When it comes to choosing the right cat, the truth is that there are so many options to choose from that this task sometimes becomes highly complicated. All cat breeds are beautiful, not to mention their personalities, as there are cats beyond cute and cuddly that it is impossible to resist. To help you in your complex decision-making, this time, I am going to talk about two very similar cats, but seen up close, you will find that they have many differences: Balinese vs. Siamese cats.
Let’s learn more about the Siamese and the Balinese. Maybe one of them will become your new pet, adventure companion, and best friend.
Siamese cat
There is a lot to talk about these furry felines. After all, they are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, and it is not for nothing if they have been walking among us for almost a thousand years.
The first data on them date back to the 14th century, when they lived in Siam, present-day Thailand, where they were very special, as they were treated as sacred creatures that only royalty could own.
Siamese Breed Overview
- Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
- Height: 15 to 20 inches
- Color: Chocolate, Seal, Lilac, Blue, Red, Cream, Fawn, Cinnamon, Flame, Lynx, etc.
- Lifespan: 8 to 12 years
Siamese Personality
Let’s start by saying that Siamese cats are unique but not for everyone. They are not your average cat.
If one thing sets these precious kittens apart, it is their incredible energy level and how playful they can be. They are cats that need lots of stimulation, toys, and, yes, lots of quality time with their humans, whether playing or taking a walk in the park. They might be mischievous but can quickly learn to walk on a leash.
The Siamese is the perfect example if you have heard about velcro cats. They love to follow their humans around the house, always want to accompany them and join their activities, and even give their opinion on any subject, and they hate when you ignore them. We can say that the Siamese is very dependent. If your Siamese spends a lot of time alone, they can become depressed and generate anxiety, which is why they usually have destructive behaviors when left alone.
They are very affectionate and are not shy when showing their unconditional love. They can even be a little jealous and possessive of their favorite human. Another point in their favor is that they are brilliant and curious, so it is the type of adventurous cat to which nothing seems impossible, any game of mental agility that you give him, he will know how to solve it, and if you don’t provide him with challenging toys, he will easily invent his own.
The Siamese should live in a home with another cat or a dog, as it gets along well with other pets but should always be in good company. The Siamese is not for you if you are looking for a calm and quiet cat. However, if you want a loyal and active companion who enjoys spending time with children and adults, go for it.
Siamese Physical Appearance
There are many types of Siamese, but they all share specific characteristics. They are medium-sized cats with slender but well-defined muscular bodies that look elegant.
The classic Siamese has marked features, a triangular or wedge-shaped head, long pointed ears, bright blue eyes, a somewhat long nose, and short fur. The modern Siamese has softer features, although they all share the characteristic coat pattern and the beautiful pointed color. Siamese have a white, cream, or beige body, and their extremities (face, ears, paws, and tail) are darker, for example, chocolate, blue, lilac, cinnamon, and seal, among others.
Balinese cat
The Balinese are identical to the Siamese, but with longer hair, and do you know why? Well, because that’s what it is! In Siamese litters, now and then, a long-haired cat was born, which led breeders to start breeding only these small furry felines, resulting in a litter of long-haired Siameses, which eventually earned the title of a completely independent breed. So long story short, we can say that they are the same cat, but at the same time, they aren’t, capeesh?
Balinese Breed Overview
- Weight: 6 to 11 pounds
- Height: 12 to 18 inches
- Color: Chocolate, Seal, Lilac, Blue, Red, Cream, Fawn, Cinnamon
- Lifespan: 12 to 20 years
Balinese Personality
Due to their close lineage with the Siamese, the Balinese share many, if not all, of the character traits of the Siamese. They are affectionate kittens who greatly enjoy spending time with their human family. Like good velcro cats, they follow their favorite human everywhere and miss no opportunity to engage in long conversations filled with meows and chirps.
Like the Siamese, the Balinese is a cat of extremes, and he is super intelligent, super active, super playful, super vocal, super curious, super friendly, super sociable, and so on. In short, he can be your best, most loyal, and fun-loving friend, but he will be very demanding and jealous of his time with you.
Balinese should be given many toys, especially cat trees because they love to jump and observe all their territory. After all, these buddies love to be aware of everything that happens around them.
Balinese Physical Appearance
These beautiful cats are of medium height, and although their bodies are slender, their fluffy fur makes them appear larger than they are.
Their face is small and slightly triangular, as are their ears. They have beautiful, bright, deep blue eyes, which go very well with their two-tone coat. They have a medium silky coat and, like the Siamese, they have a color-point pattern, so their body is light-colored, and their limbs are darker.
Main differences: Balinese vs. Siamese
Both breeds are incredibly similar, as one is descended from the other. However, they do have their differences. The first and most notable difference is in appearance. While the Siamese has a slender and elegant appearance with a short, neat coat, the Balinese has a more delicate appearance with its long, fluffy coat.
Their faces also differ in shape. The Siamese has a more pointed face and ears, while the Balinese have a more rounded face. They also differ in personality. Although both breeds are incredibly loyal and active, the Siamese is more demanding of attention and care, while the Balinese are calmer and can be left alone for short periods.
Now you know the main differences between Balinese and Siamese cats. We couldn’t decide on one of them because they are both beautiful, you will have to analyze it yourself, think well about which of the two you would make a good match. In the Balinese, you will have a cat that is a little more clingy and chatty, while in the Siamese, you will find a naughty but very affectionate cat.
What do you think, which one suits you better?
Can I assume that the Balinese sheds more?