Bengal cat: description of the breed, care and maintenance, what to feed, photo

History of the Bengal cat breed

Bengal cat
As is known, new breeds of domestic cats appear mainly as a result of careful selection, designed to obtain animals with the desired characteristics of the parents of different artificially created species or to consolidate the result of a natural mutation. The appearance of the Bengal cat, in fact, was the result of the persistent work of one enthusiast, who acted despite unfavorable life circumstances and the prejudices of his colleagues. The name of this purposeful woman is Jane Mill. While still studying at the University of California at Davis, a genetics student became interested in the possibility of creating a new breed by crossing Royal Siamese and Persian individuals. But the scientific supervisor considered such a research topic “frivolous”, advising us to focus on the selection of something more practical that could be of interest to agricultural or livestock farms. The idea was abandoned, but not forgotten.

In 1961, during a work trip to Thailand, Jane saw wild leopard cats for the first time and was completely fascinated by these big-eyed creatures. There, a shocked American woman learned that the existence of the species was threatened by the hunt for their unusual fur. To save at least one handsome spotted cat, she bought and brought Malaysia home, where a mongrel black cat already lived. The owner had no plans to have a common offspring, and the birth of Kin-Kin was a real surprise. The “hybrid” cat, in turn, gave birth to two kittens, but it was not possible to continue the line: the girl did not inherit the characteristic color of Far Eastern cats and had a bad character, and the boy died in a tragic accident. Kin-Kin herself, without producing any other offspring, died of pneumonia.

Bengal kitten

This could have been the end of the felinologist’s experiments, but by a happy coincidence, a litter of domestic cats and ALC (Asian Leopard Cat) males resistant to this disease was obtained at the Loma Linda University Medical Center for research on feline leukemia. Dr. Willard Centerwall, who led the project, happily placed several first-generation kittens into Jane's care. A new problem was the choice of partners for further breeding - Mrs. Mill was sure that the British, Abyssinian or other popular species had genetically weakened lines and were therefore not suitable for breeding a new breed. The solution was found after a trip to New Delhi, where she accidentally saw a spotted golden-red kitten. The bronze color and special shine of Tori's coat were passed on to descendants. Later, several more cats were brought from India to the United States for Jane, today recognized as the “Indian line” of Mau.

Many local breeders of the familiar Egyptian Mau and Ocicat were hostile to the initiative and launched a campaign against the registration of hybrids. It is unknown whether they were afraid of the uncontrolled manifestation of “wild blood” or were simply trying to prevent the appearance of spotted competitors. As a result, Bengal cats were not recognized by the authoritative The Cat Fanciers' Association for a long time, although TICA registered the first individual of the new breed back in 1983. Since 1985, Jane Mill's pets have actively participated in national exhibitions, captivating experts and spectators with their shiny coats with contrasting patterns, athletic build and natural grace.

Throughout the 80s and 90s, the creator of the Bengals continued her selective work and received several more productive lines, including those with the participation of new male leopard cats. Today, breeders call the main goals of improving the breed the purification of “genetic debris”, which manifests itself in kittens with a single color, long hair, and unwanted ticking.

About the black variety Melanistic

The so far unrecognized Melanistic color with spotted or marbled tabby is a very rare pet. Now the subspecies is already separated from the variety of coal Bengal cat. Melanistic is designated by WCF codes as BEN n24 (Spotted, spotted) or BEN n22 (Marble), and in the documents of the TICA federation, which recently recognized the blue color, generally about (without a standard).

At first glance, this black Bengal is an absolute panther in miniature. That is, the fur looks locally black, but on the belly it looks dark gray. But in a stream of bright light, from certain angles, even darker patterns than the entire body can be seen on the body. Breeders use animals of this unique coloring to develop new breeds, one of which is still tentatively called “pantheretta.” - a Bengal cat, extremely similar to a small wild panther.

The melanistic color is difficult to breed, and therefore is not only rare, but also the most expensive. It is interesting that in infancy, all melanistics have a pattern - rosettes, spot-marks or marbles - that are clearly visible. As they grow older, the pattern levels off, especially if a particular individual has glitter.

Appearance of the breed

Bengal cats are medium to large in size, but are inferior to the largest domestic breeds such as the Maine Coon or Savannah. The weight of an adult animal can range from 4 to 9 kg, height at the withers - 26-32 cm, length from nose to tip of tail - 65-100 cm. Moreover, males are much larger than females and reach their maximum size by 2 years. Cats practically stop growing after 9 months.

The main distinguishing feature of the Bengal cat's exterior is undoubtedly its “wild” color; it was this feature that determined the direction of breeding work from the very beginning. Over time, a breed standard was developed and approved that covers the main traits.

Wool

The Bengal cat's coat is shorter than average (medium length is acceptable for kittens), thick, and close to the body. A characteristic difference from other breeds is their extraordinary silkiness and special “internal” shine, called glitter. The latter is inherited from wild ancestors and is extremely valued.

Color

Bengal cat face

The main requirement for the color of a Bengal cat is the clearest possible contrast between the spotted or marbled pattern and the background. The design can range from black to cinnamon, and the background should be between golden orange and ivory. Reputable breeders (for example, Jean Dakota) insist that preference should be given not to “red” Bengals, in which, as they grow older, the rosettes and stripes almost merge with the base, but to cats with a fawn background and a dark pattern.

Due to the “wild” genes, Bengal kittens have a unique color feature for domestic cats: when born bright, with a pronounced pattern, they suddenly fade by 3-4 weeks. This is explained by the fact that at this age the offspring of the Far Eastern cat begins to leave their safe shelter and without such “tarnishing” they will become easy prey for predators. This fuzzing (from the English fuzzy - blurry, indefinite) lasts about two months, that is, just by the time the kitten is purchased, it becomes attractive again. However, the final color of a cat is established much later, at 8–10 months.

