Bengal cat reaching out it's paw

Bengal Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Few cats can light up a room like a Bengal. Let’s face it, when you look like a mini-leopard, you’re destined to turn heads wherever you go. But there’s more to a Bengal than just a beautiful coat. These moggies are super friendly, very playful and loyal, and make the purr-fect family pet.

Originating in the States, the people behind the Bengal took the Asian Leopard Cat as a starting point and crossed it with a domesticated cat. Thanks to some selective breeding, the result was a success: a wild and exotic appearance, but with all the personality traits you could wish for in a new member of the family.

Bengal Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 18 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium to large
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3.5 - 7 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height
20 - 25 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
loving, sociable, very energetic
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
15 mins 3x a day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Bengal Cat Right for Me?

Bengals are ideal for anyone looking for a smart, energetic new furry member of the family. These smart, playful moggies need to be kept busy, and love lots of human company. After running around all day, Bengals are happy to snuggle on the sofa - but don’t expect them to be a lap cat. Bengals can be kept as indoor pets, but just make sure there are plenty of interactive toys and things to do to keep mind and body busy.

If children and cat-friendly dogs treat them with respect, a Bengal loves making new friends. As with all types of cat, make sure you introduce other pets gradually and in a controlled way. Bear in mind that Bengals have a high prey drive - and should definitely not be trusted with rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and other small animals!

Bengal kitten sitting on the bed

What Are Bengal Kittens Like?

Bengal kittens are very energetic, inquisitive and playful, just like any other kitten. They are likely to find plenty of things to play with, even if they shouldn’t be playing with them! Bengal kittens are very agile so are great at climbing and are also quite chatty, you’ll often hear them cooing and chirruping, especially when they’re having fun.

A Bengal Cat relaxing

Life with a Bengal Cat

A Bengal loves to be in an environment where there’s lots going on. So if there’s someone around (two or four-legged) to keep them entertained, that’s when your buddy’s happiest.

There’s a flipside to this: Bengals can get depressed if you leave them alone for long periods. If the house is human-free all day, it’s definitely worth thinking about having more than one cat - so there’s always someone to play with.

Bengal cats love to climb and being up high, so don’t be surprised to find them on top of your cupboards and worktops to get a good look at what’s going on. They also love playing in water, they really love water! So if they join you in the shower, take a dip in the sink or play about in the garden pond, don’t panic, it’s pretty standard behaviour for these cats. 
 

Caring for Your Bengal

This is a big breed of cat with a muscular body, to keep them that way, follow the advice of your vet when it comes to feeding. Usually it’s a case of carefully measured portions of good quality cat feed a few times a day. The occasional treat is fine, but making sure your buddy eats healthily and stays trim is one of the best things you can do to give them a happy, healthy life.

A short, close-lying, luxuriously soft coat makes it super easy to keep a Bengal coat looking fresh. Most of the year, a weekly brush is all it takes. Shedding happens most in Spring and Autumn, so you’ll probably need to brush more often at these times of year.

Around once a week, a Bengal’s ears should be checked. Wipe away any dirt with a vet-approved cleanser. Redness and waxy discharge are signs of infection, so if you see it, arrange to have your buddy checked over by the vet.

Bengals are smart, curious and natural hunters. If you try to make a secure outdoor space for your buddy to play in, you’ll have your work cut out keeping them in there! So if you live near a busy road, an indoor lifestyle is probably the safest option.

Exercise is really important for this extremely energetic, curious breed. They will need lots of attention from you to keep them amused, fit and healthy. Give your Bengal lots of toys to play with, perches to climb on and scratching posts, to enrich their surroundings. A cat tower would be the ideal way to keep your Bengal occupied, the higher and more complex the better.

Bengals are also very trainable and are thought to be one of the most intelligent cat breeds. Young cats are easier to train than older cats, but you can start training them at any age. With time and patience you could teach your Bengal all sort of tricks and behaviours which will only strengthen your bond and keep them out of mischief!

