Balinese
Long-haired Siamese — same chatty, devoted spirit, longer coat.
Balinese cats are essentially long-haired Siamese, sharing their slim build, color-pointed coat, and intensely social personality. They are talkative, athletic, and highly intelligent — needing daily interaction and mental stimulation to thrive.
Key facts
| Origin | United States, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 6–11 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12–20 years |
| Energy | High |
| Vocality | High |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3 times a week |
| Shedding | Medium |
| With children | ●●●●○ |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●○ |
| For beginners | ●●●○○ |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Long-lived
- Highly intelligent and trainable
- Strikingly beautiful
- Loyal and engaging
✗ Things to know
- Very vocal
- Needs constant companionship
- Demanding personality
Ideal owner
A Balinese may suit you well if you:
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
- Enjoy interactive play and can dedicate daily activity time
A Balinese may not suit you if you:
- Have a busy schedule with little time for interactive play
- Have significant cat allergies
Health considerations
Balineses are generally considered a robust, healthy breed with no well-documented breed-specific conditions at this time. As with all cats, annual vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention are the best health investments you can make.
Is a Balinese right for you?
The best way to find out if a Balinese suits your lifestyle is to take the What Cat? breed quiz — it weighs your living space, schedule, household, and preferences against all 68 breeds in our encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Balinese a good cat for first-time owners?
Balineses can suit first-time owners who do their research. Vocal, devoted, and intensely involved with their people. Make sure you can meet their specific care needs before committing.
Are Balineses good for apartments?
Yes — Balineses adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Balineses good with children?
Balineses are generally excellent with children. They are patient, tolerant of handling, and social enough to enjoy the energy of family life including young children.
Are Balineses hypoallergenic?
Balineses are not specifically hypoallergenic and produce standard levels of Fel d 1, the main cat allergen. If allergies are a concern, consider breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, or Devon Rex.
Does a Balinese suit your lifestyle?
Take the free 18-question What Cat? quiz to find out — and get a full ranked list of breeds matched to your real life.
Take the free quiz →Further reading: Balinese on Wikipedia