Variety:
Bali cats
Country of origin:
USA
Colours:
Javanese, stamped (cream and brown), spotted blue, spotted lilac and spotted chocolate
Personality:
Active, playful, curious, cunning, likes to “talk”, doesn’t like to be alone
Weight:
2-5 kg
Longevity:
19-20 years
Other names:
Balinese cat
Hypoallergenic:
Yes (Not 100% hypoallergenic, but hypoallergenic breeds may have milder allergy symptoms, or no allergy at all.)
Bali cats are characterised by elegance and playfulness.These pets are quite active and love games and attention. Bali cats love to talk and are therefore not suitable pets for owners who want peace and quiet. Some people see a cat’s noisiness as an advantage, others as a disadvantage, so you should always think carefully about what kind of pet would best suit your expectations. Bali cats have a hard time with loneliness, but if you are away from work all day, a Bali cat will enjoy the company of another cat or even a dog.
History of the breed
Although the name of the breed suggests otherwise, Bali cats originate not from the island of Bali but from the USA. It is a – relatively new breed of cat, which appeared in America in the 1950s. A mutated gene in the Siamese cat has led to long-haired kittens. Although such cats were seen in the early 20th century, conscious breeding came later. Initially, Bali cats were called Siamese long-haired cats, but Siamese cat lovers were very resistant to this. The name Bali cat was given because of its resemblance to the elegant dancers of the Far East. In 1961, the cat breed was recognised in America and came to Europe in 1970.
Bali cats: appearance
Bali cats are characterised by gracefulness and body lines similar to those of the Siamese cat. They are medium-sized cats, typically weighing 2.5 kg. The head of the Bali cat is quite long and the neck is graceful. The ears are large, erect and may be fringed. The eyes are very expressive, blue in colour. The legs are long and slender, the paws are small and oval. Tail is long, tapering and bushy (tail hairs may be up to 10 cm long). The coat of the Bali cat is quite long – approximately 2,5-5 cm long. These cats do not have a dense undercoat, so the coat does not appear puffy. The ears, muzzle, feet, paws and tail are a brighter colour than other parts of the body. Bali cats come in five colours – Javanese, Stamped, Spotted Blue, Spotted Lilac and Spotted Chocolate. The first of these colours is not recognised by all cat associations. The Stamped Bali cats are cream-coloured, with brown spots on their bodies and brown noses and soles. The spotted blue cats are white with grey-blue spots, with blue-grey skin on the nose and soles. Spotted lilac cats are white with lilac spots on the coat. The spotted chocolate Bali cats are ivory in colour with chocolate spots.
Bali cats: character
Bali cats always want plenty of attention from their owners, so don’t be surprised if the cat’s raspy voice calls out for petting or play. Bali cats generally get along with all members of the family, and are happy to interact with children. The arrival of guests is like a celebration for this breed of cat, as it usually means that you will get even more attention than the cat is used to. Bali cats get on well with both cats and dogs, so if there are other pets in the house, it is likely that they will get on well together. Bali cats are very fond of games and are very curious and clever. Although their hunting instinct is quite strong, these beauties are at their best in the home. When a Bali cat gets angry, it can be quite difficult to stop it – it becomes a real devil in a cat’s coat!