Balinese cat: origin, nature and conditions of detention

In the life of every person there is a need to make a special friend who can be told about the painful, share good news and just cling to him after a hard day's work. A certain circle of people chooses cats as a living outlet. They are pretty cute, gentle, affectionate and kind creatures. If necessary, they can reassure their master and listen. Unfortunately, not all cats are capable of becoming the person’s best friend. Among the great variety, the Balinese breed is considered to be faithful and devoted companions.

The Siamese breed became the ancestor of Balinese cats, but it is not clear how this happened. To date, two versions of the occurrence of balinesis are expected. The first is the mutation of the Siamese, the second is the crossing of the Siamese and Angora.

Quite often, Siamese cats had babies with elongated hair. At that distant time, cat-lovers considered unusual kids culling, they were not told to anyone about their appearance. And only in 1940, in the United States of America, one breeder decided not to get rid of long-haired kittens, but to award them with the title of a separate breed.

Marion Dorset, the most decisive catwalker, in 1950 began serious work to breed new breed cats. And 10 years later, Helen Smith joined her. It was she who decided to update the names of the breed being breed from Siamese Longhair to Balinese. In her opinion, the new look of cats was distinguished by a special grace and elegance of movements, in many respects reminiscent of dancers from the island of Bali, performing a musical number.

It may seem to some that this characteristic is not the basis for the name of the breed, but Helen Smith did not think so. Thanks to her sophistication and sophistication, she was able to find a fine line and the maximum similarity between the movements of the animal and the person engaged in professional dancing, which is why she decided to offer such a name.

After the official presentation of the Balinese breed, Siamese cat breeders became confused and began to feel hatred towards members of the new species of cat family. In their opinion, Balinese should play a significant role in reducing the demand for shorthair kittens. Another fear of Siamese breed lovers was the genetic issue. They were afraid that long-haired animals would adversely affect the purity of the Siamese breed.

For a long time, Balinese cats received only negative recommendations, which is why they were not recognized by society. And only thanks to the persistence of breeders in 1970, the Association of American Cat Lovers recognized the Balines as equal animals. And Europe adopted them in 1980. According to world data, in 2012, the Balinese cat breed stood at an honorable 28th place among 42 species officially recognized by the United States of America.

To date, Balinese cats are very popular among cat owners. Many people are attracted not only by external data, but also by the acceptable cost of the animal.

When choosing a thoroughbred cat, you should know that they have special features that do not allow them to be confused with other species of the cat world.

• The Balinese head has a wedge-shaped medium size. The ears are large, erect.
• A distinctive feature of Balinese cats is expressive blue eyes resembling two bright sapphires. In this quality, they are similar to Siamese brothers. In each look of a furry pet, joy, curiosity and interest in the surrounding world are felt.
• The elongated body of the balinesis is distinguished by developed musculature, thanks to which they are able to overcome considerable distances in a jump, and also easily climb the high peaks of furniture. The adult female of the breed in weight reaches 3.5 kilograms. Males weigh a little more, their body weight reaches a maximum of 5 kg.
• The structure of representatives of the Balinese breed has special characteristics. Their hind legs are slightly longer than their forepaws, while their forepaws have a slightly oval shape, due to which grace and refinement of the gait is provided. These qualities allow the animal to silently move around the house, as well as run and jump without making sharp sounds.
• The balinese fur is soft and silky, very pleasant to the touch. Unlike other breeds, these furry creatures do not have undercoat, as they were bred for living at home.
• In a thin and long tail, visual grace is felt. The luxurious skin of this limb is characterized by fluffiness, which is an important hallmark of the breed, thanks to which even novice breeders will not be able to confuse a purebred animal with culling.

In representatives of the long-haired breed, slanting eyes are quite common.Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers expose this trait as a marriage, because of which they can even sell outbred kittens with such a flaw.

According to a similar pattern, a tail with a kink on the tip should be considered, as well as contrasting spots in the chest, light hair on the ears and paws. To date, there are about 20 species of color Balinese cats, among which four points are considered the most common. It is worth noting that until 2008 they were only allowed on cat shows, and after a while the evaluation committee gave permission for the participation of Balinese specimens bred by crossing Javanese and Balinese species.

A distinctive feature of the Balinese point is the dark color of the muzzle, paws and tail. No spots of a different color should be present on these parts of the body. To date, the following points are considered, with special colors:

• bleu - in this case it is a question of white wool having a bluish sheen on the body, smoothly turning into a darker shade;

• frost or purple - we are talking about a white fur coat of an animal having a grayish-pink tint of the body, smoothly flowing into a dark shade;

• chocolate - cats with a similar color have a light brown color of hair resembling milk chocolate;

• forces - a very interesting coat color, presented in dark colors; the almost black shade of the skin contrasts perfectly with the light tones on the body of the Balinese beauty.

