This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
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Balinese cats are popular pets, known for their distinct physical appearance and personalities. They are considered a variety of the Siamese cat breed and can be difficult to distinguish from a Siamese cat. You can identify a Balinese cat by looking at its physical attributes. You can also take note of its personality and temperament to help you confirm its breed type. If you are still not sure about the breed of the cat, you can bring it to a breeder or to your vet.
Steps
Looking at the Cat’s Physical Attributes
Check the cat’s coat length and texture. Balinese cats are known for their long haired coats. Their coats have a silky texture and lie close to their bodies. They are also known for having moderate shedding of their coats, which is rare among long haired cats.[1]- Touch the cat’s coat to confirm the texture. You should also note if there is only minimal shedding on your hand after you touch the cat’s coat.
Note the color of the cat’s coat and tail. Most Balinese cats have coats that are blue, lilac, chocolate or a dark gray in color. In this sense, Balinese cats can have the same body coloring as Siamese cats. Unlike Siamese cats, Balinese cats have a full plume tail that will be one color.[2]Advertisement
Look at the shape of the cat. Balinese cats are known for their long bodies. They will have a slim torso and slim legs. Their head is wedge shaped and their eyes will be slanted, with ears that are large and pointed.- Balinese cats often have longer bodies than Siamese cats. They may appear more muscular and thinner than Siamese cats.
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Observing the Cat’s Personality and Temperament
Notice if the cat appears smart and friendly. Balinese cats are known for their intelligence and for their friendly demeanor. They like to be around people and will often follow their owners around. They tend to sit in their owner’s lap and curl up in bed with their owners.[3]- Most Balinese cats warm up quickly to new people and enjoy being around children.
Check if the cat likes to “talk” or make loud noises. Balinese cats can be big talkers, often making loud noises in an attempt to “talk” to those around them. They will meow and make other sounds around people in an effort to communicate. They are known as a vocal and chatty breed.[4]- You may notice that the cat expresses its displeasure by making a loud meowing noise. It may also try to get greet you or say “hello” to you by making noises.
Notice if the cat enjoys playing and climbing indoors. Most Balinese cats are highly active and full of energy. They will enjoy playing with their owners. Balinese cats do best when kept indoors and when given a lot of space to run around.[5]- Balinese cats are also big climbers and will often leap onto high shelves or cupboards.
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Getting a Professional Opinion
Ask a breeder to confirm the breed of the cat. If you aren’t able to confirm the breed of the cat on your own, bring the cat to a breeder. You may bring the cat back to the breeder who sold you the cat or to a breeder in your area who is familiar with Balinese cats. The breeder will often be able to look at the physical attributes and the temperament of the cat to determine if it is a Balinese.- Going to a breeder who breeds Balinese cats is an even better option, as they will have the expertise and knowledge to determine if the cat is Balinese.
- If you buy a kitten from a breeder, ask to see the parent cats' pedigree papers, which will detail their lineage. This documentation will prove that the kitten is a purebred Balinese.
Speak to your vet about identifying the cat. Your vet may also be able to help you identify the breed of the cat. Bring the cat to the vet and ask them if they can confirm the cat is Balinese. Even if they are not sure, they will often be able to recommend a breeder who can provide this information for you.
Get a DNA test done on the cat. DNA tests done on cats to determine breed are over 90% accurate. Ask your vet to refer you to a DNA lab that does tests on animals. Most DNA labs will require a swab from the inside of your cat's mouth to run tests and determine the breed.[6]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsAB/Balinese.aspx
- ↑ http://www.petmd.com/cat/breeds/c_ct_balinese#
- ↑ http://www.petmd.com/cat/breeds/c_ct_balinese#
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/balinese#overview
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/balinese#overview
- ↑ https://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/cat/ancestry/faq.php#3
About this article
To tell a Balinese cat apart from a Siamese cat, look at the cat's tail markings, because a Balinese cat's tail will be all one color and a Siamese cat's won't. Balinese cats also often appear longer, more muscular, and thinner than Siamese cats. If you're still not sure if the cat is Balinese, touch its coat to see if its fur is smooth and if there's only minimal shedding on your hand, since Balinese cats are known for their long silky coats and moderate shedding. You can also observe the cat's personality to see if it has the traits of a Balinese cat, which include intelligence, friendliness, athleticism, and talkativeness. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to get a DNA test done on your cat, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"A feral cat brought kittens to us. One, a long haired Siamese. She had a clone of herself. Trapped the mother, brought her and kitten inside, 4 years ago. Not Siamese. Both are Balinese. So great and entertaining. How lucky we are. Won the cat lottery."..." more
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