Bengal cat breed: history, character, description, health, maintenance and purchase

Origin story

Female geneticist Jane Mill, having met amazing leopard cats, big-eyed and absolutely wild, in 1961, was completely fascinated by them.
However, the threat of death forced her not only to admire animals, but also to join the fight to preserve the species. Jane managed to take one cat to Malaysia, where she lived. The exotic beauty “fell in love” with a neighbor’s mongrel cat and the first offspring were born. Unfortunately, the kittens died. But Jane was lucky: she received several babies from the Loma Linda Medical Center.

The woman searched for a long time for a breed suitable for work, rejected the British, Abyssinians and a number of others, but in the end she chose a golden-red cat and several individuals of the Mau breed from India.

The breed was registered in 1983, but at that time only TICA recognized it. For several years, Millie’s pets actively fought for their place in the sun: they were allowed to participate in exhibition events, but many local breeders were against breeding a new breed, either anticipating competition, or fearing the appearance of wild blood.

Selection work continued actively for several years. For a long time, the breeder was plagued by failures: not all of the baby kittens had leopard “rosettes.” And 80% of the males were infertile. But gradually we got over it.

In 1991, Mill brought the first completely tame cat to the exhibition. Since that time, the Bengal cat has taken a strong place in the table of the most beautiful and elite cat breeds.

The long coat of Bengals has long been considered grounds for culling. But gradually tastes changed: breeders found a special charm in this and began to call long-haired Bengals silken Bengals.

History of the Bengal breed

The Asian wild leopard, from which Bengals later descended, was small in size with a silky coat of golden brown color. This species of cat practically disappeared from the face of the earth in the mid-twentieth century - poachers exterminated the animals for their valuable skin. The cubs were sold in souvenir shops.

The American scientist J. Mill set out to change the situation. She decided to take a leopard and try to cross it with different breeds of domestic cats. But at first, all the experiments were failures, since the kittens that were born grew up detached from people and aggressive. The scientist did not stop there, and as a result, twenty years later, she managed to breed a Bengal cat with a spotted pattern, like a wild cat, and incredibly shiny fur. The new breed of cats managed to preserve the gracefulness of their ancestors and at the same time become domestic and absolutely tame.

Standards

Flaws:

• Amputated claws;
• No spots in the abdominal area;
• Small nose;
• Big ears;
• Excessive fullness.

Description of the Bengal cat breed

The basic description of this breed includes its appearance, color, behavior, weight and height. The size of the Bengal cat is quite large. An adult cat weighs 7–8 kilograms. The features are noticeable even to an amateur.

Bengals are very similar to their wild counterparts. However, the character of the leopard cat is sweeter and more domestic than they look at first glance. Most kittens inherit only 3–5 percent of their genes from their wild ancestors; the rest is taken from domestic pets. Let's consider the pros and cons, as well as the standard and appearance of the breed:

1. The breed is distinguished by its dimensions. The adult size is up to 80–90 centimeters in length.
2. The color of the coat is very diverse; it can be coal black, marble, blue.
3. The eyes are large, rounded oval in shape.
4. The head is of medium size, quite wide, rounded contours. The ears, as a rule, are not large, rounded.
5. The paws have a wide base.
6. The breed is short-haired and hypoallergenic. Allergies to Bengal cats are extremely rare in people with hypersensitivity.
7. Another distinctive characteristic of this breed is its high intelligence. The pet has a good memory and is very attached to its owner. The Thai cat breed has similar character traits.

Colors of Bengal cats in the table

According to the established standard, it is customary to distinguish between two background primary colors. In addition, Bengal colors have three types of patterns:

1. Spotted. The marks are located evenly throughout the body of the animal.
2. Rosette on gold. The light tones of the spots are bordered by a darker color.
3. Marble. One of the most beautiful views. Drawings of different shapes are located throughout the body. The Bengal marble has a unique set of spots that is not repeated even in direct offspring.

What colors are found among Bengal cats:

1. Silver Bengal. The main color is silver-gray. The spots have a rosette color on silver; marbled colors are also distinguished. Silver cats have green or gold eyes.
2. Leopard print is the most popular option. The main color is red. It is distinguished by clearly visible dark spots.
3. Snow Bengal. This type is considered the most original and expensive. Snow Bengals have different base colors. It can be golden, cream or beige. Depending on the snow color of the coat, the pattern also differs. Snow Bengals usually have blue eyes.
4. Ash or charcoal color. The main color of the skin is usually black. The spots are usually gray in color. The charcoal color has a distinctive feature in the form of glasses on the face. Black coloring is not included in the standard, but is very popular among representatives of this breed.
5. Blue color. It is the rarest and most expensive type of Bengal cat. The body coat is usually white and blue. Golden or beige patches may be visible on your pet's belly.

