Bengal
#14
Wamiz's Top Breed
These cats turn heads with their beauty and boundless energy. They combine grace and elegance and no one can ignore these beautiful cats. They are just like little leopards thanks to their physique and temperament. When you buy a Bengal, you have to be prepared to live with a small tornado! If you like peace and quiet, you probably shouldn’t buy a Bengal, because they will put you through the wringer! On the other hand, if you are prepared to face up to the storm, you’ll have an incredible time with this little leopard and they guarantee hours of play and laughter!
Key Facts about the Bengal
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Origins and history
Man’s fascination with wild cats has existed for a very long time. In 1963, a woman named Jean S. Mill decided to cross a domestic cat with a wild cat, an Indian (Bengali) leopard. Therefore the breed name was given to pay homage to the feline which made it possible to create the breed. The idea was to get a sweet and friendly cat with the look and physique of a leopard or jaguar. Dr. Mill was entrusted by Davis University in California with 8 hybrid females that had been used for feline leukemia research. Crosses with different breeds have also been made (eg. with Egyptian Mau and Burmese) to avoid incest. The breed as we know it today dates back to the '80s, (more precisely 1985) when Mrs. Mill entered one of her Bengals into a competition. It was obviously a great success and TICA recognized the breed that following year.
Physical characteristics of the Bengal
Adult size
Female : Approximately 14 in
Male : Approximately 14 in
Males reach full size around 24 months. Their female counterparts only take 12 months to reach adult size.
Weight
Female : Between 9 and 13 lb
Male : Between 11 and 15 lb
Coat colour
Brown Tabby, Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby, Seal Lynx Point, Black Silver Tabby, Seal Silver Sepia Tabby, Seal Silver Mink Tabby, Seal Silver Lynx Point
Some Bengals, look like they have a golden powder sprinkled in their hair. This is known as the “glitter” effect.
Type of coat
Eye colour
Description
Bengals are medium to large cats, who are very powerful thanks to their athletic physiques.
Good to know
Bengal are hybrid cats, that come from the cross breeding of a wild cat and a domestic cat. There are several generations (from F1 to F5) but F1 to F3 cannot be used in competition. Interestingly, the Indian (Bengali) Leopard (from the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent) was reportedly used for feline leukemia research. It appears that this breed is immune to the disease that is usually fatal in cats. Through the hybridisation process, researchers have been able to track the genetics of their immune systems.
Temperament
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Affectionate
Bengals can be cuddly at times, particularly while they’re resting. These cats definitely prefer playing to cuddling, but they do sometimes love a hug.
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Playful
Bengals are known for being extremely playful. They need at least 2 play sessions per day. They are very happy to be involved in household activities, and love playing with the toys you offer them. In general, they prefer mobile toys to immobile ones.
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Calm
At first glance, it’s easy to see why the words ‘calm’ and ‘Bengal’ should never be used in the same sentence, given their high energy levels. Indeed, they are more active than most cats, but after sufficient stimulation and exercise, they do also need some well deserved rest and relaxation.
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Intelligent
Bengals are highly intelligent. To keep them stimulated, practice doing things like jumping through a hoop, playing fetch, and high fives etc.. You will be amazed at how well they perform.
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Fearful / wary of strangers
In general, their curiosity outweighs their shyness. These little leopards usually greet visitors at the door, but from time to time they can be a bit wary of some people.
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Independent
Bengals are very good at looking after themselves! They can easily keep themselves entertained... however they sometimes will do things that you do not like. Thus, while you’re away from a Bengal, you must offer them autonomous activities eg. using an interactive bowl.
Behaviour of the Bengal
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Chatty
They have loud voices and definitely know how to use them. They love having little chats with their owners!
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Need for exercise / Sporty
These cats need a lot of exercise. In addition to classic play sessions, why not make them run obstacle courses and / or do agility training in the house? You will be amazed at how quickly they learn.
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Tendency to run away
Here, you have to be careful. The higher the cat’s energy levels, the greater the risk that they’ll run away. As we’ve said before, Bengals are like a small tsunami and they will not hesitate to depart on an adventure if the opportunity arises!