The spotted pattern is more common than the marbled pattern. What distinguishes them from the usual “mackerel” color for other breeds is their location along (and not across) the body or diagonally. The shape of the spots can vary widely, the main thing is their clear outlines, while simple single ones are considered undesirable. Marble pattern - contrasting stripes whirling in a horizontal direction. A significant disadvantage of any color is the white spots - “medallions” on any part of the body. The belly is preferably light in color and the absence of spots on it is sufficient to disqualify a Bengal cat for exhibition.

Today, the officially accepted varieties are brown tabby, silver tabby, seal sepia tabby, seal mink tabby, seal lynx point and, approved only in 2013, and therefore rare blue tabby.

Adult Bengal cat with kitten

Head

Bengal on a box

The structure of the Bengal cat's skull belongs to the so-called “wild” type. It has the shape of a modified wedge, elongated rather than wide, the contours are soft and rounded. The line of the occipital part is a continuation of the line of the neck. In relation to the body it has a small, but generally proportional size.

Regarding the profile, there are differences between the American and European standard. The first assumes a strictly straight line forming a single arc from the level of the eyebrows, while the second allows for the possibility of a slight bend at the junction of the forehead and nose.

The jaws are powerful. The cheekbones are high and clearly defined. The chin is rounded, located in line with the tip of the nose. Adults may have prominent cheeks. The nose is large and wide. The whisker pads are convex.

Ears

They continue the wedge line, are characterized by a small size in relation to the head, a wide base and rounded tips (most other breeds have pointed tips).

Eyes

The eyes of a Bengal cat are large and expressive. The shape is oval, but close to round. They are spaced quite wide and have a deep seat. The color is bright and rich, most often ranging from light green to gold. Point and mink cats have shades of blue and blue from aqua to sapphire. They glow very brightly in the dark.

Bengal with blue eyes

Neck

Mmm... shrimp

Corresponds to the proportions of the head and body. Long, strong, muscular.

Torso

It has developed muscles, powerful, elongated (but not the oriental type, characteristic of orientals). The skeleton is solid and strong. A flattened or underdeveloped chest is a disqualifying fault.

Limbs

Medium length, strong, muscles developed in proportion to the general constitution of the body, wide bones. The hind ones are slightly longer than the front ones. The pads are large, round in shape, and the finger joints protrude slightly.

Tail

The Bengal cat's tail is of medium length, thick, tapering towards the end and has a rounded tip. Ringed with dark stripes or (less commonly) covered with small spots.

Bengal Color Standards

Any pet, regardless of breed and variety, can have different colors and patterns. The popular spotted and golden leopard skin is not the only color and pattern accepted by felinologists for this breed.

Bengals are domestic versions of their larger jungle cousins. Therefore, this variety has a very wide range of color morphs, shades and patterns.

The genetic origin of both parents in a breeding pair has a strong influence on the result of the crossing; bengals of even the same litter can differ significantly from each other. Fortunately, mapping the feline genome has allowed the genes that control coat, color and pattern in cats to be studied and identified through DNA tests.

Genetic testing allows felinologists to predict the possible outcomes of upcoming litters and can prevent possible diseases at that stage so that they do not become an integral part of the breed.

Strictly speaking, there are only three common color isomorphs acceptable for Bengals:

• brown or gold (brown);
• silver;
• three types of snow (Seal Lynx, Seal Sepia and Seal Mink Point).

Within each color type there are two accepted standard categories - spotted (spotted tabby) and marble (marble).

With so many variations of Bengal cat colors, it is not easy to choose the pet of your dreams.

There are only nine recognized colors of Bengals today. They are given here with spelling in English and generally accepted markings in felinological documents:

• Brown (Black) marbled) BEN 22.
• Seal sepia/Seal mink marbled BEN n 22 31/32.
• Snow marbled/spotted and seal lynx point BEN n 22/24 33.
• Brown (Black) spotted BEN n 24.
• Seal sepia/Seal mink spotted BEN n 24 31/32.
• Brown (Black) silver marbled BEN ns 22.
• Seal sepia/Seal mink silver marbled BEN ns 22 31/32.
• Snow marbled/spotted point and seal lynx point) BEN ns 22/24 33.
• Brown (Black) silver spotted BEN ns 24.
• Seal sepia/Seal mink silver spotted BEN ns 24 31/32.

Although there are already many new colors that are not yet recognized or are experimental. According to some reports, blue colors are already registered with TICA.

With the help of a Bengal color guide, you can determine exactly what a future owner is looking for.

Spotted Tabby or Spotted Rosetted

The spotted colors of Bengals remain the most popular color styles today.

It was the brown spotted tabby cat that was recognized as Champion (TICA) in 1991.

The Bengal tabby has characteristic small to medium-sized spots throughout its coat. Large, random, two-color rosette markings are especially appreciated as they make the pet resemble a miniature Leopard. This reference style arose during a period when breeders considered larger, sparser markings most desirable.

The original spotted tabby colors found in crossbred pets have been modified through long selective breeding.

The animal's coat is covered with random diagonally or horizontally placed markers on the body, abdomen and limbs. Large dark markings on a lightened main background are considered more preferable.

In the spotted type itself, different types of spots are possible on one animal. Even in the brown spotted or rosette type, Bengals can be: red, brown, black, ticked, gray, spotted, rosette, cloudy.

Many people are stunned by the Bengal cat's resemblance to a leopard. Among domestic cats, Bengal markings are perhaps the most diverse and unique.

Single-Spotted

This color means that the markings are monochrome. It is a carpet of solid spots splashed in drops on a lighter background, similar to the markers of wild cats such as Cheetahs or non-hybrid spotted animals of various breeds (Ocicat, Egyptian Mau, Spotted Shorthair or Australian Mist).

Bengals with monochrome spots take part in competitions and cat shows, but they are no longer unique in today's realities. A small number of breeders even express the opinion that they should not participate in competitions. Fortunately, not all felinologists adhere to this point of view, because this wild color is very beautiful.

Rosette Bengal

Of the many spotted Bengal colors among modern breeders, the Rosette Bengal is the most popular today.

Solid markings become rosettes when they are two-tone contrasting prints that are very different from the background shade. Bengal cats are the only domestic breed to be labeled as rosette.

