Balinese

Climbing, chasing and solving little puzzles

A Balinese living indoors should have different routes to explore above floor level. A sturdy scratching tree, securely fixed shelves and a raised observation spot give her somewhere to investigate. These places should be easy to reach rather than isolated high platforms. Quiet hiding places are equally useful when she wants to sleep undisturbed.

Shared play can combine movement with small thinking challenges. A wand attachment should imitate a small prey animal, moving across the floor, briefly disappearing and sometimes stopping. Your cat should also be able to catch and hold it. A food puzzle with shallow recesses offers another way to explore. Visible pieces of food give the cat an easy first task, reaching them with a paw. Food used in games should come from the daily allowance, so that enrichment does not turn into extra meals. Strings and wand toys should be put away afterwards.

If another cat already lives with you, introductions should be gradual. The newcomer first needs a separate room with food, water, a litter tray and somewhere to hide. Feeding the cats directly beside each other is not a good starting point. Later, separate feeding places, litter trays and resting spots help both cats move away from each other when they want some peace.

For practical play, food searches and quiet retreats, read Indoor Cat Enrichment: Play, Food Puzzles and Safe Retreats ↗

Everyday cat training: carriers, grooming and confidence ↗

Caring gently for a silky coat

The coat is silky and moderately long, with a noticeable plume on the tail. It has no woolly undercoat and usually takes less work than a dense, long double coat. Gentle combing about once a week is a useful starting routine, with a check for small tangles. The right frequency also depends on the individual coat and how thoroughly the cat grooms herself.

Grooming should begin with short, comfortable sessions. A few gentle strokes followed by a reward or a game often work better than a long first attempt. A tight mat that pulls on the skin should be assessed by the veterinary practice. Scissors are unsuitable for removing it because the cat's thin skin can be caught in the fold. Routine appointments should also include attention to teeth and gums.

A longhaired relative of the Siamese

The Balinese developed from longhaired kittens born in Siamese breeding lines. These kittens had been known for some time before breeders in the United States developed the breed around the middle of the twentieth century. Its name recalls the graceful dancers of Bali, rather than the country where the breed originated.

The international cat federation FIFe describes a medium sized, slender cat with good muscle. Large ears and a long, wedge shaped head give the face its distinctive outline. In the characteristic pointed pattern, the face, ears, legs and tail are darker than the rest of the body. These coloured areas are called points, and the eyes are blue. The longer coat is the most obvious difference from the closely related Siamese.

When meeting a young cat, you should ask about more than appearance. Find out how the kitten has become familiar with people, everyday sounds and grooming. An adult Balinese can also settle into a new home. Her existing routines and experience with other cats provide useful information for planning the introduction.

Kitten, adult, senior: care that changes with your cat ↗