Bengal
With his distinctive spotted coat and large size, the Bengal looks like a wild cat on the prowl, but although one of his ancestors is the small, wild Asian leopard cat, he’s a domestic cat through and through.
Length
17-22 in.
Weight
8-17 lbs
Life Expectancy
10-16 yrs
History of the Bengal
Bengals take their name from the Asian leopard cat’s scientific name, Felis bengalensis. They were created through crosses between an Asian leopard cat — which in the 1950s and into the 1960s could be purchased at pet stores — and domestic shorthairs. Jean Mill, a breeder in California, was the first to make such a cross, but not because she wanted to create a new breed. She had acquired a leopard cat and allowed her to keep company with a black tom cat so she wouldn’t be lonely. To her surprise, since she hadn’t thought the two species would mate, kittens resulted, and Mill kept a spotted female. Breeding her back to her father produced a litter of spotted and solid kittens.
Read more: Bengal cat
Characteristics of the Bengal
The Bengal has an unusually elegant fur pattern with fine rosettes (circles). It looks a lot like a leopard’s coat! Even if this cat’s slim body and cute appearance might look graceful.
Playfulness
Affection Level
Friendliness Pets
Grooming Requirements
Vocality
Bengal Care
As most Bengal cats today are several generations removed from the African leopard cat, they require no special care. They are simply large house cats. You can groom your cat weekly to remove dead hair and help prevent hairballs. Trim your cat's nails every couple of weeks, and make sure your cat's litter box is clean daily.
Bengal cats are active and like to jump, so you should provide a climbing tree and opportunities for your cat to find a perch to survey the room. Provide interactive toys to engage your cat. Spend time playing together; you can train your cat to fetch and catch the laser dot.
Bengal cats love water, a trait that most house cats do not possess. You may have to be careful that your aquarium does not become a fishing pond. You might even offer a small backyard pool for water play if your yard is secure enough to prevent escape.
Nutrition
Bengals eat what other house cats eat—cat food. But, this generalization can be tricky. Many owners prefer to feed a grain-free diet or raw diet to their Bengals, especially if they are within the first three generations. For most Bengal owners, purchasing a formulated, grain-free diet is the most practical way to feed their cats.
Problems
Your Bengal cat will need all of the same immunizations and preventative health treatments as a domestic cat. They are not immune to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) like their ALC ancestor. Purebred cat breeds are more prone to genetic diseases than mixed-breed domestic cats because their gene pool is smaller.
Some of the conditions Bengals can be prone to include:
- Autosomal recessive disorder, which causes early blindness in young cats
- Entropion (the rolling in of the eyelids)
- Feline infectious peritonitis, a deadly disease that results from infection by the coronavirus
Pros
- Beautifully exotic, wild-looking cats
- Fun and affectionate
- Get along with other cats or dogs
Cons
- Prone to eye conditions and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
- Demands a lot of attention
- Might "fish" for aquarium inhabitants
Did You Know?
The Bengal is one of those cat breeds that isn’t scared of water.
Most late-generation Bengal cats are legal to own without a permit.
Bengal cats are much tamer than their wild ancestors and relatives; they make fun, engaging house cats for families.