This print only began to appear and develop rapidly in Bengal communities in the early 2000s, when some breeders managed to obtain shaded spots on the background color.

When observing the evolution of the breed over the years, the achievements that the most outstanding breeders managed to achieve when working with the “rosette” in just a couple of decades are especially clearly and surprisingly visible.

There are three main categories of outlets:

• Arrowhead (arrow-head);
• Jaguar paw print (paw-print);
• Donut.

Some of their modifications are also known.

Moreover, according to the Bengal breed standard, the spots or rosettes in the pattern should be aligned horizontally, and not vertically, as in a classic tabby.

Socket type "Arrows" (arrow-head)

The arrow-shaped spots on the Bengal's coat give them a particularly smooth horizontal appearance and create a unique illusory movement.

The arrows are solid and monochrome within the same group of spots, or they can form rosettes with different colors disappearing into the background. Well-defined arrowhead rings are rare and are highly prized by Bengal breeders and owners.

Arrow-type sockets are not the most common, but they are also the easiest to recognize.

The "arrowhead" rosettes have triangular, teardrop-like shapes, all facing toward the animal's back.

The Asian Leopard Cat has many different color forms, but the arrow markings are one of the most striking. Such prints allow the animal to be perfectly camouflaged in the dappled light of a forest habitat, and an animal of this color is very difficult to detect when it is in the trees or among fallen leaves.

Asian cat

Bagel or Donut-socket (donut)

Ring rosettes are markings that are darker than the background color of the Bengal's coat and at the same time highlighted by an even more saturated outline.

They are so called due to a completely or almost completely closed dark ring, in which the center is colored in shades that are at least two to three shades lighter.

It took experienced specialists many years of selective breeding to generate a ring-shaped rosette, but now these prints have remained at the peak of popularity for the second decade and are highly in demand among owners. Some also distinguish this type of markings depending on the size of their outline and overall dimensions. The so-called “pancakes” are described as huge rosettes with thin outlines.

Ring markers have a thicker outline than pancake markers.

Jaguar Pawprint

“Paw print rosette” – shaded markers that are partially open in at least one place, with smaller, more contrasting spots along the edges.

Their peculiarity is that Pawprint is never framed by a thicker and more contrasting surrounding shade.

Resembling the colors of a real Leopard, the Pawprint rosette has rightfully earned its name, as they truly resemble miniature jaguar prints that stretch throughout the Bengal's coat.

Clouded Rosettes

Smoke rings are large, hollow marks that look like a puzzle with little space between the pieces.

This reticulated spotting, reminiscent of the fur of a clouded leopard, is somewhat similar to snake skin.

Chain Rosetting

She describes a series of “donut” or “donut” rings connected horizontally and running along the animal’s spine and parallel to it on both sides.

The “chain rosette” color looks most advantageous and is especially characteristic on such a bright wild cat as Ocelot.

Cluster Rosettes

It is a conglomerate of small spots that form clusters around a lighter color.

Thus, if a person is looking for, for example, the image of a Jaguar, Leopard or Ocelot in a future pet, he needs a color with a rosette.

Marble

Domestic cats have four distinct and heritable coat patterns—ticked, mackerel, multicolor (with spots of other colors), and spotted, all collectively referred to as tabby markings.

The Bengal cat's marbled pattern is derived from the spotted tabby. This pattern is full of swirls, showing distinct markings with sharp edges. A spiral or round (“bull’s-eye”) marker is not desirable. Random pattern and complementary color tones within the pattern are preferred. The animal needs to have patterned markings on its shoulders and colorful markers on its legs and tail. The belly should be spotted.

Christopher Kaelin, a geneticist at the university, conducted a study that was used to identify the tabby and marble alleles in the domestic Bengal cat. Kaelin studied coloration and pattern variations in wild cats in Northern California and was able to identify the gene responsible for the Bengal merle pattern.

The marbled coat pattern is derived from tabby striped prints that curl and curl. An ideal Bengal marble should have horizontally located, but at the same time quite smoothly transitioning into each other, smoothed asymmetric patterned flows, consisting of a swirl of two or more shades. Thus, there are the following four recognized categories of Bengal marble: short swirls in the horizontal plane, the same but longer, chaotic pattern and patterned sheet marble (cloak).

In 1987, Jean Mill produced the first marbled Bengal from her Millwood cattery, Millwood Painted Desert.

Baby Marble was a spectacular little female with a wonderful soft creamy color and unusual print reminiscent of hot caramel splashes. She created a sensation at the competition at Madison Square Garden and throughout America.

The first standard for the Bengal breed from Jean Mill did not provide for anything in the coat pattern except monochrome spots. Painted Desert (the name of the first marble Bengal translates as Painted Desert) had instant recognition from specialists and all the people present at the show; the marbles were subsequently included in the new Bengal standards.

The descendants of these early marbled Bengals provided the genetic material for the first rosettes in the 2000s, and it was their alleles that helped shape the new pattern type.

In 1993, the marbled Bengal received champion status within the TICA.

Sparbled

The beauty of marble color does not end there. An amazing bonus is the fact that in the coloring of a newborn Bengal, the breeder discovers a combination of marbled and spotted patterns.

"Sparbled" is not currently recognized as a separate registered pattern category, but in breeder jargon it is used to describe animals with ring rosettes and marble prints, or tabby cats with marbled markers.

Sparbles are considered to be classified as spotted or rosette tabby in color rather than merle.

Photos of Bengal cats

Issues of breeding Bengal cats

Reproduction of Bengals should occur under the supervision of professional breeders

Professional breeding is carried out in specialized nurseries. The latter export individual individuals from America, and then breed them with females of the same breed at their place of residence. Crossing with other breeds is not allowed. Pregnancy lasts 65 days. There are three to four kittens in the litter. Sexual maturity occurs in cats at 9 months, and in females - already at 6 or, in extreme cases, at 10 months.

