Bengal Cat Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

4-6 kg

Length

65-90 cm

Lifespan

12-16 years

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About the Bengal Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Bengal cat is one that should have an honorary place in the wild for both its exotic appearance and as a top athletic performer.

Despite its wild appearance, it’s a household cat loved by many Bengal owners. If you’re a cat fanatic, then the Bengal cat is likely going to be one of the top contenders when picking a breed to welcome into your home.

Interested in this wild-looking cat? This guide will provide you with all the feline knowledge you need on this breed.

Origin & History

The Bengal, unsurprisingly, has quite the history when it comes to its origins. It’s said that one of its ancestors is the small wild Asian leopard cat.

Bengals take the name from the Asian leopard’s scientific name – Felis bengalensis. Crossed between the Asian leopard cat and domestic shorthairs, a breeder called Jean Mill in California was the first to make this cross.

The same cross-breeding was happening at a university by Dr. Willard Centerwall. Due to the leopard’s feline resistance to the feline leukemia virus, tests were being done to see if this would pass onto the offspring.

What is a Bengal Cat Breed?

The Bengal breed is an affectionate, high-energy cat with a playful personality. Not only are they beautiful on the outside, but they have a wonderful temperament too. They’re also popular with many cat owners across Australia and beyond.

The first cat association to recognise the Bengal fully was The International Cat Association in 1991. It was then recognised by the American Cat Fanciers Association, the United Feline Organization and the Canadian Cat Association.

Who Are Bengal Cats Best Suited For?

As the Bengal cat is a fairly active and sociable breed, it’s going to suit families with children or cat-friendly dogs.

It’s not necessarily the best breed for seniors and any couples that might have quite the active social life that is common with those in their 20s and 30s.

If you’ve got a fairly energetic family, then Bengals are the perfect domestic cats to have in your home.

Appearance

Bengal cats are reasonably small with a round head and large eyes. They’ve also got strong muscular bodies and a streamlined shape that’s much like their Asian leopard cat ancestors.

Their hind legs are longer than the front, giving them the power to run fast.

Coat

A Bengal’s coat is short and thick and feels very soft to the touch. The coat itself is fairly easy to maintain and, as such, is hypoallergenic. So, the Bengal is a great option for those with allergies to cats.

Colours

The Bengal cat breed comes in different colours and patterns. Some Bengals almost have a coat colour that has a shimmer in the light. The three main colours are brown, silver and three snow colours. These snow colours are Seal Mink Point, Seal Lynx and Seal Sepia.

Patterns

There are a number of patterns that the Bengal can come in. The two main patterns, though, are spotted and marble.

Grooming & Shedding

Bengal cats shed a lot less than most cat breeds would, and they’re often in the ‘least shedding’ category of cat breeds. You won’t find cat hair everywhere when you own a Bengal!

However, it’s always good to try and maintain some grooming of your cat. A brush every week should suffice with this breed.

Temperament & Personality

The Bengal is known for its loving temperament and personality. They’re quite an intelligent breed, so they love to learn. Having some brain-challenging toys would be beneficial for your Bengal.

With a powerful physique comes a great level of energy. You may also find that this domestic cat has a mischievous side too!

Living Needs

For these domesticated cats, they’re happier to be near you. They don’t mind the environment they live in, as long as they are side by side with you. However, it’s important that the cats in your home have a lot to do and climb on.

Just like their wild cat ancestors, the Asian leopard cats, it’s good for them to keep active and entertained. Make sure to provide plenty of toys, and spending time with them is important.

Habits & Activity Level

What sort of habits does a Bengal breed have? Do they have low activity levels or high levels of energy?

Habits

Bengals love playtime, but they also enjoy high places where they can hang out on their own. They’re not lap cats, but there are always some exceptions to that rule. You’ll find them enjoying their daily life as long as there is play, attention and places to climb.

Activity Level

Activity levels can vary from one domestic cat to another. With the Bengal, expect there to be some high-level energy that needs burning off daily. The Bengal is a curious and alert cat, so you can expect them to be up and about for a lot of the time.

Vocalness

Bengal cats rarely vocalise, other than when they’re in heat. If you don’t want domestic cats that will be loud or irritating, then the Bengal is perfect for you.

Height, Weight & Size

There are a couple of slight differences between a female Bengal cat and a male. This might not be that important, but it’s worth knowing if you’re considering this breed.

Height

A female is likely to reach the height of 28 to 36cm, whereas a fully developed male would reach 33 to 38cm.

Weight

Your Bengal should weigh between 3.6 to 6.8kg if male and 3.6 to 5.9kg if female.

Size

The Bengal is a medium-sized cat, and due to its slim physique, it’s unlikely to fall into the category of large cats.

Training

Whilst all cats can have some form of training, there are only a handful of breeds that are highly intelligent. The Bengal is certainly one. The breed is much like a dog in that it will pick up quite a few tricks, especially if you’re teaching Bengal kittens.

Bengal Cat Health Issues

Of course, all cats can encounter various health issues in their life. Bengals can suffer from eye problems like glaucoma, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

They are also predisposed to the following conditions:

Chronic renal failure
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Pancreatitis
Lymphosarcoma

Bengals, like all cats, are also prone to bacterial and viral infections like calicivirus and rhinotracheitis.

For the Bengal, aside from the generic cat health issues, they’re a fairly healthy breed.

Lifespan

With Bengal cats being relatively healthy as a domestic breed, you can expect this breed to live anywhere between 12-16 years. That’s at least a decade with them!

Feeding

Feeding a cat properly can help contribute to its overall well-being. For Bengal health, they have a pretty healthy immune system already. They’re an active cat, so they’ll be keeping their body in good shape on a daily basis.

Just like any other carnivores, they love food that’s high in protein. Think chicken, beef, fish, lamb and turkey. Cats are going to benefit from these foods, so even if you’re a veggie or vegan household, make the exception for your feline friends. It’s important that they get these proteins in their body.

Bengal Cat Prices in Australia

It’s always good to go with a trusted breeder when it comes to this type. Make sure you’re checking the breed history of the breeder themselves. There are concerns that more domestic breeding occurs with wild cats, which can influence the feral side of this breed.

For a Bengal cat, you can expect to pay anything from $1,000 up to a staggering $2,500 for a show-quality one.

FAQs

Need to know more about the gentle-tempered domestic cat that is the Bengal? Here are some FAQs to provide you with even more knowledge!

Do Bengal cats get along well with kids and other pets?

When introduced early on with dogs and other cat breeds, the Bengal will have no problem interacting and socialising. Households with children should know that Bengals are very kid-friendly, but it’s worth introducing the cat to the child as a kitten where possible.

What colour eyes do Bengal cats have?

The traditional Bengal eye colour is green or gold. However, for cats with marbled fur, the eyes will usually be black, light brown, or dark, reddish-brown.

Do Bengal cats suffer from separation anxiety?

Bengal cats are more likely to develop separation anxiety than other cats. If you’re not going to be in for most of the day, which includes other animals, then it might be worth going for a different breed.

Are Bengal cats hypoallergenic?

Bengals have short hair, and as a result, they’re hypoallergenic. It makes for a great household pet if you’ve got people with allergies in your home.

Do Bengal cats love to play in water?

You’ll find that Bengal cats do enjoy playing in water! They typically enjoy it most when they’re young. This may be to do with their ancestors sharing the same love.