A Bengal's coat is truly remarkable. The unique marbling or spotting pattern is what attracts thousands of fans to the breed, along with the coat's shimmery finish. However, that stunning coat does not maintain itself. Behind every glossy Bengal is an owner who's figured out a few key things about nutrition, grooming and the right kind of care. The good news for Bengal cat owners is that there is not a lot of complexity to the process of ensuring that a Bengal's coat is and remains shiny and soft; much of this is a result of what they are being fed.

Why Is a Bengal's Coat So Special?

The coat of a Bengal is a direct result of their descent from the Asian Leopard Cat. Many domesticated cats don't possess what is referred to as a 'glitter coat', but many Bengals do. This means they have individual hairs that reflect light and almost give a jewelled appearance to their fur. It's spectacular when it's healthy, and noticeably dull when it isn't. The glitter effect is linked to the health of the cat and the amount of fatty acid in their diet. Basically, when Bengals eat a diet balanced in fatty acids, their coat sparkles.

What Should Bengal Cats Eat for A Healthy Coat?

No amount of brushing a Bengal's coat is going to give you a good-looking cat if the cat's diet is not on point. Nutrition is the most important thing related to coat care, and if you get it right, it makes everything else much simpler:

High Quality Protein

Bengal cats are carnivores, which means they need meat. Protein is the nourishment that provides the skin with the building blocks to create healthy follicles. Without a balanced diet, your furball’s coat is in danger of becoming brittle and thin. Your cat's diet should be protein-based, with at least 70% protein in each meal and importantly, it should be high-quality, whole meat as the first ingredient. Find cat food that has no fillers, no sugars, no grains and no meat by-products; from brands such as Fuzzball. 

 

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

If protein builds the coat, fatty acids make it gleam. The ‘Bengal shine’ comes from the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel. These fatty acids help cats with the following: moisturise the skin from the inside, reduce skin inflammation, support the hair follicles and reduce shedding in summer and spring. Omega-6 fatty acids (found in chicken fat and other animal fats) support the outer skin barrier and the retention of moisture.

Keeping Your Cat Hydrated

Dehydration affects skin and hair health and can lead to dry and flaky skin and coats. Although cats find it hard to drink water and often avoid it, you can use cat food to keep your Bengal cat hydrated. Most wet cat foods have a high moisture content and are easy to incorporate into your cat’s diet. This is also a great way to keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy. You should see a marked improvement in a few weeks.

What to Cat Food to Avoid

While generic, supermarket cat foods might be cheaper, many of these may use fillers, add sugars and grains. These ingredients do not help your Bengal's health or coat and may actually be harmful, causing inflammation, digestive problems and nutritional deficiency that are manifested first in the skin and coat. It is always a good idea to choose foods with shorter ingredient lists, that are free from fillers, and that have whole meats as the primary ingredients.

Grooming to Keep Your Bengal’s Coat Shiny

Your Bengal's diet is the most important factor when it comes to their coat, but grooming is a contributing aspect as well. Bengals require the least grooming of all the cat breeds. Grooming once or twice a week is ideal. Use a gentle rubber brush or grooming mitt to collect the loose hair. The brush will also help distribute the cat's natural oils, and it will be a great tool to check their skin. The bond with your cat will be strengthened as they lean into the brush, too.

Why Choose Fuzzball Cat Food 

At Fuzzball, we understand that Bengal cats need whole meats, essential fatty acids and nothing that doesn't earn its place in the bowl. That is why we built our recipes to include the nutrients that your cat needs. Other brands have sugar, fillers and grains, but not Fuzzball. We have honest, nutritionally complete food that supports your cat's health from the inside out, including that coat you can't stop stroking. 

• All recipes contain 100% whole meat ingredients that can be easily recognised.
• There are absolutely no added sugars, grains, fillers, or artificial ingredients.
• All meals are nutritionally complete.
• The meals are delivered to your door fresh and when it is convenient for you.
• You have the flexibility to edit, pause or cancel your plan whenever, and there are no lock-in contracts.
• Transparent ingredients mean there is no supermarket label deciphering.