The Bengal Cat Breed
The Bengal Cat
Personality
Bengal cats can be very challenging as they are extremely intelligent and extremely active. They are very self-assured and can be quite vocal. Always aware of their surroundings it is important for this cat’s owner to stay alert to potential trouble. On the other hand, this cats vibrant personality will lead to lots of merriness and laughter amongst his family.
The Bengals uncanny ability to use his paws as if they were actual hands can lead to open doors and cabinets so child safety devices are a pretty good idea. A bored Bengal can be a recipe for disaster so it is important to keep your Bengal entertained with interactive toys, one on one playtime and companions such as other cats or dogs.
Bengals love water so do not be surprised if he joins you in the shower or you find him swimming in a freshly drawn tub. Be aware if you have aquariums or ponds that he can easily access. Bengals also like to be up high so tall cat trees are recommended. Do not expect items stored up high to be safe from your Bengal. Boredom can find them dislocated to the floor below. Bengals will cuddle on your lap and sleep in your bed. They especially love to burrow under the covers.
Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
Life Span | 10-16 years |
Size | 8-15 lbs |
Health | |
Playfulness | |
Intelligence | |
Affectionate | |
Shedding | |
Kid-Friendly | |
Pet Friendly | |
Easy To Groom | |
Vocalize |
Health
Bengals can be prone to the following:
- Distal neuropathy. This disease can cause weakness as it effects the nervous system. Most cats will recover naturally
- A deformity called flat chested kitten syndrome.
- Dislocation of kneecaps called Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Heart disease (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
- Kneecap dislocation (Patellar luxation)
Care
The Bengal’s coat is short and thick so it requires minimal care. Some weekly brushing is sufficient.
Teeth should be brushed daily and nails trimmed monthly. The eyes can suffer from normal discharge and can be cleaned with a soft damp towel. Check ears regularly and remove dirt with a cotton ball. A yeasty smell or constant head shaking indicated necessary medical attention.
Litterbox should be cleaned daily as these cats are very particular about their hygiene. A dirty box can lead to elimination in other parts of the home.
Keep your Bengal indoors. This will prevent them from using their hunting instincts to attack birds and other wildlife. It will also prevent harm from larger wildlife such as coyotes and urban obstacles like cars. They are a very popular cat breed and will be stolen if allowed to wander outdoors Instead build a large outdoor cat enclosure for their enjoyment.
Coat Color
This athletic cat looks like he belongs in the jungles of the Amazon or the savannahs of Africa. The marbling, spots and horizontal patterns are purrrfect camouflage for a cat living in the wild. The Bengal can come in several different colors such as brown, black/silver, seal mink and seal silver. Some Bengal even seem to shimmer with gold dust coating the tips of their fur.
Children and Other Pets
Because Bengals are such social creatures they get along wonderfully with children and cat-friendly dogs. Bengals can even be taught to fetch. They are smart enough to avoid the grabby hands of babies and toddlers and can easily match the energy of school children. The do have a well developed prey instinct and should be supervised with birds and small animals.
Rescue Groups
Bengal Rescue Network (USA, Canada, UK, and Australia)
Great Lakes Bengal Rescue (Midwest Region, USA)
