Compare
Balinese vs Oriental Longhair
Two slender, silky, talkative longhairs of Siamese type; the Oriental Longhair is more playful and comes in a wider range of colours.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are slender, silky-coated, medium-length cats of Siamese type, with a plumed tail, top scores for affection and intelligence and the lowest independence score. Both talk, and the Oriental Longhair is the more vocal and playful. The Balinese wears pointed colours, while the Oriental Longhair comes in a wide range of solid, shaded, smoke, tabby and white colours. The Oriental Longhair is rarer and has a longer health watch-list. The one thing that decides it is the pointed look versus colour range.
Choose the Balinese if
- You want the classic pointed pattern.
- You want a cat that talks a little less.
- You want a breed that is easier to find.
- You live in a smaller home, where it scores slightly better.
Choose the Oriental Longhair if
- You want a very talkative, playful, big-eared cat.
- You like a wide range of solid and patterned colours.
- Someone is home much of the day.
- You will ask your vet about its amyloidosis and eye watch-list.
Where they are alike
Both have fine silky coats that shed lightly and need modest grooming. Both do poorly alone for long hours.
Side by side
| Balinese | Oriental Longhair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States, from long-haired kittens born in Siamese litters | Developed in Europe and the United States from Siamese-type cats |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | — | Similar to the Oriental Shorthair: males about 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg); females lighter |
| Lifespan | — | About 15 years |
| Coat length | Medium | Medium |
| Coat | Soft, silky, medium-length coat with no woolly undercoat and a plumed tail | Fine, silky coat with a plume tail, lying close to a long, tubular body |
| How common | Uncommon | Rare |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 5 |
| 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 | 3 |
| 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. | — |
| Suits | An owner who is home often and enjoys a talkative, clever, affectionate cat that wants to be involved in everything. | A person at home much of the day who wants a clever, chatty, affectionate cat and enjoys talking back and playing. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a quiet cat, or who is away from home for long hours. | A quiet household, or anyone who is away for long hours, since this breed does not do well 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