- Good with children
- 4 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 4 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A slender, elegant cat with a long, wedge-shaped head, large pointed ears, almond-shaped blue eyes and a long, plumed tail. The silky coat is medium-long and has little undercoat, so it lies flat and rarely mats. The colour is pointed: a pale body with darker ears, face, legs and tail.
Personality
Chatty, affectionate and clever. Balinese cats talk to their people constantly, with a softer voice than a Siamese, follow them from room to room and often want to be part of whatever you are doing. They are playful, learn tricks quickly and do not enjoy being alone for long.
Care and grooming
Comb a couple of times a week, which is easier than it looks because the coat is fine and silky. They need company, play and climbing space more than anything. Feed a complete diet in measured portions, and book regular dental checks.
Health to know about
Similar to the Siamese: dental disease, asthma and other breathing problems, amyloidosis (a liver condition) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) can all occur. Ask breeders what health tests the parents have had.
Could suit
- Homes where someone is around most of the day
- People who love a chatty, interactive cat
- Owners who enjoy playing and training
Think twice if
- If you want a quiet cat
- If you are out all day with no other pets
- If you will not comb a longer coat
“I will tell you about my day. Then I will tell you again, slightly louder.”
Compare the Balinese
Name ideas for a Balinese
- Bali
- Tango
- Sapphire
- Jasmine
- Mocha
- Pagoda
- Lotus
- Saffron
- Orchid
- Suki
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a Siamese and a Balinese?
The coat. The Balinese has a medium-long, silky coat and a plumed tail, while the Siamese is short-haired. The build and personality are very similar.
Do Balinese cats need a lot of grooming?
Less than you might think. The fine coat has little undercoat, so a comb through a couple of times a week is usually enough.
Are Balinese cats noisy?
They are chatty, though their voices are usually a little softer than a Siamese’s.
Are Balinese cats hypoallergenic?
No. No cat is hypoallergenic, though some people find they react less to certain cats. Spend time with the cat before you decide.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