Bengal cat personality

Many potential owners are frightened by the possibility of displaying uncontrollable character traits that Bengals can inherit from wild leopard cats. It must be said that such fears are groundless if the pet does not belong to the first three generations of the hybrid. Cats F4–F7, raised in conditions of constant contact with humans, are invariably characterized by a balanced and friendly disposition. When kept in an enclosure in a nursery and lack of attention from the breeder, the kittens become wild, but this deficiency is easy to identify when meeting the kids for the first time.

Hey, keep your distance!

Bengals are very social. They easily find a common language with all household members; as for other pets, they coexist peacefully with cats of other breeds, and are often even friends with dogs. However, we must not forget that Bengal cats have extremely developed hunting instincts, so leaving them alone with potential prey is fraught with tragedy. Protection is required not only for birds and rodents, but also for aquarium fish, because, like their Asian ancestors, domestic leopards do not suffer from hydrophobia. Moreover, they really enjoy water treatments and can unceremoniously dive into a filling bath or make their way into a running shower.

Representatives of the Bengal breed (especially ladies) do not particularly favor intrusion into their personal space. No, you won’t encounter aggression in response to an attempt to “cuddle”, but too close contact makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s better to wait until the Bengal is in the appropriate mood and he himself comes to you for affection. But pets greet verbal communication with great enthusiasm and enthusiastically “keep the conversation going.” These cats have many specific sounds and intonations in their arsenal; within a few weeks you will be able to understand what most of these “phrases” mean.

But the main character trait, perhaps, should be considered incredible energy and playfulness, which persists throughout life. It should be taken into account that if there is a lack of physical activity, a bored Bengal cat can cause damage to your furniture and interior, so you should immediately provide it with a significant number of different toys and devote enough time to active entertainment every day.

Sailor cat

Bengal cat plays with snow

Breed characteristics

Advantages of the breed

• Has an extravagant appearance. This is a real indoor leopard with a good disposition.
• This is a strong, agile animal with a strong hunting instinct.
• Bengal is an intellectual. He grasps everything on the fly and quickly learns to understand his owner.
• His ability to train and remember commands is unique. This is a talented student who can be taught to perform various tricks.
• Friendliness and sociability are in his blood. Despite their physical strength, all Bengals are not aggressive. They don't bite or scratch.
• One of the cleanest animals is the Bengal cat. The description of the breed says that they have a silky coat. They take care of her themselves. Pets are bathed very rarely; as a rule, this is done before exhibitions.
• An interesting voice, not like the usual meow. The range of sounds is very wide - from simple rumbling to purring and clicking of the tongue. Owners note that these sounds resemble barking.
• Larger than most breeds. The average weight reaches 5–8 kg.
• These cats are excellent jumpers. Thanks to their elongated hind legs, they make long and high jumps of amazing strength.

Disadvantages of the breed

• The breed is considered one of the most expensive. A cat named Kato holds the Guinness Book record for being the most expensive. In 1998, a London resident bought it for 41 thousand dollars.
• The high price has led to the emergence of unscrupulous breeders who want to make money on the popularity of the breed. More and more kittens are being born with genetic abnormalities.
• Pets need physical activity. You need to walk with them at least once a week, and preferably more often.
• Socialization needs to be given significant attention. It is important to teach babies to use their hands, otherwise they will grow up wild.
• The passion for marking territory was passed on to domestic animals from their wild ancestors. Only castrated animals do not have this extremely unpleasant habit.
• The high activity and playfulness of the breed will not appeal to pedantic people who value order. Mini leopards love to run around everywhere, turning over flower pots or stacks of neatly folded things.
• They are extremely curious, interested in the contents of cabinets and chests of drawers with slightly open doors.

Education and training

A well-known fact is the high intelligence of Bengal cats. Natural intelligence, cunning and adaptability ensured their ancestors' survival in the wild, and houses provide a powerful foundation for learning interesting tricks. They can follow simple commands and fetch thrown objects (often using not their teeth, but their dexterous front paws). The observation and intelligence of Bengals means that without any effort on the part of their owners, they learn to use switches, open latches on doors, flush the toilet, and even turn off the taps.

Bengal cats master the rules of using the toilet quickly and without problems, but they like to dig deep holes, so it is recommended to ensure that the litter level is always high enough.

Upbringing

The efforts of the owner determine how cute the kitten will grow up to be. The breed is not particularly difficult to train. Its representatives easily remember all the requirements placed on them. They get used to the tray quickly. But they can walk by if the cat litter box is not very clean. Therefore, it is better to use wood filler. It masks odors and is pleasant to rummage through. And Bengals tend to bury their excrement. Therefore, choose a pot with high sides for them.

Bengals are very playful. They should have their own toys. Otherwise, pets will find replacements for them in the form of the owner’s things. If you don't want your animal to seek adventure, play with it as often as possible. This will help establish contact with the purr.

It is important to teach the animal to respond to the “No” command. At first, it can be combined with pinching the baby’s neck. This is how his mother cat taught him, and this touch is familiar to him. But you should not use violence against your pet. This will undermine his trust in you. Damaged relationships will be difficult to renew.

If you plan to walk your pet outside, teach him to calmly respond to the collar. Always wear a comfortable harness when walking in the city or outdoors. These animals are very curious. Without a leash, they can harm themselves by going to explore unknown worlds.

Bengals not intended for breeding are neutered before the age of 6 months. This is a simple operation. Cats tolerate it well. Sexually mature cats not only create inconvenience in the house, leaving marks everywhere, but can also run away during the “hunt.”

Care and maintenance

Who is there?

A pleasant surprise for owners will be the low maintenance requirements of Bengal cats. The peculiarities of the wool prevent severe tangling; it is enough to use a special combing mitt or rubber brush once every two or three days. It is recommended to trim the claws by 2-3 mm once or twice a month. Of course, cats with amputated claws are not allowed to participate in exhibitions.

It is advisable to brush your teeth with a special paste from time to time. Ears must be carefully treated when dirt appears. Washing a cat that loves water is easy. The main thing is to do this not too often (but, of course, after each walk) and using veterinarian-approved products.

