Yes, Balinese cats are considered hypoallergenic because their coat is considered to be one of the least-shedding among long-haired breeds. They also produce the cat allergy protein, Fel D1, at lower levels compared to other breeds. Just to be clear, no cat is completely hypoallergenic and any cat breed, including the Balinese, can cause allergic symptoms.
If you are considering adding a Balinese cat to your household, keep reading.
What is a Balinese cat?
The Balinese cat is a beautiful, elegant, medium sized cat with the same long svelte lines as the Siamese but with a silky flowing coat. The head is long and carried on an elegant neck, wide between the ears and tapering in straight lines to a fine muzzle and showing a straight profile. The ears are large and may have tufts. The eyes are bright blue and oriental in shape and setting. The body is slender and graceful with the hind legs longer than the front legs. The legs are slim and the paws are small and oval. The tail is long, tapering, and plumed.
The Balinese coat is fine and silky and the hair is between half an inch and two inches long. The hair on the tail can be as long as five inches. Overall though, the fur is not as long as a Persian, and there is no ruff. There is no woolly undercoat and the hair lies flat against the body. The coat features the same colored points and mask as the Siamese. The ears, face, legs, feet, and tail are densely colored and clearly defined with the color on all the points matching. The Balinese are bred in four colors. You may see cats of basically the same type, but with different markings, such as the Javanese.
They weigh 5 to 10 pounds full grown and can live for up to 12 years.
Personality of the Balinese cat
The Siamese and the Balinese might differ in coat length, but beneath the skin they are identical. Balinese are fond of people. They like to be “helpful” and will follow you around and supervise your every move. When you are sitting down, a Balinese will be in your lap, and at night they will be in bed with you, probably under the covers with their head on the pillow. They are frequently underfoot, so they might not be the best choice for people who are unsteady on their feet or use a walker or cane.
Balinese are not quite as loud as the Siamese, but they are just as opinionated. They will tell you exactly what they think, and expect you to pay attention and act on their advice. You can also count on them to be chatty with visitors.
They are a highly intelligent, agile, and athletic breed. They love to play, enjoy climbing, and playing fetch. They do not like being left alone at home so make sure to leave entertaining toys for them while you are away.
Do not get this breed if you do not want a chatterbox, but if you enjoy having someone to talk to throughout the day, it might just be the cat for you. Just make sure that you have time to spare everyday to bond with a socially demanding cat.
They are a loyal and loving breed who will pout when not given enough attention, but in the right home, they will thrive for years.
Are Balinese cats hypoallergenic?
Yes, Balinese cats are considered hypoallergenic because they tend to shed very minimally and naturally produce lower levels of the Fel D1 protein than most cats.
A hypoallergenic cat breed is one that does not release as much allergens into the air in your home. These breeds tend to shed very little or not all. There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat because they all produce the Fel D1 protein which can be found in their skin and saliva. As well as the Fel D4 protein that can be found in cat urine.
Balinese cats still produce Fel D1 protein, but they do not release as many irritants. They have a single layer coat, so the lack of an undercoat means that they shed less and may be a good choice for someone who suffers from allergies.
How much do Balinese cats shed?
Balinese cats have a medium length single-layer coat that does not shed as much as most cats. As with most domestic cats, they are in air conditioning in the summer and central heating in the winter. Their bodies may not clearly recognize seasons anymore, so they may shed steadily throughout the whole year. However, with proper grooming Balinese cat shedding can be controlled and so lessen the presence of dander and allergens in your home.
Reducing dander and allergens
Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of the allergens in your home:
- Clean all fabric furniture often. The frequency will depend on how often your cat sheds and how allergic you are. Clean your fabric furniture once a week with a dander removal product such as a lint roller.
- Keep your home as clean as possible to reduce the number of surfaces the hair and dander can stick to.
- Use an air purifier or filter. This may be the easiest and most effective way to significantly reduce dander in your home.
- Brush your cat’s coat twice a week. Balinese cats have a fine, silky coat that is easy to care for. They do not have an undercoat, which means they are less prone to matting. Use a stainless-steel comb to brush the cat from head to tail. Doing this will remove any dead hair and keep its coat looking healthy.
- Balinese cats rarely need to be bathed, unless they come into contact with something dirty or smelly. But a bath once in a while can help wash off any loose hairs that may contain dander. If your cat is not a fan of baths, try wiping their body with a damp towel instead. This may be less traumatizing for your cat while still effectively removing loose fur.
- Feed your cat good quality cat food. Cheap cat food might make your cat break out in a rash and cause them to scratch themselves more than usual, which gets dander into the air quicker. Feed them cat food that contains fish once in a while so they get a good amount of Omega 3, which helps keep cat skin healthy.
- Wash your hands after petting your cat. This is so you will not be touching your nose or any part of your face with your hands that have come into contact with the allergen.
Conclusion
Balinese cats are considered hypoallergenic cats because they are moderate shedders and produce lesser amounts of the Fel D1 protein compared to most cat breeds.
A Balinese cat’s coat is quite low maintenance and only requires brushing at least twice a week to remove loose hair that may contain allergens and dander. Giving them baths is mostly unnecessary and wiping their bodies with a damp towel may be enough to remove dirt and old hair. Make sure to feed your Balinese high-quality cat food that contains all the nutrients they will need to ensure that they keep a healthy coat.
Do not forget to clean your house as often as you can to avoid the accumulation of dander and other allergens on surfaces and in the air around your home.
Image: istockphoto.com / aleishaknight