Phasing in Bengals is a natural method of camouflage that hides the natural color of the dog. A common occurrence in small kittens is when the color scheme of the coat is almost indistinguishable. Some may feel that the special shade will never appear. The first signs of color appear only at 7–8 months of the pet’s life.

Bengal character

The character of a Bengal cat greatly depends on upbringing and the amount of time that owners are willing to devote to their pet. Although the proportion of wild blood in Bengals is no more than 20-25%, the cat can easily turn a house into a branch of the jungle, thanks to its irrepressible energy. Other pets can live with them only from virginity.

It is worth noting that Bengal cats become attached not only to the place of their owners, but also to the family to which it includes all members of the household. Will find its owner everywhere. Even a small child can play with them.

It should also be remembered that Bengals consider all living creatures smaller than themselves as prey. You may have to change your favorite hamster often. Because of their instinct to guard their territory, some people believe that Bengal cats are evil, but in fact they are beautiful, highly intelligent and quick-witted creatures who also adore water. It is also worth purchasing several scratching posts for your home.

Dimensions and weight by month

The Bengal cat is quite large: females weigh 4-5 kg, males - up to 9. Length from nose to tail - 90-100 cm, height - up to 40 cm. Males are visually larger than females.

This breed is not cheap. Kittens for the “soul” (i.e. with defects that cannot participate in exhibition events) cost between 15-30 thousand rubles. Breed class babies (with minor deviations) – 30-70 thousand. Show-class animals – over 70 thousand. When buying a kitten, go to a cattery with a good reputation. The kitten is taken when it is grown up (at least 12 weeks old), with documents (preferably the generation indicator is F4-F7), weighing at least a kilogram. He should already be accustomed to hands, contact and playful, with clean eyes, shiny fur and no runny nose.

Briefly about the breed

The Bengal cat is a broad-shouldered and muscular pet with a short-haired spotted or merle pattern.

The head of the Bengal is pointed, the neck is short and powerful, and the tail is of medium length.

The Bengal cat is a broad-shouldered and muscular pet.

The color of the cats resembles their leopard ancestors. The color range varies within brown shades. There are also snow and silver Bengals.

This is one of the cat breeds that lead an active lifestyle. Bengalis have developed mental abilities, inherited from their ancestors, who needed them to survive in the wild.

The paws of Bengal cats are particularly dexterous. Many representatives of the breed can easily move and carry objects, open and close doors.

During the process of domestication, the aggression inherent in their ancestors completely disappeared. Bengal cats are peaceful and playful, but they value freedom highly and are not very fond of being held.

Colors

A distinctive feature of Bengal cats is their unique color. Kittens are born with bright fur; by 3-4 weeks the colors fade noticeably, but by 2 months they return to their original color.

The following are officially recognized: silver tabby (gray), brown tabby, seal sepia tabby, seal mink tabby, seal lynx tabby and blue tabby. The pattern on the wool should be as clear as possible. Of the two existing ones - spotted and marbled - the first is more common.

In the photo there is a Bengal cat of popular colors: brown tabby marbled and silver tabby (gray) spotted

Character and behavior

A wild cat, as they say, has a wild character. Their ancestors, who loved free life and independence, passed on their most striking character traits to their descendants, so the Bengal is a real bundle of energy. The bunch is wayward and capricious, but with the right upbringing it can become a completely friendly and balanced member of the family. Bengals need constant human attention and communication, otherwise they quickly run wild.

They are friends with dogs, live quietly side by side with cats of other breeds, but other pets, alas, will be under constant threat. Hunters by nature, Bengals will not rest until they catch all the fish from the aquarium, strangle the birds in the cage and get the hamster out of his house.

They love affection, but do not tolerate intrusion into the territory they consider theirs. They prefer fun games and running around the house to sitting on their hands. Very talkative: ready to “talk” to everyone who is nearby.

Does your cat like to swim?

Not really

Playfulness lasts until death, so you will have to equip your pet with nothing more or less - a play corner in the apartment, and a bigger one. And also: walk with your cat more often, giving her the opportunity to climb trees and explore the surroundings in as much detail as possible. Bengals get bored with toys quickly, so be prepared to spend money.

The Bengal is one of the most intelligent and savvy breeds, able to wait and adapt to circumstances. They quickly learn to open doors, turn lights on and off, turn the faucet handle, and even flush the toilet.

These little thieves love to hide small things that you carelessly left in plain sight. Keys, keychains, iridescent hairpins, paper bills - everything that rustles, shines and knocks immediately attracts their attention and is dragged away “in reserve.” By the way, they then prefer to tear up the papers, so hide the document first.