Recommendations for feeding Bengals do not differ from accepted standards. The best option is premium industrial feed, which maintains an ideal balance of nutrients, vitamins and microelements. They should not be combined with other foods. A natural diet, if you are a supporter of it, should consist of 80-85% meat (chicken, veal, rabbit, lamb) and offal. Please note that dishes from the host’s table can cause serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Bengal cats prefer fresh running water, so it is better to immediately purchase a special “fountain”.

Choosing and caring for a kitten

If you just choose a pet, the choice is made on the baby you like best. The main thing is that he is healthy. This is evidenced by clean eyes, good appetite, shiny coat, and absence of swelling near the anus. When choosing a show-class pet, there are more requirements. The baby must meet the standard. This applies to color, exterior and character.

Three types of color are considered classic:

• rosetted (roset) – spots have a light base with a dark edging;
• marbled – dark patterns on a light background;
• spotted color (spotted) with evenly colored spots on the pet’s fur.

There are also more rare colors: lynx, mink, sepia. Until recently, Bengals were dominated by warm coat tones. Today the blue color is recognized, and snow Bengal cats have appeared. Moreover, the color of kittens does not appear immediately. Only in sexually mature animals does it become as bright as possible. The new owner can only guess what color a 4-month-old baby will have. Therefore, it is important to buy kittens only from reputable breeders.

Starter kit for rehoming a Bengal kitten

It will be different in each nursery. As a rule, it includes:

• contract of sale;
• veterinary passport with vaccination records;
• pedigree or metric indicating registration in the club;
• food that the baby is accustomed to;
• toilet filler;
• recommendations for feeding a kitten.

Health and diseases of the Bengal cat

The comparative youth of the breed and the presence of strong “wild” blood make it possible to state the good health of Bengal cats that grew up in normal conditions. The only weak point is the stomach, but a balanced diet easily solves this problem.

I want too!

Bengal is sunbathing

Conclusions about the breed

The Bengal cat deservedly receives praise and admiration, but not only due to its chic external characteristics:

• The cat's character is ideal for sociable and sensitive people. Both adults and children can play with the furry baby;
• if the owner does not have time to care for the cat, then it is better to opt for a less demanding breed;

• without experience it is not worth breeding cats;
• a well-developed intellect only pleases;
• the cat does not like to be squeezed;

In general, Bengals have good health and delight with their intelligence.

How to choose a kitten

Bengal cat on owner's lap

Let us remind you once again: the Bengal cat is an elite, and therefore expensive, breed. You should not look for advertisements for the sale of kittens on random sites or, especially, buy an animal at the “bird market”. Only reliable nurseries or breeders with an excellent reputation can guarantee that your pet will be a real Bengal with a reliable pedigree!

When purchasing a kitten, pay attention to

• registration documents, pedigree and the generation indicated in it (optimal indicator F4-F7);
• age – a responsible breeder does not offer buyers kittens younger than 10-12 weeks;
• weight – at this age, a normally developing baby weighs about a kilogram;
• playfulness - a healthy animal should never be lethargic;
• contact - small Bengals must be accustomed to being handled, otherwise you risk getting a wild pet;
• clean and clear eyes, no runny nose or signs of diarrhea;
• documents on vaccination;
• the condition of the coat and the absence of visible color defects (important if the Bengal cat is planned to participate in exhibitions).

Kidney failure in cats and life expectancy

A small clipping with moments from home life with kittens of a real Bengal cat (lat. Prionailurus bengalensis)...
Some owners cannot get enough of the fact that their pet lives a long and happy life. For others, pets do not live to a ripe old age. What is the reason for this difference? A number of factors can greatly undermine the health of your beloved pet. It is important for the owner to know about them in order to prevent their occurrence.

1. Genetic predisposition. Every cat breed is susceptible to some disease to one degree or another. For example, Persian cats are susceptible to kidney disease, which sooner or later leads to kidney failure. Therefore, Persian cats live on average about 10 years.
2. Habitat. It's no secret that indoor cats have a better life than outdoor cats. Pets are surrounded by care and love, protected from viral and bacterial attacks, infections and other misfortunes that await a pet on the street.
3. Nutritional features. How long British cats and other breeds live depends on their diet and balance. A lack of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to health, sometimes irreparable. You should consult your veterinarian when choosing food. However, there are doctors who can recommend dry and wet commercial food; There are experts who are categorically against such a diet. They stand for natural food.
4. Sterilization. Few people know how long unsterilized pets and cats live after sterilization. Again the camp was divided into two fronts. The first doctors believe that sterilization prolongs the life of the animal due to the fact that the pet will not be susceptible to diseases of the genital area. Sterilized cats live several years longer than their counterparts. On average, sterilized individuals live about 15-20 years. Cats that give birth regularly shorten their lives. Other doctors believe that sterilization leads to lethargy and inactivity of the animal. This, in turn, leads to diabetes, obesity and shortened life.
5. Predisposition to chronic diseases. If a pet has a chronic disease or a disease that is inherited, then it is unlikely to live to a ripe old age. So, a cat with diabetes lives only 4 years. An animal with urolithiasis can live only 5 years.
6. Stress. Do you know how many years do pet cats live in a family where an optimal psychological climate is maintained? Add a couple of years to the average. Such pets are real long-livers.

Animals for whom the street is their father's home will live at most 5-6 years. Survival without water or food affects how long outdoor cats live. The body of such a cat literally fights for every opportunity to survive.

But how long domestic cats of common breeds live is shown in the table. The average lifespan of any domestic cat is approximately 12-17 years. But there are cases when representatives of the cat family crossed the threshold of 20 years.

How long a pet will live is influenced by its predisposition to various diseases. Every owner strives to do everything so that his pet lives as long as possible. However, at an advanced age, felines can develop diseases that were not so common before. Such ailments include chronic renal failure.

Today, approximately 30% of cats suffer from kidney failure. About 20 years ago, this disease occurred only in a few, but now it affects more and more pets. Chronic renal failure is a disease that doctors cannot yet cope with. Veterinarians are not yet able to restore health to a pet and make its life fulfilling.

