Balinese Cats
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Despite its name, the Balinese cat has no connection with the island of Bali; rather, the breed originated in the US as a longer-haired variant of the Siamese.
Some have theorized that the Balinese are a result of a cross of the Siamese with the Persian and Angora cats in the early 1900s.
Today, most like to think of the Balinese as more of a natural breed that resulted from a genetic mutation of some sort for their relatively longhaired coat within the Siamese breed.
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Balinese Cat Breed Characteristics & Personality
Like the Siamese, the Balinese is highly social and vocal. They are also extremely active, and studies have ranked them among the more intelligent of cat breeds.
The biggest difference between the Balinese and the Siamese cat is the length of its coat.
Most Balinese are small and lean with a muscular body like the Siamese and usually weight from five to eight pounds.
They share the same type of head, large ears and blue eyes with similar body colors.
Known as a chatty kitty, the Balinese will meow endlessly if you can endure it. They are very sociable cats and are not aloof in the slightest. In fact, if you want a quiet cat that will keep to himself, the Balinese is not that!
Balinese are very suitable for cat lovers with feline allergies since they produce far less of the allergenic dander than most cats.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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Common Health Issues in Balinese Cats
Balinese cats tend to be quite healthy, more so than Siamese, with lifespans of 15 to 20 years.
There are a few health conditions that are more common to Balinese cats that can be found in Siamese Cats:
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a disease that occurs when amyloid, which is a protein, is formed in the cat’s organs. This typically occurs in the liver of the cat.
Bronchial Disease/ Asthma
Bronchial illness and asthma are common to both Balinese and Siamese cats. Both can be controlled if caught early enough and can either be chronic or just an occasional flare-up.
Crossed Eyes
Like Siamese, Balinese eyes can sometimes be crossed. While not a medical emergency, their eyes are much more sensitive and need to be observed throughout a cat’s life.
Congenital heart defects
Congenital heart defects are when there is an abnormality in your cat’s heart that appears at birth and is hereditary. While some of the defects can be fixed, some cats will have a heart murmur for the duration of their lives.
Feline cancer
Balinese, like Siamese, tend to have a higher incident of cancer. Cancer, which usually affects the mammary glands can form in cats even if they have been spayed or neutered.
There are a new drug and different surgery options for treating feline cancer.
Gangliosidosis
Gangliosidosis, which is also known as lysosomal storage disease, is an inherited disease that occurs when one or another of the enzymes required to metabolize fats is missing or defective. As a consequence, fat molecules build up in the nerve cells, leading to a progressive loss of motor control.
Fortunately, a test exists to ensure that neither parent of a kitten carries the gene that is associated with the disease—which is one more reason to acquire your cat only from a licensed breeder who will provide documentation of a cat’s genetic fitness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy, as the name suggests, is a disease that occurs when the cells of a cat’s retinas degenerate. A single gene mutation is responsible for the problem, though as yet no genetic test has been developed for cats.
It is therefore imperative to know a cat’s breeding history before acquiring a kitten in order to ensure that none of its ancestors has gone blind. There is no treatment for PRA, though affected cats can almost always live full lives if kept indoors.
Gastrointestinal conditions
Balinese, like Siamese, are prone to gastrointestinal conditions and disorders such as megaesophagus.
Megaesophagus is a condition in which the esophagus is enlarged which can then prohibit the proper digestion of food or liquid to the stomach.
Most cats that develop megaesophagus will need life-long therapy to treat the condition.
Hyperesthesia syndrome
Hyperesthesia syndrome is a neurologic condition that results in cats to groom excessively which can lead to hair loss and impatience on the cat’s part when being pet or touched.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma in cats is a cancer of the lymphocytes which is a specific white blood cell. Lymphocytes are the major cells found in lymph nodes. Lymphoma can occur in, not only the lymph nodes but the GI tract as well.
Nystagmus
Nystagmus is a neurological disorder that will cause involuntary rapid eye movement and can be present at birth.
Real Cost Savings from PetFirst Clients
Gidget
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Artemis was a beautiful and friendly cat to all who were willing to pet him. Unfortunately, he developed feline diabetes which required regular vet visits and medications that his Mother could not otherwise afford on her fixed income. Having PetFirst insurance, she called and discussed the problem with a friendly PetFirst agent. To her surprise, she found out that Artemis’ ongoing required vet visits and medication would be covered by his PetFirst insurance. Artemis was able to live out the rest of his life with proper medical care and medicines thanks to PetFirst insurance.
