Oriental Shorthair vs Balinese - Breed Comparison

The slender Balinese cat is a cat similar in looks to the Siamese cat but fluffier. In fact, in the 1950s, Siamese breeders in the United States discovered that the kittens were fluffier than what a Siamese cat should be.

The fur was too long to conform to Siamese cat standards. Two Siamese breeders, Helen Smith and Marion Dorsey loved the look of the longer-haired Siamese with the idea being to name the breed the Longhair Siamese. Siamese breeders didn’t want this and the name became Balinese.

The Balinese cat has been recognized by many cat registries and associations.

This domestic cat is also related to the Siamese Cat. Orientals come from a diverse group of cats, but they have their foundation in the Siamese breed.

The cat was imported from Thailand to the UK during the 1800s. This particular cat was accepted as an actual breed in 1977. Quite a few of the top cat organizations recognize the Oriental Shorthair but as a Siamese.

The medium-sized Balinese has a long, slender, finely built body with the head being long and triangular.

The eyes of the cat are slanted and a deep blue.

The coat is medium in length and is soft and silky without an undercoat. The coat length is pretty much all that distinguishes this cat from the siamese cat. The coat is pointed which means you’ll find concentrations of color – cream, red and tortoiseshell on the face, ears, legs and the plumed tail.

You can say that the Balinese cat is a Siamese cat but with long hair.

Temperament:

Your Balinese is a talkative cat and he is active and playful too. Because it is such an intelligent cat, it can learn tricks too.

They are affectionate cats and bond closely with their human family. They crave lots of attention and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They’re chatty cats too and love to leap up onto high perches and look down on their world.

If you have a Balinese as a pet, you will certainly have to invest in climbing equipment.

The Oriental Shorthair has a longish head with a slender neck and large ears. The legs are long and slender. The medium-sized cat weighs in the region of 3 – 5kg.

The eyes can be blue or green. Sometimes the cat will have one blue eye and one green eye. The coat is short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors.

Temperament:

The Oriental Shorthair is a curious, intelligent cat and they’re talkative too, loving to have conversations with their human family. They are cats that absolutely want to be part of the family. They don’t want to be left alone for too long either and get on well with children and pets in the home.

Your Balinese cat is a friendly, affectionate cat that will bond closely with his human family.

They’re the kind of cats that enjoy having their family members around them and they don’t like being left alone for long periods.

He is a playful cat so make sure that he has some nice toys that will keep him amused. They’re known for their intelligence and their inquisitive and playful natures, not to mention that these cats are easy on the eye as well.

Vocal and demanding, if you want someone who demands your friendship, then take a look at these beautiful Balinese cats.

The Oriental Shorthair promises to be an active companion in your life. It’s a cat that likes to involve itself with all the activities that its human family takes part in.

He is a great entertainer too, and he loves all the attention he gets, thriving on being the center of attention.

The Oriental Shorthair cat is slightly more quieter than the Siamese cat but he will still want to tell you what he’s doing and what he wants.

It’s a cat that has many many colors and shades, but the color extends to the cat’s personality. It has a colorful, interesting, inquisitive personality.

The cat is lively and social and will fit in best with a lively, active home where there are also animals to keep him company. By having this loving cat in your home and life, you bring in joy and happiness.

Balinese cats are fairly healthy and any health problems these cats may have are much the same as those for the Siamese cat.

If you look after him well, he can reach 12 – 20 years of age.

You want to look at diseases such as respiratory illnesses, liver failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, and eye problems.

In fact, Progressive Retinal Atrophy is one health condition that you see quite a bit with the Balinese cat.

It can be an inherited eye disease or one that is acquired. PRA is a degenerative disorder of the retina and you will need to get your cat to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, there isn’t a treatment for PRA and therefore breeders need to check their breeding stock before allowing cats to be bred.

Oriental Shorthairs share some of the same health issues as Siamese cats. Make sure, if your cat shows signs of illness that you have pinpointed a vet in your area.

Things such as asthma, bronchial disease, lymphoma, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal problems will need to be seen by the vet.

Think about having your cat spayed or neutered. Not only is this surgery important for preventing unwanted pregnancies, but it can also remove the urge for the cat to roam. The procedure has health benefits for your cat too.

Ensure that your Oriental shorthair has his vaccines up to date. These vaccines are important for preventing your cat from getting some deadly feline diseases. Kittens usually get the first vaccines between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks. Certainly, if you decide to go on holiday and you want to board your cat, the boarding kennels will require that the vet’s card and vaccines are 100% up to date.

Prevent parasites by using a treatment subscribed for your pet by the vet.

Diet:

Your health depends on what you eat, and the same applies to cats too. Apart from good veterinary care for your cat, good food is of critical importance. A proper diet can eliminate veterinary expenses substantially.

In feeding your cat, learn to read cat food labels and make sure your furry friend is getting the right amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

There are many choices of cat foods – homemade and commercially manufactured cat foods which can be canned or you also get the dry cat kibble type of food.

If your furry friend doesn’t like a particular food, don’t punish him by taking it away and leaving him without food. Your mom tried you with different foods and you should do the same with your feline friend.

Provide your Balinese with ‘cat equipment’ - feeding and drinking bowls, grooming equipment and a nice, soft bed for him to lie in and in a quiet place.

Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date and see he gets to the vet when he is ill.

The Balinese has a coat of medium length and because the cat only really sheds seasonally, it is looked upon as a low-maintenance coat. A brush once a week will get rid of dust as well as loose, dead hair and keep the coat in good condition.

The short glossy coat doesn't shed much and the cat is considered low maintenance. A brush once a week will be adequate. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep the cat dust-free and shiny.

Just doing this for your cat is good for the cat’s morale as he thrives on attention, relishing the human interaction he gets during grooming.

Trim his nails, particularly if he is an indoor cat.

Keep your Oriental Shorthair lean and mean by not overfeeding him. The cat’s build is designed for slimness and he won't do at all well with the extra weight. The extra weight can lead to lots of health problems, one of which is diabetes.

If in any doubt as to how much to feed your cat, consult your vet about portion sizes. There are excellent commercially manufactured cat foods on the market, and the manufacturers know that cats are carnivores and that the best cat goods are high in protein.

Avoid giving your cat any kind of human food. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep the box free of cat droppings. You can invest in small rakes from the pet shop and they make it easy to rake up the feces and dispose of them. Change the litter regularly too.