Information Prospective Owners Should Know Before They Buy Bengal Kittens

By Janine Hughes


The Bengal cat combines the cuddly cuteness of a regular domestic cat with the exotic, wild beauty of its wild ancestors. The result of originally breeding a house cat with an Asian Leopard Cat, Bengals possess a distinctive appearance and personality. Before a prospective owner goes out to buy Bengal kittens, it is important to first find out all there is to know about them and what it takes to care for them.

The Bengal's most striking feature is its magnificent coat. Short, dense, and silky the cat's fur is known for its elegant colors and beautiful patterns. Color variations include brown, black, snow, silver, charcoal, cinnamon, and chocolate, and their markings can be either spotted or marbled. Their fur has a special luminescence to it as well, making it glimmer like gold in the sunlight.

Larger than many other types of cats, the Bengal may weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, with males usually weighing a bit more than females. In contrast to the rest of their bodies, the head and ears of these cats are somewhat small, which is a characteristic inherited from their wild predecessors.

Similar to many tabby cats, Bengals will also normally have a "thumbprint" mark in front of the ears, where less fur grows. They usually have a marking on their foreheads which is shaped like the letter "M" as well, another common feature they share with tabbies. Their bodies are strong, slim, and agile, with the front legs slightly shorter than the back legs, which makes their backs appear arched.

Cats have a reputation for being laid-back and spending much of their day curled up in a chair sleeping, but not Bengals. These lively kitties love nothing more than to play with toys, and they are quite intelligent too, so they can also play games with their owners. They can be taken for a walk on a cat leash, which is fun for them as well. Children and other pets are great playmates for these active, mischievous cats.

There is no doubt when a Bengal is hungry or wants its litter box cleaned, these cats get their point across by meowing rather loudly. They do not fear water and getting wet like other cats either, and will gladly drink straight from the tap and even step into a damp shower sometimes. The rare beauty of these cats can make them subject to theft, and they are also avid hunters, so most owners choose to keep them indoors. If the cat is very anxious for outside time, an enclosure will serve this purpose.

Kittens should be purchased from only registered breeders with a solid reputation, to be certain that the animal has been screened for health disorders which can occur more often with this breed such as chronic anemia and heart disease, and also that it has been socialized appropriately. At one time it was thought that Bengals were immune to feline leukemia, but this is false.

Some basic care is needed for Bengals. Their nails should be trimmed bi-weekly, teeth brushed daily to prevent gum disease, and eyes and ears wiped with a damp cloth or cotton balls as needed. Combing their fur once a week is necessary to keep it tidy and shiny.




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