Did you know that Bengal cats with long hair exist? Breeders who recognized the exceptional beauty of a variation of this leopard-like animal with a long, silky coat gave it the name Cashmere.

 The Cashmere Bengal Cat is a long-haired beauty that is winning the hearts of people all around the world, although they are still rather uncommon.

Occasionally, a Bengal kitten litter would produce a kitten with long hair in addition to the usual short-haired kittens. When these cats were of breeding age, their coats were deemed abnormal for the breed, therefore they were spayed or neutered.

However, some breeders decided to breed this odd characteristic into Bengals after noticing their beauty and distinctiveness. All of the breed’s personality features apply to cashmere Bengals, except the long, silky coat that gives them their magnificent appearance.

History of Cashmere Bengal Cat

Bengal cats have existed for longer than Cashmere cats have. Cashmere cats are currently purposefully developed as a recognized variety of breed. As well as a brand-new breed, even though they were once thought of as Bengals with undesirable characteristics. This modern Bengal was created in the 1980s and recognized as a breed by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1986.

While European breeders are working to establish Cashmere cats as a new, distinct breed, American breeders are working to get these lovely cats recognized as long-haired Bengals, an accepted, standard type.

Temperament

Cashmere cats are similar to Bengal cats with short hair while having luscious, lengthy fur. The same characteristics may be found in long-haired Bengals’ personalities.

They are frequently compared to canines due to their similar intelligence, curiosities, and ease of training. Like their short-haired counterparts, cashmere cats are trainable and able to walk on a leash.

Because cashmere cats are exuberant and lively, you can count on this fluffy feline to leap all over the home. Cashmere shares a personality trait with Bengal cats, so you shouldn’t be too shocked if you discover tiny objects inexplicably disappearing from where you left them. This Bengal cat with long hair is not afraid of hair bands, keys, or pencils!

They also enjoy the water, which is unusual among felines and is another intriguing characteristic they have in common with short-haired Bengals.

Some Bengals have even attempted to master skimboarding and sailing, conquering the water realm after deciding that the land might not present them with enough of a challenge.

But life with these leopard-like cats isn’t simply fun and thrills. Similar to short-haired Bengals, long-haired Bengals are very friendly and cuddly and develop close relationships with their owners.

After considering all of this, it is safe to state that Bengal and Cashmere cats are alike in terms of personality. After all, comparing the lengths of these two cats’ coats is the only way to distinguish between them!

Appearance

The greatest distinguishing characteristic of Cashmere Bengal Cats is, as you’ve probably guessed by now, their lengthy, velvety coat. Since the breeder was reminded of this pricey material by the silkiness and tenderness of the cats’ hair, they were given the name Cashmere.

There isn’t a specific hair length that can be anticipated because this variety is a natural occurrence. A Turkish Angora cat’s coat could resemble it, whereas a Maine Coon cat’s fur is longer and fluffier.

Size

The size of cashmere bengal cats ranges from medium to giant, with males often being larger than females. These cats are athletic and well-muscled, as well. Additionally, a Cashmere bengal cat’s body will be well-balanced, so none of its traits will be overly obvious or exaggerated.

Shedding/Coat Type

Bengals with long hair shed less. Anyone thinking about getting a Cashmere Bengal cat frequently worries about the shedding and additional maintenance that long hair typically requires. Great News! Cashmere Bengal owners frequently assert that their cats shed much less compared to other cats and may even be mildly hypoallergenic.

The remarkable rosettes that are evident on the silky smooth hair of cashmere Bengals give them a wild and opulent combination. This Cashmere breed of cat is just as beautiful and varied as Bengals in terms of color and markings.

They can have a marbled coat, which contrasts their light, silky fur with dark swirls, or a coat that is spotted or rosetted, which looks like a tiny, fluffy leopard.

Long-haired Bengals have coats in a wide range of hues, including brown and gold tones and snowy kinds with milky, creamy hair accentuated by two-tone patches or a black marble pattern.

Grooming

When someone mentions a “long-haired cat,” the image of a Persian or a Maine Coon cat usually enters people’s heads first. Naturally, people, therefore, tend to believe that Cashmere cats have coats similar to these and should be brushed to avoid their fur matting.

However, among long-haired cat breeds, Cashmere cats are exceptional. Even if it is much longer than the norm, their traditional Bengal hair still has the same silky, soft, and rich characteristics. A Cashmere cat’s coat is sleek and clean, and it is simple to maintain flawless grooming.

Some Cashmere cat breeders even assert that their cats don’t need to have their hair groomed and that they shed far less than other cat breeds. Given how smooth and sleek a Bengal’s coat is, it shouldn’t be surprising that long-haired Bengal cats exhibit comparable characteristics in their fur.

Pedigree

Two Bengal cats gave birth to cashmere cats. So, it would be absurd to say that the Bengal cat is not a pedigree cat. Some Bengal cats contain the recessive gene or longhair gene, which could result in some kittens being born with longer hair.

In case you need any additional persuasion, the TICA declared that Cashmere cats are qualified for the Championship competition, beginning in May 2017.

In addition, when breeders intentionally choose long, silky coats, they must wait several weeks before they can be sure they have a complete litter of Cashmere. It’s hard to predict the type of hair a newborn kitten will have. The kitten’s long hair doesn’t come into full view until it is anywhere from six to twelve weeks old.