Bengal
Bengal Cat Breed Profile
| Weight | 8.8-12 lbs (4-5.5 kg) |
| Origin | USA |
| Color | Black, brown, gray; multi-colored |
| Fur | Short, thick |
| Lifespan | 12-18 years |
| Personality | Loves learning, intelligent, alert, sociable |
| Energy |  |
| Playful | |
| Independent |  |
| Meowing |  |
| Shedding | |
Breed Characteristics
The Bengal has an unusually elegant fur pattern with fine rosettes (circles). It looks a lot like a leopard’s coat! Even if this cat’s slim body and cute appearance might look graceful, they’re anything but pernickety. They’re the elite athletes of the cat kingdom.
Personality and Temperament
The Bengal cat is very attentive and curious. Nothing gets past this feline. What they love best is to sit on their cat tree or a high shelf, where they can observe everyone and everything.
If a Bengal isn’t climbing, it will stalk through the house wanting to play. They love any kind of toys, and challenging toys are perfect for keeping their minds busy. It’s best to keep challenging their intellect with new tasks, otherwise they’ll get up to mischief trying to make their own fun (e.g. scratching things or “catching” fish from the aquarium).
Keeping Them Happy
This is not a cat that will hang around on the sofa for hours. The Bengal cat likes to be constantly watched. A lot of attention means a lot of time. So, before you go out and get one, you should consider whether such a lively and active cat could quickly become too much. Bengal cats are very intelligent and even love learning little tricks like fetch. Bengals don’t particular enjoy being house cats. They should be allowed outside.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exotic Appearance
- Very intelligent
- Very active
- Loves water
- Loves to jump
- People oriented
- Learns tricks (give paw, play fetch, walk on a leash)
- Gets along well with other cats and dogs
Cons
- Needs a lot of exercise
- Needs a lot of attention
- Loves to hunt small animals
- Not suitable for an indoor-only life
Appearance
The Bengal is a large, muscular cat. It has cute, leopard-like rosettes on its fur but may also be marbled. They come in silver, brown, snow (white), red, cinnamon (brown), smoke (gray), charcoal (black) and blue (gray-blue).
History
Bengal cats don’t just look like leopards, they are actually related to the leopard - in name at least. The breed dates back to 1963, when an Asiatic leopard was bred with a black house cat.
Cruel Breeding
The Bengal is considered as animal cruelty. It is a hybrid cat. This means it is a cross between a male wild cat and a female domestic cat. In the case of the Bengal, the male cat is the Asian leopard cat. The offspring of the 1st to 4th generation are very closely related to her. This makes them very demanding and it takes a lot of experience to keep them happy. The male offspring are infertile in the first generation, so only the "grandchildren" can father again. Only from the fifth generation (= great-great-great-grandchildren) are they considered normal house cats. Maybe you can imagine choosing a different breed instead?
Fun Facts
The Bengal is one of those cat breeds that isn’t scared of water.
Comparable Breeds
Cats: Pros and Cons
Checklist "Before Buying"
Cat Hair Allergy
How Much Does a Cat Cost per Month?
Costs for Food
Costs for Vet Treatments
Basic Kit for Your Cat
Cat Toys
