Bengal cat breed

Bengal cat breed information and advice

With striking looks, a shimmering luxurious coat and friendly personality, a Bengal cat can make a wonderful addition to your family. But before you make the leap, it’s good to get to know a few things about them.

This cat breed guide has lots of useful information and covers everything from Bengal cat temperament and grooming needs to their lifespan. It also outlines some common ailments and highlights why cat insurance may come in handy.

These leopard pet cat lookalikes may appear wild in appearance, but don’t be fooled. These hybrid cats are friendly and sociable and will quickly become part of the family.

Bengal facts

The Bengal breed was created by crossing the Asian Leopard cat with the Abyssinian, Burmese and Egyptian Mau breeds. The aim was to introduce the Asian Leopard cat’s immunity to Feline Leukaemia to the domestic cats. Unfortunately, the experiment failed, but these hybrid cats led to the birth of the Bengal cat breed.
 

Bengal cat insurance

When you’re considering the pros and cons of getting a Bengal cat, don’t forget to factor in cat insurance. Bengals are a robust breed but, as with any pet, they can still get ill. And vet fees can soon mount up.

Bengal cat insurance can help cover the cost of your cat’s treatment, including any medication, vet prescribed complementary treatment or surgery.

Bear in mind that Bengals may be slightly more expensive to insure than the average cat as they are more prone to certain health problems. These include:
 

• Flat-chested kitten syndrome (FCK)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Patellar luxation
• Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance for Bengals

Insurance isn’t just for valuable pedigree animals - you can insure all types of cat. You can take out Sainsbury’s Bank kitten insurance as long as your Bengal kitten is over eight weeks old and your cat is less than 10 years of age.

Once you have cover in place with us, you can insure your cat up to any age as long as you keep renewing the policy without a break.

Sainsbury’s Bank has three types of pet insurance to choose from. These are:
 
Time-limited cover – where your cat is covered for each condition up to 12 months or until the policy limit.
Maximum benefit cover – claim multiple times for the same condition up to your policy limits.
Lifetime cover – access up to £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 per year towards vet costs, depending on your cover level.

Please note that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.

How to care for a Bengal cat

Bengal cats are easy to care for. They’re very clean, and kittens will quickly learn to use a litter tray. But, as with any other cat, make sure that they have a balanced diet and lots of exercise.

The Bengal cat temperament is great for experienced cat owners. They have a distinct, dog-like personality and are very curious. They thrive off enrichment activities that keep them stimulated, such as cat furniture and wand toys.

Bengal cat temperament and behaviour

Bengal cats are full of energy and have an adventurous personality. They love playing with water and it’s not unusual to find them drinking from a dripping tap. It’s also best to leave the toilet seat down or you may find your cat in there. They’re very agile but can be clumsy too – it’s a good thing that cats land on their feet.

They’re also very vocal and will let you know whether they’re happy or unhappy. They may look like their wild ancestors, but they’re friendly, affectionate, intelligent and loyal. And once attached to their owner, they’ll be a constant shadow.

They’re good with dogs but can be territorial with other cats if there are lots of cats in the house. They’re also good with children. But, as with any other pet, don’t leave young children alone with your cat.

They enjoy company and don’t like to be left alone all day. They can cause chaos if left alone for a long amount of time. They’ve been known to steal things like pens and pencils, so make sure they have enough cat-friendly toys to play with. And remember that it’s not unheard of for a Bengal to behave erratically every now and again.

Common health problems

Bengals are generally healthy; however, it’s important to take out Bengal insurance as the following health issues have been seen in the breed:

What is a Bengal cat?

A Bengal is a large cat with a colour pointed coat and large blue eyes, known for having a placid and affectionate nature. The breed was developed in the US in the 1960s and came to the UK in the 1980s.

Are Tiger cats the same as Bengal cats?

While Tiger cats and the Bengal breed look similar, Tiger cats are actually known as Toyers. The Toyer cat was bred by crossing a Bengal and a stray cat from the streets of India.

Toyer cats have beautiful distinctive markings with stripes on their red, gold and orange coats.

How much is a Bengal cat?

You can expect to pay anything from £300 to £5,000 for a Bengal kitten. The cost depends on the breeder and breeding line. The price might also be higher if the Bengal has a rare or unusual eye colour or coat pattern. They are quite rare and in-demand, which is another reason why they can be quite expensive.

Can Bengal cats go outside?

Bengals love to explore outdoors and are very trusting – which can expose them to danger from other cats and dogs. Their high value can also put them at risk of being stolen.

Fortunately, they adapt well to being kept as indoor cats if they have company and lots of cat toys to keep them occupied. They’ll also need places where they can curl up for a cat nap.

So, is a Bengal right for you?

Bengals can make great companions for elderly owners, single people working from home and families with children. They enjoy company and interaction and will get along with any other pets you might have. They don’t like being left alone, so it would be good to consider getting a feline companion if you’re out at work all day. Bengals love cuddles and are happy to be a lap cat.