Balinese Cat - Complete Profile, Personality, and Traits

Balinese Cat History

The Balinese cat breed arose as a result of a spontaneous genetic mutation in purebred Siamese. This mutation causes the Siamese cat to develop a longer coat with heavier fur. The Balinese cat’s origin goes back to the 1800s when the first Siamese cat was imported from Thailand to the US.

The breed does not have a very long history. In the early 1900s, long-haired kittens began appearing spontaneously in the pure Siamese breed. Initially, the long-haired kittens were considered a fault in the bloodline and sold exclusively as pets. Later in the mid-1900, US breeders began the serious effort to produce long-haired cats as separate breeds.

Most people believe that the recessive gene for long hair was introduced into the European Siamese breeding program after World War I. During the war, siamese was nearly obliterated, and to revitalize the breed, some mixed breeds domestic cats were used.

One of the breeds that were used is believed to be the Turkish Angora, a cat having silky semi-long fur. Others thought that this change is simply a naturally occurring mutation. However, both hypotheses have their reputed proponents and have been disputed. But, no one is really sure about any of the hypotheses.

In 1940, some breeders thought that this recessive gene for long hair could be a great addition to the existing cat breeds. So, they began to develop and promote the cat intentionally. Initially, the cat breed was named “longhair Siamese,” but considering it too cumbersome, Helen Smith named them “Balinese”.

Helen Smith was one of the initial Balinese breeders who promoted the long-haired Siamese. Another breeder, Sylvia Holland, worked to establish the breed standard through the 1960s to 1970s. She only recognized the Balinese with a seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac color with a classic siamese point. She refused other colors on the ground as they had likely been produced by crosses with other breeds.

Meanwhile, the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) officially recognized siamese with cream and red as well as tortoiseshell and lynx patterned points as a separate breed. In the early days, the Balinese used to have heavier boning and thicker coats than the siamese.

By 1970, all major associations and cat clubs that existed at that time had accepted the Balinese. After recognition, Javanese, a color variant of this breed, began to be promoted. Javanese was produced by mixing the Colorprint Shorthair and Balinese cat breeds. The name Javanese is given after the Isle of Java, an island of Bali in Indonesia.

The Javanese are not from Java, just like the Balinese are not from Bali. In 2006, The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) proposed merging these two breeds into one breed with two color variations. In 2008, the Javanese Breed Council and Balinese Breed Council voted to merge the Javanese and Balinese. Combining them as one breed and declaring Javanese as a color variation of the Balinese.

What is the Balinese Cat Price?

Most people are interested to know “how much does a Balinese cat cost?”The usual cost of a Balinese cat ranges between $650-$800. However, if you buy a superior pedigree it could go up to $2000 as well.

Balinese Cat Physical Attributes

Balinese is a beautiful cat with long hair and a muscular body. The following attributes make them unique and prettier than others.

Balinese Cat Personality

Siamese and Balinese are closely related; therefore, they share many traits. Just like Siamese, the Balinese are intelligent, curious, and outgoing cats with amazing communication skills. They are known for their playful, inquisitive, friendly, and intelligent nature and also for their striking beauty.

Balinese are vocal and rather demanding. They are often in tune with your mood and always there to share your joy and cheer you up when you are sad. Because of their vocal and chatty personality, they are always eager to tell you their views on food, love, and life. They do not get along with people who think that cats are just to be seen, not heard.

They would always respond to your call or tone of voice, and a scolding tone might hurt their sensitive feelings. They understand the tone of voice and respond accordingly, and they often keep up a monologue. Positive reinforcement and coaching tone are the only effective way to correct unwanted behavior.

Balinese are intelligent and quick learners, and also are active, agile, and athletic. It is necessary to provide them with high perches and cat trees when you live with them. If you do not provide them with these, they will make anything tall their own special perch. You may find them leaping effortlessly to the top of the doors, bookcases, or even refrigerators.

If allowed, they will hitch a ride on the shoulder of any willing person. They love to play fetch games, bringing the toy, ball, or anything for repeated throwing. They are quite assertive in their request for attention and possess a unique dignity particular to the Balinese and Siamese breeds. They have an affectionate and loving disposition and would love to keep you entertained with their antics.

Balinese Cat Temperament

Being a siamese descendant, they have got their temperament from siamese cat breeds. They are loving and friendly, just like the siamese. They are affectionate towards their owner and want a lot of attention from them. They have a sensitive personality that they get hurt if you talk to them in a harsh tone.

They are reputed to have the highest intelligence of all the long-haired cat breeds. They are notably social and playful cats with an intense interest in the activity around them. Also, they are notably acrobatic and love the intimate contact with their owner. Loving and lively personality traits make them the best companion and perfectly suitable for Emotional support animals.

“Is a Balinese cat a good pet?”

They love being petted often and sitting in someone’s lap. They have a smart and clever personality with graceful, goofy, and funny antics that they are usually referred to as clowns. They are not the ones that would suit being left alone for a long period, but they crave company.

