Is a Balinese Cat the Right Breed for You?

When people see a Balinese cat for the first time, they often think that this graceful looking cat must be haughty and unfriendly. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Although this breed may look refined, it is actually incredibly friendly and a joy to be around.

The Balinese has a beautiful body that can move in strange and unusual ways, which helps it get into all kinds of places. Their flexibility and power to escape from seemingly impossible places causes many people to compare the Balinese breed to the great magician Houdini.

Since the Balinese actually began as a longhair Siamese, it is no surprise that this breed is incredibly vocal. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, the chatty Balinese may actually bother your neighbors, so you may want to think about this before deciding to choose a Balinese cat.

Similar to the Siamese, the Balinese is a cat that loves the company of people and other cats.

If you tend to work long hours or are away from home on a regular basis then this breed of cat may not be the right one for you because of its need for attention.

If you have your heart set on a Balinese, you should consider adding a second Balinese to the household or you will have a dismayed and mopey or neurotic and hyperactive cat on your hands.

You will find that these cats are very intelligent and that they need quite a few toys and activities to keep them occupied.

Luckily, the Balinese will turn anything into a toy, from a paper grocery bag to a wine cork.

The Balinese has typical Siamese colors, including seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac point. Additionally, if you are not concerned about having a CFA registered cat, the Balinese breed can have red, cream, tortie, and tabby point colors. Even though this breed is considered a longhair, its coat is not extremely long and full. However, the Balinese's tail has hair that is quite long and gives a slightly busy appearance.

This breed is one of the smaller cat breeds, weighing in at only six to eleven pounds. The Balinese has ears that are big enough to appear slightly oversized on its graceful wedge shaped head.

Since the Balinese is an exceedingly active cat breed, most of these cats do not have a major problem with being overweight. However, if your cat does become a little chunky, you may want to reduce his food intake and be sure he gets a bit more exercise.

Overall, the Balinese is a fairly healthy breed, possibly because it is still occasionally out crossed with Siamese or Angora cats, which extends the gene pool and alleviates hereditary health problems that are caused by frequent inbreeding.

Since the Balinese is a long haired breed, you will need to spend some time grooming your cat. However, since this breed's coat is not very thick or long, you should be able to thoroughly comb out your cat's coat once a week and keep it mat free. You may also want to consider accustoming your cat to having his teeth brushed, since plaque build up and tooth decay can lead to serious health problems.

If you love the personality and graceful appearance of the Siamese but you prefer longhair breeds, then the Balinese cat may be the best choice for you.

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