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Bengals as pets

Here are some common questions and considerations in selecting a new Bengal family member. by Judy Sugden and others

How large do Bengal cats grow?

Domestic cat size is the answer. As the different subspecies of Asian Leopard Cats range in size (from 6 lbs. to less than 12 lbs.) as do the domestic cats initially bred to them, different breeders may have smaller or larger animals depending on the breed of domestic cats used early in their lines. While some of the public seems to think the bigger the better, most breeders feel that 10 lbs. of "toy" leopard-like perfection is more of a statement and more practical in a world of apartment living where the 9 year old neighbor girl may need to give the pet a flea pill while vacation sitting.

A domestic Bengal (four or more generations away from the wild) has been selectively bred for a calm, loving domestic disposition. Just as in dogs there will be individual personalities within bloodlines and litters. The buyer might select for intelligence, interactive companionship or laidback child's cat calm. Some Bengals are born showmen, some are more shy. Some will be natural lap cats while others prefer to monitor the activity of all family members for potential play or a walk in harness.
Careful breeding for good temperament is only half the story. Socialization, interesting experiences and love in early life and beyond are what shape your Bengal kitten into a prized companion.

Will my new kitten get along with my other cat?...dog? ...two year old daughter?

Yes, as with other domestic cats there should be no problem if introductions are slow and easy, allowing all parties time and space to get to know each other. The concern might be that the dog (or child) could maul the new kitten.

Since any animal is most comfortable with what is familiar, a kitten happily raised with other cats, dogs or children should make the transition to similar conditions quite easily. Occasionally adult domestic cats can be quite territorial but if the situation is discussed initially, most breeders have a "for any reason" return guarantee period of a few days, if the situation is impossible.

At what age should my kitten be neutered?...must it be?

Yes!!!!! ...neutered cats make better, more loving and dependable pets. Most breeders require proof of neutering before you receive the pedigree papers. Get the kitten neutered as soon as your vet will do it. Some breeders have their youngsters neutered before they leave home at 8 -12 weeks old. Certainly do it well before the cat might start to spray or breed (which might be as early as 4-5 months old). It is so sad when a person neglects to do this early enough and then cannot live with the spraying animal he has created (While spaying is a territorial marking behavior, neutering will most often prevent it in both sexes but it will not always "cure" an existing problem).

Neutered cats also do not make more unwanted mongrel babies. Bengals are beautiful and unusual because they are pure bred---if you want mongrel kittens, please adopt from your local shelter. Save a life, don't condemn a litter. (Your Bengal pet may also have a genetic fault which should not be reproduced...or else he would likely have been sold as an expensive breeder.) 

Yes...except when you take it out on its leash...for several reasons.

1. These cats are so striking that it will soon be "adopted" by someone else.

2. Many Bengals (like other domestic cats) are very good hunters. The Audubon Society warns us that pet and feral domestic cats are probably the third leading cause (after habitat destruction and cowbird parasitism) of the rapid decline of song bird populations in North America.

3. It is perhaps time that cat owners take the same responsibility for their pets as dog owners must do. Why should my cat be allowed to be a poor neighbor by yowling all night under the neighbor's window?...spraying through his screen door (Oh, did I forget to get him neutered?)? ...walking across the church's freshly painted porch, etc.?

Yes, but not all Bengals will do any particular thing. But they do have a tendency to learn things quickly and with a lot of novel twists and to teach their owners new things...

How much is a Bengal?

Price depends on a couple of factors. One is the breeder's reputation and the other is what faults the kitten has, when compared to the Bengal breed standard. A pet quality kitten from a top notch breeder may run $500 to $1000. One from a lesser known, but reputable breeder may run $350 to $800.

Be sure that you get a kitten from a reputable breeder who will back up the kitten with health guarantees. Usually they guarantee against congenital defects for a period of time. They also have you take the kitten to your vet within a few days to check for any illness. During that time period, the kitten can usually be returned in trade for another kitten. A reputable breeder should belong to TICA and TIBCS. Ask.

The breeder also shouldn't breed only pet kittens. If they do, they probably aren't trying to improve the breed the way reputable breeders are.



Before you buy, look at a whole bunch of kittens. Unfortunately, the cheapest kittens are probably the ones that look least like a Bengal. They may have stripes instead of spots. They may have a lot of ticking.
Call all the newspaper and several of the cat magazine ads and ask prices. Then make arrangements to look at the kittens. Look at the cheapest ones first, then the next cheapest. When you get to the most expensive pet kittens, I think you will find that they are knockouts when compared to the least expensive.

Because Bengals are a high priced item due to demand for good ones being higher than supply, there are some backyard breeders who have not upgraded their breeding stock in years (Advances in this new breed are incredible year to year! The beautiful pictures of breeders' best cats seen on this site and in the magazines represent the best available today.) and some unscrupulous people are breeding Bengals in name only. These are cheap --- but not quality.

Having stated the warning, there are ways to find the occasional Quality Bengal that might be available:

1. Check Breeders in the fall who might have retired, neutered breeders to place rather than winter over.
   
   

2. Call reputable breeders for Bengals which have the great personality and most of the traits so desirable in a Bengal but which are of an unacceptable color (black, silver, blue, tortie, white, etc.) or long fur, etc.
   
   

3. Get on a Breeder's waiting list for a baby which has a structural challenge. Because the Bengal has by definition had to use other domestic breeds to get started, some of the recessive genetic health and structural faults surface in a kitten occasionally. These darling kittens which do not meet the stringent Bengal standard will never the less make loving, BEAUTIFUL companions.
   
   

4. Only if you will be a one indoor cat household--- with discreet inquiry you might find a marvelous cat which tests positive for FIP titers or FIV antibodies (but is perfectly healthy otherwise and expected to enjoy a long and active life), available free to a good home.

Do Foundation cats make good pets?

Many early generation foundation cats like this VERY UNUSUALLY FRIENDLY F1 can be kept as pets quite successfully ---but ONLY IF the owner is aware of and willing to work around the wild instinctual traits which will not yet be bred out. Some however never make satisfactory pets.

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