Bengal cats are magnificent beasts that are the result of careful breeding. This breed has a lot of energy, so be ready to walk, run, jump, and play. These cats require a lot of exercise, and one way is by supplying them with. They have energy similar to a toddler child. Bengals can be dark and exotic-looking with lots of leopard-like spots, or they could be silver with dark rosettes. They vary just like you find with typical domestic house cats.
A Bit About Bengals
The lovely Bengal breed is a cross between a domestic cat and an Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). The domestic cat most often used is the Egyptian Mau. The Egyptian Mau is a vocal, active, expressive, and intelligent cat. It is one of the only domesticated cats with spots that naturally occur.
Bengals are energetic, playful, adventurous, and loyal cats, similar to the relationship between a dog and a human it loves. They love playing fetch, running on cat wheels (yes, like a hamster wheel), and snuggling with their favorite human. Bengals aren’t for everyone because they need lots of room for playing and exercising. Without proper stimulation, the Bengal will become bored, possibly depressed, or have issues with anxiety.
Egyptian Mau
The uncommon and costly Asian Mau cat is not frequently seen in America. The small to medium-bodied cat with short fur is one of the only breeds with spots, which only color the tips of the cat’s fur. They are said to have gooseberry-green eyes and hind legs that are a bit longer than the front paws. This gives the cat an advantage in speed because the exotic and rare Egyptian Mau is the fastest domestic cat breed.
The beautiful cats have a lifespan similar to that of other breeds: 15 years. They are very playful and enjoy going along for the ride, no matter what you’re doing inside or outside. They just want to be included so they don’t miss out on anything exciting.
Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)
Asian leopard cats are small-sized wild felines that live in parts of Asia, especially the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Myanmar, Cambodia, some parts of China, and Taiwan. They are the most geographically distributed wild cats in the world!
They are also found in smaller numbers in Pakistan, India, Eastern Russia, and Korea. These cats require a wide range of habitats, with some living in arid deserts, scrublands, dense jungles, second-growth woodlands, and agricultural regions.
With a population of over 50,000, Asian leopard cats are of least concern. Though they are declining, this isn’t a cause for concern. The little brown-eyed cats live in the humid jungles of Asia, where they hunt anything smaller than themselves.
Are Bengals Hypoallergenic?
Bengals are not hypoallergenic. No breed of cat is entirely hypoallergenic. Many breeders advertise that their Bengals are hypoallergenic, but they are not. They shed considerably less than some other breeds, which does help with allergies.
Fel D1 protein is found in a cat’s saliva, dander, urine, and glands. It is not only found in a cat’s hair or dander. Bengals are not a breed with less of the Fel D1 protein than other cats, but since they tend not to shed much, they are better for those with allergies than some other breeds. They are on the low end of the allergy scale.
Bengals aren’t the best choice of pet for allergy sufferers, but they are not the worst, either. If you have your heart set on adopting a Bengal, do it. Bengals can be taught to stay out of bedrooms or off counters. They are very intelligent.
If you speak with your doctor, they can prescribe allergy medications to help you and your feline friend live a long and happy life together. If you are on the fence about bringing a Bengal home, check out some breeds of cats that are as close to hypoallergenic as it gets.
Hypoallergenic Cats
Each cat breed below, along with the additional breeds Devon Rex, Russian Blue, Balinese cat, Javanese, LaPerm, and Burmese cats, are all hypoallergenic. This varies a bit from cat to cat within the breeds.
Siberian Cat
If your heart wants a fuzzy, fluffy furball of a cat, then look no further than the elegant Siberian Cat. They have adorable faces with huge, round eyes and have been regarded as hypoallergenic cats for a long time.
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is an adorable and super-soft cat that sheds minimally. It is available in almost any color or pattern, too. However, it is not a candidate for playing outdoors in poor weather since it does not have three layers of fur like other cat breeds. It only has the bottom, soft, downy fur that is soft like a baby bunny. It also happens to be a curly and irresistible breed.
Sphynx
The sphynx is a super cute, naked cat. You have probably seen some famous Instagram accounts with a sphynx who dresses up in fashionable clothing. They are also prone to hopping in the bath or shower with you. They don’t shed, and they do not have the Fel D1 Protein.
Oriental Shorthair
Oriental shorthaired cats are comical-looking, with skinny appearances and large eyes and ears. No one can resist the adorable voice, either. Cousins to the Siamese, Oriental Shorthaired cats come in all colors and patterns. The perfect alien-looking cat awaits you at your local shelter or rescue. However, most of these cats must come from a breeder because you will not find them in shelters. It is a wonderful thing to help a rescue cat find its forever home, so please consider looking up local Oriental Shorthaired cat rescues or whichever breed most interests you.
