If you want a pet that is both fun and friendly, then you should consider adopting a Snow Bengal.
What Do Snow Bengals Look Like?
Snow Bengals look like little snow leopards (which are very rare animals). They are almost always white or light gray in color, and have lighter markings than most Bengals. Rosettes are exclusive to Bengals.
They come in various shapes and colors, but Snow Bengals are born without any rosettes. As they age, they develop white rosettes.
Other Bengals have distinct marbling on their coats, whereas Snow Bengals normally have leopard-like spots.
Where Do Snow Bengals Come From?
Bengals are a breed of cat that originated in India. Their ancestors include leopards and other wildcats. Bengals are known as being very intelligent and loving pets. Bengals come in many colors including black, white, tortoiseshell, tabby, and calico.
They originated from the Asian Leopard Cat in the 1970s, when researcher Jean Sugden Mill bred one with a short-haired domestic cat. Researchers believed that leopard cats may be immune to feline leukemia.
In the late eighties, some breeders began crossing the Bengals with European shorthairs and American Shorthairs to get the more desirable traits into the Bengals’ genes.
Today, there are over 1 million Bengals living around the world. During the creation of the Bengal breed, some litters were albino (white fur, blue eyes), with different levels of spotting.
These were the first ever Snow Bengal cats. As time passed, breeders bred these snow cats together and created Snow Bengals.
Why Do Snow Bengals Make Great Pets?
A domestic breed of cat, a Snow Bengal cat is a cross between a house cat and an Asian leopard cat. These cats are very friendly and easy to care for.
They’re also known as the Bengal tiger cat, because they’ve been bred to be more like tigers than house cats. Bengals are friendly, playful, loving, and affectionate cats.
Bengals love attention and being petted. They also enjoy playing with toys, but they aren’t picky about them. Bengals tend to be very vocal, especially when they want something.
They’re also known for having a loud purr. Bengals are often used for therapy purposes because they are easy to train and can easily make friends with other pets and people.
Snow Bengal cats are very active pets who need lots of exercise. Even though they are affectionate, they are not always willing to cuddle. They love human companionship, but they may play rough when they feel threatened.
They prefer to be in the same space as you, but they don’t always want to relax or curl up on your lap. Snow Bengals are very curious animals, they love exploring their houses and enjoying climbing whatever they can.
Life Expectancy Of Snow Bengals
In general, Snow Bengals have a life expectancy of about 14 to 16 years. With proper food and care, their lifespan can increase significantly.
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Owning A Snow Bengal?
Since Snow Bengals look similar to domestic short haired cats, they can sometimes pose problems when it comes to breeding.
Because many owners mistakenly believe that the Snow Bengal is a short haired cat, the breed can face difficulties in finding suitable mates.
So if you’re planning on getting a kitten, make sure that it’s registered as purebred! Another issue for Snow Bengals is that some owners believe that the breed is unhealthy.
Many of them think the breeders use too much food or feed their kittens poorly. This could cause health issues down the road.
If you’re worried about your cat’s health, speak to your vet about what you should be doing. It may help to keep track of your cat’s weight throughout the year.
Make sure to weigh him whenever possible. Also, make sure that you are giving your cat plenty of exercise. This will help boost his overall health and well-being.
Types Of Snow Bengals
There are four primary types of Snow Bengals: Sphinx, Exotic Spots (also called Ocicats), White Spots, and Blue Spotted Snow Bengals. Each of these variations of the species is created through selective breeding.
Selective breeding allows breeders to modify specific characteristics in order to create a new and improved version of the animal. The various types of Bengals are not considered separate breeds. Instead, they are all grouped under one name – Snow Bengals.
The differences between each variation are cosmetic only and do not alter the temperament of the animal.
Snow Bengals are usually found as either Sphinx, Exotic spots, white spots, or blue spotted.
Sphinx – These cats come in any color except black.
Exotic Spots – These cats come in every color except white.
White Spots – These cats have white paw pads and a longer body length than regular Bengals.
Blue Spotted – These cats have large blue paws.
Are Snow Bengals Obedient?
Yes! When trained properly, Snow Bengals are easy to care for. He’ll love meeting and greeting visitors who stop by, and he’ll be eager to play games with you.
They’re very friendly and outgoing, so will enjoy spending time around other animals. Use lots of positive reinforcement and rewards to train your cat from an early age.
Snow Bengals Vs Domestic Shorthair Cats
Snow Bengals are not domesticated cats. Even though they’ve been bred to resemble the domestic shorthair cats that we all know and love, they’re still considered a separate species.
Their coats are thicker and less fragile because they grow four times longer hair than a normal house cat. A house cat usually grows one to three inches long fur while a standard Snow Bengal averages six to nine inches in length.
In addition, Snow Bengals are more active than house cats. As a breed, Snow Bengals are known for being very intelligent. They also tend to be quite energetic and playful.
Although it might take some practice for you to get used to having a Snow Bengal living with you, in the end this pet will reward you with years of companionship.
If you decide to get a Snow Bengal, you’ll want to pay attention to its diet. Feeding a Snow Bengal correctly makes all the difference in a healthy lifestyle. To avoid obesity, Snow Cats require low-calorie diets (especially if they’re an indoor cat).
How Much Do Snow Bengals Shed?
During the summer months, Snow Bengals are prone to shedding heavily. Your Snow Bengal will be fine during the winter months, when the weather outside gets cold. However, when the temperature rises, expect your Snow Bengal to start shedding more frequently.
