Balinese Cat: The Long-Haired Siamese (Temperament, Price)
Graceful as a dancer, chatty as a confidant, and smarter than most cats: the Balinese never leaves anyone indifferent. Picture a Siamese wrapped in a silky veil, tail streaming like a plume as it crosses the living room to tell you about its day. Behind that aristocratic look is a companion deeply devoted to people, curious about everything, and brimming with energy. Thinking of welcoming this semi-longhaired beauty into your home? Here's everything you need to know before you fall under its spell.
Origins and History of the Balinese Cat
Despite what its name suggests, the Balinese has never set a paw on the island of Bali. Its story begins in the United States, around the 1940s, in Siamese catteries. Every so often, in otherwise perfectly ordinary litters, kittens were born with unusually long coats. Long dismissed as genetic "accidents," these semi-longhaired cats eventually won over a handful of visionary breeders.
Where some saw a flaw, these enthusiasts saw a new kind of beauty. The cats' slender build, flowing gait, and the graceful sweep of their plumed tails were irresistibly reminiscent of the movements of traditional Balinese dancers. That's how the breed got its name: as a poetic tribute rather than a geographic origin. The Balinese is, in truth, a naturally occurring semi-longhaired Siamese: it keeps all of the Siamese's intelligence and personality, but wears a much silkier coat.
Gradually recognized by the major cat fancy associations from the 1960s and 1970s onward, the Balinese has established itself as a breed in its own right, while staying close to its illustrious Oriental cousin.
Balinese Cat Personality and Temperament
If you're looking for a quiet, independent cat, look elsewhere: the Balinese is the exact opposite. Lively, talkative, and incredibly agile, it's one of the most communicative breeds around. It comments, meows, answers when you speak, and doesn't hesitate to start real "conversations" with its humans. Its voice, inherited from the Siamese, is melodic and expressive: a Balinese will rarely let your silence go unchallenged.
A cat that comments on everything needs a lookout post: the suction cup cat window perch attaches to the glass in seconds, for €29.99 (about $33), with free shipping.
It's also a remarkably intelligent cat. It learns fast, picks up tricks, opens cupboards, watches your every move, and constantly tries to figure out its surroundings. That sharp mind comes with a big need for stimulation: a bored Balinese can quickly turn rowdy, or even a little too inventive for its own good.
Deeply affectionate, it hates being alone and forms intense bonds with its family. It happily follows its humans from room to room, settles on laps, sleeps curled up against you, and takes an active part in household life. Sociable by nature, it generally gets along well with children, other cats, and even dogs, as long as introductions are done gently. In short, the Balinese is a true life partner, one that asks for your presence and interaction.
Balinese Cat Size, Weight, and Appearance
The Balinese is a medium-sized cat with a long, muscular, elegant body. Its "Oriental" build shows in its fine lines, long slender legs, and supple silhouette. Beneath that delicate look hides an athlete, capable of spectacular leaps and impressive acrobatics.
Its most distinctive feature is, of course, its fine, silky, semi-long coat. Unlike many longhaired breeds, the Balinese has no thick undercoat: its fur lies flat against the body, which greatly limits tangles and makes grooming surprisingly easy. Its tail, on the other hand, sports a magnificent feathery plume that highlights every movement.
Like the Siamese, the Balinese has a colorpoint coat: a light body contrasting with darker extremities (mask, ears, paws, and tail), available in several colors (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, and more). Its intense blue, almond-shaped eyes complete that expressive, mesmerizing gaze. As for lifespan, the Balinese is a robust cat that lives 15 to 20 years on average, a precious asset for such an endearing breed.
How Much Does a Balinese Cat Cost?
The price of a Balinese kitten from a reputable breeder generally falls within an indicative range of €700 to €1,300 (about $770 to $1,430). This figure reflects the typical price range observed on the market, not a price charged by Le Félin.
Several factors explain the differences. Bloodline plays a major role: a kitten from show-winning parents with a recognized pedigree will be priced higher. Coat color and the rarity of certain colors or patterns also influence the price. Finally, the breeder's professionalism matters enormously: a responsible breeder bears significant costs (genetic testing, vaccinations, identification, early socialization, veterinary follow-up), which is naturally reflected in the price. Be wary of unusually low listings, which often signal questionable breeding conditions.
One essential clarification: Le Félin does not sell cats. Our business is equipping yours to give them the best possible living environment. We help you choose accessories suited to your Balinese's one-of-a-kind personality.