If previously cats died at the age of 10-13 years, then in the modern world, on average, domestic cats live about 18-23 years. Such pets are considered long-livers in the animal world. However, longevity also has a flip side to the coin. An increase in the number of pets developing kidney failure is associated with an improvement in the quality of life and its duration.

How long cats can live at home with kidney failure depends on how badly the kidneys are damaged. The larger the affected area, the more difficult it is to cure the disease. If the owner did not notice a deterioration in health in time, and the pet was taken to the veterinarian with an advanced disease, then most likely the pet will die a month after the disease was discovered.

Timely identification of symptoms and compliance with doctor’s instructions can prolong the life of a cat with renal failure (in chronic form) to the average life expectancy: 10-13 years.

It turns out that this disease is more common in cats of a certain breed, for example, British or Persian. This is due to their predisposition to a congenital anomaly - polycystic kidney disease. This, in turn, leads to kidney failure.

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As a preventive measure, doctors recommend periodically showing pets to veterinarians and doing clinical and biochemical blood tests: creatinine, urea, protein, potassium, phosphorus. You also cannot do without a general urine test. Thanks to laboratory tests, the veterinarian will be able to track the failure of the cat’s kidneys and prescribe supportive therapy.

Photos of Bengal kittens

general information

On that special day when a little fluffy ball appears in the house, the new owners worry little about how many years he will live. Over time, the baby turns into a luxurious fluffy cat and takes pride of place in the family circle. As adulthood approaches, owners begin to have anxious thoughts: “How many years will the cat live?”

On average, domestic cats live 10-16 years, but you need to understand that this figure depends on the breed, living conditions, nutrition, heredity and many other parameters.

Wild cats live less than domestic cats, about 5-6 years. The life expectancy of unadapted animals that were kicked out of the house is even shorter - 4 years. This is due to constant stress, the need to struggle for existence, poor quality food, severe weather conditions, illness, uncontrolled pregnancies and complications after them.

For your information: on average, cats live longer than cats, which is due to the wear and tear of the latter’s body after giving birth.

Pets that find themselves in a loving family can live up to 18-20 years. At the same time, the life expectancy of mustachioed striped animals has increased significantly in recent decades, thanks to the development of medicine.

How much does a Bengal cat cost?

The price of purebred Bengal kittens in Russian nurseries starts from 15,000 rubles and can reach 150,000 rubles.
The specific figure depends on the pedigree and color. Rare and therefore the most expensive are, perhaps, blue tabby kittens. In addition, each animal is assigned a specific class based on expert assessment:

• pet class - the so-called “pets for the soul”, due to strong deviations from the standard, are not allowed for breeding and exhibitions, cost - from 15 to 30 thousand rubles;
• breed class - animals with minor deviations from the standard, cost - from 30 to 40 thousand rubles without the possibility of breeding and 60-70 thousand if you want to obtain such a right;
• show class is the elite among the elite, such cats are recognized as promising for exhibitions, therefore their cost starts from 50 thousand rubles without the possibility of breeding and from 80,000 with it.

How long do cats live on average without food?

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Every creature on Earth needs food and water. These are the fundamental factors of life on the planet. Lack or lack of food and water can cause irreparable harm to the body. If a cat goes without food for several days, how long will it live? Therefore, it is vital for every owner to know the daily intake of water and food for their pet.

How long can a cat live with water but no food? If we consider this situation, then about 10 days. If the pet has to do without food and liquid, then its life expectancy is reduced to 5-6 days. It all depends on the age, gender, and breed of the pet.

If a pet is undergoing treatment and refuses food, then a hunger strike of 5 days is considered the norm. Then the cat’s body will begin to waste energy on the normal operation of all systems. A hunger strike for more than 5 days can lead to dire consequences.

The health and life of a pet in absence depend on several factors:

• The colder it is outside, the more likely your pet is to survive until moisture appears. If an animal is left without water in a hot summer, its body will be dried out literally within a day.
• Diet. If a cat eats only dry food, then its moisture reserves must be replenished regularly. If there is a lack of water with such a diet, the body will not last long. If the animal eats wet food, then the water should last for a long time. However, if the owner is leaving for a long time, he should ask friends to come to the pet and feed and water it at least once a day.
• It is believed that British Fold cats do not drink water due to the nature of the breed. However, some British owners note that their pets drink water like other animals.
• The older the pet, the more water it needs every day. A cat can drink about 250 ml of water per day. How long will cats last at home in the absence of moisture? Without serious health consequences – about 2 days. Then comes severe exhaustion and disruption in all body systems. In total, the animal can live without fluid for about 5 days. Sometimes death occurs earlier.

Home care, care

A Bengal cat should be promptly vaccinated and treated against ticks and fleas, especially if he walks outside. You should take your pet to the vet regularly. In general, representatives of this breed are distinguished by excellent health, but it doesn’t hurt to be on the safe side.

Bengal cats, like other breeds, need regular ear cleaning, teeth cleaning, eye washing, nail trimming and brushing. Since their hair is not long, you can comb your Bengal about once every two weeks, using a special comb.

You should also bathe your pet regularly, using special shampoos and conditioners. Many representatives of this breed tolerate water quite calmly, although bathing cannot be called a favorite procedure.

Since Bengals are descendants of true predators, they have very strong hunting instincts. If you get a kitten of this breed, you definitely need to make sure that he has space to play and practice hunting skills.

It is best to purchase a special corner, with stands at different levels, which will be interesting for your tailed friend to explore.

You should also take care of the scratching post. These devices are impregnated with a special solution that attracts the animal. The presence of such a device will protect the furniture in the apartment from the claws of your pet. Read about how to make a scratching post with your own hands.

The Bengal cat needs constant entertainment, so you will have to take care of constantly updating the set of toys. But it is necessary to remember that the most favorite games for representatives of this breed are with people, so you should not deprive your pet of attention.

Comparison of the ages of cats and humans

When thinking about the age of a pet, I want to recalculate it in human terms. A simplified formula tells us that one cat year is equal to seven of our years. However, in reality this relationship is nonlinear.