Can Pet Insurance Help with Health Issues of Balinese Cats?
The unequivocal answer is yes!
While your Balinese will hopefully not inherit or be diagnosed with any other disease or health condition, your kitty is at a much higher risk than other cats.
Even if your cat is healthy, there will be some health condition that occurs during the duration of your cat’s life, particularly when Balinese live up to 20 years old!
Pet insurance will help you pay for any of the medical costs that might incur over the years up to 90%.
Cat owners that adopt or purchase a certain breed, even if you get the kitty from the most respectable breeder known, should be encouraged to purchase pet insurance.
But, it is equally important to purchase the pet insurance while the cats are young and before any condition occurs and it becomes pre-existing.
Pet insurance offers owners a way to be certain that a cat’s health or even life will never hang on a bank balance.
The most important thing to look for in a policy is that the coverage covers hereditary or breed-specific conditions.
The best pet insurance companies will do just that and not add it on as a rider.
Healthy Paws, Embrace and even Petplan include breed-specific conditions in all of their policies.
Learn More About Health Paws Now!
Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky Balinese owners who never have a serious health issue occur with your cat. But, if you do, you will be very relieved to have purchased pet insurance.
If you would like to learn more about other health issues might occur with your cat, our list of the common health conditions of cats is a good place to start!
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We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.
Additional Cat Breeds:
American Curl Cat, American Wirehair Cat, Arabian Mau Cat, Ashera Cat, Balinese Cat, Burmese Cat, Chartreux Cat, Chausie Cat, Cymric Cat, Domestic Medium Hair Cat
Himalayan Cat, Japanese Bobtail Cat, Manx Cat, Nebelung Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Orange Tabby Cat, Oriental Cat, Persian Cat, Pixie-Bob Cat, Russian Blue Cat
Scottish Fold Cat, Selkirk Rex Cat, Siamese Cat, Siberian Cat, Singapura Cat, Somali Cat, Thai Cat, Toygers Cat, Turkish Angora Cat, LaPerm Cat, Maine Coon Cat
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Melanie Musson, the published insurance expert mentioned?
Melanie Musson is a fourth-generation insurance professional with in-depth knowledge of state-specific car insurance laws and a broad understanding of insurance’s role in individuals’ lives.
How often is the content on this website updated?
The content is regularly updated to provide the latest and most accurate information about insurance.
Where did the Balinese cat breed originate?
Despite its name, the Balinese cat has no connection with Bali. It originated in the US, evolving from a longer-haired variant of the Siamese.
What are the characteristics of Balinese cats?
Balinese cats are highly social, vocal, and intelligent. They are small and lean with a muscular body, resembling the Siamese but with a longer coat.
Are Balinese cats suitable for people with allergies?
Yes, Balinese cats are suitable for cat lovers with feline allergies as they produce less allergenic dander than most cats.
What are some common health issues in Balinese cats?
Common health issues include amyloidosis, bronchial disease/asthma, crossed eyes, congenital heart defects, feline cancer, gangliosidosis, progressive retinal atrophy, gastrointestinal conditions, hyperesthesia syndrome, lymphoma, and nystagmus.
Can pet insurance help with health issues of Balinese cats?
Yes, pet insurance can help cover up to 90% of vet bills for Balinese cats, offering financial support for various health conditions that may arise.
Are there specific pet insurance companies that cover hereditary or breed-specific conditions?
Yes, reputable pet insurance companies like Healthy Paws, Embrace, and Petplan include coverage for breed-specific conditions in their policies.
When is the best time to purchase pet insurance for Balinese cats?
It is advisable to purchase pet insurance while cats are young and before any pre-existing conditions occur, ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout their lives.
How long has this website been a resource for pet insurance information?
This website has been a free online resource since 2000, providing information and guides to help individuals find affordable pet insurance rates.
Can I trust the information on this website to find the cheapest pet insurance rates?
The information on this website aims to be an objective, third-party resource. It’s recommended to verify directly with insurance providers for the most accurate rates.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.