Bengal Cats: Information, Facts And History About The Breed
By Mlbrun Team | On 16 April 2024 10:41 AM
The Bengal cat is often referred to as the miniature version of a leopard due to its physical resemblance to the wild cat. Created from the breeding of an Asian leopard cat and a domestic house cat, these cats are adored for their dog-like playfulness and socializing abilities.
Unlike house cats, the Bengal cat is a unique breed and shows traits usually not possessed by a normal breed. Despite their dangerous appearance, these felines are cute little furballs who love human companionship. Without further ado, let's get to know more about the adorable breed.
Bengal Cat Origin
The credit for the existence of the Bengal cat goes to an American breeder named Jean Mill. She developed a hybrid cat by mating an Asian leopard cat with a black California tomcat in the 1960s. Then, she took the resultant offspring and backcrossed through five generations to finally create the Bengal cat.
Jean's main objective behind creating the Bengal was to produce a breed that resembled a wild leopard in physical appearance but possessed the temperament of a household cat. She also wanted to protect the Asian leopard cat from extinction and, thus, ended up developing the Bengal breed.
History of the Exotic Breed
Jean Mill started experimentally breeding an Asian leopard cat with a normal domestic cat in 1963. However, only a few Bengal cats existed until the early 70s. By the 80s, the cat was fully developed as a breed.
The Bengal cat was accepted as an official breed by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1983. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and the Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe) later registered the cat as an official breed in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
Despite its popularity, the Bengal cat was pretty rare for several decades. Until 1992, only 125 cats from this breed were registered by TICA. However, the number has significantly grown in recent years with a 2019 report showing nearly 2500 Bengal cats alive.
Physical Appearance
Bengal cats have an exotic appearance that resembles a wild leopard. The breed boasts a large muscular body paired with an agile and sleek build.
These cats have a short but dense coat of fur that comes with different patterns and markings. Usually, the coat is available in multiple colors, including brown, charcoal, and silver; their spots, meanwhile, range from black to dark brown and golden.
Their other distinct physical features include a broad nose and a strong jawline. They also have impressive almond-shaped eyes that come in green, hazel, and golden.
Height: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm)
Length: 17-22 inches (43-56 cm)
Weight: 10-15 lbs (Male), 8-12 lbs (Female)
Bengal Cat Temperament
Bengal cats are a unique breed with a significant level of intelligence and a playful nature. They love hanging out with their human companions and don't shy away from showing affection towards their families.
1. Active And Highly Energetic
As the Bengal cat is a highly energetic breed, it needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They love participating in a series of activities like running, jumping, and climbing, making them the ideal choice for owners looking for an active pet.
2. Intelligence of a Human Toddler
Bengal cats are one of the smartest cat breeds in existence today. They normally show an intelligence level that matches a human child of around 2-3 years old. These cats love investigating new objects and environments. They also easily learn to perform new tricks and enjoy playing interactive toys or puzzle games.
3. Affectionate By Nature
Despite their appearance resembling a wild leopard, Bengal cats are generally affectionate and crave regular human company. They are capable of forming strong bonds with their owners and often seek out attention and cuddles. These cats can get along well with other domestic pets if socialized from a young age.
4. Independent And Confident
Although Bengal cats love companionship, they don't necessarily depend on humans for survival. These felines have a strong sense of independence and a self-assured nature. This makes them a low-maintenance coat, ideal for animal lovers looking for a non-clingy pet.
Taking Care of a Bengal Cat
While Bengal cats are mostly independent by nature, they still rely on their human owners for day-to-day needs like food and grooming. This is more of a favor done to humans by giving them the opportunity to serve their feline masters.
1. Proper Nutrition
Bengal cats need a balanced diet consisting of high-quality cat food. Look for food that is specially formulated for active breeds to meet their nutritional needs. To prevent obesity, avoid giving them a diet high in carbohydrates.
2. Regular Exercise
These cats are highly active and energetic. Therefore, they need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Use toys, scratching posts, and interactive playtime to develop their natural hunting instincts. Also, give them sufficient opportunities to climb and explore the environment.
3. Mental Stimulation
Idleness often leads to boredom and destructive behavior in cats. To avoid this, keep your pet mentally engaged. Provide puzzle toys and rotate their toys regularly to keep them occupied. Also, spend plenty of quality time with them to strengthen the bond between you and your cat.
4. Regular Grooming
Bengal cats possess a short, dense coat that needs regular grooming. Normally, brush their fur once a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting or shedding around the house. Also, check their ears regularly for any signs of infection and trim their nails when required.
Health Issues And Risks
Bengal cats normally lead a healthy life without any major health issues. But, like any other breed, they can be prone to certain health issues. Here are some of the major health problems that Bengal cats may experience:
1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is a common heart condition in Bengals. It causes the heart muscles to thicken, often resulting in poor heart function and even heart failure in some cases. Regular cardiac screenings by a veterinarian are essential to detect and manage this condition.
2. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is another health issue that plagues the Bengal cat. It is a genetic eye disease that affects the retina, leading to vision loss and blindness. While there is no cure currently for PRA, regular eye examinations help in identifying the condition and prevent it from spreading.
3. Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is another common cat health risk that affects many breeds, including the Bengals. It causes the kneecap to dislocate, resulting in lameness, pain, and difficulty in walking. This condition is hereditary but can be treated with a surgical correction.
4. Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome
Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome develops in a Bengal cat if its ribcage fails to develop properly. This condition can be caused by a series of genetic and environmental factors.
Cats affected with the condition display multiple symptoms, including poor breathing, a weakened immune system, and poor physical growth. Treatment involves providing supportive care like oxygen therapy, supplemental feeding, and physical therapy to improve lung function and muscle development. Meanwhile, kittens with mild cases can recover naturally.
10 Lesser-Known Facts About Bengal Cats
As a descendant of wild cats, Bengal cats often show unpredictable behavior. This has led to some states in the US prohibiting the ownership of the breed along with restrictions in many states.
Further, there are many aspects of the cat that make it unique from other breeds. Here, we have listed 10 lesser-known facts about the kitty; take a look:
- Bengal cats are banned in the US states of Hawaii, Connecticut, and New York. Similarly, there are legal restrictions that limit the breed's ownership in states like Washington, Delaware, Alaska, and Colorado.
- They have a unique feature called "glitter," which causes their coat to shimmer in certain lighting conditions.
- Unlike most cat breeds, Bengals love playing with water and even enjoy swimming.
- They often emit a chirping or trilling sound, which is different from typical cat meowing.
- Bengal cats are basically considered hypoallergenic as they produce a minimal amount of protein that is responsible for cat allergies.
- Their unique coat pattern is called rosettes, which resemble the spots found on leopards and other wild cats. The rosettes can be two-toned or multicolored.
- The average life expectancy of a Bengal cat is around 12 to 16 years. Meanwhile, the oldest recorded cat of this breed lived for 34 years.
- Some Bengal cats are known to show dog-like behaviors. They love cuddling with their owners and even play fetch.
- The first three generations (F1, G2, and G3) of Bengal cats are called the foundation or early generation.
- As male cats of the early generation are often infertile, a female Bengal cat from the first three generations is usually bred with a male cat from the later generations.