Bengals are n’t your average house computerized tomography . or else , the beautiful intercrossed bengal cat breed is a hybridisation between an Asiatic Panthera pardus computerized axial tomography and a domesticated star sign cat . Despite their tameness , Bengal cats look like minuscule leopards . They ’ve even keep many wild trait , like their low - slough coat , muscular bodies , and love of water . There ’s a reason Bengals are exploding in popularity , and it is n’t because these cat are irksome .
Bengal Cats At a Glance
Do Bengal Cats Make Good Pets?
Bengal cat are very popular pets because they have a net ton of large calibre . Even though they have wild Asian Panthera pardus big cat genes , pet Bengals arevery much domesticated . Bengal make friendly and entertaining pets .
Because of their highly up-and-coming nature , these bozo need a lot of tending . Bengals are not lap cats by any means . They typically do very well in home with other cats , dogs , and children .
Bengal Cat Personality
Bengals are make love for acting like dog-iron . They ’re one of the most intelligent cat breeds , and because they aim to please their owner , they are extremely trainable . Many people teach their Bengals tricks , such as how to posture , high - five , trill , twirl , or meow on command . Leash trainingis also popular among Bengal owner , but because Bengals have slender bodies and slick pelt , a special escape - proof harness is often recommended for this breed .
Bengal Body Shape and Size
member of the breed generally have a brawny body similar to a Panthera pardus . They are not so much vainglorious as they are magniloquent . Bengal stand anaverage of 13 to 16 inchesat the berm , but their weight is about the same as an average house cat . What really sets them apart from other cat-o'-nine-tails is their arresting coat . Bengals have showy , silklike hair that sits flat , almost like a hide .
Bengal Cat Colors
you’re able to find Bengal cats in a number of stunning refinement . Some are consider traditional colouration , whereas others are " non - standard " but are still incredibly attractive . A cat ’s pelage color , as well as the pattern , can contribute to how much you ’ll give for a Bengal kitten .
Some Bengals even have what is known as a " glitter " pelage . Bengals with this trait have soft coats with a particular sheen , where the colors seem to effervesce . you could cull out iridescent , prosperous or silvern flecks in their coat . This is a rare , recessionary genetic trait - known as theFgfr2 mutation- and it is highly desirable among Bengal stock breeder and owners .
The factor that controls the scintillation trait is recessionary , so Bengals must havetwo copies of the gene- one from each parent - to sport a glitter coat .
Silver
Silver Bengal cats are rarefied . Their chief body tad or " ground " color can range from white to a dark greyish shade . Most silver Bengals have amber or green eye .
Snow
Like the argent shadiness , snow Bengals are also difficult to witness . Their ground colours can be anywhere from an ivory nuance to a wakeful tan . This light gloss is the result of a paint - jam gene that came from usingSiamese catsto breed Bengals .
Brown
Brown is the most pop color Bengals are find in . Thebrown shadecan image from light brown to a plentiful red-faced brown . Many have clue of Orange River in the colour . Most brown Bengals have gold or green eyes .
Charcoal
Charcoal is n’t a recognized strain color , butsome breedersproduce these cats . Charcoal Bengals have dark hoary pelt with characteristic Bengal markings . Many also have a dark " masquerade " mark on their nerve .
Black
dark Bengal cats depend like little dim panthers . These cats have silky black pelt with scarcely visible rosettes or marble marking .
Blue
profane is the rarest Bengal colouring and another that is not considered stock . The coat of a blue Bengal is a stunning bluish - Lady Jane Grey color , and their marking are typically a ticket blue air . If you ’re able to find one of these uncommon Bengals , you could gestate to bear a lot for it !
Bengal Coat Patterns
Bengal cats come in two stock patterns : spotted and marbled .
Spotted or Rosette : Bengal spots can appear as black and white spots , but most are considered rosettes . Rosettes are situation with two distinct shades , unremarkably with a darker upcountry with a lighter DoI . Bengals can have different types of little potato , include ones shaped like donuts , clusters , arrowheads , paw prints , and even hearts .