Loneliness makes them become distressed, which may result in exhibiting destructive behavior. They always want to be around someone and could use the company of kids, dogs, or any other pet. Their big clown and best companion personality trait made them a favorite choice as a family pet.

Balinese Cat Appearance

The physical appearance and some prominent physical features of Balinese cats are described below:

• Balinese Cat Coat and Fur: Balinese is a svelte cat with long tapering lines and a distinct range of coat colors. They have a lithe but muscular, strong, and long-coated body, which hides an athletic and supple physique perfectly. They are slender cats with silky coats and medium-sized tubular bodies. Their fine bones do not seem to be emaciated.
• Balinese Cat Facial Characteristics: The head is in a triangular shape, and the ears are set to continue the long triangle. The ears are pointed and large, with a wide base continuing the lines of the wedge. The slanted eyes are almond-shaped, darker in color, usually deep or vivid blue, medium-sized, neither recessed nor protruding.
• Balinese Cat Colors: The Balinese come in a variety of colors, but the main body is usually creamy white. They have distinct color patches around the neck, face, tail, ears, and legs. The most common color paints are lilac, blue, chocolate, and seal. These four colors are only recognized as acceptable official breed standards.

The coat’s hair is medium in length, and it’s silky and soft with no undercoat. Therefore, they only shed occasionally, are not prone to getting tangles or mats, and require low maintenance. Weekly brushing of loose and dead hairs and would be sufficient to keep the coat in healthy condition.

With their muscular body, plumed tail, triangular-shaped ears, bright blue eyes, they are strikingly beautiful and athletic creatures. Their unique and distinctive features make them astonishingly beautiful and give them a special mesmerizing look.

Balinese Cat Hypoallergenic Claim

“Is the Balinese cat hypoallergenic?”

Yes! Balinese cats do not have an undercoat, and they shed less, which minimizes the probability of allergic reactions. But that does guarantee that Balinese are hypoallergenic cats. It is observed that Balinese cause fewer problems with allergies than most of the other cat breeds. But the claim of being hypoallergenic lacks strict scientific evidence.

Compared to other cat breeds, Balinese produce a low amount of Fel d1 and Fel d4 protein allergens. But, there is no scientific basis behind this thought. However, many Balinese cat breeders and clubs are working together to produce rigorous evidence of the Balinese’s hypoallergenic quality.

Balinese Cat Health issues

Balinese is usually considered a healthy breed with a few health issues. They are prone to developing hereditary conditions such as sesame. Additionally, as they are pedigree breeds, they are prone to inheriting many unknown health problems. A good Balinese breeder would do rigorous health checks to reduce developing any health problems.

The common health issues with Balinese include:

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (HCM): It is a heart problem that enlarges the heart muscles, resulting in decreased heart functioning.
• Liver Amyloidosis: It involves amyloid protein being deposited in the liver, which eventually leads to liver failure.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): It is an eye infection that causes degeneration of the retina in the eye, leading to weak vision and then blindness.
• Asthma: It is a respiratory disorder that causes difficulty in breathing.
• Strabismus: It is an inherited disease, prevalent in Siamese, which causes the eyes to look cross-eyed.

Like any other cat breed, proper care and attention can keep your Balinese cat healthy and safe from any disease. And if by any chance they develop a disease, make sure to provide them with proper medication and timely treatment.

Balinese Cat Rescue

There are not so many options available when it comes to adopting a Balinese from a rescue organization. But, you may be able to find a purebred Balinese from a Balinese breeder in your area. However, if you are not looking for Balinese for sale but adoption, you may have to find a rescue organization.

The Balinese cat for adoption is available on the following rescue organizations:

• Adopt a Pet
• Petfinder

Balinese Cat as Emotional Support Animal

No doubt, there are many cats for you to explore before you decide which one is right for your home. But, if you are looking for a loving, talkative, lively, and friendly companion, then Balinese is the right choice for you. These cats are not just good with older family members, but they get along with children as well.

This is proof that they would make a perfect emotional support animal for you. An emotional support animal is the one that is always there for you to support and give you company. Being a good companion, a friend in disguise, and a silent listener are a few qualities of a good ESA.

These all qualities are present in the Balinese cat, and additionally, they are big clowns that make every moment worth enjoying. Moreover, they have a long life expectancy, so you do not have to worry about them leaving you soon. So, if you are looking for an ESA cat, make sure you include the Balinese in your ‘cat finding’ list.

Once you get your ESA cat, make it eligible for entering a no-pet zone and no-pet apartment by getting an ESA letter. ESA letter gives you the freedom of taking your cat anywhere with you without getting into any trouble. Once you have the ESA letter, no one would tell you that your pet is not allowed here.

So waste no more time and contact RealESALetter.com to get the ESA letter. We are a legitimate and reliable website that you can trust to get the real ESA letter. You can rely on us to quickly get an ESA letter written by a certified mental health professional.