This enchanting breed is mostly recognizable for its distinct appearance and very affectionate personality. It is widely known among cat lovers that Snow Bengals are like no others. Snow Bengal Cats are considered a newer cat breed that catches your eye with a pale and attractive coat.
Wild, but not at all, bad temperament, Snow Bengals are attention-seekers and playful creatures.
So, if you have time to devote attention to a cat from this breed, be sure you are going to have a lifetime friend.
Appearance
Snow Lynx Bengal Cat’s coat is what makes them different from the rest of the cat breeds. They have a white or pale coat dotted with dark to light shade markings, a dark brown tail, and glassy blue eyes, while a Snow Mink Bengal Cat will be recognized by its ivory or tan-colored coat, with dark seal markings.
It is a curiosity, but Snow Lynks Bengal’s coat darkens as they grow older, mostly till the age of 2.
The kittens of this breed are simply irresistible, small, and cute.
Snow Bengals can be classified as medium to large, so in no time the kitten transforms into a demanding pet. They usually weigh between 8-15 pounds (3.6 kg – 6.8 kg) and grow 13-16 inches ( 33-41 cm) tall.
These approximate values can vary. Males usually weigh more than females. Anyhow, the Snow Bengals are a bit bigger than most domesticated cat breeds.
No matter what size they are, this cat breed makes a perfect house cat.
Origin and History of Snow Bengals
Snow Bengal Cat originates from the USA as a hybrid animal created by crossing gene pools in a special breeding program. The genes of the Snow Bengal Cat are recessive, which means that the brown-spotted Bengal might carry some specific genes that are important for Snow Bengal Cat characteristics.
Since we are talking of a hybrid breed it may take generations to get a snow litter.
According to the historical insight into the breed the first Snow Lynx Bengal cat appeared at the point when some domesticated cats were crossed with wild Bengals that carried the recessive colorpoint genes.
What came out of it was the Seal Lynxpoint Snow Bengal Cat as a result of the albino genes.
It was all assumed as experimental breeding since the 1980’s and the beginning of the 1990’s when the second generation from the cross gave the seal sepia snow leopard cat with green eyes at the breeder Kotton Pickin. Even today, most mink and sepia snow Bengals draw their ancestry back to this breeder.
It was in 1993 when Seal Lynx, Seal Mink, and Seal Sepia pointed cats were accepted to take place in the TICA Championship.
Let’s resume and say that there are 3 distinct colors within the Snow Bengal Cat Breed: Lynx Point Tabby, Sepia Tabby, and Mink Tabby. They are very similar but still have some unique characteristics that keep them aside from the rest.
Physical Characteristics of Snow Bengals
Snow Bengal Cats are known as athletic and beautiful.Temperament and adaptability
These smart, very dynamic, and energetic cats are seeking a lot of attention from their owners. Snow Bengal Cats adore human company and hate to be ignored. Although affectionate they are not always ready to curl up or snuggle, since playing on the floor is much of a fun for them.
Being in the same place as the family members is very important for these cats. A bit strange, but true, the owners of Snow Bengals can confirm that they are “talkative”. On certain occasions, they make some distinct noises which is one more sign of not being just an ordinary pet. These sounds are used as an alarm for you that something is against their will and they do not feel pleased.
Snow Bengal cats are real explorers of the home, so do not be surprised if you see them climbing wherever it’s possible. This breed can be a great family pet, especially if you can avoid enough time to play with it. They do love kids, and get along very well, but might be avoiding toddlers until they grow up and learn how to treat them politely.
When it comes to the other animals, Snow Bengal Cats are best friends with someone of their breed, so having a pair is perfect. They also interact with other animals and do not want to be pushed to play, but get to know each other slowly. You have to be careful with this breed when you have to introduce another pet into the house since they are territorial when they grow up.
Dogs are a perfect match to be a friend to the Snow Bengal Cat. They are not afraid of water, so keeping a fish tank is not a smart idea with a Snow Bengal nearby. Rodents and rabbits are also a critical category to live together with.
Maintenance and Care
The Snow Bengal Cats are considered high maintenance when it comes to activity needs because you will have to keep them busy to avoid destructive behavior. When it comes to hygiene and grooming they are pretty easy to handle.
Grooming involves brushing their coat once a week and keeping it shiny.
These cats do not shed a lot of hair. Their thick fur makes them resistant to cold, although they are short-haired cats without an undercoat.
Their lifetime varies from 10 – 16 years of age.
The Snow Bengal Cats eat a bit more than ordinary domestic cats because they spend more energy while playing and being active during the day. This cat breed has significant dietary demands and can gain more weight if given bigger portions than needed.
What an owner of the Snow Bengal Cat has to take care of a lot is their character. An owner of a kitten of this breed must know that the cat can be considered domestic after the fifth generation. So, it is very important to know that the kittens of the first generation have to be separated from their mother from the first hours of birth and entrusted to a domestic cat to lose their “wild” genetic instincts and learn how to socialize and play with other animals.
