14.06.2022

Ginger Bengal cat—the truth behind the colour

You’ve adopted a beautiful and extraordinary ginger kitty but are unsure of their breed? If they’re a chatterbox who loves playtime and enjoys baths, your cat could be a Bengal mix!

Our guide will help you find out if there is such a thing as a ginger Bengal cat, how the ginger colour came to be, and whether your kitty needs a breed-specific regimen. Untamed looks beyond the surface to find the answers!

Do ginger Bengal cats exist?

Ginger Bengal cats don’t exist as purebred felines—only as a mix between a Bengal and another breed. If your kitty is ginger but resembles a Bengal in their appearance or personality, one of their ancestors was probably a miniature leopard. 

Bengals come in many shades, but brown, snow, and silver are the only breed-accepted colours. Check out the details in the table below:

There are also the non-standard Bengal colours tolerated within the community but not yet accepted—blue, chocolate, and cinnamon. Ginger is not on the list, so Bengal kitties of this colour are not considered purebred.

How to tell if your cat is a Bengal mix?

Although ginger Bengal cats are not officially accepted, your feline could have many physical and psychological traits of the breed. If this is the case, watch out for hereditary diseases Bengals are prone to, such as patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, PKD, progressive retinal atrophy, and similar. 

Pure Bengals are distinctive and easy to recognise. 

Source: Astor Somohano

Besides colouring, you can recognise a Bengal kitty by the following:

1. Coat thickness 
2. Build
3. Temperament
4. Sociability
5. How they feel about water
6. Vocality

Examine your kitty’s coat

Many people think that Bengals are hypoallergenic because of their thin and soft coats. Even though they shed less and make better companions to people with allergies, they’re not hypoallergenic. The most attractive Bengal trait is the gorgeous coat pattern in different (but always stunning) variants.

The most common ones are:

• Rosetted
• Marble
• Sparbled
• Spotted

Ginger cats often resemble Bengals because they have spots, whirls, or stripes. 

Look at your cat’s build

Bengals are known for their lean build and athletic abilities. As an active breed, they rarely have weight problems. The standard weight for adult Bengals is about 3–6 kilograms, but it's typically muscles and not fat. Their build is stocky and strong.

A Bengal cat also moves in a specific way, which resembles the swagger of wild felines. 

Identify your cat’s temperament

Bengals typically have strong and stand-out personalities. They are also highly energetic attention seekers. Despite the bad rep, they’re not aggressive or feral. With proper discipline and sufficient playtime that fulfils their need for exploration and exercise, Bengals are lovely and well-behaved companions. 

Stop reading this boring book and play with me, hooman!

Source: cottonbro

Figure out if they are social

Although they can be territorial, Bengals are very sociable. Their almost dog-like nature makes them a bit different from other felines. They never shy away from a playdate with their humans, other felines, and cat-friendly canines. 

Do the dunk test

Most felines hate water, while Bengals adore it. They enjoy baths and won't mind spending hours in the tub. Their coats dry quickly, so this part of the grooming ritual will be effortless and fun. 

Is your cat a chatterbox? 

Bengals are extremely vocal and expressive. They love to communicate with their cat parents and other animals to show joy and dissatisfaction. Cat parents should try to learn some “Bengalese” because it will help them understand when the feline is angry, afraid, or in pain.

Consult an expert

If you’re unsure whether your ginger kitty is a mix of Bengal and another breed and you’d like to know for sure, you can always ask your vet for their input. They’ll research your cat’s genetic makeup and DNA with genetic testing and give you a definitive answer.

What affects your cat's colour?

Red or ginger felines get their signature colour from a “ginger gene” found on the X chromosome. 

Since females have two X chromosomes, they must have two copies of the gene, while males, who have X and Y chromosomes, need only one. As a result, 80% of ginger cats are male, while 20% are female.

The following breeds have ginger among their ranks, either as purebreds or half breeds:

• Persian
• Munchkin
• American Bobtail
• British Shorthair
• Maine Coon
• Abyssinian

Do mixed Bengal cats need a specific care regimen?

Regardless of your ginger cat’s breed, they need a lot of care and affection to be healthy and happy. 

I guess brushing is okay…but when are we going to bathe?