Bengals choose one leader for themselves, whom they will run from corner to corner like a dog. They get used to the leash and harness quickly. Children are treated with care and attention.

Bengal kittens are real little bullies, so teach them discipline from day one. Otherwise, an uncontrollable monster will grow out of a cute, restless fluffy.

Character

The Bengal is a very active and intelligent cat breed that is a lot of fun to live with, but can also be quite challenging at times. Overall, the Bengal is a confident, talkative, friendly cat that is always alert. Nothing escapes their attention. This is a very playful animal that always needs to be busy with something. A bored pet is very serious because it may start playing with your things and equipment. Aquarium fish can also suffer from the long legs of this hunter.

Bengals love heights and will definitely conquer all the heights in the house, so the owner will have to spend at least one cat tree. Rarely, when your Bengal isn't riding on chandeliers or swimming in your pool, will he be happy to climb into your lap.

Because Bengals spend a lot of time playing and lead an active lifestyle, they are an ideal choice for families with older children and other pets, especially dogs that are full of energy. Bengal cats do very well in busy environments where there is some activity going on in the house. They want to be involved in all the affairs of the owners and even actively help.

Bengals are extremely intelligent animals. This kind of intelligence brings with it a lot of curiosity, and unless you are ready for a cat that wants to understand everything, you may have a hard time with this breed. But, if you want your cat to not only love you, but also entertain you for hours, a Bengal will be an excellent choice.

Bengal cats love to receive lots of attention and love. However, they prefer to do this actively in play rather than passively on your lap like many other domestic cats. Sometimes they take a time out and climb onto a sofa or comfortable chair, where they can pay their attention to the owner. So even if they are not like many other cats, you will have special moments of love and affection that are sure to warm your heart.

Care instructions

The Bengal cat does not require special care. Its coat is not prone to tangling, so brush it 2 times a week with a regular rubber brush. Bengals love to splash in the water, so bathing should not be difficult. The claws are shortened literally by a couple of mm once a month, if the animal does not grind them down on its own. Teeth are brushed at least once a month.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Do not use human cosmetics or skin care products. After licking your shampoo, a Bengal will get a long-term stomach upset, and human toothpaste is completely dangerous to health. Buy special products: shampoo - Bars, Celandine, toothpaste - Dental Powder, Trixie, Beaphar.

In the photo there is a Bengal cat on the hunt

Maintenance and walking

Again, do not forget about the active nature of cats, so you should take care of entertainment in the apartment or house that will provide your pet with a fun life.

It should also be noted that the breed quickly finds a common language with older children, especially of school age, since the cat’s excessive activity and playfulness can frighten the baby. Another feature is intolerance to strong odors.

Training

Now it’s worth introducing the topic of training, it is an integral part of raising a kitten.

Bengals can rightfully bear the title of one of the most intelligent individuals in the cat family. Due to their mental abilities, they can easily learn new commands, which is one of the ways to splash out inexhaustible energy.

The age for starting training is 3 months, so the cat will get used to following certain commands from childhood. For each trick performed, it is recommended to reward with something tasty that your pet loves.

You should not expect the kitten to listen to the repetition of the same command. The kitten's attention and interest will last for 10-15 minutes, and then she will try to run away about her business as quickly as possible. If you know about this from the beginning, you will not immediately strain the animal with hours of training. Gradually begin to add time to learning new commands.

Bengals are cats with special personalities, so if they are not in the mood for exercise and training, do not even try to train your pet at this point. The best option in this situation is to postpone your training to the next day.

Classes should not be held every day, but two to three times a week. You will understand the frequency from the behavior of your pet during classes.

What to feed?

The basic nutrition rules for Bengals are no different from cats of other breeds. Babies up to 2 months eat 6 times a day, up to 6 months – 3-4 times. It is enough to feed adult cats 2 times a day: morning and evening.

You should choose what you will feed your Bengal in the first year of life. The sensitive intestines of an adult animal can react painfully to major changes in the future, so try not to radically change the diet unnecessarily.

Accustom your cat to one place: she should know where her bowl is. Don't spoil her with tasty morsels between feedings. Wash bowls after every meal.

Natural and dry food do not mix. Cats secrete different enzymes for digestion, and over time they can develop stomach problems.

Natural products

Bengals are predators. Therefore, meat was and is the basis of their diet. Feed your cat lean meat. These are rabbit, veal, turkey, lamb and beef. Each piece should be cut and doused with boiling water to destroy possible parasites. 2-3 times a week you can give offal: lungs, liver, hearts, ventricles. The Bengal easily deals with even bones, so, unlike other breeds, it is recommended to give them. But the bones are large, not tubular and not sharp.

