People usually look up the Balinese cat when they’re trying to match a breed to real life: how much grooming the coat truly needs, whether the “chatty Siamese” reputation is accurate, and what health issues are worth screening for before choosing a kitten.
The Balinese is essentially a long-haired Siamese type—sleek, bright-eyed, and attentive—so the day-to-day experience is shaped less by fluff and more by personality: a cat that follows the household’s rhythm, comments on it, and expects company.1, 2
Balinese cat at a glance
- Size: Medium
- Typical weight: About 2.3–5.5 kg (varies by sex and “type”)1, 4
- Coat: Semi-long, fine and silky; typically a single coat (less undercoat than many longhairs)1, 3
- Colour/pattern: Colourpoint (darker “points” on face/ears/legs/tail). Common points include seal, blue, chocolate and lilac; some registries recognise additional point colours/patterns.1, 2
- Temperament: Social, intelligent, playful, vocal (often described as a softer voice than the Siamese, but still communicative)2, 3
- Lifespan: Often around the low-to-mid teens, with some lines living longer4, 1
- Grooming: Regular combing/brushing to remove loose hair; matting risk is usually lower than in thick double-coated longhairs, but not zero3, 4
History and origin
Despite the name, the Balinese was developed in the United States. Long-haired kittens occasionally appeared in Siamese litters (the long-hair trait is recessive), and breeders in the mid-20th century began selectively breeding for the semi-long coat while keeping the Siamese body type and colourpoint pattern.1, 2
The name “Balinese” was chosen because the cats’ long lines and flowing tail plume reminded early fanciers of Balinese dancers. It’s a label for style, not geography.1, 2
Physical characteristics
A Balinese tends to look like a Siamese drawn in longer strokes: a tapering wedge-shaped head, large ears, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a slender, athletic body. The coat lies close to the body rather than puffing out, and the tail carries a noticeable plume.2, 3
All Balinese are colourpoint patterned. The body is lighter, while the “points” (mask, ears, legs and tail) are deeper in colour, creating a clean contrast that becomes more pronounced as the cat matures.1, 4
Personality and behaviour
Balinese are typically people-oriented and alert to what’s happening in the home. Many will trail a favourite person from room to room, perch nearby during quiet tasks, and turn up quickly when routines change.1, 2
They are also known for being vocal. It’s often described as “conversation” rather than constant noise—short calls, longer opinions, and a running commentary when they want interaction—though individual cats vary a lot.2, 3
Because they are bright and socially motivated, boredom can show up as mischief: climbing, opening, investigating, and testing which cupboards are truly off-limits. A tall cat tree, window perches, and regular play help channel that energy without trying to squash it.4
Caring for a Balinese: diet, exercise and grooming
Diet
Cats are obligate carnivores and do best on a complete and balanced diet formulated for their life stage (kitten, adult, senior). If you’re in Australia, check the label and aim for foods that meet recognised standards (such as AS 5812 or an equivalent international nutritional profile).5
Fresh water matters more than people expect. Many cats drink better when water is placed away from food bowls, offered in multiple stations, and kept clean daily.5
Exercise and enrichment
Balinese are typically agile jumpers and enthusiastic climbers. Daily play sessions (short and lively) suit them well, especially when you add vertical space and rotating toys rather than leaving the same ones out forever.
- Keep it simple: wand toys, small soft toys, and short fetch-style games often work well.
- Make meals do some work: puzzle feeders can slow eating and add mental stimulation.5
Grooming
The Balinese coat is usually fine and relatively low in undercoat compared with many long-haired breeds, which can reduce matting—but regular combing still helps remove loose hair and keeps the tail plume tidy.3, 4
Most cats do not need routine bathing. If a bath is necessary (for example, sticky contamination), use a cat-specific shampoo and keep the experience calm and brief.
Health concerns to know about
No cat breed is “health-issue free”. Balinese are often robust, but there are inherited conditions reported in the breed and in related Siamese-family lines, so it’s worth asking breeders what they screen for and what has occurred in their lines.4, 7
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
PRA is an inherited eye disease that causes gradual vision loss and can progress to blindness. Responsible breeding programs use genetic testing and avoid mating carriers in ways that would produce affected kittens—so asking for evidence of testing is reasonable.7
Amyloidosis (organ disease)
Amyloidosis (abnormal protein deposits in organs, often discussed in relation to liver and kidneys) has been reported in “Asian” breed groups, including Balinese. It’s not something an owner can prevent with grooming or diet alone, but early veterinary attention to weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting or ongoing lethargy matters.7
Dental disease (common in many cats)
Dental disease is common across cat breeds. Home tooth brushing (with pet toothpaste) helps reduce plaque, and professional dental care under anaesthetic is sometimes needed to treat disease under the gum line.6
Training and socialisation
Balinese often respond well to reward-based training because they are attentive to people and enjoy interaction. Keep sessions short, end on a success, and focus on practical behaviours: coming when called, being comfortable with a carrier, accepting gentle handling of paws and mouth.
For socialisation, aim for calm exposure rather than forced introductions—new people, new rooms, and new sounds in small doses. A confident cat is usually built from many ordinary, non-scary experiences.
Breeding and genetics (in plain terms)
The Balinese is essentially a long-haired variety within the Siamese family, with the semi-long coat arising from a recessive long-hair gene. Breed registries describe it as a longhaired Siamese type, with standards that emphasise the same long, tapering lines and colourpoint pattern, plus the distinctive plume tail.1, 2
If you’re buying a kitten, ask for:
- health history of the parents and close relatives (not just the kitten)
- any genetic testing used in the breeding program (for example, PRA where relevant)7
- vaccination and parasite-control records
- clear, written desexing and return policies
Final thoughts
The Balinese suits households that enjoy an interactive cat—one that watches closely, learns quickly, climbs well, and communicates often. The coat is elegant rather than heavy, but it still benefits from regular grooming. Health-wise, treat “no breed-specific issues” as a red flag; instead, look for breeders who talk plainly about what can occur in their lines and what they do to reduce risk.2, 7
References
- The International Cat Association (TICA) – Balinese
- Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) – Balinese
- Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) – Balinese
- Purina UK – Balinese breed information
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – What should I feed my cat?
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) – Your pet’s dental care
- PetMD – Balinese cat breed: health and care
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom