Let's talk Bengals

The wild-like markings and stunning colours of the Bengal make this one cat that stands out from the feline pack. Their unique rosetted, or marbled, coat is just one of their intriguing characteristics, along with their confidence, huge curiosity, and non-stop energy. Independent as they may seem, the Bengal breed tends to get very attached to humankind, so look forward to loads of affection. Their development by a breeder in the early 60s - by crossing a domestic tabby with a wild Asian Leopard Cat - explains the two sides of the intriguing Bengal personality, not to mention their untamed look.

Official name: Bengal

Other names: Leopard, Leo

Origins: United States of America

Side view of a Bengal cat walking in black and white

Hair length		Family Pet*
Shedding level		Cohabitation with other pet
Grooming needs		Can stay alone*
Energy level*		Environment (indoor/outdoor)
Vocal tendencies	Low

* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.

Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.

For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).

Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.

Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.

All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.

4 kg - 6 kg Weight

3 kg - 5 kg Weight

Baby cat	Birth to 4 months
Growing kitten	4 to 12 months
Adult	1 to 7 years
Mature	7 to 12 years
Senior	From 12 years

Side view of a Bengal cat walking on grass

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Get to know the Bengal

All you need to know about the breed

If there’s one breed that embodies the moniker “curious cat,” it’s the Bengal. There’s a confidence within them, a desire to go out and explore their domestic surroundings, and with such a brilliant animal in your midst, it’s easy to let the adventure begin. Bengals have a fearlessness that’s fascinating to watch, and they don’t mind the audience.

The best part about having a Bengal cat around? Their fabulously unique rosette-shaped coat. The Bengal is the only breed that’s adorned with these uncommon graphics - shaped like those on their Leopard, Jaguar, and Ocelot cousins. The Snow Bengal is another variation of the breed, which is exceptional colouration that’s mostly white - think mini Snow Leopard! It’s a recessive colourpoint gene that makes for the white or light brown pattern, a very unique motif indeed.

The fur of the Bengal breed can also be marbled or speckled, with its plush thickness another signature trait; whatever the form, it’s incredible to behold.

If you value having a cat with off-the-charts energy, this is your breed. In fact, the Bengal is known to be kitten-ish even into their senior years. The unique cross-breeding of a domestic cat with one that calls the jungle home isn’t lost on this feline. They are unusually agile and athletic, and very strong yet graceful. For the highly desirable Bengal, words like magnificent, wondrous, and striking definitely apply.

The Bengal cat is known oddly enough for being very drawn to water, sometimes coming into the shower with family members or gazing upon water being run for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, or even the mere washing of hands.

Cream Bengal cat with bright blue eyes looking at camera

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2 facts about Bengals

1. Circa 1963

One of the most recent breeds, the Bengal cat was only developed in 1963 and granted experimental status by the International Cat Association in 1983. The breed was then granted full status in 1991.

2. Teach them a trick or two

Don’t think it’s only dogs that can learn tricks: This very smart cat can too. The Bengal can be taught sit, stay, paw, and even more complex tasks like fetch. So good at them, you’ll soon be wondering who is testing whom...

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History of the breed

The Bengal cat takes their name from the Bengal tiger since they have a coat that resembles their distant cousin. Truth be told, the domestic breed does descend from the wild: The Bengal entered the domestic domain in 1963 after being developed by Jean Mill, an avid cat breeder from Arizona. The fan of all things feline cross-bred an Asian leopard cat with her own black domestic tomcat. The resulting Bengal had a housecat disposition and jungle cat-like athleticism.

Mill then further bred the first female kitten, producing litters from there. The Bengal was then developed at the University of California at Davis when Mill assisted in the breeding of eight kittens with an Abyssinian Burmese and Egyptian Mau.

The Bengal breed has now become much more domesticated but also a prized possession, known in feline circles as the “Rolls Royce” of cats.

The International Cat Association adopted the breed in 1983, but granted it experimental status only. The Bengal was then given full status in 1991, and in 1999 recognised as an official breed by Federation Internationale Feline, a widely lauded federation of cat registries.

Two Bengal cats, one sitting, one lying, in black and white

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From head to tail

Physical characteristics of Bengals

1. Ears

Ears wide at base, rounded top, pointed forward, small to medium, never large

2. Head

Small head, somewhat triangular.

3. Body

Lithe, very long athletic and agile body.

4. Tail

Thick tail balances body, tapers to rounded end.

5. Fur

Distinctive coat either rosetted, marbled, or spotted, many variations.

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Things to look out for

From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Bengal

Likes to climb - beware treasured chandeliers

With the jungle as their ancestral home, you can see why Bengals like to climb as high as possible - often to the highest point in the home. It’s a good idea to put away family heirlooms, expensive lighting, and watch valued furniture. Their athleticism and fearlessness are among the amazing traits the Bengal has. The coolest part: Their very deft paws, able to accomplish a lot of complex tasks. The Bengal has been known to turn lightswitches on and off!

