It is true that Bengal cats have beautiful coats and are sort after for this exact reason, but one question many potential Bengal cat owners have is whether or not Bengal cats shed and if so how much they shed, so lets take a look at this now.
Do Bengal cats shed?
The short answer to this question is yes, just like any other cat breed Bengal cats do shed. However, the good news for Bengal cat lovers is that you don't have to worry too much about your cats shedding or cat fur everywhere as their shedding is far less than other cat breeds.
Bengal cats have hair that is “medium-short” in length which means that you will have some hairballs and also you will have some cat fur around the home but it won't be in a massive amount or as anywhere near as much as most other cat breeds.
With that said, just as with other cats it is still a good idea to brush and groom your Bengal cat regularly, as not only does this help to cut down on the amount of cat hair around your property, but it also keeps their coats healthy and in good condition, and most Bengals really enjoy being brushed so it also a great bonding session for you and your cat.
There are of course circumstances where Bengals might shed more than usual, which can include hormonal changes, stress, health problems and diet, so lets take a look at some of these now.
Bengal kitten fuzzy phase
It's likely that your Bengal will shed most when its a kitten, when is goes through what affectionally known as it's fuzzy phase, which is the period when Bengal kittens lose their thick warm coat in place of it's adult coat, which is thinner and sleeker, and if you are really lucky could even turn glittery if your Bengal has the glitter gene.
Cat food and diet
Bengals may also shed extra hair if they don't eat a good quality diet so be sure to check their food is made from good quality ingredients and is properly balanced.
Fleas, ticks and mites
Bengal cats may also shed more if they have parasites, such as fleas, ticks and mites which will cause your Bengal to get itchy and therefore shed more than usual through excessive scratching, this can also make them feel stressed and unhappy and can effect the overall health of your cat so be sure to check and treat your Bengal for Parasites regularly, as recommended by your vet.
Stressed Bengal cats
If a Bengal cat goes through a stressful time, then you could experience some more shedding than usual. This is because when calm and relaxed cats shed much less than when they are experiencing stress. So if your Bengal cat has experienced a stressful event or is going through a stressful time then it may shed more than usual.
Stressful events can be anything from a move, the introduction of a new animal or person or even a change in the household routine.
Bengal cats can also develop stress related shedding when they have been ill, or when they have a medical condition that is not being looked after, so be sure to bear this in mind if you own a Bengal that is shedding more than usual, and get it checked out by your local vet in necessary.
Do Bengal cats have hair or fur?
Some people find the question ‘Do Bengal cats have hair or fur' to be an interesting one, but in reality it is quite a simple one to answer. The short answer to this question is that Bengal cats have both fur and hair as fur is actually a kind of hair, or to put in another way fur falls under the umbrella of a type of hair. So Bengal cats do have fur which is the scientific term for the pile of hair that you see on cats, dogs and many other species of animals.
Why is Bengal fur so soft?
One of the main reasons that Bengal cats have fur that is so soft and silky is because of how their fur is structured. The main reason for this is that Bengal cats have only one layer of fur, unlike most other breeds that have two, this means that they don't need to do as much maintenance on their fur as other cats do and this in turn means that as discussed above they don't shed as often and therefore their fur is smoother than other cats and will also be silkier and nicer to touch.
Because of their low shedding, Bengal cats are a popular choice among many people with allergies, but does that mean they are hypoallergenic, lets look at that now.
Are Bengal cats hypoallergenic?
Bengal cats are not hypoallergenic, however, because of the fact that Bengal cats have less hair than other cat breeds and because of how their fur is structured they do rank lower on the hypoallergenicity scale than other cat breeds. This means that many people with allergies can actually still own a Bengal cat and for many this is a great relief as well as a great reason to choose a Bengal cat over other breeds.
However, whilst some peoples allergies may not be affected by Bengal cats some people may still suffer an allergic reaction, so if you are thinking of getting a Bengal cat it is advised that you try and spend some time with them, before committing to owning one.
We have covered the topic of whether Bengal cats are hypoallergenic in much greater detail in this post.
In Summary
Bengal cats do shed, but their shedding is not as bad as most other cat breeds.
Bengal cats have one layer of fur, which means they don't need to do much maintenance on their fur, which in turn means that as discussed above they don't shed as often as other cat breeds and also means that their fur is smoother than most other cat breeds and will also be silkier and nicer to touch and stroke.
Bengal cats as a general rule make good pets for people with allergies compared to most other breeds, but this does vary from person to person, so if you are thinking of buying a Bengal cat it is advised that you try and spend some time with them, to see if your allergies may or may not be affected by a Bengal cat.