Usually, a lot of shedding will occur over the course of a week. It’s important to keep up with brushing regularly, as well as keeping their nails trimmed so that they don’t scratch you during play time. This is especially true if you live somewhere humid.
Also, make sure to buy them food suited to their dietary needs. You can find good quality food from Petco or PetSmart stores. If you notice any signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How Much Do Snow Bengals Cost?
You can expect to spend anywhere from $350 to $700 on an adult Snow Bengal. Some reputable shelters may offer discounts for senior pets.
The cost depends largely on whether the kitten has been raised in captivity or in the wild, the quality of the shelter it was bought from, and how old it is at adoption.
The most expensive kittens are those born into feral colonies. Most shelters prefer kittens taken directly from the wild, which means they sell the mother too.
Other costs include spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, dewormers, microchipping, and flea control.
What Should You Feed A Snow Bengal?
Your Snow Bengal should be fed a high protein diet, similar to what many dogs eat. Some people choose to supplement a kitten’s diet with fish oil, flaxseed oil, or omega 3 supplements.
Once your kitten reaches adulthood, it becomes easier for him to digest animal proteins. Make sure to clean and disinfect your cat’s feeding dishes before serving it to him.
Be careful not to give him cooked bones. These can splinter easily and cause internal injury. You can feed your cat either fish or meat such as tuna or chicken, but not all types of meat are suitable for all cats.
When it comes to selecting a brand of food, look for ones that are formulated specifically for felines. Ask your breeder about his choice in food.
When choosing food for your kitten, read the ingredients carefully. Look for foods fortified with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Always check the expiration date on the bagged contents to ensure freshness. It’s recommended that you change your kitten’s food every 30 days.
Remember to mix together two different types of food so that your kitten doesn’t become overly dependent on one particular type. As your cat ages, he will likely become pickier and have fewer leftovers.
How Much Exercise Should A Snow Bengal Get?
Healthy adult cats should engage in at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, preferably every day. Exercise provides benefits beyond physical health. Cats who are physically fit tend to have a healthier mental state overall.
Keeping Your Snow Bengal Entertained
Outdoor cats get lots of entertainment from the outside world. However, if your Snow Bengal is an indoor cat, playing with toys can help reduce boredom, which contributes to destructive behaviors.
Offer your cat lots of attention by giving him plenty of affection and praise. Provide him with a comfortable bed, something to climb onto, and a scratching post. Cats thrive best when their minds are stimulated as well as their bodies.
Playing games with their favorite toys and using puzzle boxes is a great way to keep your cat entertained.
Purchasing toys that your cat can play with while you’re out is also a good idea, as they may get bored and lonely while you’re away especially if they are an indoor cat.
Toys they can chase, as well as balls, laser pointers and catnip toys are all good ideas. You can even get automatic laser pointers for your cat to chase while you’re not home!
Are Snow Bengals Good With Kids?
Snow Bengals love being around children. Older children appreciate the Snow Bengal’s playfulness and energy, while toddlers are normally fascinated by their soft fur.
If you want to introduce your pet to a child, start slowly and gradually and work your way up to allowing the youngster to hold your cat for the first time.
Children who live with cats should be taught from an early age to treat these animals well, and very young children and babies shouldn’t be left alone with pets without supervision.
Can You Take A Snow Bengal For A Walk?
Bengals love to walk on leashes just like dogs! Training them early on helps them get used to walking on a leash.
This allows them to become more comfortable when you go out on long walks together. Walk your cat in a safe area where there are no busy streets or roads, or other hazards.
Take precautions to protect yourself and your cat if they encounter any strange animals or objects. Cats are naturally curious creatures.
They may try to investigate things around them, so keep a close eye on your cat when walking them outdoors.
Are Snow Bengals Loyal Animals?
Bengals are extremely protective. They love their families more than anything else. They’re also very smart and can understand commands well. They’re great for those who want an affectionate companion but can’t house a dog.
Are Snow Bengals Good With Other Animals?
Snow Bengals are not known to be aggressive toward other animals. They may chase squirrels or birds; however, this is normal behavior for them. Since they don’t show aggression toward other species, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed around other animals.
Basics Of Caring For Your Snow Bengal
Purchase high quality cat food appropriate for the age of your Snow Bengal
Treats shouldn’t be more that 5-10% of the Snow Bengal’s diet
Although cats groom themselves, frequently brushing them will reduce shedding and hairballs
If you need to pick your cat up, lift gently, don’t pick them up by the scruff or front legs
Clean and change your cat’s litter box often
Keep the litter box in a quiet, accessible area
Clean and change your cat’s bedding often
Always keep your cat in at night
If your cat is an outdoor cat, make sure they are microchipped and wearing an ID tag
Make sure to have a good scratching post to keep your cat’s nails in good condition
Take your cat to the vet for regular check-ups
Make sure your cat is fully vaccinated
Provide fresh water every day
Play with your cat frequently for physical and mental exercise
Clean food and water dishes frequently
Conclusion
The Snow Bengal is a loving animal with plenty of personality. These intelligent felines are friendly and can adapt to most households, making it easy to train them to live indoors as well as out.
Because they’re independent, active cats, they require lots of space to run about. Once trained properly, their playful nature makes them perfect companions.
If you’ve read this guide and decided a Snow Bengal is the right cat for you, be prepared to put lots of time and effort into raising your new friend.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
