Are Bengal Cats Good Pets?

The Bengal is a lively and intelligent breed. Unlike many cats, they like water, so they will watch the toilet flush or play with a dripping faucet. Some Bengals will even join their owner in the shower. Bengals also like high places and enjoy climbing. They can be rambunctious and curious and will get into everything – especially if they’re bored.

How much does a Bengal cat cost? $1,500 to $5,000

How Active are Bengal Cats?

Because the Bengal is such an energetic and active cat, it needs a fair amount of companionship in the form of its owner and/or another pet. While Bengals enjoy the outside, letting them go outside unsupervised is hazardous. A safer option is to erect an outdoor exclosure or “catio” to keep the cat safe while it plays and explores.

Is a Bengal Cat Hypoallergenic?

As shorthairs, Bengals usually don’t need much in the way of grooming. With that said, they do shed. They don’t shed as much as kittens but they do as they get older. Someone with an allergy to cat dander may experience an allergic reaction.

bengal kitten on a pillow

What Do Bengal Cats Eat?

Bengal cats need lots of protein and therefore should not be given cheap cat food that contains fillers made from corn or other carbohydrates. Protein should make up at least 50 percent of the Bengal’s diet with the vitamins, minerals and fiber making up the rest. Some people give the Bengal raw meat, which should not sit at room temperature for more than half an hour.

What are the most common health issues of the breed?

Bengals are generally healthy and have no diseases peculiar to their breed. Genetic defects that can occur in Bengals include Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a degenerative eye condition that can lead to blindness, and Flat-Chested Kitten Syndrome (FCKS), in which the kitten is born with abnormal ribs. Bengals can also suffer from Hip Dysplasia or Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

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