Are Balinese Cats Good With Dogs – Personality & Behavior

There are so many phrases that refer to the relationship between cats and dogs. There is the phrase “it’s raining like cats and dogs” or “they are fighting like cats and dogs.” The underlying plot of cartoons and movies for eons has been that cats and dogs do not get along. This isn’t the truth at all. So, are Balinese cats good with dogs?

Balinese cats get along well with dogs. They are known to be friendly with friends, family, and other animals in the home. Cats and dogs may initially see each other as prey. However, most and dogs can coexist in the same household with proper parameters in place.

Although Balinese cats are known to be extremely friendly with dogs, introducing them properly is key to this relationship working. In this article, we’ll get into the personality of a Balinese cat, and ways you can help introduce your dog or other pets to them successfully. We’ll also talk about some other cat breeds that do an even better job than the Balinese at building relationships with dogs! 

Personality of The Balinese Cat

The Balinese is known as an amiable cat. Some cat lovers even like to call them the class clown of cats. Cat fanciers think it is an excellent fit for families with children. It is active and incredibly chatty.

Since small children can be the same way, this cat can be a great fit. It can get annoyed and a little bitey and scratchy on occasion, but that is true of any bothered cat. Just teach small children how to notice body language and other cues that the cat needs some alone time.

These cats are known as affectionate animals, quite social, and highly intelligent. They love to climb and can be found on the highest perches in your home. Since they are so social, they do not enjoy being alone. They must have a friend or an owner who isn’t gone for long periods. They get destructive when they are lonely or bored.

What Cats Do Well With Dogs

While Balinese cats have the perfect personality to pair well and form friendships with dogs, they are not necessarily the best cat for that.

As mentioned earlier, contrary to popular opinion, cats and dogs can co-exist quite well when they aren’t treating each other as prey. When animals are appropriately introduced, they can have long-lasting relationships. Cats and dogs are no different. Not every dog will get along with other dogs; cats are the same way. Sometimes, the animals’ energy level is a more significant indicator of their ability to get along than their species.

There are some breeds of cats that are better equipped to deal with dogs than others. Usually, cats that are highly intelligent and that enjoy a great deal of play are ideal matches with dogs. While the Balinese fits into this grouping, many other cats are known for enjoying canine companionship.

• American Shorthairs- this is one of the most popular breeds in the US. They are also quite social, so they will enjoy having another animal around. They are also confident and have no problem setting needed boundaries with their housemates.
• Japanese Bobtail- these cats are highly playful and love playing in the water, making them a good fit with a dog.
• Turkish Angora-these cats are fun-loving pranksters and enjoy playing jokes on canine housemates.
• Siberian-these cats are large in stature so they can hang with a canine of any size. They also love water so that they can play with their water-loving canine housemates.
• Maine Coon-like the Siberian, they are also large in size and lovers of water. They are upbeat, so they can naturally bond with a dog.
• Birman-these cats have a zest for play and can even enjoy being chased by a dog on occasion.
• Norwegian Forest Cat-these cats are similar to Siberians and Maine Coons. These shared qualities allow them to enjoy the company of a dog.
• Tonkinese-these cats are highly sociable and need a companion. An equally social dog is an excellent choice.
• Ragdoll-this breed is known for being gentle and easy-going, which makes them ideal with an unruly dog. They have the patience to deal with their antics.
• Turkish Van-this breed is another energetic, water-loving breed. They also have the self-confidence to let the dog know that they run the household.

What Dogs Are Not Good With Cats

If you plan to get a Balinese cat, then you can rest pretty comfortably knowing they will have a great relationship with your dog. However, the same cannot be said for all cat breeds. In fact, some cat breeds are noticeable fierce not only with dogs but other cats in the home too.

The personality of an animal is always more important than putting a pet into a breed-specific stereotype. But there are genuinely some dogs that are less likely to bond with a cat or be a suitable fit. Some of that will come down to breed characteristics. It’s hard to overcome nature and what a dog was bred to do.

The dogs that seem to do the worse with cats are breeds that excel at hunting. It’s in their nature to go after everything small, and that moves quickly. Cats fall into this category. Dogs like Schipperkes, Australian Cattle Dogs, and Whippets are keen to chase and don’t do well with cats. Multiple types of hounds and terriers are not good fits with cats either. It’s not that they don’t like cats; they just want to chase, herd, or hunt them. Cats don’t like being the subject of any of those activities very much!

Can Cats Love Dogs

Yes, cats can love dogs, especially if it’s a Balinese cat. Cats and dogs have always been portrayed as mortal enemies for some reason. But they can get along smashingly in a household and develop quite the bond. They can bond just as tightly to each other as some dogs connect to other dogs or cats to other cats. This can happen with Balinese cats and a resident dog.

The animal-loving website The Dodo has captured this bond and showcased it many times on their social media channels. Here is one example of the many bonded cats and dogs they have showcased.

Tips To Help Cats Get Along With Dogs

Cats and dogs can live together in harmony. If you plan to get a Balinese cat, then you’ll want to implement the following tips to help them coexist well from the very start:

• Dogs get excited and love to chase their felines friends. Until the dog has learned not to provide your cat with someplace safe to hide.
• Utilize baby gates to let the two animals get used to each other’s scents. The gates are also an excellent way to keep separate space for the two.
• Use a leash or other restraint system to keep the dog calm and away from the cat while getting to know each other.
• Protect their belongings from the other party. Don’t let the dog eat the cat’s food and vice versa. Apply this to their toys as well. You don’t want any territory issues to arise. If you don’t protect anything else, make sure the dog can’t get into the cat’s litter box!
• Don’t force the two onto each other and into one another’s physical space. This can cause one of the animals to attack the other. And that will leave a permanent mark on their relationship.

How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Get Used To A Dog

The length of time it takes for any cat, Balinese included, to adjust to the addition of a canine family member will vary. How the introduction is handled will determine the success of the relationship. Some animals will take to each other very quickly. Others take a significant amount of time to accept another pet in the home.

The standard is roughly two to three weeks. But that is just an average. If your pets take more time, that is entirely ok. I am not familiar with dog and cat introductions, but I know from introducing new cats to each other, there is no set timeframe. I’ve had some want to be with one another the second the new cat is in the house.

I’ve had others who still intensely disliked each other after six months. It’s our job to introduce our pets properly. However, they will call the shots on when they decide to be friends.

Keep an eye on your newly introduced canines and felines. It can be hard to tell the difference between play and aggression sometimes. Also, as the two get to know each other, they may not always know that they have upset their friend, and there could be retaliation involved. A watchful eye is required at all times with our animals, especially when they are just getting to know each other.

Conclusion

While they have been framed as mortal enemies, cats and dogs can live together quite well. Some breeds even thrive when living with a dog. A Balinese can be one of these breeds mentioned above. Their love of dog-like things such as water and chasing each other make them a perfect fit. Use proper introduction techniques, and your cat and dog can have an amazing life-long relationship. They may even become the best of friends!