In the very first year of life, a tiny warm lump travels a long way, turning into a “15-year-old teenager.” In the second year, he lives for 9 years, that is, the cat becomes 24 years old. Each subsequent year adds 4 human years to him. The key point is considered to be 7 years of age, or 44 years in our opinion, when the cat shows the first signs of aging. If a pet lived for 16 years, then in human years it is 80 years.

How many years do cats of different breeds live?

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This issue often causes controversy. Veterinarians believe that the lifespan of a domestic cat depends more on existing diseases and care, and not on its breed. Breeders do not agree with them, noticing that representatives of different breeds have different life expectancies.

First, let's compare purebred and simple cats. Genetically healthy, purebred parents give birth to purebred kittens. Naturally, their chances of living a long, happy life in a family are much greater than their wandering brothers.

Cats, which owe their birth to selective breeding, have relatively poor health. The structure of their body was artificially changed by geneticists. Other breeds are indigenous, they appeared naturally, adapting to environmental conditions. If we compare “designer” and “natural” purebred cats, the latter live longer. Selected breeds are prone to genetic diseases and require special care.

Let's look at the average life expectancy of popular breeds.

British

British cats have developed muscles, strong immunity and lead an active lifestyle. Representatives of this breed live 12-15 years, and some live up to 20, of course, with proper care. Genetic diseases are rarely observed in British cats. The risk of cancer is low.

Teddy bear cubs are real long-livers! They have enviable immunity and can live up to 20 years. Examine your pet regularly, as its weak points are the ears and spine.

Siamese cats live 14-18 years. However, this breed has incredible endurance, and among them there are long-livers, living up to 30 years of age. The predisposition to a long life can be passed on from generation to generation, so before choosing a kitten, check with the breeder about its pedigree.

Abyssinian cats

With proper care, Abyssins live about 15 years, some cats live up to 20. Representatives of this breed have a predisposition to diseases of the kidneys, retina, blood and teeth.

Each variety of the Persian breed has its own life expectancy indicator. Cats with short noses live longer than their extreme and classic counterparts - 20 years versus 15. It is important to pay special attention to cats that have crossed the 10-year mark. At this time, the Persian's immunity weakens, and problems with joints, spine and kidneys may occur.

When properly kept at home, Russian Blue cats live an average of 15 years. It is possible to extend the life of cats as much as possible up to 18-19 years. Starting from the age of 8, the owner must take his pet to the veterinarian annually.

Bengals

Bengal cats live long lives due to their lack of cardiovascular disease. The average life expectancy is 15-16 years. Graceful Bengals are one of the strongest and hardiest breeds.

Sphinxes

The average lifespan of a Sphynx is 10 years, but hairless cats can please their owners for 20 years. There is even a known case when a sphinx lived for 31 years. Pets of this breed can boast of excellent immunity even in advanced years.

Other breeds

The real long-livers, reaching 20 years, are the Thai breed, the American Shorthair and the Manx. The average life span of the Asian tabby and Egyptian Mau is one year less. Devon Rex, Japanese Bobtail and Tiffany reach adulthood. The Australian Smoky, Neva Masquerade and Maine Coon live a little less - 17 years.

Long-lived cats

The Guinness Book of Records records a long-lived cat from Texas - Cream Puff. She died in 1967 and died in 2005. Cream Puff lived 38 years and 3 days. Its owner was an American from Texas.

She has a competitor from the UK. The cat Lucy is already 43 years old. By human standards - 188 years! She is cheerful, cheerful and energetic, but has almost lost her hearing.

The beautiful Lady Catalina lives in Australia. This Burmese cat is 37 years old. Despite her advanced age, she is active and healthy.

Feeding

Felinologists do not give clear recommendations on feeding Bengal cats; they can be given dry food, canned food, or a natural diet.

If you feed your cat “natural” food, you should remember that this beauty’s ancestors include wild predatory animals, so the basis of the daily diet should be meat (about 70-80%).

You can give your pet liver (liver) for variety. Also, for health, he needs bones and cartilage, but small ones that he can chew. Often feeding cats fish is not recommended at all, especially boys, as this product contributes to the development of urolithiasis.

However, it is quite possible to introduce boneless sea fish into your diet in small quantities (for example, twice a week). You can also sometimes pamper your pet with quail eggs; Bengal cats love them very much, especially the yolks. However, this should be done no more than 1-2 times a week.

You can also feed your pet commercial food: dry or canned. Bengal cats have a rather sensitive digestive tract, so you should not experiment with transfers from one to another unless absolutely necessary. This also applies to changing natural food to industrial food and vice versa. They should be chosen from the same brand, paying attention to the composition, in which the meat component should predominate, and not soy or grains.

Read about the choice of commercial cat foods, as well as their composition.

Dry feeding should be varied two or three times a week with canned food. When choosing canned food, you should definitely pay attention to the composition and fat content. For Bengal cats, the fat content of food should not exceed 20%.

Bengals love cow's milk, but some individuals may be intolerant to this product. Therefore, when introducing milk into a kitten’s diet, it is necessary to monitor how the body absorbs it. Read about whether cats can drink milk.

Fermented milk products are not recommended for this breed.

The cat also needs clean water; dehydration of the body must not be allowed. Bengals, like many other breeds, do not like to drink from a bowl. Therefore, they need to periodically be given the opportunity to drink from the tap or have a special fountain installed.

What is “Fuzzy” in Silver Bengal kittens?

The term, translated from English either as “ugly” or as “vague or shaded,” explains the essence of the breed’s unusual natural tendency to camouflage spots. In light-colored kittens it is less pronounced than in brownie offspring. By about a month, the offspring sprout long, thin hairs designed to hide the bright markings from the eyes of predators in the Asian jungle. After a couple of months, phasing comes to an end - the Bengal kitten loses its “extra” fur, revealing a wonderfully beautiful pattern. All Bengal kittens are subject to the process, no matter how far they are from the ancestry of their forest ancestors.

