Very rare and captivating cats, thus very expensive, the Silver Bengal Cat is famous for its silver markings. It is a cat created by interbreeding with some of the shorthair cats in the States. The unique coat makes it appear unbelievably attractive.
This breed is not accepted as its own but is recognized in a group with all other Bengal cats.
Appearance
The elegant appearance of the Silver Bengal can vary in the diversity of shades, from a background in white to a very dark steel tone.
It is not at all strange if you notice a Silver Bengal in other color combinations, such as Sliver Snow, Blue Silver, or even a Silver Charcoal. Talking about colors there is always a bit of tarnish shade in their coat.
The silver markings that make this cat rare and exceptional are located at the base of its fur which is white. Silver gene is mostly important for the color of the coat. These beauties have cute black tails.
Origin and History of the Silver Bengal Cats
The variety of Bengal Cats including Silver Bengal Cats came out by crossing the domestic cat with the wild Asian Leopard Cats in the 1960’s and after.
The Silver Bengal Cat specifically came in the 1990’s by the breeder Judy Sugden who introduced the first litter of this breed. As soon as it came it became a favorite among the breeders because, with its stunning beauty and uniqueness, it reminds a lot of the wild jungle cat.
A divine sheen on its coat makes the breed worldwide popular and recognizable. The Silver Bengal simply shines, especially if it’s seen at the right light angle.
At certain times cat lovers were fond of light-colored cats when they were interested in the Silver Bengal and the demand has uplifted.
It was in 2004 when the International Cat Association officially introduced the Silver Bengal Cat as a hybrid breed.
Physical Characteristics
Silver Bengal Cats are widely known for their playful and energetic spirit. They simply adore exploring and you will find them climbing places in your home that you’ve never dreamed of. Silver Bengals are athletes who want to interact with family members and make a strong bond with their owners.
Silver Bengals are 13-16 inches (33-40 cm) tall and weigh around 8-17 lbs (3.6-7.7 kg) with a lifespan between 10-16 years spreading it to 20 years of age in exceptional cases.
They are talkative, trying to communicate and alert about their feelings with a variety of sounds. They meow or even “bark” as a dog. Acknowledging their wild ancestry their owner must be aware of their need for mental stimulation.
Their body constitution and energetic spirit or athletic appearance make the Silver Bengals great controllers at home. This is all due to their natural habitat which could be never erased from the gene content.
A predator, deep inside their mind, makes them not friendly to smaller animals. But their affectionate attitude toward the family and relation with other home pets has to be developed from a young age. That is the only way to build a harmonious relationship. Like other cats from the Bengal breed, the Silver Bengals do not want to be pushed but to be introduced to the surroundings little by little.
This is not going to be complete if the 3 unique facts regarding Silver Bengal Cats are not declared. Those are
-
Their glittering coats give an impression of a fairy look as they are sprinkled with shimmering dust.
-
A true Silver Bengal Cat must be free of tarnish shadow, although in the time of great demand of this breed some out-of-the-scene breeders have come out with litters that have a tarnish shadow in the coat of the cat. To be clear with the meaning of tarnish, it is the yellowish or brownish coloration.
-
Silver Bengal cats are the hardest to breed because of their color, so they make them extremely rare.
Temperament and Adaptability
Many will say that cats have personality and that is pretty much true. Silver Bengal cat is a sweet and loving pet, although there are beliefs that it is wild and just pretends to be domesticated. It is a loyal friend and stays very close to the family or the owner. Silver Bengals will enjoy and live a great life with the same breed buddy to play and interact with.
Like other Bengals, the Silver Bengal beauty is demanding and you will have to devote your time to giving it attention. These cats are affectionate and may even want to sleep beside you at night, but do not expect your pet to be a lap-seater.
Silver Bengals are highly intelligent and very dynamic and make a perfect pet, but not for everyone.
Maintenance and Care
Silver Bengal cat is a hybrid breed with short coats and do not seek much grooming. Silver Bengals do not shed a lot, so a simple brush will do to occasionally remove the loose fur. Once a week is more than enough.
Being not hypoallergenic these cats are not assumed to be allergy triggers.
Silver Bengal Cat needs specialized cat food high in protein and in reasonable doses to stay healthy. What you should take much care about is regular vet visits, since some of the Silver Bengals suffer symptoms of Intestinal bowel disease which not diagnosed on time can worsen the health. In this case, the vet’s advice and a combination of parasite treatment and high-protein food can solve the health issue.
These unique and beautiful cats can reach 20 years of age if properly taken care of. Being a hybrid breed, the Silver Bengal cat may carry some genetic health problems like Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which will cause thickening of the heart wall; Progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness, and Pyruvate kinase deficiency which eliminates red blood cells.
This was just a caution reminder, good to know when you have a hybrid as your pet. Breeders take care of the genetic development, so the previously mentioned rarely happens.
