How to Select a Bengal

The Bengal is a newer breed of housecat which is essentially a cross between wild, forest-dwelling Asian Leopard Cats and domestic shorthairs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Collars
• Cat Combs/brushes
• Cat Toys
• Cat Shampoos
• Cat Litters
• Cat Dishes
• Cat Foods
• Cat Fancy Magazine
• Cat Carriers
• Cat Beds
• Cat Treats
• Cat Scratchers

1. Find a responsible breeder who will guarantee that your Bengal is in good health and does not have Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLv) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

2. Expect to pay between $500 and $600 for your Bengal - although top quality breeders and show cats can cost over $1,000.

3. Pick up and hold the cat or kitten to see if she has good muscle tone.

4. Make sure she's not sneezing or sniffling, that her eyes have no discharge and her ears are clean and pink inside.

5. Examine the cat's fur, which should be lush and silky. Bengals are known for their fur, which often has what's called "glitter," or gold flecks.

6. Watch out for bald patches or signs of dry or flaky skin, which could indicate an illness.

7. Check for fleas behind her ears and at the base of the tail. Flea dirt, which looks like black sand, is a sure sign.

8. Get a written sales agreement from the breeder that provides the breeder's health guarantee.

9. Take your Bengal to your own veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm that it's healthy.

10. Take a kitten home no younger than 12 weeks of age.

Tips & Warnings

• Some breeders might let their kittens go at 10 weeks, which can be an ugly-duckling period for Bengals. Their markings at this age might appear fuzzy and unclear, which is normal. Ask to see a photograph of the kittens between two to six weeks old - at that age their markings will be about the same as when they become adults.
• Regardless of the Bengal's wild origin, it's best to keep any cat indoors. Vets say it's the best way to keep any cat happy and disease free.
• The first generation Asian Leopard and Shorthair hybrid is called F1, and some states require special permits to own them. To be sure that no wild traits are left in your Bengal, find one that is at least four generations removed from its wild ancestors.
• If you want to show your Bengal, avoid ticked or long fur, two characteristics considered to be faults by show judges.

[whoozhe]

on 9/15/2007 I guess I am just lucky. Our local vet had a litter of kittens born on their doorstep. Unfortunately the mother Bengal had died giving birth. No one is sure why the mother had chosen that spot nor could her owner be found. The luck is I am now the owner of a marble female Bengal and she only cost $150 which included a year's immunization and desexing. Under the conditions of sale she had to be desexed but with no papers breeding was not a real option. A delight and funny cat she has now made friends with the next door's parrot which emulates her meow. Funny watching the two have a conversation in cat language. She shows no sign of wanting to attack the bird.

[plaintruth]

on 2/16/2007 I have always had cats that went freely in and out also. They seemed to be happier, and living in a suburban and then a rural area, this seemed perfectly fine for them. I have a cat now that stays inside because we have recently moved, but fortunately she doesn't seem to have an interest in being out. It just seems cruel to me to stop a cat going out.

on 11/22/2005 My family have had many cats, and even in a big house... I'm unsure that we could have kept them in as recommended above... I guess we don't have too many parasites or other risks here, but don't be under any illusions... the biggest threat to pet cats outside the house, is cars.... a bold cat might not have enough fear to avoid roads.