The Bengal cat is a feline native to the United States. Compared to other felines, this medium to large-sized cat is characterized by a coat that resembles the Bengal cat, a wild cat that was created by crossing with domestic cats. The lifespan of a Bengal tiger is between twelve and sixteen years.
The origin of the Bengal cat:
The Bengal cat comes from a cross between the domestic cat and the leopard cat, a small wild cat found in Asia, especially in the province of Bengal. In 1963, we first encountered domestic and feral cats. It was the American Jean S. Mill, a geneticist who made the crossing and selected a black cat from the American Shorthair breed. The so-called "domestic" Bengal cats belong to at least the 4th and 5th generation. They can then participate in competitions or exhibitions and sell to individuals.
A selection has been practiced since 1963 in order to preserve the wild appearance of the Bengal cat, but with the characteristics of a domestic cat. It was not until 1985 that Jean S. Mill was able to display one of her cats in an exhibition. Success was immediate and TICA quickly recognized the breed as a "new breed" in 1986 and authorized it for the championship in 1991. In 1989, the first Bengal tiger arrived in France. It was a female, and soon three males joined her. In 1993, the first French Bengal kitten was born and the breeding of the French Bengal cat began. A few years later, in 1997, the LOOF recognized the breed. England welcomed its first Bengal cat in 1991. As of 2009, the CFA had yet to recognize the breed, while FIFe only recently did so. From now on, crossing with a Bengal leopard cat is no longer authorized. In 2009, The Bengal Cat was a great success. In 2003, even if it is not yet one of the 10 favorite breeds of the French. In 2007, it was ranked eighth, ahead of the Siamese and the Ragdoll. In England, the same year, he found himself in third place.
Physical description:
Bengal cat head
Its head is triangular, it is longer than it is wide and its sides are more rounded. Compared to her figure, she is small, but this feature should not be exaggerated. The goal was to make the Bengal's head as different as possible from a domestic cat, and as close to the particular characteristics of its wild ancestors. The nose should be long, wide, and continuous, and the cheekbones high and very prominent. The muzzle is strong and the pattern is more developed than average. If you look at the Bengal tiger from the side, the tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose. The eyes are well-spaced and large. They are oval or even round. Licensed colors are green, gold, blue dot, and aquamarine. Deep, shimmering shades are the most popular. The ears are rather small and short, broad at the base and rounded at the ends. Their arrangement should be equidistant between the top of the skull and the sides of the head.
Body of the Bengal cat:
The Bengal cat has an athletic body, long and strong bones, and is of a rather mediocre type. His strong muscles should be visible. Its legs are of medium length and, like the rest of the body, they should be muscular and strong. Its feet are wide and round with prominent toes. The tail is medium in length, rather thick at the base, tapering slightly towards the rounded tip.
Fur and dress:
The coat is short (although sometimes slightly longer in kittens), but should be soft and silky to the touch. The hair is laid well on the body. Its dress is the most important point of this race because it is its characteristic. Acceptable patterns are blotched tabby and spotted tabby, commonly known as marbling (modified spotted tabby). These designs are also available in mink, tan and colored polka dots. Acceptable colors are black (and its derivatives such as seal and brown) and blue, but also silver. The color, in general, is warm except in the snow Bengal cat which has a cold color of the dress (blue).
Bengal cats have orange, golden, dark yellow, or sand-colored undercoats, often with "lightning bolts." The "marbled" and "spotted" patterns are recognized by breed standards:
Marbling: "Marbling" recalls the "browning" pattern of other cat breeds. The pattern of a Bengal cat's fur should resemble that of a domestic cat as little as possible.
Speckled: The “speckled” pattern is the most sought-after. The "spotted" Bengal cat resembles a wild ocelot, with large spots. People distinguish bicolor spots ("rosettes") from monochromatic spots.
The chin, chest, abdomen, and inside of the legs should have a base color ranging from cream to white and contrast with the color of the flanks and back. Ideally, the eyes, lips, and nose should be framed with thin black lines. But what makes the Bengal so special is not only its original appearance, it is partly reminiscent of wild blood.
Bengal Cat Character:
From the fifth generation, the Bengal is considered a domestic cat. They should not be kept as companion cats until this generation. However, they are still lively and active animals due to their wild heritage. Similarly, breeders can only exhibit it from the fourth generation. By breed standards, Bengals are "confident, curious, attentive, and friendly" cats.
Bengal is a funny cat! This intelligent cat learns very quickly, he needs a lot of attention to channel his energy. Bengal cat owners often report that simple acts of cuddling and playtime are not enough to keep them occupied. Clicker training is suitable for this kind of hyperactive cat, helping them avoid boredom. Bengal cats love to climb cat trees and they are very fond of water. Secure outdoor access means Bengal cats won't get bored.
The Bengal cat is a confident, quite dominant, and active cat. Therefore, communicating with other calm cats can be a problem. However, a Bengal can never live without the company of another four-legged animal. It is best to choose a cat breed that is very similar to Bengal. Cats such as the Persian or the British Shorthair are not suitable.
The education of hybrid cats is particularly important. Deep down, all domestic cats are still lynxes, especially those that are closely related to wild cats. First-generation Bengal cats still exhibit distinct wildcat characteristics.
Bengal cat lifestyle:
From the fifth generation, the characteristics of the Bengal cat are similar to those of other active bloodless wild breeds. The education of these cats is only slightly different from that of other cats that need exercise. A secure yard or balcony with places to play, climb, scratch, and hide is ideal for keeping Bengals busy depending on their activity level. Change the environment of Bengal and always offer him new activities. A bowl of water on the balcony? A small pond in a secure garden?
After a few weeks with Bengali, clicker and target practice will no longer be a foreign word to you. Mind games and reflection are particularly appreciated by the Bengal cat. There are brain toys for cats, but you can also use dog toys. Bengal cats love water. A shallow lake in the garden is perfect for summer fun. In winter, water games can take place in the bathroom.
Raising a Bengal cat can be a challenge for cat lovers who are used to calmer breeds. But the Bengal's intelligence and learning ability make it a very fun cat to train.
Feeding the Bengal cat:
Food is important because what you feed your cat affects its health and appearance, so it should be suitable and of high quality. Therefore, you should give your pet food designed for this breed. You can give it what you want because, by nature, cats do not eat just one meal, but on average they gnaw about twenty times a day. Avoid reducing its meal intake to 1 or 2 meals a day as this can cause behavioral problems or anxiety in the animal. On the other hand, feed your kitten at a fixed time each day.
Dynamic and muscular, the Bengal cat needs a diet that is low in fat and rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals to ensure sufficient energy intake. Unsaturated fatty acids help protect the shine and softness of the coat.
Be careful, this breed has a delicate stomach, which causes digestive problems, especially when young. One way to avoid them is to take a prescription super yeast for a few weeks to boost your gut microbiome. Be careful not to give your kitten too much food (leftovers), or too much junk food, and don't suddenly change the diet which will lead to diarrhea.
Kittens can eat kitten food for up to a year and a half. Feeding a kitten a small portion of pâté for the first few months will stimulate her appetite. He should always have fresh water on hand.
Lifetime:
Its maximum lifespan is 13 years on average. Know that a cat with good genes or living in the house will have fewer health problems and can live longer.
Hygiene:
The Bengal's short coat makes it easy to maintain. He sheds a little and washes like most cats. It can be maintained regularly with bare hands and brushed regularly. To avoid infection, check their claws (cut once a month) and also clean the corners of their eyes and ears, if they are waxy, with a clean cotton ball and a specific product. To avoid tooth decay and gingivitis, you should brush your teeth once a week.
