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Balinese

 
Breed Name:
Balinese
Life of Expectancy:
9-15 years
Size:
Type of Coat:

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The Balinese is a long-haired breed of cat. It is essentially a long-haired Siamese, sharing many of the same characteristics, including similar colour points and sapphire-blue eyes, but has a medium-length silky coat and plumed tail.

These fine-boned cats are the epitome of feline elegance and grace. They thrive on attention and can make very loving companions.

Description and Characteristics

The Balinese is a medium-sized cat with a slender, elegant frame, covered in semi-long silky fur. They have striking blue eyes, ranging from pale blue to a deep sapphire and are distinguished by their pale cream coat and coloured points, which can include seal, blue, chocolate, lilac red and cream, tortoiseshell and lynx points. The points on Balinese cats can darken with age and those cats living in warmer climates generally have lighter coats than those in cool climates. The fur of the Balinese is particularly soft and silky but lacks a fluffy undercoat.

As with their Siamese relatives, the appearance of the Balinese has altered significantly over the years, due to breeding preferences, resulting in variations in the breed. The traditional Balinese, although still slender and fine-boned, is more sturdy with a broader head than the modern type, which can be distinguished by its super slinky frame, tapering wedge-shaped head and larger ears.

Balinese are typically clever, sociable and lively cats, sharing many of the same traits as the Siamese. Playful and inquisitive they love exploring and benefit from lots of games and interaction. They will explore every nook and cranny and particularly like leaping up onto high surfaces from where they can survey their territory. They are also loving cats which will enjoy being petted and spending time around their human companions. They are ideal cats for owners who can provide lots of attention, company and opportunities for play.

Health and common issues

Balinese are generally healthy cats. However, as they have been developed from a relatively small gene pool, they can still be prone to certain health conditions including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (a degeneration of the retina in the eye) and dilated cardiomyopathy (a disease that enlarges the heart muscle). There are some reports of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) although this remains a low risk.