Healthy diet, healthier cat

Kitten

Adult

Senior

Tailored health nutrition has a fundamental role to play in maintaining the health and beauty of Bengal cats. Food provides energy to help with vital functions and a complete nutritional formula for Bengals should contain an adapted balance of nutrients. Feeding them in this way will offer a diet that’s neither deficient nor excessive, both of which could have adverse effects on your cat’s health. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times to support good urinary regularity. Cats are also naturally adapted to eating small servings - between 7 and 10 times a day. Giving them the recommended daily ration of kibble once a day will let your Bengal cat regulate their own consumption. The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your cat has health problems, please consult your veterinarian who will prescribe an exclusively veterinary diet.
Growth is an essential stage in a kitten’s life. It is a time of big changes, discoveries, and new encounters. A Bengal kitten’s requirements in terms of energy energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins, are much more than those of an adult cat. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their body, but also to grow and build it. A kitten’s growth comes in two phases:
Construction
From birth to 4 months
Weaning is the transition a kitten makes from liquid - or maternal milk - to solid food. This period naturally corresponds to the time when they cut their milk teeth, at 3 to 6 weeks old. At this stage, kittens are not yet able to crunch so a soft meal (rehydrated kibble or an adapted wet food) helps bridge the gap between liquids and solids.
Between 4 and 12 weeks after birth
The natural immunity a kitten receives from the mother’s colostrum - or first milk - decreases while the kitten’s immune system gradually develops. This critical time, called the immunity gap, requires a complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, to help support their natural defences. Kittens go through an intense and particularly delicate period of growth during which they’re prone to digestive upset. Their diet at this time should not only be rich in energy to meet their essential growth needs but should also contain highly digestible protein to cater to their digestive system that’s still maturing. Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, can also support their digestive health by helping to balance intestinal flora. The result? Good stool quality, all around. The kitten’s food should contain omega 3 fatty acids - EPA-DHA - which helps support the proper neuro-cerebral development.
Consolidation and Harmonisation: from 4 months to 12 months
From the fourth month, a kitten’s growth slows down, so a food lower in fats is recommended. This is particularly important after a cat is sterilised. Between 4 and 7 months, a kitten’s milk teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent ones. When the adult teeth have come through, a kitten needs to eat kibble that’s big enough so they’re encouraged to crunch. Until they’re 12 months old, a Bengal kittens’ immune system is still gradually developing. A complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, can help support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries, and new encounters. The digestive system matures progressively, with digestive aptitudes reaching full maturity toward twelve months of age. A Bengal cat is then able to consume adult food.

On top of maintaining a healthy urinary function as for all cats, the main nutritional goals for adult Bengals are:
Contributing to maintaining optimal muscle mass for this lively cat, thanks to high-quality protein and a moderate fat content
Supporting optimal digestion and balancing intestinal flora by using highly digestible proteins and prebiotics
Helping to preserve the health of their skin and the glossiness of their short coat, with the enriched addition of targeted nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Supporting good oral hygiene thanks to a kibble shape that’s easy to grab and a texture that induces chewing.

A senior cat - one over the age of 12 - may sometimes have difficulties with absorption. To maintain the weight of the ageing cat and minimise the risk of deficiency, they should be given an extremely digestible food filled with essential nutrients.
As they get older, cats increasingly suffer from teeth problems, and in some senior cats, the sense of taste and smell may decline as well, which leads to a lowered intake of food. To ensure they continue to eat enough, the shape, size, and hardness - meaning texture - of their kibble needs to be tailored to their now potentially more fragile jaw.
Note that the best energy level for any cat still depends on their lifestyle, even those who are ageing. A senior cat that continues to go out regularly will benefit from a diet with a slightly higher fat content. On the other hand, ageing does not reduce an indoor cat’s risk of obesity. Their calorie intake should still be closely monitored. A food with a moderate fat content then may be optimal.

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Caring for your Bengal

Grooming, training and exercise tips

Being half jungle cat means agility and strength are a given for the Bengal. A natural athlete, they’ll need space to roam indoors and out, and to follow their natural instincts as they explore the trees and bushes of their domestic domain. Keep an eye on them when outdoors so they don’t wander off, and so they’re safe from predators, traffic, or thieves, a risk for any feline.

Grooming the stunning coat of the Bengal cat will be a pleasure for anyone who enters the world of this dynamic breed. This is one cat that’s relatively easy to take care of - meaning they don’t mind it a bit. Brushing them once a week should be enough and keep the shedding in check, which is low. Bathe your Bengal infrequently as well, in order to best preserve their low-maintenance coat. Clip their nails on a monthly basis for maintenance.

The Bengal cat excels at learning tricks, and is easier to train than many other breeds of cats. They are highly loyal to owners and pleased when part of a group. Extremely alert and attentive, they have even been known to open doors and cupboards with their hand-like paws!

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All about Bengals

Adult cat standing next to a kitten licking its ear.

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Adult cat lying down indoors on top of a cat tree.

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Kitten cat lying down indoors on top of a cat tree.

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Two adult cats walking together in a field.

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Adult British Shorthair lying down indoors on a windowsill.

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Sources

1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/

2 - Royal Canin Cat Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020

3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/

4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book

Let's talk Bengals

Get to know the Bengal