Bengal Prices In Australia – How Much Do Bengals Cost?

Looking for a cat with a wild look but is by no means a wild cat? Bengals are known for their striking marbled coats resembling their leopard cousins, but they’re just as affectionate as any other domestic cat breed— but definitely more playful, energetic, and intelligent than most. Sound like your ideal cat? Well, before you rush off to a breeder, it’s best to consider the full cost of owning a Bengal and not just their initial purchase price. Here’s a quick guide to understanding how much owning a Bengal will cost you.

How Much Does A Bengal Cost In Australia?

In Australia, a Bengal can cost between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on where you buy them from. Purebred Bengals from a distinguished bloodline cost closer to $4,000 or over in some cases, and your standard purebreds cost about $1,500. There are some other contributing factors to the price of a Bengal. For example, if you buy a Bengal from a registered breeder, they might charge more. Or, you could also adopt a Bengal if you’re lucky enough to find one at your local animal shelter.

Average price of a Bengal when buying through a registered Scottish Fold breeder in Australia

Bengal prices with a registered breeder vary based on the pedigree of the Bengal, the reputation of the breeder, and the lineage of the Bengal. Because of this, you can find purebred Bengals for as low as $1,500 or more than $3,000 with a registered breeder. Breeders who produce show-quality pedigree Bengals may charge over $4,000.

Some people find Bengals at cheaper prices through unregistered breeders. However, we don’t recommend doing this. Unregistered breeders first breed Bengal illegally, and secondly, you don’t know whether the cats were bred ethically or are purebred Bengals. Because of this, it’s always best to go with a registered breeder so that you know your Bengal is bred in good condition, it is vet-checked, and the cat that is advertised is the one you will be getting.

Average price of a Bengal when buying through an adoption shelter in Australia

Adopting a Bengal could be a good option, granted you’re able to find a purebred Bengal in an adoption shelter online or near you. Adoption costs usually range between $100 to $600, which covers administration fees, spaying or neutering, microchipping, and any other costs associated with the adoption. There are some factors that usually affect these costs, like the age and the pedigree of the Bengal, if you happen to find one.

Factors Influencing The Cost Of A Bengal?

As you can see, Bengal prices vary quite a bit, from $1,500 to over $4,000. This is because of several factors that influence how the initial price of a Bengal is worked out. Here are some of the factors that influence the cost of a Bengal in Australia:

Breeder Reputation

Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool for Bengal breeding. By word of mouth, breeders with a good reputation get more customers, while the opposite happens for those with a bad reputation. A breeder’s reputation is central to helping them fetch good prices for their Bengal kittens. Usually, breeders with good reputations focus on producing cats from a good bloodline, ensuring they are healthy and not prone to genetic health issues. Because of this, their Bengal kittens would go for more premium prices.

Registration

It’s common to find that registered breeders in Australia tend to charge more for their Bengal kittens than some others. This is usually because of the extensive care and ethical standards they consistently uphold. Breeders need to meet strict breeding criteria to ensure they are ethical and legally compliant with breeding practices in Australia. When they meet these standards, they are considered more credible as breeders, allowing them to charge competitively.

Bloodline

Bloodline and pedigree also have a lot to do with the prices a Bengal fetches. Bloodline refers to the Bengal’s lineage. Do they come from purebred Bengal cats or has there been interbreeding? Kittens that come from a pure Bengal bloodline are considered pedigree. But this is only the start of it. What are the other features of the bloodline? Are they prone to genetic health problems? What is the quality of their coat like? All these aspects influence the price of a Bengal. Ideally, a pedigree Bengal with a strong, healthy bloodline would sell for a premium price.

