Variety Overview
English Name: Bengal cat
Also Known As: Leopard cat
Size: Medium
Origin: Bangladesh
Height: 40-50cm (16-20 inches)
Lifespan: 10 years
The Bengal cat combines gentleness with the wild allure of a leopard cat. Always full of energy, it exhibits the confidence and agility of an athlete. Its strong curiosity comes without aggression, making it a straightforward and peaceful companion. Many are charmed by its adorable and intelligent look. Owning a Bengal cat can even mean enjoying activities like playing in water, interacting with dogs, and frolicking with children.
Development Origin
The Bengal cat breed was developed by Ms. J. Mill in the United States beginning in 1963. Over more than two decades of breeding experiments, she utilized wild Asian Leopard Cats (ALC) from the Bay of Bengal region in southern India and crossed them with Egyptian Mau cats known for their gentle temperament and distinctive spots, along with other breeds like the American Shorthair. After many generations of complex breeding, the Bengal cat emerged as a distinct pet breed and was officially accepted and recognized by TICA in 1984.
Ideal Audience
Ideal for all cat enthusiasts, but not recommended for those allergic to cat fur.
Feeding Guidelines
- Enhance the Athletic Abilities of Your Bengal Cat
Bengal cats are natural athletes with impressive running and jumping capabilities that will make any owner proud. To fully utilize these abilities at home, provide equipment that allows your cat ample opportunity for exercise. Bengals love leaping up and down; consider installing tiered shelves or hanging baskets where they can jump around freely—this helps maintain muscle health and improves their athletic skills.
- Avoid Daily Baths; Keep Their Environment Warm
Bengal cats have short fur with strong self-cleaning abilities; hence daily baths are unnecessary and may harm their skin by causing allergies or inflammation. In summer, bathing once a week suffices; in winter, once every two weeks is adequate. Ensure the room is warm during bath time to prevent colds. Dry them off with a towel followed by a hairdryer immediately after bathing. Regularly comb their fur with special brushes designed for Bengals to keep it shiny and healthy.
- Diversify Their Diet Beyond Cat Food
While convenient store-bought cat food is easy for feeding purposes, long-term reliance on it can result in malnutrition, muscle loss, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to illness due to preservatives and additives found in processed foods. Instead of solely feeding commercial cat food, prepare natural meals like cooked chicken or corn which are nutritious and tasty for your Bengal cat. Avoid cow’s milk as it may cause digestive issues; opt for easily digestible goat’s milk instead.
- Stock Essential Medications at Home
Despite their robust nature and strong immunity making them less prone to illnesses compared to other breeds—environmental changes or bacterial exposure can still affect Bengals leading to common ailments like gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea), skin infections/allergies or mite infestations—all treatable at home without frequent vet visits which could waste time or delay treatment further worsening conditions; hence keeping essential medications like dewormers/anti-inflammatory ointments/gastrointestinal drugs handy proves beneficial during emergencies.
- Early Training & Behavior Correction
Bengal cats possess distinctive personalities often appearing aloof/cool—requiring early training interventions from owners ensuring well-mannered growth avoiding harmful behaviors towards humans (biting/attacking). Consistent reinforcement during daily routines (designated litter times/sleep schedules) helps correct undesirable habits fostering gentle temperament over time.
Hair Care
- Relaxing Your Cat: Before you start grooming, give your cat a massage session. Wait until your kitty starts purring before moving on to the next steps.
- Brushing Along Fur Direction: Start from the back, then move to the waist, hips, and finally the tail. Dampen your cat’s fur slightly with water to reduce static electricity and brush in the direction of hair growth from top to bottom.
- Brushing from Chest to Belly: Hold your cat up and let it sit on your lap like a human. Brush from top to bottom. Since a cat’s belly is very sensitive, make sure to groom quickly and accurately.
- Brushing Around Head and Face: Brush gently from your cat’s head or face towards its neck. Be cautious around its eyes while brushing.