Also called Long-haired Siamese, Javanese (colour division) · United States
Chatty, loving and keen to be involved in everything.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.3 to 5.4 kg (5 to 12 lb)males 2.7 to 5.4 kg, females 2.3 to 3.6 kg12 |
| Lifespan | 18 to 22 years12 |
| Coat | Semi-longhair, single coat |
| Origin | United States, from longhaired kittens in Siamese lines originally from Thailand34 |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
Chatty, loving and keen to be involved in everything. It follows its people around, joins in with daily routines, and is often likened to a dog in how it bonds and plays, though it chats a little less than a Siamese.324
semi-longhair, single coat
A slim, long-lined and athletic cat with a wedge-shaped head, large pointed ears and vivid blue almond eyes. Its fine, silky coat is medium length with no woolly undercoat, lies flat against the body and finishes in a feathery plumed tail.34
A typical home-care rhythm for a Balinese. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
High. Needs daily play and mental challenges, climbing and jumping spots, and can learn to fetch or walk on a lead.21
Enjoys cat trees and high places to explore.2
Craves company and does not like being left alone for long stretches.21
The single coat rarely tangles; a weekly comb or brush is enough, plus routine nail, ear and tooth care.21
Feeding schedules vary by your cat's age, weight, and activity level. Please ask your vet for a tailored plan that suits your Balinese best.
A high-quality cat food is ideal. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol. Always check with your vet for specific dietary needs.5
Balinese rarely need baths because their single coat stays clean. Only bathe if they are very dirty or sticky, following general cat care guidance.6
Weekly combing or brushing is enough for their silky coat. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every two days, and more often during shedding periods.21
Trim claws every few weeks; Pet Wiki suggests every 21 days. General guidance advises every ten days to two weeks. Go slowly and only trim the tip to avoid the quick.6
Balinese have high activity needs and require daily play, climbing spots, and mental challenges. They can even learn fetch or walk on a lead for extra fun.21
Brush teeth daily if possible; Pet Wiki suggests every two days. Clean ears gently as needed. Your vet can show you the best technique for both.21
Balinese enjoy a long lifespan, typically living 18 to 22 years with good care.12
Balinese are loving, chatty, and bond closely with their family. Based on their social temperament, they usually do well with children and other pets when properly introduced.324
Balinese crave company and dislike being left alone for long periods. They do best in homes where someone is around most of the time.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for a Balinese, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 23 kg of dry food a year | 161 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 88 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 121 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 366 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Despite the name, the breed was developed in the United States and has no link to Bali; the name honours Balinese dancers.2
Longhaired Siamese were registered as show cats as early as 1928.4
Breed pioneer Sylvia Holland was an illustrator at Walt Disney Studios.4
Many Balinese like to jump up and ride on their owner's shoulders.2
The breed is named after the graceful dancers of the Indonesian island of Bali, reflecting the cat's elegant and lithe appearance.1
I wake up and immediately start chatting, there's so much to tell! I follow my human from room to room, offering opinions on everything. I love a good game of fetch with my favorite toy mouse, and I'm always up for a climb up the cat tree. After a busy morning, I curl up for a snuggle and a nap. But don't be fooled: I'm ready for more fun at a moment's notice. Every day is an adventure with my family!
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Longhaired kittens turned up in Siamese litters for decades before American breeders Helen Smith and Sylvia Holland began developing them seriously from the 1950s. Smith named the breed after the graceful dancers of Bali, and CFA granted championship status in 1970.34
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Siamese
Javanese
Oriental Longhair