Both Bengal and Skookum are originated from United States. Both Bengal and Skookum are having almost same weight. Both Bengal and Skookum has almost same life span. Both Bengal and Skookum has almost same litter size. Bengal requires Moderate Maintenance. But Skookum requires Low Maintenance
What an exquisite coat the Bengal cat has. It looks like the coat of a wild cat and can have spots, marbling, and rosettes, but it is domesticated, developed from hybrids – the spotted Egyptian Mau and the Asian Leopard cat.
It is the only domestic breed of cat that has rosette markings. It is Jean Mill of California that you associate the Bengal cat with, and she conducted a number of graduate classes in genetics.
Skookums are a new cat breed – an experimental and rare hybrid dwarf cat breed, It was developed in the United States in the 1990s.
As a new breed, you’re not going to find too much information on their history, but is was breeder Roy Galusha who started crossing the Munchkin cat with the LaPerm.
Even today, some years later, the Skookum cat is still an experimental cat breed that is considered a rare dwarf breed. It is recognized as an Experimental breed by Independent European Registries as well as the Dwarf Cat Association.
The Bengal looks like a wild cat and it can weigh up to 7kg. It can reach a height of 70cm with long, muscular legs and almond-shaped eyes which are green or blue.
When it comes to the coat of the Bengal cat, it has a wide variety of colors and patterns. The cat can be brown, black, red, grey, spotted, clouded, ticked or rosette.
There are Bengal breeders that claim that their Bengals are hypoallergenic so that they won’t cause an allergic reaction with their owers. This is something that hasn’t been scientifically proved and in fact many will say that there isn’t such as thing as a hypoallergenic cat.
The Bengal is a medium to large-sized cat, being long and lean and muscular. As a low shedder, it is believed the Bengal is a hypoallergenic cat breed – a cat less likely to cause an allergy with its human owners.
When you bring a Bengal cat into your home, you’ll find they are energetic, smart, and playful and they love cavorting around in water.
People who have owned a Bengal say that the cat is friendly and that it enjoys interacting with humans. They’re cats capable of forming strong bonds with their human family, becoming affectionate and loyal. They in turn want to receive lots of loving attention.
They’re intelligent too and are quick to learn. You have to remember that these are part wild cat and that they are only classed as tame from the 4th generation (T4).
The cat has wild traits so it is only natural that it likes to hunt so don’t be alarmed when your Bengal presents you with dead mice, moles, and birds.
The dwarf Skookum only weighs between 2 and 3kg. It is a new cat breed with a curly coat. The coat can be in a range of colors and patterns.
It is a small, lightweight cat with short legs and a broad head and stocky build. It has a muscular build. The eyes are large and walnut- shaped while the ears are large and pointed.
The neck is also thickish. The coat is soft and curly, standing away from the body and spiraling into ringlets. It can feature a number of colors and patterns such as solid, bicolor, and colorpoint. These cats can be long-haired or short-haired.
They are playful cats, full of energy and they love climbing and jumping. They’re intelligent, confident cats and are also loyal and loving towards their human family. They may be active, playful cats, but they still like to settle down into your lap.
Bengal cats are intelligent and just like a dog he is clever at learning tricks and can even be taught things such as ‘sit’, ‘fetch’ or ‘lie down’. They actually make great companions as they are sensitive to their owner's moods and can even recognize human gestures and adapt their behavior to their owner's mood.
They’re vocal cats too and they like to communicate about their needs, being able to meow in different tones. They’re active cats and they want active owners – those who can spend time with them playing and even going on walks and hikes.
The Bengal certainly is a wonderfully companionable cat.
Because the Skookum cat is still in its early stages of development if you want to know precisely what the characteristics of the cat are you would want to look at the Munchkin and the LaPerm cat.
One thing is sure the Skookum cat thrives on the attention of his human family and if you provide him with the love and attention he craves, you can be sure that he will turn out to be the right friend and companion for your family.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a concern with the Bengal cat breed and this is a disease where the heart muscle becomes thick and unable to pump blood properly.
It’s a common genetic disease in Bengal cats. Cats used for breeding need to be screened each year to ensure no hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is present.
Another problem with the Bengal cat is Progressive retinal atrophy or PRA. Anyone wanting to breed Bengals should have their cat tested for this eye disease as the disease can lead to blindness.
Because the Skookum cat is a new, experimental breed, health problems with the cat are not well known. However, every cat can succumb to some of the common cat health issues there are. As a pet owner you want to watch for and recognize signs that your cat’s health is in trouble.
Feline leukemia for instance is a disease that spreads through bodily fluids such as urine, saliva and nose discharge, and saliva. Mother cats can even pass the disease along to her kittens. Feline leukemia can also lead to a host of conditions such as diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, skin problems and eye diseases among others.
Feline panleukopenia is known to most people as feline distemper and it is a very contagious viral disease with kittens being most at risk.
The disease affects a cat's immune system and the cat will likely have diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, and lethargy. It’s a deadly disease that requires a vaccine to prevent it.
You will need a secured outdoor area for your Bengal cat where he can play and climb. He will need these for his activity levels as well as stimulating toys.
Provide feeding and water bowls and also make sure that you provide your Bengal with a shallow swimming pool as this cat loves water.
The Bengal is a healthy cat breed so it is important to provide your pet cat with the best food there is and to ensure he gets checked out at the vet every year.
Most hybrid breed owners provide raw food as these cats are often sensitive to commercially manufactured food. Having said that, there are high-quality prepared cat foods that will provide your Bengal with everything needed for a healthy life.
Look at providing your pet with a good supplement to ensure your furry friend has every chance to be healthy and happy.
Even though the Skookum has curly hair, it’s not difficult to groom him. You want to brush the soft curls gently once a week. Keep it gentle so that you don’t make the curls frizzy.
Use some warm water in a spray bottle with some pet conditioner and spray the curls lightly and use your fingers to liven up the curls.
Cats like to nibble throughout the day and it is better for them to feed like this as opposed to a larger meal morning and night.
However, you will need to know what your cat is eating as you don’t want to overfeed your cat. Obesity comes with a host of health issues. As a carnivore, your cat requires meaty foods so make sure to feed him high-quality cat foods that have meat and protein as the top ingredients.
Your cat must have a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
Provide your cat with a litter box. You will need to clean out the box every day of cat feces as cats don’t like to use a box that is dirty. You get special cat rakes at the vet or the pet shop that makes it easy just to rake up the feces and dispose of them.