We all know the Bengal cat is one of the most popular options as a pet. Their muscular, athletic body with a graceful pattern and intelligence, making them different from a regular domestic cat.
It is normal to have traces of cat hair all over the place when you own a feline. But the question arises when they shed a lot.
Naturally, Bengal cats have short silky hair, and you can clean their natural shedding with a lint roller.
Still, before adopting a Bengal cat, you want to make sure whether they shed a lot or minimal. So, here we present an article to clear all your doubts.
Do Bengal cats shed?
Yes, Bengal cats do shed furs, but it is minimal. Bengal kittens shed comparatively less than Bengal cats. For a mammal, losing fur is common, and it generally increases with age. The silky soft short hair of a Bengal cat makes them look more attractive. But, having short hair means they will not shed their coat. Often pet owners think shedding connects with irresponsible parenting. But the fact is shedding is natural when you have a pet. Still, there are some ways to manage shedding to a significant point.
If you ask, do Bengal cats shed a lot, the answer will be no.
But it can vary depending on several circumstances.
However, here we have penned down only some general shedding facts about Bengal species. It will help you to understand whether your Bengal sheds naturally.
So, talking about shedding, this Asian leopard-like cat sheds minimally.
You can even find some Bengal felines that shed insignificantly that can appear as no shedding at all.
Bengal kitties lose less hair when compared to regular cats.
Other domestic cats grow heavy furs, not like the shiny, soft ones the Bengal feline grows. So, their thick pelt-like coats make heavy hairballs compared to the Bengal cat.
Now you have probably understood why the Bengal cat has immense popularity in the pet world.
Recently Cat Time has published a ranking list of felines as per their shedding, and no doubt, our beloved Bengal cat takes the position as the least-shedding one.
However, the shedding of a Bengal feline occasionally accelerates due to several reasons, which we will investigate later.
How much do Bengal cats shed?
When it comes to the shedding of Bengal cats, the matter is almost hypothetical. Due to the hyperactivity of Bengal cats, pet owners often label them as troublemakers. But adopting a Bengal cat comes with a clear advantage which is almost no shedding. It is the reason Bengal owners often feel proud of their pets in a feline community.
So can we say Bengal cats do not shed at all? No, they shed like every other cat. But the amount of shedding in the case of Bengal felines is comparatively lower than the regular ones.
During the kitten phase, Bengal owners experience almost no shedding and a house with very few furs.
But the shedding increases with their age.
Even the natural shedding of Bengal cats seems less due to the tiny silken quality of their hair, while regular domestic cats have a coarse, long coat. So the short, soft hair will not morph into furry tumbleweeds in your clean house.
Why Do Bengal Cats Shed?
Even though shedding for Bengal cats is a rare incident, it happens sometimes.
Multiple reasons can trigger your Bengal cat to drop, although you find almost no hair.
As the pet owner of a Bengal feline, it is worthy to well-acknowledged yourself about the reasons behind the shedding.
1. It is a sign of physical growth
As mentioned earlier, the shedding of a Bengal feline accelerates when they get matured sexually. When you notice an increased shedding from your Bengal, it is a sign of confirmation that they have officially upgraded from their kitten phase. Prepare yourself for dealing with the furry mess around the house when your Bengal kitten reaches 7-9 months of age. The growth of the new adult coat of your Bengal results in shedding. The new cat hair that develops on your Bengal feline is shiny, sleek.
2. Even loving Bengal can get stressful
If you notice abnormal shedding from your pet, do not underestimate its mental health. Your Bengal feline can feel anxious even for some trivial reasons, which we often ignore. For instance, moving to a new house can stress your Bengal to a severe level. When you shift to a new home with your pet, the Bengal cat can get stressed or troubled with ease. Even introducing them to a new kitty or puppy friend can trigger the mental health of Bengal cats to a level when they start shedding.
Some Bengal owners even witnessed their pets getting scared at a sudden noise of a thunderstorm. Some trivial matters can freak out your graceful feline. Stress causes abnormal hair shedding that even your Bengal cat can grow bald patches here and there on its coat. These patches are the symptoms by which you can easily comprehend your pet is experiencing mental health issues. So, if you notice your Bengal cat doing the same, go through its routine or lifestyle to identify what recent changes it experienced.
