Is A Balinese Cat The Perfect Choice For You?
Although it couldn’t be further from the truth, the elegant and refined looking Balinese cat at first glance seems to be quite haughty and extremely unsociable. However, it turns out that this breed is not only friendly but also fun-loving.
Grace Is Their Middle Name
The Balinese has a graceful body that can move in unusual ways, helping it get into all kinds of places. This flexibility and ability to escape from seemingly impossible places causes many people to compare the Balinese breed to the great magician Houdini.
Chatty Kitty
Since the Balinese actually began as a longhair Siamese, it is no surprise that this breed is incredibly vocal. If you have an apartment with thin walls, the chatty Balinese may bother your neighbors, so you may consider this before deciding upon a Balinese cat. Chocolate Point Balinese
People-loving
Like the Siamese, the Balinese is a cat that enjoys the company of people and other cats. Because of this breed's need for attention, it is not a good choice for people who work long hours. If you do have a time consuming job, you should consider adding a second Balinese to the household or you will have a depressed and mopey or neurotic and hyperactive cat on your hands. These cats are very intelligent and need quite a few toys and activities to keep them occupied. Luckily, the Balinese will turn anything into a toy, from a paper grocery bag to a scrap of paper. Coat Of Many Colors
If you are concerned with having a CFA registered cat, look for a Balinese that has typical Siamese colors, such as blue, chocolate, lilac point and seal. If registering your cat is not of importance, you might find a Balinese in cream, red, tabby point or tortie colors. Considered a longhair breed, the Balinese’s coat is not extremely full or long. The hair on their tails, however, is quite long, giving it a slightly busy appearance.
Small Body -- Big Ears
This breed is one of the smaller cat breeds, weighing in at only 6 to 11 pounds. The Balinese has ears that are big enough to appear slightly oversized on its graceful wedge shaped head.
Active
Since the Balinese is an extremely active cat breed, most of these cats do not have a major problem with being overweight. However, if your cat does become a little chunky, you may want to reduce his food intake and be sure he gets a bit more exercise.
Healthy
Overall, the Balinese is a fairly healthy breed, perhaps because it is still occasionally out crossed with Siamese or Angora cats, which widens the gene pool and alleviates genetic health problems that are caused by frequent inbreeding.
Good Grooming
Since the Balinese is a long haired breed, you will need to spend some time grooming your cat. However, since this breed's coat is not very thick or long, you should be able to thoroughly comb out your cat's coat once a week and keep it mat free. You may also want to consider accustoming your cat to having his teeth brushed, since plaque build up and tooth decay can lead to serious health problems.
Perfect Choice
If you prefer longhair breeds but love the graceful appearance and personality of the Siamese, a Balinese cat might be just the perfect choice for you.
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