Balinese

USA · 1950s

Long-haired Siamese — silky, chatty, devoted

SizeMedium5–10 lb
Life span15–20 years
CoatSemi-long, silky
Typical price$1,000–$2,000

Balinese are Siamese with a silky, medium-long coat and a plumed tail. CFA now includes the former Javanese colors in the Balinese.

At a glance

EnergyNon-stop
Cuddlylikes touch and being heldCuddly
TalkativeVery chatty
GroomingEasy
SheddingLow
With kidsGood
With petsLoves company
Alone timehow long they’re happy aloneNeeds company

Life with a Balinese

Same Siamese personality: talkative, playful, clever and attached. The coat has little undercoat, so it mats far less than most longhairs.

Great for
  • People who are home a lot
  • Homes with another cat
  • People who want a chatty, interactive longhair
Think twice if
  • You want quiet
  • You’re away all day

Often suggested for people with allergies — but no cat is allergy-free. All cats make the main allergen (Fel d 1), and the amount varies from cat to cat. Spend an hour or more with the kitten and its parents before you pay.

Care tips
  • Brush once or twice a week.
  • Daily play and puzzle toys.
  • Dental care.

Health

Same as the Siamese: PRA (causes blindness), dental disease and amyloidosis.

Ask the breeder for
  • PRA (rdAc) DNA test
  • Parents’ dental history
Typical US price$1,000–$2,000
RegistriesCFA · TICAAsk for both parents’ papers

Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.

See Balinese kittens

Similar breeds

SiameseVery active · CuddlyOrientalVery active · CuddlyTurkish AngoraActive · Independent
Compare with similar breeds

Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.