3. Bengal cats are sensitive to seasonal changes.
Most pets seasonally shed their coats when fall ends, and the process continues even in summer. With the change of temperature, most furry pets lose their hair. But during the wintertime, they again grow the winter coat. Mammals prone to seasonal shedding have two layers of fur typically and emit only the top layer.
Since Bengal cats only have a single layer of hair, they are least prone to shed. Still, if the climate of your part consists of tense swings of seasons, you can notice a high amount of shedding once the temperature increases.
4. An improper diet
Since food is the only source of nutrition for a Bengal feline, inadequate nutrient-rich food can cause them to shed more. Remember, unprocessed, protein-rich foods are the best for these carnivores. Also, go through the diet to investigate whether they receive proper vitamins and minerals. Contact your vet before editing the daily diet menu of your Bengal cat.
These are the most common causes of the shedding of a Bengal. If yours is experiencing shedding more than ever, it is wise to seek medical help.
Are Bengal cats hypoallergenic?
Yes, when it comes to the allergic reaction caused by cats, Bengal cats generally do not come to mind. Naturally, the dander presents in the fur of a cat cause allergy. As a Bengal kitty sheds less, it releases lesser skin flakes or even zero at all.
That is why even an allergically distressed person seldom reacts to the shedding of a Bengal cat. You will find rare cases when a Bengal feline causes a minor reaction to an allergic person.
People who are allergic to the skin flakes of cats can get near a Bengal cat without any hesitation.
Still, it is always advisable to take preventive measures to control a sudden outbreak of allergic reactions.
And if you see any minor symptom of allergy after getting near a Bengal cat, immediately contact local healthcare services.
Despite belonging to the same family, every Bengal is different. So, whether the dander of your Bengal kitty would cause any allergic reaction or do not depend on the particular feline.
But there are countless examples where allergic persons can tolerate the skin flakes of a Bengal cat.
So with less shedding, even the attribute of hypoallergenic comes only with a Bengal cat. No doubt, these intriguing features provoke potential customers to purchase or adopt a member of this breed.
How do you manage Bengal cats shedding?
Even though Bengal cats shed the least amount of fur, you can experience occasional heavy shedding.
But fear not, as you can easily control it by following the tips we share. Be it anxiety, stress, nutrient deficiency, or any other reason, fixation on the issue results in the stoppage of heavy shedding.
1. Nutrient deficiency and products to fulfill it
If your Bengal is shedding more than typical, check whether it is getting proper nourishment or not. It can be a sign that they will need more nutrition in their daily diet. So try to include sufficient Omega-3 in the diet.
2. PET360 Omega 3+6
If your pet lacks Omega-3, consider adding this supplement to the daily diet of your Bengal. This top-rated pet supplement not only reduces the shedding but also makes the fur even glossier.
3. Groom them to manage to shed
You can easily manage the fleece of a Bengal cat by combing it regularly. Combining separates the dead skin cells attached to the fur. But along with it, grooming is also vital to lessen the shedding of your Bengal cat. Followings are some grooming brushes apt for the soft skin of your Bengal cat.
Products We Recommend:
1. Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
- THE ORIGINAL SLICKER BRUSH - Trusted by millions of pet owners, loved by millions of dogs and cats! Over 2 million brushes sold, making us the most loved pet brush brand...
- THE PERFECT BRUSH TO GET ALL NASTY MATS OUT OF YOUR PET’S FUR – Hertzko’s Slicker Brush gently removes loose Hair, and eliminates tangles, knots, dander and trapped...
This brush with fine bent wire comes with the below-mentioned features.
- Hassle-free cleaning.
- Only click a button to remove the fur of your Bengal.
- A gentle penetration with no pain completes your job without even a scratch on your loving pet.
2. Furminator for Cats Undercoat Deshedding Tool
- FOR MEDIUM/LARGE CATS WITH SHORT HAIR: Designed especially for cats that weigh more than 10 pounds.
- REMOVES LOOSE HAIR: Reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair without cutting skin or damaging the topcoat (when used as directed).
Since this brush is appropriate only for short-haired cats, you can purchase it for your Bengal cat.
- Come with stainless steel bristles.
- The FURrjector button attached with it releases fur smoothly.
- This brush can reduce the shedding of your Bengal up to 90%
Summing it up
Even though Bengal cats do not shed that much, maturity causes temporary shedding of it. A Bengal kitty with a silky soft coat is all a pet owner asks. So if you feel any unusualness in the process of losing hair, contact your vet immediately.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.