Bengal cats are no different when it comes to keeping our pets healthy. As cat parents, it is very important that we take the time to look into their health issues. Bengal cats are prone to suffering from various health issues. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common Bengal cat health issues and the reasons why these animals are prone to suffering from these issues.
Bengal cats are becoming more prone to various health issues. In most cases, there are some suffering from Bengal cat eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
PRA is an eye disorder that affects the cone and light receptors in the eye of Bengal cats. It can cause blindness in them. Unfortunately, there are no tests currently available for detecting Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Bengal breeding stocks. This is why the pet parent should rely on the breeder they got their Bengal from.
What Are The Common Bengal Cat Health Issues That They Usually Encounter
Lack of taurine
Due to the lack of taurine in their diets, PRA has been linked to a lack of energy. This is why it’s important that they get the proper amount of this amino acid.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a health issue that Bengals usually have to deal with. They can cause the normal lens of their eyes to become opaque.
This condition is inherited. Various factors can cause this like an injury to the eyes or a different illness. However, aside from their ability to adapt to being blind, cats can also survive being diagnosed with cataracts.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition that can cause severe and often fatal injuries to individuals. Bengal cats can also be prone to suffering from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is a condition that occurs when the heart muscle gets too weak or overworked. A lot of cats die from heart failure due to HCM. It is usually inherited and can be triggered by other conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypertension. It seems that the lack of taurine in their diet can also contribute to their developing HCM.
You can diagnose HCM by having a cardiologist perform an echocardiogram on your Bengal. However, this test can only detect mild cases of the condition. The quality of life in Bengal depends on various factors such as age, gender, and health status. Being diagnosed early will help you manage this life-threatening disease.
Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic Renal Failure or also known as CRF, is a condition that usually affects people with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Even though it’s a common issue for cats, there are some things that can cause felines to develop CRF.
There are things that you need to be aware of and one of them is about their age. So, It is recommended that your Bengal should be tested for chronic reproductive disease (CRF) for at least once a year after your cat turns seven. Your vet will perform a few tests, such as blood and urine tests, in order to detect if your cat has a disease.
Some of the symptoms and signs of CRF are Increased thirst, Vomiting, Loss of appetite, lethargy, loss of luster, and more.
Early detection is the key to preventing rabies. It can be done by observing its early stages and can be initiated by your Bengal cat. Your Bengal cat has the best chance of controlling this condition if it gets caught early enough.
Contrary to popular belief, Bengal cats do not get FeLV. Instead, they can get it easily. This viral disease causes all domestic cats to die. It can only be stopped or reversed. Some cats can live years after being diagnosed with FeLV. Others can only survive for a few weeks after being diagnosed.
Your pet’s disease can be hard to diagnose due to the variety of symptoms that it can exhibit. Many of these symptoms are severe and chronic. Your veterinarian can be challenging to diagnose due to the varying symptoms that can occur from one disease to the next. And some symptoms of FeLV often include Dieticians Symptoms of Infertility, Miscarriages, Anemia, High blood pressure, Constipation, Infertility, Symptoms of weight loss, Anemia, Trouble breathing, Symptoms of digestion, and lack of energy.
FeLV is a highly infectious disease that can infect your Bengal. It can be transmitted through their secretions and urine. Your Bengal should not regularly visit an infected cat to prevent the spread of the virus.
Psychogenic Alopecia
Over-grooming is a behavioral disorder that involves constantly looking for ways to get bigger or different from one another. It can be triggered by stress and is considered an obsession. It’s natural for cats to self-groom. However, when they go beyond this, they start licking their fur off all over their bodies.
The most common areas where they will start licking their fur off are their stomachs, thighs, and arms. However, If your Bengal has patches of fur missing, then you should get them to a vet as soon as possible.
Distal Neuropathy
Bengal cats are prone to suffering from hereditary disorders such as hereditary encephalopathy. This disorder generally affects around 9% of all Bengal cats within their first year of life. Your Bengal might be suffering from epileptic encephalopathy if its condition shows signs of weakness, constipation, and a wound that doesn’t seem to heal properly. As the disorder worsens, cats with this condition will eventually succumb to paralysis.
Entropion
This is an eye disorder that can appear unexpectedly. It’s something that should be treated immediately if it occurs. Entropion is a condition where the lid gets inverted. It can cause your cat to go blind if it is not treated correctly.
There is a lot of symptoms that you need to look out for, and some of them are:
- Constant Blinking of your feline’s eyes.
- Mucus discharge from the eye of your Bengals.
- Squinting.
- Aversion of your Bengal to all lights.
- Their eyelids are all swollen and inflamed.
- Usually pawing at their own eyes.
How To Take Care Of Your Own Bengal Cat
As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your Bengal gets the proper care and attention it needs. It’s important to spare some time to make sure that your Bengal is well-fed and has regular visits with the vets.
Make sure that your Bengal gets the proper care and attention it needs during these visits to the veterinarian. In addition, it is essential to make sure that you’re cat is getting enough sleep. Make sure that your Bengal has all the vaccinations that it needs to protect itself. Talk to your vet about the vaccines that are required for your pet. You’ll also want to make sure your Bengal gets the necessary vaccinations to protect them from diseases.
Just make sure that you don’t over-vaccinate Bengal because this can trigger cancer in the vaccine site. When training your Bengals, make sure that they are kept inside and secured in a harness. Also, never let them outside without their harness or leash. Make sure that your Bengal is healthy before you expose them to other cats. Besides, you will want to make sure that the other cats that you expose are healthy and have the proper vaccinations.
The Personality Of Bengal Cats
First of all, the Bengal cat is a hybrid animal that has a spotted coat. This animal is a subspecies of the Asian Leopard Cat. Bengal cats are known to form bonds with people they see living in their surroundings. They can also develop fond memories with people they care about. Bengal cats are very affectionate animals. They can develop strong bonds with strangers. Bengal cats are very territorial, and they will climb anything in their house.
This behavior is similar to how they live in their environment. Bengal cats are also very fond of climbing up and entering other people’s houses. They are also known to get into other animals’ spaces. However, Bengal cats are very intelligent and can be trained to do anything that they are trained to do. Their unique personalities are not limited by their looks. Bengal cats are only recommended for people who are experienced with cats. They do not have specific vaccines, though.
You just need to remember to Follow the vaccination rule as a cat owner. It is important that your pet gets vaccinations as it can protect itself from diseases and viruses.
Bottom Line
When looking for a new kitten, it is important to find out what kind of animal has less chance of getting health problems. It is very important to find a breed that has no history of health issues so you can minimize the chances of getting a damaged kitten. While it wasn’t the most fun part of searching for a Bengal, you’ll be glad that you did your due diligence and supported a breeder who truly cared about their health.
If you really prefer a Bengal cat, then you should know the common Bengal cat health issues that your cat might encounter and know-how to prevent them as much as possible. This way, you’re not only taking care of your cat, but you are also giving your cat the opportunity to live happily and healthy for more years.