Source: cottonbro

Here are the pillars of a successful routine every feline requires:

• Grooming—Whatever their coat type, all kitties need some grooming. Establish a routine that consists of regular brushing, washing, nail trimming, and dental hygiene. Once you figure out the breed mix of your ginger feline, make sure to consult your vet on the best care regimen. If they are part Bengal, the grooming sessions should be easy and fun because tiny leopards are pretty low-maintenance
• Exercise—Playtime and exercise will keep your kitty agile and prevent or delay common health niggles, such as obesity and diabetes. Regular activity will also provide your ginger companion with enough challenges and fun to keep them happy even if they're not allowed to go outside
• Nutrition—Suitable portions of high-protein meals (over 50% protein content) are vital for the health and longevity of any feline. Avoid feeding them products containing grains, sugar, and vegetables since carbs are tough to digest and should not exceed 3% of your cat’s daily food intake

Keep your kitty healthy with the proper diet

Providing your ginger kitty with nutritious cat food should be your top priority.

Felines are obligate carnivores whose natural diet consists of birds, mice, slugs, frogs, and insects. Domesticated cats will thrive on lean meat and fish, such as chicken, turkey, sardines, salmon, tuna, and mackerel.

Boy, did that Garfield get it wrong with lasagna. Somebody tell him that lean meat hits the spot!

Source: cottonbro

Each meal should contain:

1. Over 50% protein
2. Up to 20% fat
3. Little to no carbs

Moisture is a crucial part of your cat’s diet. In the wild, felines get their water from fresh prey, so your kitty's meals should contain at least 70% moisture to keep them properly hydrated. Dehydration can cause indigestion, lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes, increased heart rate, skin tears, and similar issues.

Why is animal protein so important?

Animal protein is the primary energy source for felines. Meat and fish, including chicken, tuna, salmon, and liver, are excellent sources of amino acids, such as taurine, that support:

• Brain function
• Hair quality
• Immune system
• Weight management

Your feline’s diet shouldn’t contain proteins derived from vegetables, such as carrots, peas, sweetcorn and soya. Cats don’t have the digestive enzymes to break down plant protein, so continual consumption can lead to malnutrition.

Animal fat—healthy and tasty!

Animal fat can be a secondary source of energy. It is also:

1. Rich in fatty acids—Animal fat contains the essential fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, and promote coat health
2. Super tasty—Cats find the taste of fat irresistible, so even fussy eaters won't have reasons to complain. Stay within the recommended amounts since overconsumption can cause unhealthy weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related health issues

Which type of food should you choose for your ginger companion—dry or wet?

Dry food is cheaper and easy to store, but it's typically high in calories. Kibble shouldn’t be part of your kitty's regular meal plan, but you can mix it with wet food or use it instead of treats. 

Wet food is a much better choice, not only because it keeps kitties hydrated but because it tends to be high in animal protein. Feed your cat wet products (jelly and gravy) made with lean meat and fish, and they'll stay fit and healthy.

How can Untamed help?

Untamed delivers all essential nutrients without compromising the taste of your kitty's meals. 

Here are the reasons why you should switch your furry friend to Untamed:

• Easy-to-digest meals—We use only the highest-quality ingredients. Untamed products don’t contain vegetables, meat derivatives, and other potentially harmful ingredients, making them suitable for sensitive kitties
• Free of known allergens—We refrain from using any ingredient that provokes allergic reactions. If you have an especially sensitive feline, try one of our single-protein-source recipes—Chocka Chicken or Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly
• Irresistible taste—We gently steam our dishes, locking in the natural aromas and all the vitamins and minerals. Even notoriously finicky felines that say no to wet food cannot resist our delicacies 
• Formulated by vets—Our recipes are designed by vets to have the ideal protein-to-fat ratio that’ll satisfy all your kitty’s nutritional needs
• Produced ethically—Untamed is Carbon Neutral Certified. We source our meat and fish from sustainable, cruelty-free suppliers and use 100% recyclable packaging
• Rich in protein—Each can of Untamed offers more than 60% animal protein, which is twice as much as the industry standard

Take our TRY NOW quiz and tell us more about your ginger kitty so that we can create a tailor-made meal plan together.

Untamed offers your feline prime cuts of their favourite lean meats!

Image (c) Untamed

What to expect after switching to Untamed

Cat parents that have switched their furry friends to Untamed have noticed the following positive changes in their kitties:

How to sign up

Follow these three steps to get the Untamed taster pack:

1. Complete our TryNow quiz
2. Pick a suitable meal plan
3. Place the order

We value your time, money, and trust, so our ordering process is straightforward and transparent. Untamed perks include:

• Free one-day shipping
• Delivery of monthly food supplies
• No-fuss modification and cancellation of orders