Bengali cat: history, personality, characteristics

The Bengal or Bengal cat is a relatively new breed of cat, which appeared in 1963, created by crossing domestic cats of the American Shorthair and Abyssian breeds with Asian leopard cats. The goal was to obtain a feline similar to the Felis Bengalensis (Asian leopard cat), but which had the friendly character of domestic cats, and at the same time maintain the greatest physical resemblance possible with its beautiful wild ancestor. The new domesticated breed was thought to be a pleasant and reliable family companion.

The Bengal cat is large, shiny and very muscular, with a bushy tail carried downwards. The cat’s wild appearance is enhanced by its characteristic thick and lush, spotted or marbled fur. Its large head has small ears and prominent whiskers, while its eyes are black and almond-shaped. The tail is bushy and tapers to a black tip. There is no other breed of cat that has the golden or pearly (shiny) appearance found in some Bengal cats. This breed can be very demanding due to its high activity level.

Bengal cat she is very sociable, docile, also recommended as a playmate for children. He has no problems living with other animals, he also accepts other cats in his territory. In general, dominant males may reject other males if they have not been trained from an early age. The female is kinder, but there is no rule. Kittens of this breed are full of energy and very playful. The Bengal cat is particularly attached to a certain family member, but this does not mean that it will not interact with others, it is sociable and accepts anyone in its presence. They have no problems with people they don’t know or strangers.

By nature they are intelligent and seem to look at everything around them wondering “can I play with this?”. They are agile, love to climb and can be rambunctious, with a distinctive voice that has been described as a hum or chirp, or as a bizarre rasping sound. Bengal cats are a very vocal breed and have a rich vocabulary, which can sometimes be quite strident, especially in unfamiliar situations.

They need company during the day so they don’t get bored, as well as opportunities to climb and simulate hunting. Sometimes they behave similarly to dogs due to their affectionate nature, the fact that they love to bring objects back to their owner and that they love to play in water. If you want to buy a Bengal cat, you need to take some time and understand that you will have a pet that is curious, loyal and loves to play.

The color of the fur can vary in many combinations that give it a wild appearance, such as: spotted lynx, brown brindle, brown brindle or sepia brindle. The fur is short, thick, very soft to the touch and the hair falls out quite rarely. Even if it is not necessary to brush it frequently, the cat will appreciate such activity on your part. You can cut its claws if necessary.

Compared to other cat breeds, the biggest responsibility in caring for a Bengal cat will be to capture its attention and keep it active. He is an intelligent cat who needs activity to keep his mind sharp and expend his energy. Some owners take these cats to trainers, walk them outside on a leash, and buy them toys to stimulate their agility and intellect. Do not forget that these cats, compared to other breeds, love water, so you can introduce such activities into their schedule.

The life span is between 14-16 years.

Weight: male 4.5-9 kg, female 3.6-4.5 kg

Waist: medium

When a Bengal cat is bored, he is able to study certain things and open drawers and cabinets to see what interesting toys or food he might find.

The Bengal cat loves its owners and will do anything to get their attention. If she realizes that you don’t like something she’s doing, like jumping on the kitchen scale, she’ll start doing that thing more often to get your attention and force you to interact with her. He also loves to take and hide things. Put the jewelry away, in a place where he can’t reach it (with a seal).

Each cat is individualistic, but most Bengal cats get along well with other pets, including dogs. They suit homes with older children who will love playing with them, but also with younger children as long as they have a secluded space. This cat needs a lot of vertical territory because it loves to climb and the higher it gets, the better. Give him tall scratching posts and bars to climb to the height of the window.

No hereditary diseases have been recorded for the Bengal cat breed, but it has been noted that there may be a higher incidence of a heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared to other breeds. Some Bengal cats also appear more susceptible to feline infectious peritonitis.

Bengal cat food – they do not require a special diet or special veterinary care. Experts say that this breed of cats is among the healthiest and is not susceptible to leukemia. However, it is advisable to offer them a complete and balanced diet. BonaCibo Super-Premium food definitely has a positive impact on your cat’s health and well-being.