A novice breeder should be aware that there is no black or red colored Balinese cat.

Balinese cats have amazing personality traits. They love their masters very much. Once in a family, they become attached to it as much as possible. Cats of the Balinese breed will be able to become the best friends of a person who will never abandon and betray. They are ready to be near the owners in any situation and at any time, whether it is a bad mood or a night's sleep.

It is important for Balinese cats to pay enough attention. They endure loneliness very hard, so do not leave them alone for a long time. Balineses have a fairly positive attitude towards joint games with the host. They are able to turn any thing or object into a means of entertainment. A regular candy wrapper, tied with a thread, can lure a furry animal for a long time. Their friendliness allows you to find a common language with other apartment pets.

Balinese cats are of great interest to children. In some ways, they can become their four-legged nannies. Here are just some parents should be careful.

Balineses are considered long-lived cats. With proper care, representatives of this breed will be able to live a happy life, component of 15, and even 20 years. Of course, there are times when an animal can die at any time due to health reasons. But in pets, the risk of sudden death is much lower than in street animals. Veterinarians say that balines have excellent health. But even this factor does not mean absolute safety for animals.

Very rarely, but even during delivery, Balinese kittens die. Most often, this is associated with possible diseases of the mother, not detected during pregnancy, or with the weakness of the baby’s body.

The Balinese cat breed is inherently undemanding to the conditions of detention. A warm climate in the house, regular feeding, a good attitude and an expression of love for a pet are extremely important for them. Before bringing a Balinese cat into the house, the future owner must determine if he can become a true friend to the animal. A person must understand that he can provide the four-legged friend with the necessary care and love.

Balinese cats will experience the same feeling of coziness and comfort, living both in the apartment and in the big house. The main thing is that the living area is warm, because these cats have completely no heating undercoat. If you take Balinese out in the winter to the street, it will freeze very quickly, and in the warm season it is permissible to walk the cat on the street or in the front garden. Feeling freedom, the animal can break out and run away from the owner, and after that do not find the way back. For this case, it is advisable to use a harness with an extended leash.

Few people know, but Balinese cats have a keen sense of coolness or extreme heat. In the room where the animal lives, the air temperature should have an average value of + 23 ° C. If the temperature is below normal, the activity of a specific gene, which is responsible for coat color, decreases in the cat's body, which makes it darker.

Balinese is by nature an active and playful creature, in many ways resembling small children. They need increased attention, as well as a joint pastime for active games. It's funny that these four-legged pets are able to turn any household item into a unique and interesting toy. Although most owners for such cases go to the pet store and acquire special balls, teddy mice and ball of thread.

It is very important that there are a lot of game accessories, otherwise the pet will get bored from the lack of variety. And if suddenly such a moment has come or the cat is tired of his standard toys, he begins to indulge. If desired, he can easily jump onto the cabinet, walk along the upper shelves, try to open the drawers to get their contents.

In the content of Balinese cats, special attention is paid to caring for animals. Although representatives of this unique and special breed do not require trips to a specialized beauty salon. All that is required of the owner is a regular inspection of the coat, eye care, clipping of the nails and cleaning of the ears.

Like all cats, representatives of the Balinese breed perceive the bathing procedure with maximum dislike. In contact with water, they begin to grumble, hiss and try to escape. That is why it is necessary to wash the animal with a company of two or three people. It’s best if they are family members that the cat has known for more than one day. One of them holds the animal, and the second washes. For bath procedures, it is very important to use specialized shampoos for long hair and conditioner balm after washing.

Special attention is paid to the coat of the Balinese cat. Its formation occurs in the period from a year to a year and a half of an animal. And after this age it will be possible to understand how scrupulously the owner treated the hairline of the pet, what food the four-legged friend had, how often it was scratched. Balinese cats have no undercoat, which is why the hairs of his fur coat do not roll into tangles, which greatly facilitates the care of the skin.

Unfortunately, most balines have a risk of dental diseases. That is why the animal from the early months it is important to accustom to brushing. Examination of the oral cavity should be done once a week, as well as the treatment of the tooth surface. For this procedure, you will need to purchase a special toothbrush and toothpaste, which are sold in pet stores. In order for the cat to enjoy the procedure, the toothpaste must have the taste of his favorite treats, for example, bacon.

Do not forget about ear hygiene. Experts recommend a regular examination of the ear cavity to identify contaminants and parasites. If a gray coating appears in the ears, it should be removed with a cotton pad or stick. If an ear tick is detected, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately. Otherwise, the animal will suffer from constant itching, due to which the inside of the ears will be combed by the cat to the blood.

The claw treatment procedure requires special knowledge from the owner of the animal. To begin with, the cat needs to be comfortably seated on its lap. Then take a foot and press on the pillow so that the overgrown claws are in the zone of visibility of a person. Then bite off the sharp tips with a special unit.

