At a glance the quick version
GCCF gives males 6-8 lb and females 5-7 lb; TICA gives males 8-12 lb and females 5-8 lb. Balance matters more than size.
Coat and looks how to spot one
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.12
Personality what they are like
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.142
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Needs daily play and mental challenges, climbing and jumping spots, and can learn to fetch or walk on a lead.43
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The single coat rarely tangles; a weekly comb or brush is enough, plus routine nail, ear and tooth care.43
Home where they are happiest
Enjoys cat trees and high places to explore.4
Company who they like around
Craves company and does not like being left alone for long stretches.43
The story where it all began
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 1970.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Despite the name, the breed was developed in the United States and has no link to Bali; the name honours Balinese dancers.4
- 2
Longhaired Siamese were registered as show cats as early as 1928.2
- 3
Breed pioneer Sylvia Holland was an illustrator at Walt Disney Studios.2
- 4
Many Balinese like to jump up and ride on their owner's shoulders.4
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- Championship 1970; Javanese colours added 1979 and merged into the Balinese as a division in 20081
- TICA
- Accepted for competition in 19794
- GCCF
- Championship status 19853
- FIFe
- Recognised2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Balinese. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Balinese - CFA cfa.orgused for history, recognition, standard, colours, temperament, grooming
- Balinese cat - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, facts
- Balinese - GCCF gccfcats.orgused for weight, lifespan, grooming, UK recognition
- Balinese - TICA tica.orgused for weight, lifespan, activity, care, facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.