Balinese

The Balinese cat is a beautiful elegant medium-sized cat breed with the same long svelte lines as the Siamese. The body is slender and graceful and the head has a straight profile with large ears which may have tufts. It has a fine, silky flowing coat which can be from one to several centimetres long and lies flat against the body. The tail is long and plumed with much longer hair. Th Balinese cat has no woolly undercoat and so it is classed officially as 'semi-longhaired'. The eyes are bright blue and oriental in shape and setting. The coat features the same coloured points (ears, face, legs, feet and tail) and mask as the Siamese. In the USA Balinese-type cats with additional markings to those accepted for the Balinese are known as Javanese.

The need-to-know

Highly active and inquisitive cat
Friendly but independent cat
Very talkative cat
Lean and elegant cat breed
Requires grooming once a week
Outdoor cat
May require familiarisation before living with children

Personality

The temperament of the Balinese cat breed is similar to that of the Siamese, but some owners think the Balinese is somewhat quieter. However, it is likely that the Balinese cat will still be something of an extrovert and will demand attention from its human companions. Balinese cats are extremely vocal and almost seem to talk to their owners. They need to be part of the family and their need for attention means they like human company and suit someone who is not out all day.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: America

The Balinese cat is basically a longhaired Siamese. First noticed in the early 20th century, breeders at first gave away their longhaired kittens. After the Second World War the breed was developed and originally called the 'Longhaired Siamese', it was renamed 'Balinese', due to the cats' resemblance to elegant, Far Eastern temple dancers. In 1961 the Balinese cat was recognised in America but it was not until the mid 1970s that the Balinese cat breed was imported into Europe.

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

Because of its links to the Siamese the Balinese cat breed may suffer from similar inherited disorders.

Best cat breeds for children

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.