Marbled : Marbled Bengals are another distinct rule and one that ’s relatively rarefied . The marbling unremarkably involve three different shades , referred to as " tri - color marbles , " and typically has a horizontal pattern . Some Bengal cats have both spots and marble in their coat pattern .
Bengal Coat Type
Short-haired
Most Bengals have short - haired coat . in reality , only light - haired Bengals are considered part of the breed , grant toThe International Cat Association ( TICA)breed measure . Their coating is quite plush but is very easy to maintain .
Long-haired
Yes , tenacious - haired Bengal Arabian tea do exist . They ’re known as Cashmere Bengals .
tenacious - haired Bengals are indistinguishable to true Bengal cat in every way , except they have long , satiny hairsbreadth . Many have a downy mane around their neck , so they search like a crossing between a leopard and a lion . Breeders have attempt to " breed out " the gene creditworthy for prospicient fuzz because it was n’t a desirable trait , but Cashmere cat enthusiasts are essay to have this gorgeous cat recognise as a separate breed .
History and Origin of the Bengal
The Bengal computerized axial tomography is a intercrossed cross between an Asian Panthera pardus cat and a domesticated house cat . Several masses are said to have bred these two felines around the same clock time for various reasons , including Dr. Willard Centerwall and Bill Engler . Bill Engleris note as saying his goal was , " to make a low exotic bozo that was beautiful and had the disposition that was suitable for a pet star sign cat , " and these endeavour were finally successful .
However , it ’s Jean Mill , a Californian cat breeder , who is credited with creating the Bengal that we know today . The Bengal was recognized as a stock by The International Cat Association ( TICA ) in 1983 . Since then , Bengals have depart on to gain legion cat show patronage , and have become popular as deary . They have also becomeone of the most expensivecat breeds around .
Bengal Breed Care
Due to their energetic nature and andiron - like personality , Bengals have some unique fear requirements . Most of their care is similar to that of any other cat or kitten , with a few addition .
Exercise
Bengal cat are officious pets who need a great deal of recitation . Aim to give your Bengal at least 30 to 60 min of exercise each daylight . you could do this through active period of play with wand toy dog or optical maser pointer , outdoor walk on a leash , or with a true cat exercise wheel . Without enough physical and genial stimulant , your Bengal could turn to destructive deportment , such as scratching or meowing excessively , so keep them plight daily .
If your cat has a high target ride , using a optical maser pointer for playmay not be a good thought .
Grooming Needs
Bengals have low grooming need . Because they ’re low - shedders and most have brusque hair , you wo n’t require to brush your Bengal very often . Once or double every week is passable . This trait also makes the Bengal guy one of the few breeds that are nearly hypoallergenic .
Nutrition
Bengal cats have the same nutritional requirement as any other stock of cat . They are obligate carnivore who should eat a dieting high-pitched in protein . However , due to a Bengal ’s high vigor , they will need more calories than a circuit true cat . Find eminent - quality food for your cat ’s life-time leg ( kitten , grownup , aged ) and feed them according to the alimentation instruction provide .
Royal Canin does offer abreed - specific dieting designed for Bengals . The expression includes a high protein content to serve Bengal maintain their musculus spate , plus it is n’t hard on their notoriously tender stomachs . Alternatively , many Bengal owners elect to cook for their Arabian tea or give them raw diets . verbalise to your veterinarian to find out what the best diet for your Bengal should be .
Bengal Cats as Pets
Bengal cat are n’t for everyone , but they ’re excellent quat for the right person or family . If you ’re interested in a lap cat you could leave at home for most of the Clarence Day , a Bengal is n’t a good choice . However , if you want a smart , athletic cat you may cultivate or take the air on a leash , you should definitely consider a Bengal . Just know these gorgeous cats are costly and will keep steady veterinary visits , high - caliber intellectual nourishment , andenrichment toysfor their lifespan of 12 to 16 years or more . But as any Bengal owner will tell you , it ’s well worth it .