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Greedy / Gluttony
Bengals need to eat more than your average cat due to their high energy expenditure levels.
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Is the Bengal right for you?
take the testCompatibility
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Bengal and cats
It all depends on how the cat was socialised with their breeders’. In general, they get along well with other cats of their own breed, but they can sometimes be difficult with other breeds.
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Bengal and dogs
Bengals and dogs can be excellent friends as long as the dog is respectful! They also have to be properly introduced.
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Bengal and children
Bengals make great companions for kids, as they have so much energy. Of course, children need to be educated about cat’s body language so that they can interpret it and identify the signs of stress that indicate that the cat wants to be left alone.
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Bengal and the elderly
They are probably not the ideal breed for an elderly person as they will find it difficult to meet the Bengal’s activity needs.
Price
On average, Bengal kittens cost between £400 and £1500. Their price varies depending on their lineage, age and even their sex. They cost around £35 / month to look after, in order to keep them in good health, and to feed them with good quality food.
Grooming
These cats do not require special maintenance. Weekly brushing to remove their dead hair is sufficient.
Shedding
Bengals only lose a small amount of hair.
Nutrition of the Bengal
You should consult your vet to provide a high quality diet that will meet the energy needs of your cat.
Health of the Bengal
Life expectancy
Between 10 and 16 years.
Strong / robust
Given the Bengals’ thick fur, their cold-resistance is better than other breeds. Nevertheless, they are short-haired cats with no significant undercoat.
Tendency to put on weight
Given that Bengals need more food than other breeds, they can gain weight unnecessarily if their food portions are not well managed. It is important to consult your vet.
Common illnesses
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency: This is a deficiency in an enzyme that plays a role in degrading sugars in erythrocytes. PK deficiency leads to death of erythrocytes and anemia in cats
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: it is a condition which causes the heart muscle to thicken. It is actually a syndrome in which we group together several diseases, some of which are well known, some are difficult to diagnose and others are said to be idiopathic (of undetermined cause). This condition is not over-represented in Bengals, but it is still occasionally found.
- The condition can creep up on a cat because they may present no symptoms for many years despite having serious hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Clinical signs may be difficult to spot (such as loss of appetite and fatigue). In cases where the cat deteriorates quickly, obvious breathing difficulties become apparent. Thromboembolism (clot blocking a blood vessel) resulting in sudden and painful paralysis can also occur.
- Progressive retinal atrophy is a hereditary disease that causes blindness. Sometimes, the disease arises when the cat is old, which mean the cat can adapt to their new “blind” life gradually. For less fortunate cats, the disease can affect them very young and they therefore have very little time to adjust.
They can also suffer from the same diseases as other domestic cats, such as oral diseases.
Reproduction
No cross breeding is authorised.
Frequently asked questions
Are Bengal cats good house pets?
Bengal cats are extremely smart and love to learn tricks like playing fetch, high fives, etc. They are also playful creatures and therefore get along well with children who will want to play with them for hours. The Bengal is also very athletic, active, and affectionate when it's time to rest. If introduced early, the Bengal gets on well with other cats and dogs. This beautiful cat breed is a good house pet as long as you keep him entertained, active and healthy.
Are Bengal cats expensive?
The Bengal cat is one of the most expensive cat breeds. On average, they cost between £400 and £1500. Their price varies depending on their lineage, age and even their sex. To look after this breed, it costs around £35 / month (nutrition and medical needs).
Do Bengal cats like to cuddle?
The Bengal cat isn't the most affectionate cat breed and would rather go outside to play rather than lying down on its owner's laps. But when it's time to rest, the Bengal gets very cuddly.
How long does a Bengal cat live for?
The life expenctancy of a Bengal cat is between 10 to 16 years.
Are Bengal cats good with dogs?
If introduced early and the dog is cat-friendly, then yes Bengal cats are good with dogs. It is often said that Bengal cats have a dog personality: they love to play, learn tricks and need a lot of exercise, therefore they'll be great companion for your dog.
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