​Bengal cats are without a doubt the epitome of adorable kitties.
Thanks to their link to the Asian Leopard cats, they have that rare attractive exotic allure as well.
It's more or less like having a mini leopard or Asian tiger snoozing on your rug, or at times, even on your precious coffee table.
Cute, right? Well, there's an aspect of domestic cats that most owners are not usually very thrilled about - shedding.
Ask us cat owners, and we will quickly confirm to you that we detest every time we have to clean after our pets after leaving fur all over the furniture.
But is this the same case with Bengal cats? Do Bengal Cats Shed a lot? Well, let's see.
​1. Bengal Breeders on shedding
A few Bengal breeders are of the opinion that these cats don't shed any fur at all.
While others will admit that - just like any other domesticated cat - Bengals shed their hair, though minimally.
Which is not so far from the truth considering that basically all mammals with hair ( including human beings ) shed their hair.
Bengals have very soft ( almost linen-like) fur that lies relatively low compared to other breeds of domestic cats.
This means that there are less susceptible to shedding or periodical hair loss. Having said that, there are several aspects of this that you might want to know.
​2. Grooming
​Meticulous and constant grooming of your Bengal cat has been proven to limit fur shedding, especially to kittens under two years old.
While weekly brushing and grooming is often recommended, frequent brushing - say after every 2nd day - has been proven to strengthen between a Bengal cat and its owner.
Well, this doesn't come as a surprise, considering that his breed has a reputation for being unashamedly affectionate.
Bengals will literary bask under all the attention that you shower them with, especially if they already fond of you.
Moreover, cats are generally known to appreciate any extra cuddling, attention or assisted grooming that comes their way.
Which, by the way, means less fur or hair left behind on your pristine furniture as it happens when he grooms himself.
​3. What if your Bengal Starts Shedding Excessively
The Bengal cat does not have the reputation of leaving tons of hair behind, thanks to the closely-laid and short fur.
Therefore, any bouts of excessive hair loss or shedding should suggest something abnormal or drastically wrong, mainly diet wise.
A severe deficiency of essential nutrients may trigger gradual balding of their fur coat that is typically characterized by excessive shedding.
However, if your Bengal cat is already on a nutritious diet, complete with vitamins, plenty of proteins, and balanced carbohydrates, excessive shedding might point to stress, anxiety or an assortment of psychological illnesses.
In such a case, it would be advisable to try and look for any signs of distress or sudden changes that could have the potential of affecting your spotted kitty.
Sometimes even an abrupt drastic change of weather could be the culprit.
After this, consider scheduling a trip to the nearest vet just to rule out any other unseen factors that may have triggered the Bengal's excessive and abnormal hair loss.
But as you will find out, as soon as the causative agent inflicting the distress on your Bengal is removed, then that excessive shedding will cease.
The optimal health of a cat is always affirmed by a fine coat.
And a fine coat - as far as Bengals are concerned - translates to very little or no shedding at all.
They are a few other cat breeds that shed less than Bengals, the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex are good examples.
All in all, a short or curly fur such as a sphynx's is the hallmark or a truly hairless cat.
[…] Obviously, the health of your Bengal cat’s claws is an important aspect of their overall well-being. In our previous chapter, we discussed shedding in Bengal cats, and now we will focus on their claw health. If you want to learn more about shedding, you can read the detailed article on Do Bengal Cats Shed A Lot? – BlindBengal. […]
[…] shedding can be a issue for Bengal cat proprietors, it is crucial to keep in mind that it is a natural and attainable procedure. With […]
What can I give my breeding male Bengal to help with his shedding?
Hi Kristi. I use a grooming glove on both cats about once a week and just vacuum all the hair that comes out. Something like this:
https://www.chewy.com/mr-peanuts-hand-gloves-dog-cat/dp/180948