Bengal Cat Insurance

If a Bengal is on your wish list, you should consider cat insurance for as soon as you get those paws home. Bengals are an expensive cat breed, and given their active nature, it’s best to protect those inquisitive paws just in case of a mistimed pounce.

At Everypaw, we have a range of Lifetime Cat Insurance that doesn’t just cover vet fees, extra benefits like loss by theft is also covered. Plus you get 24/7 access to a team of vets and vet nurses that can help you with your Bengal’s health, behaviour and nutrition. All you need to do is choose the level of Bengal cat insurance cover that suits you and your Bengal down to the ground.

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Common Bengal Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

To help you understand what potential problems your Bengal might be prone to, we have joined up with Vetstream, experts in the veterinary field, and have put together some information on the most common health issues seen in Bengals. The most common problem seen in Bengals is a genetic condition called Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome (FCK). They can also suffer from conditions seen in other breeds such as heart and eye problems, patella luxation and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency.

Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome (FCK) is a malformation of the chest in Bengal kittens. This genetic condition can vary from mild which won’t need any treatment to life-threatening. Kittens might struggle to put on weight and have problems with breathing. Their legs can also be splayed and weak, also known as ‘Swimmers’. Mild cases can resolve without surgery, but other cases may need a splint applied to the ribs and chest. Unfortunately, kittens that are severely affected might have to be put to sleep.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a serious heart condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, so prevents the heart from working properly. This condition is thought to be inherited, but a DNA test is not yet available to identify Bengals with the gene mutation. Luckily HCM is rare, but screening of cats using echocardiography is recommended. Many cats remain stable on medication if treated early enough.

Bengals can be prone to cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes opaque and looks cloudy which can lead to blindness. Treatment involves surgery to remove the lens. PRA is an inherited disease that causes photoreceptor degeneration which eventually leads to blindness. There is no cure, but most blind cats adapt very well. A genetic test can identify cats with the PRA-b gene.

This condition can be a problem for some Bengals. The patella (kneecap) dislocates out of place and cause lameness. Treatment depends on the severity of the luxation, but mild cases may not need surgery. Severe cases will need surgical correction, but this can be expensive!

Pyruvate Kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited disease that affects various cat breeds, including Bengals. Affected cats show signs of mild anaemia which is usually manageable. A genetic test can identify cats that carry the gene for PK deficiency, if they test positive, they shouldn’t be used for breeding.

Quick Bengal Cat Q&A

Bengal cats are expensive and desirable, so watch out for thieves. Prices vary considerably, but on average a Pedigree Bengal kitten will cost around £1000. Buy your cat from a reputable breeder to make sure they’re healthy and don’t have any underlying conditions.

Microchipping is a great way to increase your chances of a happy reunion if your Bengal ever goes missing. Microchipping your cat is soon to become compulsory, so you will need to make sure your cat is microchipped before it’s 20 weeks old.

The average age of a healthy domestic cat in the UK is around 14 years old. The longevity of Bengals varies greatly, but they can live up to around 16 years of age. If your cat is fed a healthy diet, gets regular exercise, and sees the vet for regular health checks, your Bengal should live a long and happy life. 

Bengal cats love humans and are super friendly. They will also get on well with children and will even be happy around cat-friendly dogs if they’re introduced to them carefully. They’re not at all aggressive and will just want to play and chatter to you, and then snuggle on the sofa with you when they’ve finished playing. 

All cats shed their coat to a degree, but Bengal cats shed much less than a lot of other breeds due to their short, close-lying coat. This means you won’t need to worry about a furry sofa or having to get the vacuum cleaner out every five minutes!

That’s All You Need to Know About Bengals

Bengals are full of energy and can easily become bored! Sociable and intelligent, they enjoy company so may need a feline companion, to keep them entertained when you’re too busy to play with them. They love to climb, play with water and go hunting. With their short-haired coats, they’re easy to care for in the grooming department. But they can be a handful if they don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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