The final step in the processing of the claws is polishing with a file. In the structure of each cat's claw there is a blood vessel, which is strictly forbidden to touch with cutting and splitting objects. To carry out the procedure for trimming the claws is necessary as they grow.

Proper nutrition of a Balinese cat is the key to his health and excellent growth. Organization of animal feeding does not have any special difficulties. The main thing is to remember that you should not mix different types of food. That is why the owner of a four-legged pet it is necessary to determine in advance which type of diet is most acceptable.

For most people, this type of food of the representatives of the feline family of the Balinese breed is considered the norm. Choosing a specialized premium food, each owner provides his four-legged friend with the most balanced diet that does not require any additional vitamins and mineral supplements. Dry food is convenient to store, keeping the bag indoors at an acceptable temperature.

Modern manufacturers of dry food produce different variations of cat food, among which pads for cats during pregnancy and lactation are given special attention. They contain a special complex of vitamins that allows the cat to receive the maximum amount and give their main part to kittens. On the shelves of pet stores are dry food for cats suffering from urolithiasis, as well as dietary foods.

Wet food is not recommended as a permanent nutrition for balinesis. They do not contain a complete set of vitamins that are so important for the health of a furry friend.

The main thing is not to overdo it in the abundance of food and keep the animal on a certain diet. Food offered should not be oily and spicy. Balinese dogs should not be offered smoked products. The basis of the natural diet should be lean meats and any offal. The meat must be given in boiled or raw form, but previously scalded with boiling water. Fish products may cause an allergic reaction., therefore, they should be given no more than twice a month. From pollock and capelin, an urolithiasis can occur in an animal.

Mandatory foods in the Balinese diet should be kefir, yogurt and sour cream. Cats of this breed can be given a small amount of cereals and vegetable stew. Potatoes should be careful, as it contains a large amount of starch. When organizing natural nutrition for a cat, it is important to remember that the animal needs to receive the maximum complex of vitamins and minerals, which in ordinary products may not be enough.

Experienced breeders shared the following tips for organizing a healthy diet for Balinese cats:

• the pet should have constant access to water, drinking liquid should be boiled and clean;
• food prepared for cats should not be hot, it is permissible to offer animal food at room temperature; cut pieces of food should not be large, especially when it comes to feeding kittens;
• The products given to the animal must be fresh.

It is important for a novice breeder to familiarize himself with the following information about the animal’s feeding schedule:

• kittens up to six months of age should be fed 4-5 times a day in small portions;
• from the age of six months to a year, cats should be transferred to three meals a day;
• It is enough to feed the grown individuals 2 times a day, in the morning and evening.

The difference between the Balinese and Siamese cat breeds is only in one gene, which is responsible for the length of the coat. Accordingly, the Balineses inherited from their ancestors the diseases and infections that the Siamese often suffer. Of course, Balinese representatives of the breed are distinguished by excellent health, thanks to which they are able to live 15 years, and some survive to 20 years of age.

And yet, some types of diseases haunt the Balinese family.

• The most common disease is amyloidosis. In simple words, this is a violation of protein metabolism, which is accompanied by formations and deposits in the tissues of the amyloid. This disease can affect the cat's liver and cause dysfunctions of the whole organism with subsequent death. Also, the spleen, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract may be affected. Most often, this disease occurs in cats aged 1 year to 4 years. The main symptoms are loss of animal appetite, constant thirst, vomiting, jaundice, and depression.

• Another disease inherited from the Siamese breed is dilated cardiomyopathy. In simple terms, it is a heart disease. Special attention should be given to dental diseases of the animal. At the genetic level, they have a tendency to form tartar and gum disease.If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, the cat may lose teeth. The absence of dental treatment can lead to a weakening of immunity, which in general will affect the health of the animal.
• Another trouble can be a hereditary heart disease. The disease can be detected in the early stages of development, but the entire subsequent life of the animal will take place under the regular examination of a veterinarian. Kittens themselves from the moment of birth are characterized by passivity, grow very slowly, and with small loads begin to suffocate.
• Skin asthenia can also cause a lot of worries. This disease produces defective skin collagen, which makes it quite tender and vulnerable. With any exposure, the animal appears wounds.
• Asthma in the representatives of the feline family of Balinese, it largely resembles human bronchial asthma, which can be caused by an allergen.
• Quite unpleasant, but representatives of the Balinese breed suffer from cancer. Balinesis at the age quite often struggle with diabetes.
• Per strabismus Balinese cats correspond to a special gene contained in the structure of the animal’s DNA, inherited from Siamese cats and depending on point coat color. Unfortunately, getting rid of strabismus is impossible. Although in some balinesis, congenital strabismus may pass after some time.

For more information about Balinese cats or Balinese, see the next video.