Bengal cat

The Bengal cat | History

The Bengal cat is an exciting breed to have at home. It is highly intelligent and got a strong urge to be active which makes it an entertaining creature.

It stands genetically close to its feral ancestor, the Asian leopard cat.

The breed was created by mere chance. A woman purchased a feral forest cat in a pet store in 1965 in the USA. Later she decided to buy a domesticated cat, to keep the feral one from being lonely.

The two got along well. To the owners’ surprise, the cats produced a litter healthy enough to reproduce. From there on, the breed became a trend and has since become an acknowledged breed in cat societies worldwide.

Bengal cat | Behaviour - wild but smart

With intelligence comes curiosity. And that is confirmed by the Bengals’ behaviour. It will scale anything it manages in an attempt to reach the highest point in the house. From there it will have control of everything that happens.

In other words, you can take the cat out of the jungle, but you can’t take the jungle out of the cat.

If you are thinking of buying a Bengal, you are being advised to secure your finest Chinese ceramics. Anything loosely sitting will be in danger of a sudden gravitational pull. Other investments worth contemplating are cat-centric toys big enough to climb. Like an inside cat-jungle. Just make sure it is the highest point the cat can reach.

The Bengal isn’t just hyperactive. It is also known to be an athletic feline with a compulsive need for attention. As a family member, it got a reputation for forming strong bonds with its owners. Its athletic features will naturally make it a strong cat too. Therefore, it might be a bit rough to play with for a toddler. Though, it is a kind creature by nature– and does not have any intention of being mean.

Bengal cat | Aesthetics

The resemblance it has to the Asian leopard cat, not only in the behaviour but also in the way it looks, is striking. With an amber yellowy-brown fur coat and its distinctive brown dots, almost like a cheetah. The Bengal looks feral enough to raise eyebrows from guests and neighbours. The more prevalent sceptic might even ask from which zoo it has been stolen?

Bengal cat | Maintenance

The Bengal does not require a lot of maintenance. It needs brushing once-twice a week and needs an occasional bath. Though, there are many advantages in regularly brushing its teeth, as that will keep its dental health in balance. It can save you a lot of money as they are prone to tooth rot and gum infections.

The Bengal is rumoured to be great at seeking out water with the sole purpose of splashing it around. In other words, keep sealed any water containers such as aquariums and toilets.

Bengal cat price

It is essential to do make a careful decision if you are planning to buy a Bengal. The Bengal cat is an expensive breed, which means there are a lot of breeders who will be in this business only for the money. If you ever find a Bengal cat kitten for less than $2000 USD you should be suspicious.

The breed is expensive to raise and to care for, which is partly why they are so expensive to buy. They require a lot of care and attention from a young age, so raising a litter quickly become a full time job.

If a Bengal cat costs more than $2500 USD, it could mean the cat has exeptional genes and are suitable for competitions and whatnot. So unless you plan on partaking in competitions, then there is no point paying more than that.

In other words, you should expect the price for a bengal cat to be somewhere between $2000-2500 USD.