Do Bengal Cats Shed? Vet-Approved Facts & Tips

One of the unfortunate trade-offs when keeping pets is stray hair and fur on your clothes, couches, and beds. Cats are notorious shedders, especially if they have long hair, but Bengal cats are unique because they’re very low shedding.

About the Bengal Cat

Bengal cats are closely related to wild Asian leopard cats, but they’re fully domesticated. These beautiful cats resemble a smaller Bengal tiger with a beautiful spotted and striped coat, large ears, and striking green eyes.

Bengal Cat Shedding

Bengal cats don’t really shed like other domestic cats, but they do shed a small amount. Like their Asian leopard ancestor, Bengal cats have more of a pelt-like coat that doesn’t throw a lot of hair like other domestic cats.

Kittens will shed, but that’s mostly them losing their baby fur as they mature. Once the cat is fully grown, its coat is silky smooth and unlikely to shed heavily.

What if My Bengal Cat Sheds Heavily?

Most Bengal cats don’t shed a lot, but if they do, it could be for several reasons.

As mentioned, kittens will shed more as they mature. This typically occurs around seven to nine months, or as the kitten reaches sexual maturity.

Bengal cats may also shed more from stress. Cats can become stressed and anxious for many reasons, like other cats, such as moving to a new home or introducing new cats or dogs into the household. Also, if your cat is scared of a thunderstorm or fireworks, it can cause temporary excessive shedding.

If your cat is shedding from stress, it could become so severe that there are bald patches. Some stressed cats will over-groom to the point of causing bald patches as well.

Another situation that can cause heavy shedding is the changing of the seasons. As winter turns to spring and summer, most pets will shed to account for the change in temperature. Then, as it begins to cool off, the cat will grow its winter coat back.

Bengal cats mostly keep their same coat throughout the year, so they’re not as prone to seasonal shedding. If you live in an area with dramatic changes between cold winters and hot summers, you may see more shedding in your Bengal cat, however.

If your Bengal cat’s food isn’t high quality and it’s lacking in good nutrition, the coat will be the first to suffer. Cats are obligate carnivores and need a diet that’s high in good quality protein from animal sources.

Are Bengal Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, not really. Many people claim that Bengal cats are hypoallergenic because their low shedding makes them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction, but they’re not truly hypoallergenic.

Also, contrary to popular belief, cat allergies are caused by dander, not by fur. Dander is shed along with the hair and may trigger allergies. Because of this, Bengals may cause less of an allergic reaction, but it’s not accurate to say that they’re truly hypoallergenic.

Conclusion

Pets shedding is a nuisance, especially if the hair ends up all over your furniture and clothes. Bengal cats aren’t without their share of shedding, but compared to other household pets, they shed far less.

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Featured Image Credit: lshman000, Pixabay