Welcoming and Equipping a Balinese Cat
Welcoming a Balinese means committing to its huge need for activity and height. This climbing, lively, curious breed needs smart outlets for its energy, or it will channel that energy into your curtains and furniture.
The top priority is giving it vertical space to conquer. A sturdy cat tree, tall enough and fitted with high platforms, will satisfy its climbing instinct and its love of watching from above: the Balinese loves to survey its territory from a perch. Choose a stable model that can handle its athletic jumps.
Also think about enriching its daily routine: interactive cat toys, treat dispensers, play circuits, and daily play sessions are essential to stimulate its intelligence. A solid scratching post will protect your furniture, while a cozy cat bed placed up high or close to you will meet its need for comfort and closeness. As for grooming, a simple weekly brushing is enough to keep its silky coat shiny. And never forget the essentials: this sociable cat above all needs your presence and your interaction to thrive.
Lively, silky, talkative, and brilliant, the Balinese proves that a "happy accident" of genetics can give rise to one of the most endearing breeds out there. If the story of this refined Siamese cousin intrigues you, keep exploring with the cat breed family tree: you'll see how feline lineages cross, change, and give rise to companions as unique as your future living room dancer.
Related cat breeds to explore: Tonkinese and Ragdoll.
Setting Up Your Balinese: Our Recommendations
The Balinese climbs nonstop. A tall cat tree, ideally one that reaches the ceiling, and a high lookout spot will keep them from scaling your bookshelves.
- Ceiling Cat Tree: 274 cm (108 in) floor to ceiling, pressure-mounted, €119.99 (about $132)
- Sturdy XXL Cat Tree: 178 cm (70 in), wide platforms for watching the room, €169.99 (about $187)
- Cat Window Perch: a lookout spot at the window, zero floor space, €39.99 (about $44)
See the full collection → · Free shipping.
Balinese Cat at a Glance
The essentials about the Balinese, all in one place:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States, 1950s (long coat appeared in the Siamese) |
| Size | Males 4-6 kg (9-13 lb), females 3-5 kg (7-11 lb) |
| Life expectancy | 15-20 years |
| Coat | Medium-length, fine, silky, colorpoint, no undercoat |
| Temperament | Talkative, sociable, intelligent, playful |
| Special traits / health | "Long-haired Siamese"; low-allergen; watch for hepatic amyloidosis and PRA (eyes) |
| Typical price | €500-€1,300 (about $550-$1,430) |
Le FélinMessage
Le Félin ›
A high-up cat hammock, hung from the ceiling on braided ropelefelin.com · €49.99 (about $55)
Three sisal poles for scratching and stretching up highlefelin.com · €75.82 (about $83)
Sisal from top to bottom, with comfy perches includedlefelin.com · €149.99 (about $165)
Shop all our cat trees 📚 Sources and References
- LOOF. Balinese breed standard. https://loof.asso.fr
- TICA (The International Cat Association). Balinese Breed. https://tica.org
- CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association). Balinese Breed Profile. https://cfa.org
- FIFé (Fédération Internationale Féline). Breed standard: Balinese / Javanese (Siamese-Oriental group). https://fifeweb.org
- International Cat Care. Balinese cat breed profile. https://icatcare.org
Balinese Cat FAQ
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The Balinese is a lively, talkative and deeply affectionate cat that hates being alone and forms intense bonds with its family. Remarkably intelligent, it learns quickly, picks up tricks and loves to comment on household life, holding real conversations with its humans. Sociable by nature, it generally gets along well with children, other cats and even dogs, as long as introductions are done gently.
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A Balinese kitten from a reputable breeder typically costs somewhere between €700 and €1,300 (about $770 to $1,430). Please note that Le Félin does not sell cats: this pricing is provided as a rough guide to help with your research.
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The Balinese is a medium-sized cat with a long, muscular, elegant body, slender legs and a supple, graceful silhouette. Its fine, silky, medium-length coat lies flat against the body with no thick undercoat, which keeps tangles to a minimum and makes grooming easy. It has a colorpoint coat, intense almond-shaped blue eyes, and a magnificent plumed tail.
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The Balinese is a companion deeply devoted to its people, happily following them from room to room and taking an active part in household life. It generally gets along well with children and other pets, as long as introductions are made gradually. However, it copes poorly with being alone and needs company and stimulation to truly thrive.
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