| Abyssinian | Balinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 9-13 years | 12-15 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-12 lb | 4-10 lb |
| Energy | Very high | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low | Moderate |
| Shedding | Low | Moderate |
| With kids | With supervision | With supervision |
Abyssinians are one of the most perpetually active cat breeds that exists and generally dislike being held or restrained, which is the opposite of what most people picture when a breeder describes a 'friendly, people-oriented' cat.
A Balinese is essentially a Siamese in a long coat, which means it comes with the same small foundation gene pool and the same documented risk of progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited disease that degrades vision — choosing it over a Siamese for the coat doesn't buy you a healthier cat.
Abyssinian ·
Balinese
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.