The Bengal cat is known for its beautiful, exotic spots and playful behavior. First bred in the 1990s, this cat breed is a mix of an Asian Leopard Mix and several other types of cats, including the Abyssinian and the Egyptian Mau.
Together, these breeds created a cat with the build and appearance of a wild cat, but the temperament of a domestic cat. The Bengal cat’s growing popularity is no surprise, but this interesting cat breed isn’t right for everyone.
What are the Benefits of Owning a Bengal Cat?
Many people love Bengal cats because of their affectionate personalities. Despite their wild appearance, Bengal cats tend to have an even temperament, and they love to be close to their owners.
Bengal cats are also highly intelligent. This makes them excellent hunters, but it also makes them great candidates for training—Bengal cats can even learn tricks. They’re also more willing to go for walks than other breeds.
Because the breed is so popular, there are also many reputable cat breeders to research when you’re ready to bring your new Bengal cat home.
How Do I Take Care of My New Bengal Cat?
If you’ve recently brought home a new Bengal cat, your first thought is likely how to take care of your new kitten. Kittens have a variety of needs in order to grow and develop into happy, healthy adult cats, including quality food, exercise, and enrichment.
The first thing you’ll want to do to care for your new kitten is establish a relationship with a local veterinarian. If you’ve adopted from a reputable breeder, they’ve likely given you all of the health information that they have and know about your new feline companion, but it’s a good idea to get them a vet exam right away anyway.
Your vet can give you more information on the type of food that your kitten needs, as well as what their ideal exercise routine should be. Bengal cats are athletic kitties that love to exercise, so their needs will be different from other kittens.
Dealing with Aggressive Behavior
Many people worry Bengal kittens will be aggressive kittens, but that’s not always the case. Bengal cats aren’t inherently aggressive cats, but some will show aggressive behaviors.
If your Bengal cat is showing signs of aggression like destroying your house, biting, or not properly using the litterbox, there are a few ways you can deal with these behaviors.
Bengal cats can get lonely in the house all day by themselves, and they may resort to destruction because of this. If that’s the case, consider getting your cat another pet to play with or leaving your cat with plenty of enrichment activities to keep them busy and satisfied while you’re gone.
You should also keep the litterbox as clean as possible by scooping and changing the litter regularly. If your cat still shows resistance, consider trying a different type of litter.
The good news is that Bengal cats are smart and easy to train, so if there are behaviors you’d like your cat to change, you can work with them through positive reinforcement training.
How Can I Keep My Bengal Cat Safe in the House?
The key to keeping your Bengal cat safe in your home is to create a safe environment inside your house.
If you’ve just brought your new cat home, confine them to just one room until they have a chance to acclimate to the rest of the house. Inside this room, you’ll need to remove anything that can be harmful to your cat, like wires and toxic plants.
You’ll also want to provide a cat tree or other cat furniture that your cat can use to climb or hide if they’re feeling unsafe.
Finally, provide plenty of toys and puzzle to keep your cat from getting bored.
Is there Anything Special I Should Know about Feeding My New bengal cat?
If you have a Bengal kitten, they will need more food and calories than you think they’ll need to support their growth and development. Feed them specific kitten food that’s dense in calories until they reach maturity at 1 year old.
If you have an adult Bengal cat, they may still need more calories than other cat breeds because of their high activity level. It’s best to talk to your vet to determine if your cat needs a special diet.
If your cat struggles with their current food or you’re noticing symptoms like constant itching, your Bengal cat may have food allergies. If this is the case, talk to your vet right away and they can work with you to find the cause of your cat’s allergies and recommend a safe diet.
Should You Get a Bengal Cat?
Bengal cats are a special breed. They’re intelligent, loyal, and affectionate, but they’re also big, athletic cats that won’t be right for every family. If you’re looking for a trainable, active cat that’s fun to play with and easy to love, this breed may be perfect for you.