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Balinese vs Javanese
Many registries treat the Javanese as a division of the Balinese; it is rarer, more vocal and has a longer health watch-list.
Verdict
These two are very close, and many registries treat the Javanese as a division of the Balinese. Both are slender, blue-eyed, silky-coated cats with a plumed tail, top scores for affection and intelligence, and the lowest independence score. The Javanese is rarer, the most talkative of the pair, and wears red, cream, lynx and tortie points. It has a longer health watch-list, including dental disease and inflammatory bowel disease. The one thing that decides it is the point colour, plus how readily you can find a kitten.
Choose the Balinese if
- You want an easier breed to find.
- You prefer the classic seal, blue, chocolate and lilac points.
- You want a cat that talks, but a little less.
- You want a shorter health watch-list to discuss with your vet.
Choose the Javanese if
- You want red, cream, lynx or tortie points on a long-bodied cat.
- You enjoy a very talkative cat.
- Someone is home much of the day.
- You will accept a rare cat and ask your vet about its watch-list.
Where they are alike
Both have fine, silky coats that shed lightly and need modest grooming. Both do poorly when alone for long hours.
Side by side
| Balinese | Javanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States, from long-haired kittens born in Siamese litters | United States and Canada |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | — | 5-10 lb (2.3-4.5 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Medium | Medium |
| Coat | Soft, silky, medium-length coat with no woolly undercoat and a plumed tail | Fine, silky, single coat that lies close to the body, with a plumed tail |
| How common | Uncommon | Rare |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 1 |
| Trainability | 5 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The coat has no thick undercoat and sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Balinese. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The fine single coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to this one. |
| Suits | An owner who is home often and enjoys a talkative, clever, affectionate cat that wants to be involved in everything. | A home with someone around much of the day that enjoys a talkative, devoted and intelligent cat. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a quiet cat, or who is away from home for long hours. | A household that wants a quiet cat, or one where the cat will often be alone. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026