There’s nothing quite like running your hand over a cat’s soft, silky fur. That smooth coat, the healthy shine — it’s one of the quiet joys of living with a feline.
But here’s what most cat parents don’t realize: a healthy coat doesn’t start with a brush. It starts in the bowl.
At Brigite’s Bengals, we raise Bengal kittens with care, and we’ve seen time and again that glowing skin and silky fur come from inside — from what cats eat, how often they hydrate, and how well their bodies process nutrients.
🍽 It Starts With Food
A dull, greasy, or flaky coat is often the first visible sign that something’s missing in your cat’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means every cell in their body — including skin and fur — is fueled by high-quality, animal-based nutrition.
Key nutrients for skin and coat:
- Protein – builds strong fur
- Omega-3s & 6s – reduce dryness, bring out shine
- Vitamin A – supports skin regeneration
- Zinc – helps prevent flakiness and itchiness
Our book Feed the Cat Better includes vet-approved homemade recipes that center these exact needs — because we’ve found that many commercial diets, even the premium ones, fall short.
✨ Real Story, Real Results
We once raised a Bengal kitten who came to us with patchy fur and dry skin — likely from poor early nutrition. Within two weeks of switching to a balanced, omega-rich feeding routine (built from our Feed the Cat Better playbook), her coat filled in and gleamed like silk.
The transformation was more than skin-deep — she was calmer, more playful, and visibly more comfortable in her body.
🧼 Don’t Forget the Grooming
While food is the foundation, regular brushing helps distribute natural oils and remove dead fur. This is especially important for Bengals, who have tight, short coats that can still develop dullness without help.
Our Bengal grooming tips:
- Use a rubber grooming mitt 1–2x per week
- Add occasional gentle baths with a feline-safe shampoo
- Clean ears and trim nails monthly — healthy cats groom more confidently
💧 Hydration = Healthy Skin
One of the most overlooked parts of coat care is water. Cats fed dry food alone often live in a mild state of dehydration, which shows up in poor coat texture.
Solutions:
- Offer multiple clean water bowls
- Use a cat fountain (Bengals especially love moving water!)
- Add moisture-rich meals like broth or wet food
If you’re following our book, you’ll find hydration built directly into many of the recipes — something we designed intentionally, based on years of raising high-energy cats.
🚨 Signs Something’s Off
Watch out for:
- Persistent dandruff or flakes
- Bald patches
- Oily, clumpy, or rough fur
- Reluctance to self-groom
These are all signs your cat’s nutrition or health may need attention. And if you’ve ruled out medical issues with your vet? It’s time to reevaluate the food.
🐾 Final Word From the Cattery
At Brigite’s Bengals, we believe nutrition is wellness.
It’s why we developed Feed the Cat Better — to help cat parents everywhere raise stronger, shinier, healthier cats with simple, home-prepped meals.
Because when you understand what goes in the bowl, you start to see the results in the fur.
And once your cat starts glowing from whiskers to tail? You’ll never look back.