Cat Breed · United States
Balinese
A longhaired Siamese — colour points with a silky plumed tail.
By WARN Research & Conservation TeamLast updated
In brief
The Balinese is a longhaired variety of the Siamese, sharing the same pointed colouring, sapphire-blue eyes and chatty, devoted personality. It is a vocal, athletic and highly intelligent cat that bonds closely with its people and dislikes being left alone for long.
What are the key facts about a Balinese?
The Balinese is a cat breed from United States: medium (2.5–5 kg), vocal, affectionate, intelligent. A longhaired Siamese — colour points with a silky plumed tail.
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium (2.5–5 kg) |
| Weight | 2.5-5 kg (5.5-11 lb), with males typically larger than females |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years |
| Coat | Single-coated, medium-to-long, fine and silky with no downy undercoat, lying close to the body and lengthening into a plumed tail. Because there is no undercoat, it sheds modestly and mats rarely. A weekly comb-through keeps it sleek; bathing is seldom needed. |
| Temperament | Vocal, affectionate, intelligent |
| Good with | Excellent for families, including households with children and other cats or sociable dogs, thanks to its outgoing nature. It suits both first-time and experienced owners but needs company, so it is poorly matched to people who are out all day. It adapts well to flats provided it gets plenty of interactive play, climbing space and attention. |
Is a Balinese a good cat for you?
A Balinese is a good cat when your home matches excellent for families, including households with children and other cats or sociable dogs, thanks to its outgoing nature. it suits both first-time and experienced owners but needs company, so it is poorly matched to people who are out all day. it adapts well to flats provided it gets plenty of interactive play, climbing space and attention.. It is a vocal, affectionate, intelligent medium (2.5–5 kg) breed from United States.
A longhaired Siamese — colour points with a silky plumed tail. That one-line pitch is not a care plan. Factor grooming (Single-coated, medium-to-long, fine and silky with no downy undercoat, lying close to the body and lengthening into a plumed tail. Because there is no undercoat, it sheds modestly and mats rarely. A weekly comb-through keeps it sleek; bathing is seldom needed.), typical adult size (2.5-5 kg (5.5-11 lb), with males typically larger than females), and the health issues listed below before you pay a deposit.
Meet adults of the breed, not only puppies or kittens, and prefer rescue or health-screened homes. A Balinese that looks right in a photo can still be the wrong animal for a small flat, a full-time office job, or a household that wanted a low-energy companion.
What is a Balinese?
A longhaired Siamese — colour points with a silky plumed tail. Origin is United States; coat or markings are described as Single-coated, medium-to-long, fine and silky with no downy undercoat, lying close to the body and lengthening into a plumed tail. Because there is no undercoat, it sheds modestly and mats rarely. A weekly comb-through keeps it sleek; bathing is seldom needed..
Kennel and registry labels describe a type. Individual Balineses still vary, and rescue animals may be mixes.
Where does the Balinese come from?
Balineses come from United States. The Balinese arose in the United States during the mid-20th century from longhaired kittens that appeared naturally in litters of purebred Siamese.
Breeders, notably Marion Dorsey and Helen Smith in the 1950s and 60s, chose to develop these cats as a distinct breed rather than discard the trait. The name was inspired by the graceful poise of Balinese temple dancers, despite the cat having no connection to Indonesia. It gained championship recognition with US registries through the 1960s and 70s.
How much care does a Balinese need?
Plan 13–17 years of food, vet care, grooming and time. A Balinese is medium (2.5–5 kg) (2.5-5 kg (5.5-11 lb), with males typically larger than females) from United States, with coat care described as single-coated, medium-to-long, fine and silky with no downy undercoat, lying close to the body and lengthening into a plumed tail. because there is no undercoat, it sheds modestly and mats rarely. a weekly comb-through keeps it sleek; bathing is seldom needed..
This temperament does not thrive on a 20-minute walk and eight hours alone.
Grooming follows the coat, not a generic clip: Single-coated, medium-to-long, fine and silky with no downy undercoat, lying close to the body and lengthening into a plumed tail. Because there is no undercoat, it sheds modestly and mats rarely. A weekly comb-through keeps it sleek; bathing is seldom needed.. Keep the animal lean; extra weight is a joint and heart tax, especially in a medium cat.
Budget for unexpected vet bills. The health section below is why “cheap to buy” is not the same as cheap to keep.
What surprises people about the Balinese?
A few details about the breed, alongside the practical care information in this guide.
- Its long coat comes from a recessive longhair gene carried within Siamese lines, so two shorthaired Siamese can produce Balinese kittens.
- Kittens are born almost white and develop their darker points gradually, as the pointed pattern is temperature-sensitive.
- The name references Balinese temple dancers and is purely poetic; the breed was created in America, not Bali.
- Despite the long hair, it lacks a woolly undercoat, so it tends to feel sleeker and shed less than many other longhaired cats.
What health issues should you know about in a Balinese?
Health concerns to discuss with your vet, including changes to watch for and everyday care. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Asthma
Asthma can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Dental disease
Plaque and tartar build-up leads to gum infection and tooth loss.
Care: Brush teeth regularly and schedule professional dental cleanings as your vet advises.
Who should skip a Balinese?
Skip a Balinese if you are owners who wanted a low-exercise companion. This United States cat is medium (2.5–5 kg) and vocal, affectionate, intelligent — the mismatch is usually lifestyle, not a missing accessory.
This page is allowed to say no. Skip if you are owners who wanted a low-exercise companion.
A different cat breed on this site may fit. Wanting “a Balinese” after a film or a colour photo is not a reason to ignore the skip list.
What are the hidden catches with a Balinese?
The hidden cost of a Balinese is usually not the purchase price. It is years of care, the health list on this page, and the mismatch between a vocal, affectionate, intelligent animal and a busy home.
The impulse-buy catch
A Balinese from United States is often sold on looks. Coat, colour and size are not a temperament test. Meet the adult animal, ask about health screening, and walk away from pressure sales.
The progressive retinal atrophy catch
Progressive retinal atrophy can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
The asthma catch
Asthma can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
How does a Balinese compare with Selkirk Rex and Somali?
A Balinese is not interchangeable with Selkirk Rex and Somali. Compare origin, size, lifespan and temperament before you choose — those four lines prevent most regret.
| Cat fact | Balinese | Selkirk Rex | Somali |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | United States | United States |
| Size | Medium (2.5–5 kg) | Medium (3–7 kg) | Medium (3–5 kg) |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years | 13–17 years | 13–17 years |
| Temperament | Vocal, affectionate, intelligent | Patient, tolerant, cuddly | Active, curious, playful |
What is the verdict on the Balinese?
Choose a Balinese only if the care, skip-if and health sections still look like your life after a week of thinking. Otherwise pick a different cat or wait. Rescue is usually the better first door than a waiting-list puppy or kitten.
If the match is real, budget for 13–17 years of vet care and do not skip health screening. If it is not, walking away is the kind choice — for you and for the animal.
Every cat deserves a chance
Whatever breed you love, countless cats live without a home or care. A symbolic adoption or a gift to WARN funds community-cat welfare — neutering, vaccination and treatment for cats most people never see.