Fish is allowed to be given 2 times a week, and only sea fish. These are flounder, trout, hake, salmon. From time to time, indulge your cat with boiled shrimp and squid.

Porridge is in second place on the list of dishes that a Bengal needs to be accustomed to. Rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley - they are boiled in water and a few drops of vegetable oil, stewed vegetables (zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets, green salad, spinach) and boiled chicken yolk are added. Quail is given no more than once a week.

Recommended food

When choosing industrial food, choose the super-premium and holistic classes. They are “head and shoulders above” the premium and economy food groups for several reasons. Firstly, the source of protein in them is only fresh and dehydrated fish fillets and meat, and no vegetable protein is used. Secondly, a mixture of tocopherols acts as preservatives, i.e. completely natural substances. Thirdly, there is an abundance of dried vegetables, berries, minerals and vitamins.

List of super premium foods: Bozita, Brit Care, Vigor & Sage. Holistic food: AATU, Primordial, Wildcat.

Below are recommended super-premium foods. Links with the names of the food are clickable, on them you can, within our website, get acquainted with the descriptions of the food and read reviews from owners of the Bengal cat breed.

Food and water should only be at room temperature, not from the refrigerator and not scalding. Water – purified, passed through a home filter or settled. It is advisable to purchase a special drinking fountain, since Bengals love running water.

History of the Bengal breed

Perhaps the independent nature of cats gives rise to myths that many breeds of modern domestic cats descend their direct lines from their wild counterparts from the tropics or semi-deserts. For example, there are legends about the spotted Bengal cat that she is the fruit of free love between an ordinary domestic kitty and a jaguar.

With the same confidence, we can say that the wild Bengal cat that lives in the taiga part of Primorye is a son-descendant of the seaside leopard.

Cats of all types are indeed incredibly loving, but there is a significant difference between them: wild representatives of the fauna never interbreed with other species in nature, unlike domestic cats. This is only possible under conditions of forced close proximity (in a zoo, for example, a hybrid of a lion and a tigress is a liger), but only a female can have offspring. The male is sterile. Nature protects individual species, leaving them unchanged, otherwise we would have mixed them up long ago and, most likely, died out under the onslaught of genetic diseases.

What about Bengal cats? They can give birth to children, and this fact is the best proof of the groundlessness of the widespread untruth (to put it mildly) about the origin of Bengals. This breed, like more than 500 others, is the result of selection and targeted selection, the work of enthusiastic cat lovers, whose work “gave birth” to this spotted miracle, a cat similar to a leopard, a Bengal cat.

And a woman named Jane Mill is “to blame” for breeding this breed.

Diseases

The Bengal breed is a wild breed, which a priori means strong immunity and the absence of genetic abnormalities. But they also have several weak points.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a pathology of the heart muscle in which one of the walls thickens. Early symptoms are most often absent, so the percentage of sudden death is high. If you notice that your pet has become lethargic, refuses to play, and is not as active as before, take him for an ECG and ultrasound of the heart. Bengals with this disease are 25-30%.
• Flat sternum syndrome - diagnosed in newborn kittens. The ribs compress the chest, interfering with breathing and most often leading to the death of the animal. If the kitten survives the critical 10 and 24 days, it develops as usual, but is rejected from exhibition activities.
• Dry nose syndrome – affects one-year-old cats. Cracks appear on the nose, turning into ulcers without treatment.

If breeders are supporters of consanguineous matings (between direct and close relatives), then it is not surprising that the kittens have a poorly functioning immune system.

Prevention is cheaper than cure, so remember a number of rules:

• Feed the animal only fresh and high-quality food;
• Get your vaccinations on time;
• Fight against parasites;
• Monitor his condition.

Bengal cats that do not participate in breeding require early spaying and sterilization!

Character of Bengal cats

There is a prejudice that Bengals are unmanageable due to their hunting instincts and playful nature. Now we can say with confidence that cats of this breed easily get along in the family. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about hunting games that kittens and adults can play anywhere.

Bengals get along well with other cats and dogs if they were adopted at the same time. But we do not recommend keeping birds and rodents in your apartment, which small predators would not mind hunting.

Another personality trait is that kittens need to be taught to be handled at an early age, otherwise they may develop their “predatory” roots and begin to scratch and bite you during play. Try not to leave your pet, pay more attention to it. With proper upbringing, you will have a pet mini-leopard.

Please note that cats are completely non-aggressive, but they will not be able to sit on your hands all the time. They have a majestic character, but regardless of age, they are very attached to people. No matter what room you go to, the cat will follow you.