Bengal Cat Breed – All Information, Facts, Care and Price

If you seen a Bengal cat wandering through your house for the first time, your first reaction might be to think that a jungle cat broke into your home. As a result, this remarkable breed of dogs features a spotted or marbled coat that greatly resembles that of a leopard or ocelot in the wild. In spite of the appearance, the Bengal cat is anything but wild, and has a loving, affectionate personality to match. Despite the fact that Bengal cats were developed by crossing domestic cats with an Asian leopard cat, their wild natures have long since been lost to them.

This handsome cat has skyrocketed in popularity since 1983, when the Bengal cat was accepted as a breed for the first time. It has become more and more popular every year. Bengal cats are classified in the same way as other hybrid breeds, such as the Savannah cat, to indicate how many generations have passed since the cats’ original wild parents became domesticated. Among the Asian leopards, kittens are called F1s, which are the first generation. In addition, every generation after the F1 generation receives a numerical designation such as the F2, F3, F4, and so forth. The Bengal cat needs to be an F4 at the very least in order to be considered a true domestic cat.

There are some locations that have banned Bengal cats and kittens, such as Hawaii and New York City, so it is important that you check with your state and local government before you buy one. If the Bengal is from an F1 or F3 generation, there may be additional restrictions that apply to them.

It is important to note that Bengal cats are hybrid cats. In the early 1900’s, breeders began introducing domestic felines to a small, wild species of cat, Asian leopard cats, which are natives of Southeast Asia. This is also known as the Asian leopard cat, or Felis bengalensis, which is where the term “Bengal” comes from, which is known for its slender build and wild appearance, which makes it quite distinct from other cats.

Even though there has been cross-breeding between cat breeds for more than 120 years, the Bengal cat species as we know it today wasn’t established until Jean Sugden Mill created hybrids of Asian leopard cats with domestic cat breeds back in the 1970s. It was her goal to create a breed that would remain true to the exotic appearance of an Asian leopard cat, while maintaining the personality of a domestic house cat while preserving the exotic appearance.

Currently, Bengal kittens are bred from other Bengal kittens, so these kittens are quite a long way from their exotic ancestors, who were bred from other Bengal kittens. There is no doubt that Bengals are now one of the most expensive species of cats – a show-quality Bengal can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

The need-to-know

• Owned by an experienced professional, this business offers a variety of benefits

• An activity that simulates hunting games as well as interactive play should be provided at a high level of enrichment

• Highly active and inquisitive cat

• Independent but friendly

• Slightly talkative cat

• Lean and elegant cat

• Requires grooming once a week

• Needs extensive outdoor space

• Not ideal for family homes

• Can be regularly left for a few hours

• Needs a calm environment

Bengal Cat Breed

ORIGIN	United States
HEIGHT	8-10 inches
LIFE SPAN	9-15 years
GOOD WITH	children seniors dogs cats families
TEMPERAMENT	sociable affectionate bold
SHEDDING AMOUNT	normal
INTELLIGENCE	high
PLAYFULNESS	high
VOCALNESS	frequent
HYPOALLERGENIC	No
ACTIVITY LEVEL	active
COAT LENGTH	Fine and silky without downy undercoat; lying close to the body
LENGTH:	Up to 14 inches
WEIGHT	8-15 pounds
SIZE	Medium
COLORS	lavender / silver chocolate / brown / sable
OTHER TRAITS	easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, high prey drive, strong loyalty tendencies
PRICE	$1,500-$2,000

Other Quick Facts

• In addition to the Bengal’s beautiful coat, which is available in many colors, its fur can be found in many background colors as well, from golden, rust, brown, orange to sand, buff and ivory. There are also a variety of colors in Bengal spots, ranging from rust to chocolate brown, charcoal to black, to a combination of these colors.

• Bengal coats are sometimes characterized by stunning spots or rosettes made up of a combination of two or more colors, usually in the form of dark highlighting around the spot surrounded by a darker base color. The Bengal coats can also be found in a marbled pattern, which means one or more colors are swirled into the background color in a contrasting way. They are most often found as brown spotted tabbies, but they can also be seen as marbled tabbies (classic tabbies), although brown spotted tabbies are more common.

• Occasionally, a Bengal’s coat has hairs that have an iridescent sheen, which makes the coat appear as if it has been sprinkling glitter over it.

Appearance

This breed of cat is characterized by its agility and litheness. Bengal cats typically weigh between 8 pounds and 15 pounds. A famous characteristic of these dogs is that their coats are dense, short, and boldly patterned with varying shades of brown, silver, and snow. The texture of their fur is extremely soft to the touch, and it almost feels like bunny hair when you touch it. It is common to find Bengal cats with brown, yellow, orange, and green eyes, which are the most common colors.

One of the things that makes Bengal cats stand out from all other cats is their coat. There is no doubt that Bengals have the only breed of dog that is capable of having rosette markings which directly reflect their ancestry from wild Asian leopards. It is also a very popular choice to have spotted or marbled coats, which are just as beautiful as any other type. Due to the short length of their fur, they only need to be brushed once a week to remove loose hair and dead skin cells which accumulate over time.

