Balinese

Balinese Cat Breed

Appearance:

• The Balinese is a medium-sized breed with a slender and graceful body.
• They have long, silky fur and a plumed tail, which gives them an elegant and regal appearance.
• Balinese cats have a semi-longhaired coat that comes in various colors and patterns. The coat is known for its silky texture and minimal shedding.
• They have almond-shaped eyes that are usually blue in color, which beautifully contrasts with their coat.

Temperament:

• Balinese cats are known for their affectionate and sociable nature. They are often considered to be people-oriented and form strong bonds with their human companions.
• They are intelligent and curious cats, often engaging in interactive play and eagerly exploring their surroundings.
• Balinese cats are generally vocal and enjoy communicating with their human family through soft and melodic voices.
• They are typically good with children and other pets, making them suitable for households with multiple pets or active families.

Care and Health:

• The Balinese's semi-longhaired coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and maintain its beautiful appearance. Regular brushing helps to remove loose hair and prevent tangles.
• They are generally a healthy breed with no specific breed-related health issues. However, regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure their overall well-being.
• Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation through playtime and interactive toys are essential for maintaining the health and happiness of Balinese cats.

The Balinese is an elegant and affectionate breed known for its silky coat and loving nature. Their intelligence and social personality make them wonderful companions for those seeking a loyal and engaging feline friend.

History

The Balinese are named after the exotic graceful dancers on the Indonesian island of Bali and are a long-haired Siamese variant. It is not known if the long hair is the result of a natural mutation or a cross between the Siamese and a long-haired breed such as a Persian or Turkish angora. Although long-haired Siamese appeared earlier, cats did not develop as a breed until the 1940s and 1950s. The Cat Fanciers Federation recognized the Balinese in 1961, followed by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1970. They are also recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association and the International Cat Association, as well as other cat registries. Balinese can be ironed with Javanese, Siamese, color hair and oriental long hair.

Size

Balinese are medium-sized cats that usually weigh 5 to 10 pounds.

Personality

Siamese and Balinese may differ in coat length, but under the skin they are identical. The Balinese are very fond of their people. They like to be "helpful" and will follow you everywhere and monitor your movements. When you sit down, a Balinese comes into your lap, and at night he will lie in bed with you, probably under the covers with his head on the pillow. It is often underfoot, so it may not be the best choice for people who are unsteady on their feet or who use a crutch or cane.

A Balinese may not be as loud as his Siamese relative, but he is definitely as stubborn. He will tell you exactly what he thinks and he will expect you to be careful and take his advice. You can also count on him "telling everything" to visitors, so be thankful that most do not speak Balinese.

The Balinese are very intelligent, agile and athletic and love to play. Keep his busy brain active with puzzle toys and his body with teaser toys to hunt and a large scratching post to climb on. He likes to play fetch, likes to go on a leash and learns easy tricks. He is also a good trainer himself and can run your house before you know it. Never leave him without entertainment, otherwise you will probably come home and discover that he has reprogrammed your DVR to only record nature programs, or at least decided that your toilet rolls and tissues look better empty.

Do not acquire a Balinese if living with a talkative busy guy would drive you crazy. On the other hand, if you enjoy having someone to talk to all day, the Balinese can be your best friend. Be sure to spend time with this sophisticated and social cat. Balinese people do not mind staying home during the day while you go out to make money buying cat food, but they expect you to spend time with them when you are at home. It can be smart to get two of them so they can keep each other company.

Choose a Balinese if you are looking forward to spending time with and interacting with your cat. This is a loyal and loving cat that will cuddle and cuddle when it gets little or no attention. In the right home, however, it thrives for several years.

Health

Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. The same issues that may affect the Siamese may affect the Balinese, including the following:

• Amyloidosis, a disease that occurs when a type of protein called amyloid is deposited in the body's organs, especially the liver of members of the Siamese family
• Asthma / bronchial diseases
• Congenital heart defects such as aortic stenosis
• Crossed eyes
• The gastrointestinal tract as a megaesophagus
• Hyperesthesia syndrome, a neurological problem that can cause cats to groom themselves too much, causing hair loss and acting frantically, especially when touched or petted
• Lymphoma
• Nystagmus, a neurological condition that causes involuntary rapid eye movements
• Progressive retinal atrophy for which genetic testing is available

Maintenance

The Balinese's fine, silky fur is easy to care for. Comb it with a stainless steel comb once or twice a week to remove dead hair. A bath is rarely necessary.

Brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection. Check their ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear.

Keep the litter box completely clean. Like all cats, the Balinese also attach great importance to hygiene in the bathroom.

It is a good idea to keep a Balinese indoor-only cat to protect them from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks from dogs or coyotes and other dangers that cats face when walking outdoors, for example. B. to be hit by a car. Balinese who go outdoors are also at risk of being stolen by someone who wants such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Fur color and grooming

Apart from the length of the coat, Siamese and Balinese are indistinguishable, they have a narrow but muscular body with long lines and a wedge-shaped head that is long and tapers from the narrow tip of the nose outwards to the tips of the ears and a triangle. The unusually large ears are broad at the base and pointed at the tip, making them the same triangular shape as the head. Medium-sized eyes are almond-shaped. The body is often described as tubular and is supported by long, narrow legs with the hind legs higher than the front legs. The Balinese walk on small, fine, oval paws and swing a long, feathery tail that tapers to a fine point. The body's appearance is softened by a medium coat that is fine and silky smooth. It is longest on the feathered tail.

The Balinese are available in the same spot colors as the Siamese: seal, chocolate, blue and purple. The eyes are always a deep, vibrant blue.

The Traditional Cat Association recognizes a Balinese of a different type: one with a rounder head and body. It also has a fluffier coat that is long all over the body, unlike Show Balinese, whose coat is furthest at the tail.

Children and other pets

The active and social Balinese are the perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He plays pick-up like any other retriever, learns tricks easily and loves the children's attention who treats him politely and respectfully. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority. Always introduce pets slowly and under controlled conditions to ensure that they learn to get along with each other.

Characteristics

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