Balinese | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Differentiating one cat breed from another by its physical characteristics is not always easy. Especially when several breeds share some of these characteristics. This is what happens with the Balinese cat, a breed often confused with the Siamese cat for its aesthetic resemblance. Although the reality is that they are two very different breeds with their own characteristics, both physical and in terms of temperament.

One of the reasons why this breed and the Siamese cat breed are confused is that their origin is linked. And it is that the history of the Balinese cat begins from the cross between the Siamese cats and the cats of other breeds with long hair. What was wanted at the time was to maintain the image and beauty of the Siamese cat, but with a much longer and softer coat.

[foogallery id=”44267″]

The Balinese cat is a medium-sized feline compared to other domestic feline breeds. It has great beauty and a stylized silhouette which can be seen when the cat is in motion and also at rest. Having a fairly elongated body, it may appear thin in certain postures, but the truth is that it is a strong and very agile animal, capable of intense exercise and for a good part of the day.

The Balinese cat has a graceful, athletic build and well-developed muscles. Visually, it looks a lot like the Siamese, only with a longer coat.

The Balinese breed cat is not a large animal. Females weigh an average of 3.5 kg. Cats of this breed are heavier: the body weight of an adult male is about 5 kg.

• The head is small, wedge-shaped, with a narrow, elongated muzzle, a straight profile, a pointed chin, high cheekbones and a strong lower jaw.
• The eyes are almond-shaped, expressive, set obliquely. The color of the iris is light blue or blue.
• The ears are triangular, erect, of a disproportionate size. They have rounded tips and are a harmonious continuation of the wedge-shaped head.
• The body is stretched, slender with well-developed muscles.
• The limbs are lean, long with small oval paws. The fronts are slightly shorter than the rears.
• The tail is thin and long. Visually resembles a whip. Decorated with a plume.
• Coat: The wool of the Balinese cat is of medium length, silky in feeling. There is no undercoat. The coat on the body is flat, but on the chin, neck and tail it is slightly wavy. The plume on the tail is obligatory.
• Color: The Balinese cat can have one of the 20 colors specified in the breed standard for its coat. Classic colors are blue point, frost point, seal point and chocolate point. There are other options. Solid coloring is also acceptable. Uniform colored cats are called Javanese. The red or black coloring is completely unusual for this breed.

In the temperament of the Balinese cat, it is emphasized that it is an animal which shows extreme fidelity to its master, chosen directly by him. This means that you can omit other members of your family, but you will always be aware of the person you choose, to the point of constantly seeking your attention and petting.

In general, the Balinese cat is very affectionate, sociable and gentle, and tends to be very grateful to the people who take care of it and feed it. Therefore, the best strategy for earning affection is to offer care, affection and care whenever possible.

On the other hand, he is also very active and playful, and needs to exercise as much as possible a day. This is why they often get along well with children, because they often become playmates to hunt and attract attention. It is a feline breed which easily becomes the center of attention of the family and does not go unnoticed if you can avoid it.

It will seek by all means that the family notices it, so it is also a quite talkative cat, with a meow which does not disturb but which can become very repetitive and insistent until it reaches its objective. If you prefer a quieter cat, this is not your breed.

Regarding coexistence with other animals, it must be clear that it is possible but not easy. The temperament of the Balinese cat is strong and authoritarian, and it can fight with other animals for human attentions. With good socialization of the kitten, this can be avoided, but you will have to work hard with it.

There are some risks in keeping this cat. They are susceptible to liver and kidney amyloidosis, diseases of the cardiovascular system and oral ailments.

Sometimes Balinese cats can suffer from diabetes mellitus, asthma, dysplasia of the joints of the elbows and hip region. In this case, only the help of a qualified veterinarian will help them. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances.

Diabetes mellitus can be determined independently, but it is still worth resorting to the help and advice of a professional. A pet can suddenly gain or lose grams, often go to the toilet and feel thirsty, become depressed for no reason, and walk unbalanced. Also, there is an increased level of acetone in the blood.

Caring for a Balinese cat is quite simple. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the animal is more than enough to keep it healthy, including regular visits to the vet, necessary annual vaccinations, as well as internal and external deworming.

Like most cats, Balinese are very clean, so exceptional pet care will not be required to keep their coat clean and shiny. As a long-haired breed, frequent brushing is recommended, at least twice a week, which can also be accompanied by full baths every two months.

• The breeders did not work on the breed of these cats in the Balinese Islands, and they have no relationship with the local felines. The name comes from the fact that the specialists thought the smooth and graceful movements of cats resembled dancers from temples in Bali.
• With the Turkish Angora and Persian cats, the Balinese were crossed to give the colorpoitna color. The result was the Himalayan breed.
• This is a unique Siamese cat that has a long hair gene. There are no analogues of this hybrid in the world. However, they differ from the Siamese in a number of ways.
• It is widely believed that strabismus is a common occurrence in the Balinese cat. However, at exhibitions because of him, they may be excluded from the competition list.
• Balinese kittens are born with short hair. It is distinguished by increased charm, as it does not look like kittens of other breeds. The owner can fully enjoy its originality.
• There are 20 officially recognized colors in the breed standard. Blue, frost point, seal point, chocolate are considered classics. All kittens are born white, and with age they become a characteristic Siamese color.
• The price of cubs starts at $ 270 for a pet-class kitten. Now the fashion and popularity of this breed has revived again, so kittens can be bought in the vastness of the former Soviet Union.
• The color of the coat of representatives of this breed is influenced by a special gene, the activity of which changes with a cold snap. Therefore, it is better to keep Balinese cat in warm rooms with an air temperature of 22-24 ° C.
• Kittens of this breed are born short-haired. The guard hair lengthens as the Balinese cat matures.

The Balinese cat is the same as the Siamese, but with long hair. These cats appeared in the first half of the 20th century, but only in the fifties breeders began to seriously develop them as a breed. The Balinese cat was recognized in 1961 by the Federation of Cat Fanciers and in 1970 the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed. Today, the Balinese cat is also recognized by other feline registries, such as the American Cat Fanciers Association and the International Cat Association. By the way, the origin of the breed has nothing to do with the island of Bali.