Bengal cats generally weigh around the same as a typical house cat, but due to their long, muscular bodies, they are generally larger in size than a typical house cat. It is also a fact that they have long legs which means they are excellent jumpers, so don’t be surprised if you find your Bengal looking down at you from shelves and counters.

Coat Color

The coat of the Bengal cat is soft, sleek and easy to maintain. They can come in a variety of colors from browns, snows, silvers, to charcoals, blues, melanistics (solid black), as well as non-standard colors like blue, melanistics (solid black), spotted and marbled coat patterns. An ivory or cream-colored coat is the most common color for snow Bengals. A form of albinism has developed naturally in these people as a result of their Siamese and Burmese heritage.

Bengal kittens and cats may even be born with glittery coats due to hollow hair that is translucent, allowing it to catch and reflect light, which causes the fur to appear shimmery. It produces a shimmering effect throughout the entire coat, which can even be seen when the lighting is dim.

Eye Color

There are a number of different shades of hazel, brown, green, gold, and copper coloured eyes on Bengals, including some that are almond-shaped. In addition to blue or blue-green, snow Bengals could also have aqua or blue-green eyes.

A Bengal cat is generally well-behaved, but due to certain diseases found among the breed, there are a few that need to be addressed:

• Distal Neuropathy: This is a condition in which the nerves of the extremities become weak.

• Flat-Chested Kitten Syndrome: There are several varying degrees of severity when it comes to this type of deformity. After the cat reaches adulthood, it is unlikely that they will display any signs of the disease if they survive.

• Hip Dysplasia: Bengal dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia along with other large dog breeds, which can lead to lameness if left untreated.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A form of heart disease characterized by hypertrophy of the heart muscle.

• It is a hereditary dislocation of the kneecap that is referred to as patellar luxation. If the condition is severe, surgery may be required to treat it.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A condition in which the retina degenerates over time.

Weight Range

Bengals have a muscular build that makes them appear larger than they really are when they are actually much smaller than they appear to be. There are actually medium-sized Bengals in the world – females can weigh as little as six pounds at birth. Males can be as heavy as 15 pounds, while females can be as light as 10 pounds.

It is possible for Bengals to maintain a healthy weight due to their high energy levels, which enable them to burn off excess calories. As such, it is imperative to provide your Bengal cat with high-quality cat food that is made with minimally processed ingredients in order to ensure that it continues to follow a healthy diet that stays true to its obligate carnivore nature.

Life Expectancy

It is reported by CatTime that the average life span of a Bengal cat is between 10 and 16 years. This, however, will depend on a number of factors, such as whether the cat is an indoor or outdoor cat, along with the overall condition of the cat.

Personality

In spite of the Bengal’s wild appearance, some claim that the Bengal is just as lovably friendly as any domestic cat, while others disagree. Bengal cats are playful, gregarious, energetic cats with a generous dose of feline curiosity that make them very people oriented and filled with life. Fans of the Bengal are raving about how playful and friendly they are when it comes to their personalities. A Bengal cat becomes a faithful, affectionate, fun-loving companion if you meet them halfway and give them the love they need in return, and they will become faithful, affectionate, and loyal to their families as long as they understand what their families need from them.

The Bengal is a fast and agile cat that enjoys climbing and will gravitate to the highest point of any room if it is given the opportunity. A Bengal is often a great source of entertainment for people of all ages. As companions, they have a particularly special trait that makes them a very valuable resource in the form of their intelligence. Because Bengal cats live in the jungle, it’s no surprise that they have a keen sense of wit, along with lightning reflexes, to survive.

A Bengal is very fast at learning new behaviors and enjoys learning new behaviors very much. As a matter of fact, they may learn tricks that you wish they never learned, such as how to turn on and off light switches, open doors, and flush toilets, which you’d rather that they did not learn. It is not uncommon for the curious Bengal cat to get into everything in the house, and there are often changes in the home that cause the Bengal cat to react quickly. There is a good chance that your Bengal will dive in to take a look inside a cupboard once it’s opened up, and if its contents aren’t up to his standards, he will rearrange them accordingly.

In order to hide their scent from larger predators, leopard cats have a habit of eliminating in water, which has caused some Bengals to learn to use the toilet as a result. Unlike their wild relatives, Bengal tigers love being free. They dislike being held or restrained, and they relish the freedom they enjoy. Bengals aren’t the only breed who have this issue; most very active breeds have this problem as well. Especially if the water is running, Bengals tend to be very attracted to it. There are some dogs that only dip their paws under the faucet from time to time, while others may even enjoy a half hour romp in the tub or shower if it’s their idea. It is reported that some Bengal owners find it necessary to take steps to keep floods to an absolute minimum because their cats are fascinated with water to the point of obsession; owners have quickly learned to keep the toilet lid down in order to keep their cats dry.

