The Balinese, a graceful and communicative cat, an embodiment of oriental elegance.
The Graceful Dance of the Balinese
The Balinese is a cat breed of exotic beauty and unparalleled grace, often described as the semi-longhaired version of the Siamese. It shares the same slender silhouette, wedge-shaped head, large ears, and piercing blue eyes as its short-haired cousin. The main distinction lies in its silky, medium-long coat, which gives it an even more elegant appearance and a plumed tail.
Developed from Siamese litters in the mid-20th century, the Balinese is valued for its extroverted, intelligent, and particularly vocal personality. It is a devoted companion that demands a lot of interaction and affection, integrating perfectly into an active family.
Our Feline Specialist's Advice
By the CatName.com team, published on October 14, 2025.
My personal tip : The Balinese's semi-long coat, though silky, requires weekly brushing to prevent tangles and maintain its shine. This is a very intelligent and curious cat that has a great need for mental and physical stimulation. Offer interactive toys, regular play sessions, and opportunities to climb. Being very sociable and 'talkative,' the Balinese does not tolerate loneliness. If you are often away, consider getting a feline companion so it doesn't get bored. It's also important to note that they love to 'chat' and will express their opinions with a variety of vocalizations.
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Identifying the Balinese: Key Characteristics
The triangular head and distinctive color points of the Balinese resemble the Siamese.
The Balinese is a medium-sized cat, slender and muscular, with a long and elegant 'foreign type' silhouette. Its head is one of its most distinctive features, forming a perfect triangle from the ears to the muzzle.
Size: Medium-sized cat, with a long, slender, and tubular body.
Coat: Semi-long, fine, silky, and without a woolly undercoat. Displays 'points' (darker extremities) on the ears, paws, tail, and facial mask. Traditional point colors: seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, but others are recognized.
Head: Long, narrow wedge shape, with a straight profile from the forehead to the tip of the nose.
Ears: Very large, broad at the base and well-opened, extending the lines of the head triangle.
Tail: Very long and thin, plumed, carried high.
Dimensions and Key Information (Balinese)
Characteristic
Male
Female
Average
Size (at shoulder)
25 – 30 cm
22 – 28 cm
22 – 30 cm
Weight
3 – 5 kg
2.5 – 4 kg
2.5 – 5 kg
Life Expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 15 years
12 – 15 years
Diet
Strict carnivore
Strict carnivore
High-quality kibble and wet food
Litter Size (kittens)
-
Variable
Generally 4-6
These figures indicate that the Balinese is a medium-sized cat, and its growth is completed around 1 year of age.
Behavior: Elegant, Vocal, and Playful
The Balinese is often described as the semi-longhaired version of the Siamese, from which it inherits elegance, a svelte silhouette, and an outgoing personality. Recognizable by its silky coat without an undercoat, piercing blue eyes, and color points, the Balinese is a cat of keen intelligence and insatiable curiosity. It is extremely vocal, loving to "talk" with its owners and expressing its needs through a range of melodious vocalizations.
Deeply attached to its family, the Balinese is a devoted companion who constantly seeks attention and interaction. It does not appreciate solitude and prefers to be at the center of the action, often following its humans everywhere in the house. Its energy and need for physical and mental stimulation make it very playful. It loves to climb, jump, and learn tricks, making it a very entertaining cat. If you like talkative and interactive cats, the Oriental is another breed that shares this communicativeness and elegance.
The Balinese generally gets along well with respectful children and other animals, provided it has been socialized early. It requires relatively easy coat maintenance despite its length. For those looking for an elegant, affectionate, and very communicative cat, the Balinese is a wonderful choice. For a similar appearance but a shorter coat, the Siamese is the benchmark, while the Turkish Angora offers long-haired elegance with an equally affectionate temperament. The Tonkinese provides a blend of gentleness and intelligence, and the Cornish Rex, though visually very different, shares comparable energy and love for interaction.
Origin and Adaptability
The history of the Balinese truly began in the 1940s and 1950s, when Siamese breeders noticed the appearance of long-haired kittens in their litters. Initially considered 'anomalies', these kittens were eventually recognized for their unique beauty. It was in California that breeder Helen Smith began developing the breed, naming it 'Balinese' in reference to the dancers of Bali for their grace. The breed was officially recognized by the CFA in 1970 and by TICA in 1979.
The Balinese is a very adaptable cat that can live in an apartment, provided it receives plenty of attention, play, and stimulation. Due to its fine coat, it is sensitive to cold and prefers warm and cozy interiors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Balinese
What is the difference between a Balinese and a Siamese?
The Balinese is essentially a semi-longhaired Siamese. It shares the same morphology and vocal temperament, but differs in having a longer, silky coat and a plumed tail.
What is the temperament of the Balinese?
The Balinese is a very intelligent, curious, playful, and extremely sociable and vocal cat. It is very attached to its family, affectionate, and needs a lot of attention and interaction. It is known for being talkative but with a softer voice than the Siamese.
How do you groom the Balinese's coat?
The Balinese's semi-long, silky coat, without a woolly undercoat, is relatively easy to maintain. Weekly brushing is sufficient to prevent tangles and maintain its shine.
Is the Balinese prone to specific health problems?
Being closely related to the Siamese, the Balinese can be predisposed to similar health problems, such as renal amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dental conditions, and eye problems like strabismus. Regular veterinary check-ups and screenings are important.
What is the life expectancy of a Balinese?
The average life expectancy of a Balinese typically ranges between 12 and 15 years, with good care and a balanced diet, some living up to 20 years.
