The Balinese cat has an elegant body that can move in unusual ways which helps it get into all kinds of seemingly impossible places. This agility and ability to break loose from apparently unfeasible situations causes many people to compare the Balinese breed to the great magician Houdini.
Since the Balinese actually began as a long haired Siamese, it is no surprise that this breed is incredibly noisy. If you have an apartment with thin walls, the talkative Balinese may actually bother your neighbours, so you may want to consider this before choosing to give a home to a Balinese cat.
Like the Siamese, the Balinese is a cat that enjoys the company of humans and other cats so because of this breed’s need for attention, it is not a good idea as a house pet for people who are out of the house for hours at a time. If you do work long hours, you should consider having a pair of Balinese otherwise you will end up with a single dejected or neurotic and overactive cat. These cats are very bright and need lots of toys and activities to keep them busy. Fortunately, the Balinese will turn anything into a toy, from a shopping basket to a scrap of paper.
The Balinese breed has the same colours as the Siamese, including seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac point. In addition, if you are not worried about showing your cat, it can have red, cream, tortoiseshell and tabby point colours, which are extremely attractive. Even though the breed is considered long haired, its coat is not exceptionally long except the tail hair which is quite long and bushy.
This breed is fairly small, weighing only between six and eleven pounds with ears that are big enough to appear slightly oversized on its graceful wedge shaped head.
Because the Balinese is an exceedingly active cat breed, most of these cats do not have a major problem with being over weight. However, if your cat does become a bit podgy, you may need to reduce his food and be sure he gets a little more exercise and play time.
In general, the Balinese is a pretty healthy breed, perhaps because it is still sometimes crossed with Siamese or Angora cats, which widens the gene pool and eases genetic health troubles that are caused by regular inbreeding.
Since the Balinese is a long haired breed, you will need to spend some time grooming your cat. However, since the coat is not very thick or long, you should be able to brush your cat’s coat thoroughly once a week to keep it free of tangles. You may also need to consider getting your cat used to having his teeth brushed, as plaque build-up and tooth decay can lead to serious health problems.
If you love the loving personality and elegant look of the Siamese but you prefer long haired breeds, then the Balinese could very well be the perfect choice for you.