Temperament

On the inside, Bengal cats are soft and sweet despite the fact that they appear wild on the outside. Despite the fact that these affectionate cats are gregarious, they might deem a particular family member as their favorite, even though they are affectionate. The Bengal cat does well with kids, other cats, as well as with the family dogs. Socialization and exposure at a young age to household members is, however, of high importance for a child’s future success. Introducing a new pet to a Bengal that already has a set way of doing things might be a bit of a challenge if they are already familiar with it.

Due to the fact that Bengals are a breed that is smart and curious, they need constant stimulation to keep their big brains stimulated and driven. They enjoy playing with toys as well as enjoying a shallow bathtub, and are known to love water as well as enjoy playing with toys. If you ever want to take your Bengal on an outdoor adventure, they can be taught tricks and even how to walk on a leash.

Additionally, Bengal cats are known to be quite chatty when it comes to their owners. Unlike other cats, Bengals won’t meow excessively, but they are highly intelligent and will tell you exactly what they need, such as “my food bowl is almost empty,” or “I want to play.” Bengals will not sit by when you return home from a long day at work, either. In addition to a royal greeting complete with a serenade, you can expect to receive a royal welcome.

A San Francisco-based cat behaviorist named Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, says Bengals are known for their loud vocalizations. There are both Bengal cats and Savannah cats that she has in her home. But, she continues, “there are, of course, some Bengals that are not loud,” she says. In addition to her own cat’s melodious vocalizations, Molly, one of her Bengal cats, often sings together with her as well. When they sing together, Krieger says, “she makes different kinds of noises” in the course of their duet.

Health

Mixed-breed cats as well as pedigreed cats are prone to a wide range of health problems, some of which may be genetic in origin as well. There are a number of diseases that have been experienced by the Bengal breed in the past, but they are generally healthy:

• This is a neurological disorder characterized by weakening of the limbs caused by distal neuropathy. It is possible for Bengals to develop this disease as early as a year of age. Although some cats relapse after a period of time, it is generally safe to say that most cats recover on their own.

• An underdeveloped or flat chest is known as flat-chested kitten syndrome, a condition which can be mild to severe. In most cases, kittens that survive to adulthood don’t display any signs once they reach adulthood.

• There is a hip dysplasia that can cause lameness when it is severe

• One of the most common heart diseases in dogs is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is heritable in some breeds.

• A patellar luxation is the result of a hereditary dislocation of the kneecap, which could vary from a mild condition to a serious one. There is a chance that surgery will be able to alleviate severe cases.

• An eye disease known as progressive retinal atrophy is characterized by progressive loss of vision.

You should prepare for any issue that may arise at some point during the life of your cat, regardless of how healthy they may be when you first bring them home. It is always better to be prepared for any veterinary needs that your cat may have with the help of a pet insurance plan.

It is estimated that Bengal cats live an average lifespan of 9–15 years, and they are a breed that is relatively healthy. In spite of this, as with all cats, there are certain health issues that you need to be aware of before you buy a new companion for your home. Generally, serious breeders make sure that their animals are bred free of genetic health problems, but there are three of the most common genetic problems among Bengals that include:

• Heart disease: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a type of heart disease that occurs in Bengal cats, is known for causing a thickening of the heart muscle, particularly in older cats. As a result, blood clots can form, or congestive heart failure can be caused, resulting in a shortening of the lifespan.

• Eye disease: Another eye condition that Bengals can suffer from is progressive retinal atrophy. This condition can cause progressive deterioration of the retina, resulting in blindness in the long run.

• Anesthetic allergies: Bengals have a sensitivity to anesthetics that requires them to be closely monitored during any surgical procedures, including neutering and spaying, for this reason. It is possible to suffer cardiac arrest in the event of an allergic reaction to anesthetics.

Care

In order to care for the Bengal’s short, thick coat, weekly combing is recommended to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils to the fur. It is rarely necessary to take a bath in order to relax.

Periodontal disease can be prevented by brushing the teeth regularly. Dental hygiene should be practiced on a daily basis, however brushing your teeth once a week is preferred to nothing. The nails should be trimmed every couple of weeks in order to keep them healthy. A soft, damp cloth should be used to wipe the corners of your eyes in order to remove any discharge that may be present. The cloth needs to be used separately for each eye to prevent any risk of spreading any infection. So make sure you use a separate area for each eye. Weekly, make sure to check the ears for any problems. It is recommended that you use a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a mixture of 50 percent distilled white vinegar and 50 percent warm water to clean them if they appear dirty. Do not use cotton swabs to clean the inside of your ears, because cotton swabs can damage the interior of the ears.

It is very important to keep the litter box as clean as possible. A dirty box may lead to your cat deciding that it is more convenient to use another place in the house as opposed to the bathroom, since cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene.

If you want to keep a Bengal cat as an indoor only cat, it would be a good idea for you to keep him indoors only in order to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers cats may encounter when they are outdoors, such as being hit by a car. He is also kept indoors so that he is unable to harm the local wildlife and birds by his avid hunting. The best way to make sure your Bengal is able to jump and climb safely outside is to build him a large outdoor enclosure where he can explore. A Bengal cat that is allowed out in the open also runs the risk of being stolen by someone who is interested in having such a beautiful cat without having to pay for it.