Your guide to finding and caring for a Balinese in Charleston
Balinese cats suit Charleston homes where somebody is around for much of the day. They're sociable, talkative and curious, so a window perch in a Daniel Island condo or a Wagener Terrace brick house gives one plenty to watch and comment on. The silky single coat needs only a quick brush a few times a month. Keep a Balinese indoors with plenty of climbing space and play, because a bored one will let you know about it, loudly.
Fall for a Balinese
While we don't have enough cats near Charleston, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 933 miles
Siamese
F, 5 y., 934 miles
Siamese
M, 1 y., 934 miles
Siamese, Domestic Long Hair
F, 1 y., 934 miles
Siamese
M, 1 y., 934 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Siamese
F, 3-7 y., 946 miles
Siamese
F, 3-7 y., 946 miles
Siamese
F, 3-7 y., 946 miles
Siamese
M, 7 y., 956 miles
Siamese
M, 3 mo., 956 miles
Siamese
Despite the name, the Balinese has no connection to Indonesia. It is essentially a longhaired Siamese, developed in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s and named for the graceful movement of Balinese dancers. It has the colorpoint pattern, vivid blue eyes, a slender body and a silky coat that ends in a plumed tail. Both a modern, wedge-headed type and a sturdier traditional type exist.
Many Balinese are bright, playful cats that want to be part of whatever their people are doing. They're chatty, though usually quieter than a Siamese, and they enjoy fetch, puzzle toys and high perches. In a Charleston household that means daily attention and company, so they tend to suit homes that aren't empty all day. Adult cats' personalities vary, so spend time with a cat before deciding.
Having a Balinese in Charleston
Balinese pair a silky, low-maintenance coat with a lot of brains and a need for company. Daily play, vertical space and routine veterinary attention for eye, liver and dental concerns matter most when you live with one in Charleston.
Many Balinese bond closely with their people, follow them from room to room and comment on the day in a softer voice than most Siamese. They're curious and often clownish, and they tend to get along with considerate children and pets. Some become clingy or bored when alone, and adult cats' personalities vary.
Expect several short play sessions a day: wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. In Charleston, a cat tree by a window, a wall shelf and rotating toys give an indoor Balinese the activity it wants without outdoor hazards like traffic, coyotes and alligators.
Balinese can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, liver amyloidosis, dental disease and crossed eyes, which is usually harmless, though many cats never develop these problems. A full veterinary exam soon after adopting, regular dental care and prompt attention to vision changes or weight loss are the best safeguards. Flea prevention matters through Charleston's long warm season.
A Balinese does well in a Charleston condo, apartment or house as long as it has stimulation. Window perches, shelves and cat trees matter more than square footage. A downtown apartment works fine for an indoor cat with company, and a compatible feline friend can help if the household is empty during work hours.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,700 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and minimal grooming for a single coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Charleston.
Charleston's shelter and rescue community includes a city-contracted shelter in North Charleston and a no-kill shelter on James Island. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Charleston area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Balinese is coming in.
Yes, for many households. A Balinese is an indoor cat that wants company and play, which suits a Charleston condo, apartment or house with someone around much of the day. Plan for hurricane season by keeping a carrier, ID and supplies ready, and expect a talkative cat that will want a window to watch the street from.
Yes, a Balinese adapts well to apartment life if it has things to climb, scratch and chase. Vertical space matters more than floor area, so a cat tree or wall shelves by a window go a long way. Their voices are softer than a Siamese's but still chatty, which is worth remembering in a building with thin walls.
Yes, and no known Charleston rule limits Balinese cats. Cats adopted from South Carolina shelters and rescues must be sterilized before release, or the adopter must agree to have it done within 30 days. After adopting, sort out the rabies tag, city license and microchip or ID collar, and schedule a veterinary exam.
Yes, as indoor cats. Charleston summers are humid, and downtown nights stay in the mid-70s, so there's little overnight relief. Keep the air conditioning running, offer fresh water and shaded spots, and never leave a cat in a parked car. Have a plan for power outages after storms, such as a cool room and extra water.
Very little. The silky single coat has no dense undercoat and rarely mats, so brushing a few times a month is usually enough. Charleston's humidity doesn't change that much, though a damp cloth wipe helps after time on a dusty porch. Professional grooming is rarely needed, and the minimal cost is already counted in the Other line of the cost table.
CARTA buses, including the free downtown DASH shuttle, always accommodate service animals, but pets aren't addressed in the rider information. Charleston has no subway or rail service. Check CARTA's current pet rules before bringing a cat, and use a secure, ventilated carrier for any trip.
Only to outdoor patios, and only where the restaurant allows it. South Carolina permits cats, dogs and ferrets in outdoor dining areas with table service, but each restaurant decides. Pets can't enter the building or sit on tables or seats. Most Balinese are happier at home, since crowds and noise can stress a cat.
No, Balinese cats are not hypoallergenic. Claims that they produce less of the main cat allergen, Fel d 1, are widely repeated but not supported by solid research. Their single coat sheds less than many longhaired breeds, which some allergic people find easier. Reactions vary between people and cats, so spend time with the individual cat before adopting.
Balinese is usually pronounced BAH-lih-neez, with the stress on the first syllable, the same way people say the word for something from Bali. Some people say BAL-ih-neez instead, and both are understood. The name was chosen to evoke the grace of Balinese dancers, not because the cats come from Bali.
A Balinese typically costs about $1,200 to $2,700 a year in Charleston, or roughly $100 to $225 a month. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and other costs of $450 to $1,150 a year.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Charleston.
