Bengal Cat Guide: Personality, Energy Needs and Health

Short answer: the Bengal is a medium to large, athletic cat with a spotted or marbled coat, a very active mind and a strong need for daily play and climbing. Cats.com lists a lifespan of 12 to 20 years and an adult weight of 6 to 15 pounds. It suits active households that enjoy interacting with their cat, and is not a good match for anyone who wants a quiet lap cat.

Where the Bengal comes from

According to Cats.com, the breed began in the United States from crosses between Asian leopard cats and domestic cats. Dr. Willard Centerwall of Loma Linda University started the hybridisation in the 1960s, and Jean Mill received Centerwall's cats in 1980 and helped standardise the breed. The International Cat Association (TICA) recognised it as experimental in 1983 and fully in 1993, and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) followed in 2016.

Size and looks

• Height: about 13 to 16 inches.
• Weight: 6 to 15 pounds, so medium to large.
• Coat: short, soft and silky, lying close to the body, with desirable "glitter" at the hair tips. Long-haired Bengals exist and are shown separately.
• Colours: brown tabby, blue tabby, blue lynx point and charcoal tabby, with spots or rosettes common. Lynx-point Bengals must have blue eyes.

If you are comparing breeds by size, our guides to the Maine Coon and the British Shorthair show how differently large cats can behave.

Personality

Cats.com describes Bengals as energetic, curious, affectionate and intelligent. They bond closely with family, like to climb to high vantage points, and are described as easy to train. The same site gives the breed high ratings for kid-friendliness (100%) and pet-friendliness (90%), though it offers little detail on what that means in practice. In real homes, much will depend on how the cat has been raised and how much stimulation it gets.

Exercise and enrichment

This is the part that surprises many new owners. Cats.com says Bengals need far more exercise than the average cat, with numerous play sessions a day, especially in the first few years. It suggests:

• teaser and laser toys for short, intense sessions;
• several scratching posts and a tall cat tower;
• possibly an exercise wheel;
• harness and lead training, which many Bengals can learn.

Without outlets, a bored, clever cat tends to invent its own entertainment. Our guides to 7 enrichment activities to keep your Turkish Van happy, creating the perfect indoor sanctuary for your Chartreux and why cats scratch furniture are good places to start. A very active cat can also be restless at night, so see why cats meow at night.

Grooming

Bengals look after their coats themselves but usually enjoy regular brushing. Cats.com recommends starting nail trimming early and brushing teeth daily. Our guides to trimming claws at home and dental care cover both. Treat grooming needs as modest rather than zero.

Health concerns to know about

Cats.com lists these conditions:

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-b): hereditary, causes blindness, has no known cure, and can appear in kittens from about 12 weeks.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): a hereditary heart disease affecting a small percentage of Bengals. The page says there is no HCM-free breeding line.
• Other issues: cataracts, flat-chested kitten syndrome (usually spotted by breeders and treatable) and patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap).

If you are thinking of getting a Bengal kitten, ask the breeder what health screening the parents have had, and book regular check-ups; see our guide to the yearly vet check-up.

Is a Bengal right for you?

• Good fit: you are home often, enjoy play and training, and can give vertical space.
• Think again: you are away long hours, want a calm cat, or have delicate furnishings and no time for enrichment.
• Consider whether the cat will have company, and read our advice on introducing a new cat to your home if you already have pets.

Keep reading

• Maine Coon guide: size, coat and personality
• British Shorthair guide
• 7 enrichment activities to keep your Turkish Van happy
• How to keep your Russian Blue cat happy
• How to keep your Havana Brown cat happy
• Creating a stimulating home for your Bombay cat

Sources

• Cats.com: Bengal cat breed profile