The Bengal Cat

The Bengal is a relatively new breed of cat.  It was first bred in America and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat.

The domestic Bengal is similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard because it shares some of the genetic make-up from its wild ancestor, however its temperament is very domestic.

Generations of cats are numbered using F1, F2, F3 and so on, to show how far removed they are from the original cross.  A Bengal cat that is suitable for as a pet should be one that is at least four generations removed (F4).  Anything less would not be suitable for domestic owners and should be left to the experts, who use these for specific breeding purposes.

The Bengal cat is very distinctive in both build and marking on its fur.  Its body is muscular and sleek with a thick tail that is carried low. Its hindquarters are slightly higher than its shoulders. Its pelt has a rich smooth feel of satin or silk. Even the voice of the Bengal is different from that of other domestic cats.

Bengals are affectionate, alert and playful, with the stunning looks of its wild ancestor. They also love to play with water!

Bengal Colours and patterns

There are a variety of coat patterns, each one very dramatic and beautiful.  They can be divided into four main types: Brown spotted, Snow spotted, Brown marbled and Snow marbled. The pattern is either spotted or marbled and the background colour is either brown or white. White Bengals are referred to as 'snow's. 

Those Bengals that also have a lighter underside similar to the tummies of the Asian Leopard cats are considered desirable. A Bengal cat's whited tummy should always be spotted, unlike paws and chest bib found in domestic tabby cats. Some cats have also have a distinct "glitter" effect over their fur this is unique to Bengals and is considered highly desirable .

Male or Female?

Both sexes make equally good pets, generally neutered male cats are extremely loving and spayed females a tend to be slightly more independent Both are affectionate, inquisitive and make wonderful companions.  It is important that you have your Bengal spayed or neutered.  Spayed cats are healthier, have fewer medical emergencies and live longer.

 The Fuzzies

Like many baby animals all Bengals go through a bit of an ugly duckling stage where they do not look their best, they lose the clarity of their markings before later regaining them with their adult coat. The older kittens appear to be fuzzy with less clear markings than the very young kittens, hence they are given the name ‘Fuzzies’.  This is quite normal and happens around at about ten weeks old which unfortunately is when the kittens are first ready to go their new homes.

It is  always advisable that you see the kittens first at an earlier age, between two to six weeks old. This way you can see what the adult markings will be like and identify if there are any faults such as a ticked coat or long hair.  If this is not possible you maybe able to see a photo of the kitten at this age instead.

Bengal Character

Bengals make unique and rewarding pets.  They have very loving and engaging characters and for this reason make wonderful pets. They can be  compared to an oriental cat and even considered dog-like.  For this reason they are better suited to someone who would who doesn’t want a quiet, low-key companion.  

Bengals are energetic and very socialable cats.  If you are not at home during the day it is worth considering having two kittens to keep each other company.  If you have very young children it is worth considering a slightly older kitten.

Further reading

I found the following book very useful and one of the best I have read so far.  I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about the breed.

Bengal Cats: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Health Care, and Behaviour (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by Dan Rice, Michelle Earle-Bridges (Illustrator)