The Javanese cat is a longhaired breed of Oriental-type house cat. It was developed by crossing the Siamese, the Balinese, and the Colorpoint Shorthair.
Breed History
Despite its exotic name, the Javanese has nothing to do with the island of Java or Indonesia. It comes from North America. Around 1978, several breeders in the US and Canada started breeding Balinese cats in other colors. The main driving force was Canadian Maureen Davies. Together with Anne Sandner, she developed a new type of Balinese, no longer only in the classic Siamese colors but in other point colors too. Their cats are the ancestors of all of today’s show-quality Javanese.
The Javanese was recognized as a separate breed in 1979. Since these cats are the closest relatives of the Balinese, they were given a “neighboring” name: Java lies right next to Bali. Even though the Javanese has never actually been to that island.
Good to know: in 2008, the CFA merged the Javanese into the Balinese breed, so in the US today these cats are usually registered and sold as Balinese in non-traditional point colors.
Javanese Personality and Traits at a Glance
| Affection for family | ★★★★★ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Health | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Playfulness | ★★★★☆ |
| Vocality | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Good with kids | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendliness toward strangers | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of grooming | ★★★★☆ |
| Gets along with other pets | ★★★★☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
Javanese Breed Overview
Javanese cats are medium-sized and weigh about 5 to 11 lb. The breed standard is the same for the Balinese and the Javanese, with only the colors being different. Here’s a detailed description of the Javanese according to the CFA:
- Head: long, medium-sized, in proportion to the body, shaped like a tapering wedge that widens in straight lines from the nose to the tips of the ears. If you smooth the fur on the face, you can clearly see the bone structure. In profile, there’s a long straight line from the top of the head to the tip of the nose, with no bump over the eyes and no dip at the bridge of the nose. The tip of the chin lines up vertically with the tip of the nose;
- Ears: very large, pointed, wide at the base, continuing the wedge of the head;
- Eyes: medium-sized, almond-shaped, neither bulging nor deep-set. They slant toward the nose, in harmony with the lines of the wedge and ears. The color is deep, vivid blue;
- Nose: straight and long;
- Body: medium-sized, long, and slender. A perfect combination of fine bones and firm muscles. A long neck. The shoulders and hips continue the smooth lines of the body. The hips shouldn’t be wider than the shoulders. A tucked-up belly;
- Legs: long and slim. The hind legs are longer than the front legs;
- Tail: thin and long, tapering to an even thinner tip. The fur on the tail forms a plume;
- Coat: medium length, longest on the tail. The coat is fine and silky, with no undercoat.
Personality
A Javanese cat gets very attached to its owner and never leaves their side. It loves to be close, sit in your arms, and sleep in your bed. It may not be as loud as a Siamese, but it’s definitely just as stubborn. It demands attention and wants to control everything.
These are very smart, agile, athletic cats. Kittens love to play and climb trees or scratching posts. An adult cat can be trained to walk on a leash and do simple tricks. It’s best to always leave your Javanese a toy or something to do, or it may turn the whole house upside down. This breed is clearly not for calm or overly tidy people.
That said, the Javanese handles being alone fairly well, but makes the most of the time when you’re around. Ideally, you could get two cats at once, but then the order in your home will definitely be under threat.
Care and Health
From the Siamese, the Javanese inherited not the best health. These cats are prone to amyloidosis, asthma, congenital heart defects, digestive problems, and neurological issues. The tendency toward these diseases can be inherited. Crossed eyes are also common in Javanese cats. The breed lives 13–15 years on average.
The coat of these cats makes caring for them very easy. They have no undercoat, and the coat is silky and fine, so brushing once a week is enough. Baths should be very rare. Brush the teeth at least once a week, and clean the ears and eyes as needed.
Since a Javanese kitten is very active, it uses up its B vitamins faster than other cats. So it can help to add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast to its food (check with your vet first). To keep the coat beautiful, feed your pet a balanced food rich in amino acids and zinc. Otherwise, a Javanese’s diet is no different from what’s recommended for other cats.
Color
The various point colors of the Javanese are what set it apart from the classic Balinese. A Javanese cat’s coat can come in these colors:
- Solid colorpoints on a white background. The points can be different colors, including smoke and silver shades:
- Red, with a pink nose;
- Cream, with a pink nose;
- Cinnamon, with a beige nose;
- Fawn, with a light pink nose.
- Lynx point colors in various shades, from blue to tortie.
- Parti-color points in any color combination.
The photos below show what a Javanese looks like:
How Much Does a Javanese Cat Cost?
How much will a Javanese kitten cost you? In the US, where the Javanese is now part of the Balinese breed, a pet-quality kitten from a reputable breeder usually costs about $1,000–$2,500. The price depends on the kitten’s sex, looks, and pedigree. Show-quality kittens cost $3,500 or more.
Where to Buy a Javanese Cat in the US
Look for Balinese breeders who work with red, cream, lynx, and tortie points (the colors once called Javanese):
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
- Azureys Cats (Bergen County, New Jersey; CFA; Balinese and Siamese) – https://azureyscats.com/.
If you decide to buy a Javanese from a private seller, be sure to check reviews of the seller.
