Family-friendly:1/5Playfulness:5/5Intelligence:5/5Tendency to Vocalise: 2/5Likes Other Pets:5/5Grooming needs:2/5Shedding:2/5

Bengal Cat

The Bengal is a sleek, muscular cat with a wild appearance, enhanced by the bold marbling and spotting on their thick, luxurious coat. Despite their striking appearance, physically there is nothing extreme about their build or structure, as this is a well-balanced cat without any exaggerated features, smallish ears, wedge shaped head, neat paws and athletic outline.

Lifespan

10 - 16 years

Weight

3.6 - 7.7kg

Colours

Bengal cats come in come with a spotted marble coat in brown, silver and snow.

The need-to-know

Benefits from an experienced owner
Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
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

Generally healthy breed

The Bengal cat breed is generally robust, however they can be prone to:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy¹ which is a disease where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick which means the heart cannot beat effectively.
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Feline infectious peritonitis² which is an abnormal immune response to a viral infection.
- Flat chested kitten syndrome which is a condition where the chest does not develop properly which can result in breathing difficulties.
- Patellar luxation³ which is where the knee-caps slip temporarlily or permanently out of place.
- Hip dysplasia³ which is where the hip joint does not develop normally.
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency which is a disease that causes anaemia (death of red blood cells).
- Peripheral neuropathy³ which is a disease affecting the nervous system.

Testing available:
- DNA testing for pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by these conditions.

¹M. Longeri et al, 'Myosin-Binding Protein C DNA Variants in Domestic Cats (A31P, A74T, R820W) and their Association with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy', 2013, Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine
²L. D. Pesteanu-Somogyi, 'Prevalence of feline infectious peritonitis in specific cat breeds', Feb 2006, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
³A. M. Martinez-Caja et al, 'Behavior and health issues in Bengal cats as perceived by their owners: A descriptive study', 2021, Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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Personality

Bengals make fabulous pets for experienced cat owners who love an active, curious and dog-like cat - and can keep them entertained with toys, games and plenty of environmental enrichment. No matter their appeal, if you are after a cat who lies around looking decorative and stays out of the way, the Bengal is not for you! They are into everything, highly amused by simple things such as a dripping tap or flowing water (watch them for knocking your water glass over to see the water spill!), they adore human company and will play for hours if you are willing - and even if you aren’t! This is not really a lap cat; they are simply too busy with stuff and things to want to settle on your lap for long. Although not typically a noisy cat, the Bengal is capable of a loud and strident cry when things are not going their way or they feel they are lacking attention.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	1/5
Playfulness:	5/5
Intelligence:	5/5
Tendency to Vocalise:	2/5
Likes Other Pets:	5/5
Grooming needs:	2/5
Shedding:	2/5

History and Origins

The Bengal is a relatively modern cat, developed in the 1990s in the USA by crossing the Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis; a small, strikingly marked wild cat from South West Asia) with the domestic tabby cats and other short haired breeds such as the Abyssinian, Burmese, and Egyptian Mau. The original objective was to produce a pet cat with a sweet nature and resembling miniature leopard, as an alternative to dissuade people from keeping wild cats as pets. Prospective owners of Bengal kittens should note the ‘F number’, which indicates how many generations the kittens are away from the first cross. Be aware that a F1 (first cross between the wild cat and the domestic cat) requires a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence in the UK, however F2 onwards does not.

Outdoors or Indoors

The Bengal would love to be an outdoor cat, however given their territorial nature with animals they have not been raised with, their speed, athleticism and taste for mayhem, it isn’t safe to unleash your Bengal on the wider world, or your neighbours. Provide a cat-secure garden or large outdoor cat run full of enrichment and various heights to give your Bengal some outdoor time unless you live deep in the countryside without close neighbours or busy roads.

Enrichment and Specific Needs

Such active and intelligent cats need to be given plenty to do, or they will amuse themselves in ways you may well not appreciate. A bored Bengal can easily turn to amusing themselves with hunting and predatory play - with other animals and humans often becoming their unwilling entertainment! Provide cat trees to give climbing opportunities, allow access to windows so they can supervise what is going on, feed from food dispensing toys and puzzles, and be ready to play with your Bengal for long hours. They can be social if introduced to other cats and family pets but do beware that two Bengals does not equal less work – if one Bengal can cause a bit of drama, two could cause absolute mayhem with a side order of chaos!

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Grooming Bengal Cats

Easy to keep clean, the Bengal needs a brush through once a week as an opportunity to check for minor wounds, parasites and the general state of the coat. Doing this regularly is a good chance to bond with your cat and ensure they are fit and healthy. Greasy, scurfy coats can be the first sign your cat is unwell, and has stopped grooming themselves. As with all cats, this breed needs regular vaccinations, parasite control and annual health checks.

Suitability for Family Life

If you have a good sense of humour, a large home and older children who can respect a cat’s space, the Bengal makes an entertaining companion. If you prefer a cat who lies about looking decorative, is quiet and undemanding then the Bengal is really not the cat for you!