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 |
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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.
Fun Facts
The Bengal is one of those cat breeds that isn’t scared of water.
Comparable Breeds