Bengal cat has a distinctive leopard color and large enough, so it can be taken for wild a cat that provides itself with food. Nonetheless, despite the fact that one of her ancestors is a wild leopard cat, it is a fully domesticated breed.
Breed history
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Bengals were created by crossing Asian leopard cats with an ordinary domestic cat. The breed was developed during 1970s and 80s primarily with the goal of getting beautiful wild cats, but keeping the character of a domesticated breed. Thanks careful selection, this goal, of course, was achieved.
The first organization to recognize a Bengal cat was International Cat Association, which provided the breed experimental status in 1983 and then full recognition in 1991 year. Bengal cats are also recognized by the American Cat Association, Canadian Cat Association, and United felinological organization.
Bengal cats were so in demand that a citizen UK paid over $ 50,000 for a Bengal cat in 1990 year, which made him one of the most expensive cats in the world.
Bengal cat character
Bengals are very smart and active. It makes them enjoyable and fun. companions for owners, but sometimes this activity turns into a separate complex issue that needs to be addressed. Overall Bengali cats are confident, curious, friendly, talkative and always watchful. Not many things can escape their attention.
Bengal cats love to play games, including bring subjects, and dexterous enough to study several different tricks. Their dexterous paws are almost as good as our hands. therefore a bored bengal can learn a lot of unconventional and possibly destructive habits such as turning on and off light switch, mining a disc from your DVD player and many others.
A feature of the breed is a love of water. Bengal with joy can jump into your bath or shower and take a walk with you under the rain. Fish in a pond or aquarium may also be under the threat of his smart paws. Bengal cat’s next favorite thing is the height. If you are the owner of this cat, then often You can find it at the highest point in the house. Tall tree or house for cats are especially important for this breed, like interactive toys that will be able to challenge her intellect.
In those rare cases when a bengal does not swim in the pool or swinging on chandeliers, he will gently sit on your lap. AND, Of course, he will share your bed with you without demand.
Breed sizes
Bengal cat is a fairly large breed. Males may have weight up to 8-9 kg, females weigh an average of 5 to 7 kg.
Health and Disease
The average life expectancy of Bengal cats is from 12 to 15 years old. However, some Bengals go to their 12th birthday, in while others live much longer than their assigned 15 years.
Both breeding and regular cats can have certain problems. with health due to genetic traits. Bengal cats are generally healthy in this regard, but they had The following diseases are noted:
- Hip dysplasia – in severe cases, it can lead to lameness.
- Kitten’s flat chest syndrome is a vice that can vary from mild to severe. Kittens who live to adulthood, as a rule, do not show any signs of the disease.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that has hereditary character in some breeds
- Progressive retinal atrophy – a degenerative disease eye.
- Dislocation of the patella – a hereditary disease, varies mild to severe. In severe cases, required surgical intervention.
Care and maintenance
Short hair of a Bengal cat requires minimal care – it is easily cleaned by weekly combing to remove dead hairs. Bathing in the bath is also a must seldom.
Every couple of weeks, a bengal is recommended to cut its claws. If need to clean the corners of the eyes – use a soft, damp cloth, separate for each eye. To prevent periodontal disease, regular brushing is recommended. Daily cleaning is better than weekly, but brushing your teeth once a week is better than nothing. Also, a weekly check of the ears, and if they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton swab or soft damp cloth.
Try to keep the toilet tray spotlessly clean. These cats are especially worried about their hygiene and toilet, therefore a dirty tray can cause them to move to another place.
Bengalam is also well suited exclusively for home life in indoors. So you can protect your pet from diseases of other cats, dogs and other dangers that may wait on the street. In addition, keeping a Bengal in the house will help. protect local birds and wild animals from its dexterous paws.
Children and other animals
An active and social Bengal cat is perfect for families with children and with a friendly dog. She will be happy to play with children who will treat her with respect. Bengals smart enough to get out of kids’ control, but kids school children are ideal for their energy level and curiosity.
Bengals are few people afraid, and treat dogs enough friendly, unless, of course, they would bring them problems. By however, always bring new pets, even others cats, slowly and under controlled conditions.
Like many active cats, bengals have a developed instinct predator, so they should not be trusted by small domestic animals such as hamsters, mice and guinea pigs.
Bengal Cat Reviews
Marina: When you decided to get a cat, then a very long time choosing a breed. Re-read on the Internet a lot articles about all kinds of breeds, about their character. For today the day is such a variety of breeds, and each of them is good in its own way and beautiful. Personally, when I saw on the Internet a photograph of a Bengali cats then just fell in love with this breed. But it was important for me that other family members made their choice without pressure from me. After much debate, we decided that we needed an active cat, which has some dog habits. This character is possessed by all several breeds. She showed photos of these cat breeds to her husband and son, as a result, according to external data, they chose a Bengal breed.
Pluses: active, affectionate, loyal, like to play with children, walk on a leash Minuses: if you take a Bengal is not for dilutions, it is necessary to sterilize / castrate
Alexandra: Our girl’s name is Roxy – she Bengal. I want to tell how this breed gets along with children and cats of other breeds. Recently we had a baby, we are very they were afraid how the cat would react to the appearance of a new family member. You can characterize her behavior in a nutshell – she tolerates it. It allows you to drag yourself by the tail, snatch a little wool. Of course, this is stress for the animal, and you need to protect it from child, but not always it turns out, they are very interested in each friend!
Pluses: Good, faithful, affectionate friend Minuses: Don’t want get along with other cats
Most breed reviews are positive with a rating of 5. More reviews on otzovik.
The cost of kittens, nurseries
Bengal cats are poorly distributed in Russia and the CIS, therefore, kittens are relatively expensive, from 40 thousand rubles (or $ 1,000) and above. Cost, like any breeding cat, depends on many factors, but the best selling point is official nurseries and breeders. Kittens can be taken from the nursery no sooner than they turn 3 months old.
Some nurseries where this breed is bred:
- http://big-bengal.ru – in Moscow
- http://www.daiky.net – in Moscow
- http://exoticpride.ru/ – in St. Petersburg
- http://bengalkiev.com – in Kiev
- http://bengal.by – in Minsk
