Despite the name, the Balinese has no link to Indonesia. It's essentially a longhaired Siamese, developed in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s from kittens carrying a recessive longhair gene, and named for the graceful movement of Balinese dancers. It has the Siamese colorpoint pattern, vivid blue eyes, a slender medium-sized body that usually weighs 5 to 10 pounds, and a silky single coat ending in a plumed tail. Both a modern, wedge-headed type and a sturdier traditional type exist.
Many Balinese are bright, social, playful cats, a little quieter than Siamese but still chatty. They tend to enjoy fetch, puzzle toys and high perches, and they usually want daily company. For Oklahoma City adopters, that points to an indoor home with people around and plenty to climb. Adult cats from shelters and rescues show their personalities clearly, which makes matching easier.