Bengal Cat Breed
Cat Facts
The Bengal cat breed is classified as a shorthaired cat of wild origin. It has the wild-look of the Asian Leopard, but with the temperament of a domestic cat. It took some years for the governing bodies to recognize this hybrid cat breed, but after years of selective breeding, most governing bodies have registered the Bengal.
To establish whether you have a show or pet quality Bengal cat, an important question needs to be asked. Is this Bengal kitten an F1, F2, F3 or F4? The direct offspring of a Asian Leopard-to-Bengal cross is known as an F1. The F4 indicates that the kitten or cat is 4 generations removed from the leopard cross and is a Bengal-to-Bengal cross. The F4 would be considered a show or pet quality cat as its 'wild blood' heritage is quite 'diluted'. The Bengal cat breed can be recognized by its medium-to-large sleek body which is muscular and robust with a strong bone structure. The legs are medium-length with their hind quarters being slightly longer. The muscular and powerful neck compliments the body. Their tails are medium-length, thick and taper to a rounded tip. The Bengal cat breed head is small in proportion to its body, with rounded contours, prominent cheek bones and a broad muzzle. The ears are medium to small with rounded tips and are broad at the base. Their eyes are reasonably large, oval shaped and set wide apart. Another characteristic of this domestic cat is the black skin eyeliner encircling the eye. Eye color can range from blue, yellow (gold), green, blue-green and hazel. The 'M' marking on the fur of the forehead is another distinguishing feature of the Bengal cat. One of the Bengal's most unique features is undoubtedly their coat! Short, thick, soft, fine, luxurious, plush are some to the adjectives used to describe their coat. Apart from the satiny feel and beautiful sheen, their coats come in two different patterns and an array of colors.
Spotted - The spots can be diagonal, random or horizontal. The shape of the 'spots' can be semi-circular, doughnut-shaped, rosette-shaped or even odd-shaped. Depending on the ground color of the cat's fur, the spots (or markings) can range from black, to dark brown or even a sepia color. It is important, that the contrast between the pattern and the ground color is extreme. Marbled - This pattern is identifiable by large, 'swirled' patches flowing horizontally.
Colors - The Bengal cat breed comes in a number of colors. To verify that your kitten adheres to the cat breed standards in your country we would suggest contacting the all breeds of cat governing body in your country. Whilst not a breed standard requirement, many of these cats have a luxurious sheen to their coats - a 'glitter appearance', which in the black-brown Bengal looks like 'gold dusting' and in the snow Bengal, it looks like 'pearl dusting'. You may come across a 'snow' Bengal, which is also known as a seal lynx point.
Temperament and Personality
We know that Bengal cats are breathtaking beauties, but do they have temperaments to match? The breed standard may dictate that this hybrid cat breed be friendly, alert, even-tempered and affectionate, but what do their owners have to say about their personalities? The people we spoke to described their cats as intelligent, sociable, even-tempered, energetic, boisterous and mischievous. They are cats that develop very strong, affectionate bonds with their owners and also demand your undivided attention. They make wonderful companions. Bengals hate to be ignored and will go to great lengths to enthusiastically display affection - to the point of being jealous. They do not enjoy solitude and would do better in a home where they have company most of the day. Bengal kittens can be over zealous and perhaps a little destructive if not trained when young. The good news is that they can be trained. Whether it's obedience, lead (leash) training or training them to do tricks - they are enthusiastic learners and actively participate in activities. They love exercise, carrying and picking up toys and enjoy playtime. This is obviously the reason that many owners describe their Bengal as dog-like!
Bengal Cat Breed Information
Would they make good pets for children? Yes, an F4 Bengal adores the company of children. They do prefer the company of older children. Children need to be taught how to handle cats. Rough play that includes ear and tail pulling and being clutched too tightly is something no self-respecting cat will tolerate. Will they adapt to other family pets? Are they Animal Friendly? Yes, according to owners and breeders of the Bengal domestic cat breed, they do get along with other cats and dogs. The Ideal Home for your Bengal cat? These hybrid cat breeds are not suited to apartment living. They do not like to be confined or left alone. Solitude and boredom may lead to destructive behavior.
An enclosed, escape-proof garden or cat run is what they need - space to exercise, hunt and explore. A garden, with a shallow pond with running water would be ideal for these water loving cats Caring for Your Cat Bengals are low maintenance cat breeds. Whilst your Bengal will do its own grooming, a weekly brush or comb will help to maintain a healthy coat. A rub with a chamois leather cloth or a silk scarf will maintain a beautiful shiny coat. Bathing is generally not required, but if your cat will allow it, an occasional bath will keep your cat's skin and fur clean and healthy. It may be an idea to visit our comprehensive pages on cat care that provides important insights into cat grooming. Are there any Health Concerns? They are a healthy cat breed, but some breeding lines do have health issues that may include: - Cataracts - which results in a cloudiness of the lens of the eye causing blindness
- Retinal Atrophy - degeneration of the retina of the eye resulting in blindness
- Cardio myopathy - the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged and results in death
- Patellar luxation - the knee cap or patella dislocates or moves out of place
- Asthma - an inflammatory disease of the respiratory airways
- Food and medicine allergies
Do consider cat insurance for your cat. Its also critical to ensure that you cat receives its annual vaccinations and is de-wormed. Do they need a Special Diet? The Bengal cat breed tends to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which needs to be controlled with the correct diet. It would appear that they are sensitive to the cereal content in certain commercial cat foods. Consult with your veterinarian or a cat breeder for the ideal diet for a Bengal cat breed. You may want to consider a raw cat food diet for your Bengal cat. What is the average Weight of the Bengal cat breed? Male cats are larger than the female cats. The average weight of an adult cat is 5.5 to 9 kg (12.1 to 19.8 lbs) What is their Life Expectancy? A well cared for cat has a life span of between 12 - 15 years. 'How long do cats live?' - well that depends on a number of factors so do follow the link.
Related Cat Pages Bengal Cat - the origin and history of this hybrid cat breed Bengal Kittens for Sale - cat breeders from around the world Bengal Cat Pictures - Cat Photo Gallery
Cat Pictures are courtesy of: Top 2 Bengal Photos: © Photographer Theresa Fouche: Owner/Breeder: Unknown Center: Adventure Beach I Shot the Sheriff of Kriss Cross Blue-eyed Snow Marble Bengal Cat Breeder: D Garcia-Bengochea Owner: K Callaghan Bottom 2 Photos: © Photographer Sarah Thexton Wildforest Polo of Glitterkatz, Brown spotted Bengal; Owner: Dr Wally Fogarty, Breeder: K and G Richards
|
