Balinese Cat: Longhaired Siamese Type, Voice, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Take a Siamese, give it a silken coat and a plume of a tail, and you have a Balinese. The name comes from the graceful movements of Balinese dancers, not from the island itself, and the cat lives up to it with a fluid, elegant gait.

Origins

Longhaired kittens appeared in Siamese litters for decades, from a recessive gene, and breeders in the United States started developing them as a separate breed in the 1940s and 1950s. The breed was named Balinese because of its graceful look, and it gained recognition in the 1960s. A related breed, the Javanese, has colors outside the traditional pointed palette in some registries.

Appearance

Balinese are medium, long and fine-boned, with a wedge head, large ears, almond blue eyes and a long, slim tail with a feathery plume. The coat is silky, semi-long and lies close to the body, with no undercoat. Points appear on the face, ears, legs and tail in seal, blue, chocolate and lilac, with tabby and tortie variations in some registries.

Temperament

Balinese are intelligent, talkative and affectionate. They are less loud than most Siamese, with a pleasant voice they use to chat. They follow their people, sit on shoulders and join in everything. They are playful and agile, enjoy puzzle toys and learn tricks. They dislike long hours alone, and a lonely Balinese may become loud or destructive.

They get along with other cats and cat-friendly dogs and tend to be good with respectful children.

Grooming

The coat has no undercoat, so it does not mat easily. Comb once or twice a week, and more in seasonal shedding. Trim nails, check ears and brush teeth, since dental disease is common. See how to brush a cat.

Enrichment

Provide cat trees, window perches and rotating toys, and schedule two play sessions a day. Consider a second cat for company. Our indoor cat enrichment ideas offer more suggestions.

Health

Balinese share many conditions with Siamese cats.

• Dental disease and gingivitis.
• Amyloidosis, a liver condition.
• Progressive retinal atrophy, with DNA tests available.
• Asthma and bronchial disease.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Crossed eyes in some lines, usually harmless.

Ask breeders about testing, and see our cat health guides and the emergency warning signs guide. Learn portion planning in how much should I feed my cat.

Is a Balinese right for you?

A Balinese suits people who want a social, interactive cat and are home often, or who can offer a companion. It is not a match for a quiet home or someone away all day. For the original, see the Siamese, and for a gentler longhaired option, the Birman. The cat breed finder can help you compare.

A day with a Balinese

A Balinese greets the morning with conversation. It follows you around, sits on your lap during coffee and then supervises household tasks. Naps happen in warm places, often in a sunbeam or on a blanket. In the afternoon and evening, it wants play, a lap and plenty of attention, and it may end the night snuggled under the covers.

Questions to ask a Balinese breeder

• Have the parents been tested for PRA and screened for heart disease?
• Do you have information about amyloidosis in your lines?
• Are the kittens raised in the home and socialized to other cats and people?
• Will you take the cat back at any age?

Mistakes to avoid

Do not leave a Balinese alone for long hours without company. Do not ignore weight changes or increased thirst, which may signal health problems. Do not skip dental care, since the breed is prone to gum disease. Provide cat trees and puzzle toys, and keep the coat clean and combed.

Living with the Siamese voice

Balinese are less loud than Siamese, but they still talk. Learn what each vocalization means: a short chirp is a greeting, a longer meow is a request and a low yowl may signal frustration or discomfort. If the voice changes suddenly, or the cat becomes very vocal at night, ask your vet to check for medical causes. See why do cats meow at night.

Ownership and costs

Expect a purchase price that varies by breeder, plus routine veterinary care, vaccines, dental cleanings and good food across a long life. See cat vet visit costs and use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Finding one

Look for breeders who test for PRA and screen for HCM. Rescues sometimes have Balinese and Siamese mixes. Our guide to cat vet visit costs can help you plan.