Cost of essentials for your Bengal

While cats are relatively low maintenance, you can’t expect to bring your cat home and not have the essentials ready for them. They will need a place to sleep and food to eat and those are just a few of the basics. Here’s what you can expect to pay for some of your Bengal’s essentials:

• Cat Carrier: $25 – $150 for a good-quality cat carrier that is comfortable and convenient to use. However, the pricing does depend on the type, size and brand you choose to buy
• Cat Bed: $20 – $80 for a comfortable cat bed that will support your Bengals to ensure they sleep well. The price will differ depending on what brand and size you choose, as well as whether you buy one that is orthopaedic or not
• Collar & ID Tag: $10 – $40 for a good-quality adjustable collar and ID tag that will ensure that your cat is easily identifiable
• Feeding Bowls: $10 – $40 for steel and ceramic bowls that won’t move around or topple over while your cat is eating or drinking
• Litter Box & Scoop: $15 – $80 for a good-quality litter box and scoop. Ideally, you’d need one with low sides that is easy for your cat to get in and out of and is easy for you to clean
• Cat Litter (Initial Supply): $20 – $50 depending on the brand and quantity you choose to buy. It’s best to opt for a cat litter that is fragrance-free and deodourising
• Scratching Post or Cat Tree: $50 – $400 for a durable and high-quality scratching post or cat tree that can withstand your energetic and playful Bengal
• Cat Toys: $20 – $80 depending on the brand and types of toys you choose. These are essential for keeping your Bengal stimulated, because this will prevent them from clawing at the furniture
• Cat Brush & Nail Clippers: $20 – $50 depending on the types of tools you choose to get. Bengals won’t really need a brush, but you may need to get the clippers if you want to minimise them scratching you and the furniture
• Cat Shampoo (if needed): $15 – $40 for a good quality shampoo that will promote a healthy coat, but the price will differ depending on the brand you choose and whether or not it’s a specialised cat shampoo

Pinpointing the exact prices of the above essentials can be difficult, especially since you are at liberty to buy the most expensive essentials on the market if you wish. However, the prices above are for your low to high quality items, leaving some space for your premium items.

Bengal Maintenance Costs

The initial purchase price and buying the essentials is only the beginning when it comes to the cost of owning a Bengal, or really any cat. To ensure your cat stays in a happy and healthy condition, here are a few maintenance costs you need to be prepared to pay for:

How much does it cost to feed a Bengal?

One of the most important costs you need to take into consideration is your cat’s diet as this will directly impact their overall quality of life and can do a lot to minimise trips to the vet when you feed them right. Typically, to feed an Adult Bengal weighing 4kg to 7kg, who will need to eat about 100-150g daily, it can cost between $0.50 to $4 per day, depending on the diet you choose to feed them.

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $0.50 to $1
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $1 to $3
• Cost per day on a raw diet: $2 to $4

How much will veterinary care typically cost for a Bengal?

A crucial component in determining the cost of owning a Bengal is veterinary care because this will be one of your biggest expenses. Here is what you can expect to pay in vet bills for routine preventative care for your Bengal:

Costs of routine preventive care

Prevention is always better than cure, especially because preventative care for your cat is going to cost a lot less than emergency operations, so it’s best to stay up-to-date on your cat’s routine medical needs. You can expect to pay for:

• Annual vet checkups: $100 to $200
• Vaccinations: $70 to $150
• Worming and parasite protection: $100 to $200
• Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $200 to $500
• Pet insurance: $20 to over $100

How much should I expect to pay for Bengal grooming?

When it comes to grooming, Bengal cats definitely require less maintenance than most, but they do benefit from (and love) regular brushing. And if you want to keep your furniture and body unscathed, you can benefit from clipping their nails. Here’s what you can expect to pay if you send them to a professional grooming service:

• Basic nail trim: $10 – $30 per session
• Full grooming session: $40 – $80 per session

How much will it cost to train a Bengal?

There aren’t many types of training that your cat will need to undergo, but it’s recommended that you have your intelligent Bengal clicker trained or undergo some type of behavioural training to ensure that it is obedient. Here’s what you can expect to pay for training:

• Clicker training or behavioural classes: $50 – $200 for a course
• Interactive toys: $20 – $100

Understanding the full costs of owning a Bengal in Australia

To be a responsible pet owner, you need to be aware of the full costs of owning a Bengal. This playful and intelligent breed needs more than just food, affection and a comfy place to sleep in order to thrive. As small and domesticated as they are, they’re still descendants of wild cats, after all, so they need to be mentally stimulated in order to thrive. Every Bengal owner should be staying on top of their cat’s needs, whether it be medical, diet-related or social, and all of this adds up.