the balinese, reviewed

that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →

The Balinese is essentially a long-haired Siamese, an elegant, slender, blue-eyed cat with a flowing silky coat and every ounce of the Siamese personality. It is talkative, clever, and intensely devoted, and it is one of the more graceful cats you will meet. It scores well on bearing and charm. Here is the honest review.

what is a balinese

The Balinese arose as a long-haired version of the Siamese, appearing naturally in Siamese litters and then developed into its own breed. The name is pure showmanship, evoking the grace of Balinese dancers, since the cat has no connection to Indonesia at all. In everything but coat length it is a Siamese, with the same pointed colouring, the same striking blue eyes, and the same forceful, affectionate character.

the look

The Balinese is a study in elegance. It has the long, slim, fine-boned Siamese body, the wedge-shaped head, and the vivid blue eyes, all softened by a medium-length, silky coat that lies close to the body and flows out into a magnificent plumed tail. Because the coat is single-layered with no thick undercoat, it looks graceful rather than fluffy, and it does not mat the way a Persian's does. The pointed pattern, dark on the face, ears, legs, and tail, completes a genuinely beautiful cat, which is why it scores high on royal energy.

temperament: the elegant chatterbox

Do not be fooled by the refined looks. The Balinese has the full Siamese personality, which is to say it is clever, energetic, endlessly affectionate, and extremely talkative. It bonds hard with its people, insists on being involved in everything, and will hold long, opinionated conversations with anyone who listens. It is playful and agile, enjoys learning tricks and games, and dislikes being ignored or left alone. This is a cat that wants a genuine relationship, not a quiet coexistence.

care and health, the honest part

Happily, the silky single coat is fairly low-maintenance, needing only occasional brushing to stay sleek, with no dense undercoat to mat or shed in clumps. The Balinese is also sometimes named among the lower-allergen breeds, though as ever no cat is truly hypoallergenic and individuals vary. The real demand is attention: this cat needs company and engagement and does not do well left alone for long hours. On health, being closely related to the Siamese, it can share some of the same inherited concerns, and responsible breeders screen for them. Buy from a reputable breeder or adopt and keep up with veterinary care.

is a balinese right for you

If you want the Siamese personality, all that intelligence, devotion, and conversation, in a softer, more flowing package, the Balinese is a wonderful choice for a present, engaged owner. It is not for someone who wants a quiet, independent, low-interaction cat, because you will get the opposite, loudly and affectionately.

the chairman's verdict

Eighty-one. The Balinese is graceful, clever, and devoted, a Siamese with better tailoring, and it loses only the points its non-stop chatter and neediness cost it. An elegant, engaging companion for the right owner. High marks, delivered over its running commentary.

Related reading from my desk: the Siamese profile, more breeds in the cat breeds guide, and why does my cat meow at night.

Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on a Balinese's needs, health, or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.