The unusual silver of Bengal cats of this type of color fascinates with the contrasting patterns of their fur coat. Of course, the silver spotted variety is more similar to a snow mini-leopard, especially spotted-rosets, which determines the popularity of the “rosette on silver” color among lovers of elite cats of an elite young breed. However, marble ones also have many fans. Marble, when he stretches out, showing off his intricate patterns, is truly amazing.

Bengal character

Bengals are strong, agile and independent cats that have a special character and habits. They owe these traits to their ancestors. Bengals are excellent hunters: they are brave and cunning, capable of catching mice (the cat only likes to catch prey, they rarely eat it). Cats are able to get along with other animals (dogs and cats) living in the house. The presence of other pets should not affect the lack of attention to her person. The only exceptions are birds and rodents (the hunting instinct may take over).

Bengals need constant attention and communication with their owner: with a lack of affection, they become wild and uncontrollable. Therefore, it is necessary to often hold a kitten in your arms from an early age and continue such communication with an adult cat. In this case, the Bengal beauty will become a faithful, devoted and affectionate friend.

It is difficult for a pet to be separated from its owner. If the owner of the animal must leave urgently and for a long time, it is better to leave the cat with friends or loved ones who have met the animal before. One of the forms of manifestation of sadness due to parting with the owner and disagreement with the situation is refusal to eat.

Pets always strive to be close to their owner, but they cannot sit in one place for a long time. Animals are active, love to play, run, study and explore new things. Therefore, they will willingly be in the same room with their owner and will not sit on their hands for a long time.

Such a cat is confident in itself, shows curiosity and a desire to learn everything new. She is faithful to her owner, affectionate with him and grateful for his care. Bengals ask to be held only when they themselves want it.

The Bengal breed is distinguished by its intelligence. Training allows the pet to free itself from excess energy and please its owners. They are able to carry out simple commands that are taught to dogs (“fetch”, “sit”, “stay”, etc.).

Cats of this breed, unlike their relatives, love water and enjoy bathing. If the owner leaves a filling bathtub, a basin of water or another container unattended, the cat may climb in and splash around.

Thus, a brief description of the animal is as follows:

• they are smart, independent;
• affectionate, devoted (with proper upbringing);
• excellent hunters, energetic and dexterous;
• curious people who want to explore new things;
• They are easy to train and are not afraid of water procedures.

A properly raised cat will be affectionate, devoted and grateful to its owner for his care and attention.

Origin of the breed

Bengals are the product of selective breeding and are a cross between various domestic cats (mainly Burmese and Mau) and the wild Bengal cat (also called the Far Eastern cat). The latter are distributed throughout the Asian part of the world and resemble a leopard in color, but are much smaller in size.

The origin of today's domestic Bengal cats is associated with the name of the American biologist and geneticist Jean Mill (Sugden). She devoted her entire life to selection and was engaged in scientific and practical development of this problem. It was Mill who, in the 60s of the last century, acquired a wild Bengal cat kitten in Thailand and brought it home to America.

The scientist had an ordinary black cat at home, and as a result, the grown-up Bengal cat gave birth to offspring, which was surprising, since the result of such interspecific crossing turned out to be quite viable. The cat, named Kin-kin, inherited the unusual exotic color of her mother. Then the geneticist decided to further breed a breed that would have the appearance of wild ancestors, but at the same time be adapted to living next to humans.

Due to some life circumstances, the experiment was interrupted, and the first representative of the hybrid Bengal cats, Kin-kin, died of illness. In the 80s, work resumed. Mill continued to crossbreed the hybrid descendants of wild leopard cats and domestic cats. True, there was a problem that occurs in many hybrids: the first three generations of males were sterile. But as a result, at the very beginning of the 90s, Bengal cats for the first time took part in the championship of one of the largest felinological associations in the world.

Today, most organizations of felinologists recognize the breed, standards have been developed, and Bengal cats successfully perform at various exhibitions. Jean Mill managed to achieve her dream: these unusual cats of extremely exotic color have a gentle, soft and easy-going character.

How does diet affect the lifespan of Bengal cats?

Both the breeder and owner of a Bengal cat can influence its lifespan depending on what they feed the cat. Pet food information varies greatly depending on what you read. It is important to understand that large pet food conglomerates fund much of the research done in the industry. These companies have invested millions of dollars studying how to make biologically unacceptable ingredients palatable to cats and dogs in order to increase profits by using cheaper ingredients in pet foods. Because meat protein is expensive, pet food companies do their best to make products with non-meat ingredients seem cat-friendly.

An independent study conducted by Dr. Kollath of Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, found that “when young animals were fed cooked and processed food, they initially appeared healthy. However, as the animals reached adulthood, they began to age faster than normal. and they also developed symptoms of a chronic degenerative disease. A control group of animals raised on raw whole meat not only aged less, but also did not suffer from degenerative diseases” (Appel).

When it comes to research funding, cats are often second to dogs. The same dog food companies that make dog food also make cat food, and dogs are better at digesting non-animal foods than cats.

Besides the fact that all nutrients are bioavailable to cats on a raw diet, one of the most important ingredients in this diet is simply the water content. If you research problems in older cats, most of them involve dehydration. Cats have evolved to get most of their water from their food. When their food is dry, they are constantly in a state of mild dehydration. This puts stress on all organs and causes many of the diseases that middle-aged and older cats face. Because we have been breeding cats for so long, we have experienced - on more than one cat - the effects of long-term low-grade dehydration in cats that have been fed dry food their entire lives. Cats don't tell you when they're in pain because their instinct is to never show weakness. By the time you see something is wrong, it may be too late to repair the damage.

If you understand the logic of what it means to be an obligate carnivore, it becomes clear that a balanced raw diet is best for a cat. That being said, an unbalanced raw diet is perhaps the most dangerous diet for your cat. What does this mean to you? First, if the breeder you are talking to says they eat a raw diet, ask how they know their diet is balanced. Ask the breeder to explain exactly how the cat eats 80% clean meat, 10% offal and 10% bones. If you receive a detailed explanation of how this balance is determined, you are with a good breeder. If you get an incomplete answer, such as boneless chicken thighs and a supplement, check to see if the supplement actually balances out the boneless and organless meat.