How to Care for a Bengal Cat

The Bengal cat is a remarkable breed, a hybrid between the Asian Leopard Cat and domestic cats. They are celebrated for their stunning coat, inherited from their wild ancestor, the Asian leopard cat. However, their unique fur is not the only defining feature of this breed; they also possess distinct traits, such as an unusual love for water and a natural talent for climbing.

Feed your Bengal cat properly. Like any cat breed, it’s important to provide high-quality food, either wet (canned or pouch) or dry kibble. Follow the packaging instructions to determine the proper amount of food for your cat.

• Be cautious not to overfeed your Bengal. Check once a week to see if you can feel their ribs or see a distinct waistline. If you cannot feel the ribs, your cat may be overweight, and you should reduce their food by 10%. After a week, reassess their weight.

Provide water for your Bengal cat. You can fill a bowl with water or purchase an automatic water fountain from a pet store. If the store doesn't carry this item, you can find one online.

• If you don't want to buy an automatic water system, simply place a bowl of water and occasionally turn on the bathroom faucet to let your cat jump up and drink!
• Bengal cats absolutely love water. They enjoy playing with water and are attracted to flowing streams. They can spend hours playing with running water, leaving your floor wet. Therefore, it's a good idea to place their water bowl on a waterproof mat that can be easily cleaned if water spills out.
• Make sure to close the toilet lid. Bengal cats may see it as a mini water source and may dip their paws in to splash water everywhere.

Provide a covered litter box for your cat! Bengals appreciate their privacy when attending to their business. It's also a good idea to use a litter box with high sides. Bengal cats are capable of jumping up to three times their body height, so don’t hesitate to use a high-sided box.

• A high-sided litter box helps prevent your cat from making a mess outside the box. If the sides are too low, they might urinate around the box, creating a mess.
• If you'd like to train your Bengal cat to use the bathroom, it can be done easily when they are still young. Research litter training programs and begin when your Bengal is a kitten.

Don’t over-groom your Bengal cat. Bengal cats have sleek, glossy fur that doesn’t require much grooming. However, like other cats, if you start brushing your Bengal when they're young, they’ll enjoy the attention as they grow.

• Use a rubber grooming mitt to remove loose hair and maintain their shine.

Take your Bengal cat for regular check-ups. Just like any other breed, Bengal cats need regular healthcare to live a long and healthy life. When they are kittens, Bengals should be vaccinated, dewormed, spayed/neutered, and microchipped.

• Microchipping helps prove ownership in case your cat gets lost or stolen and increases the chances of being returned to you.
• Ensure that your veterinarian is experienced with Bengal cats, as not all vets are familiar with this breed’s specific needs.

Start vaccinations at six weeks of age for temporary protection. Repeat the process after 10 weeks, with the final vaccination given at 14 weeks. The veterinarian will administer basic vaccinations for viral diseases and rabies, as well as discuss vaccines for feline leukemia and chlamydia.

• Bengal cats tend to show resistance to the feline leukemia vaccine. The exact reason for this is not fully understood but is believed to be related to their wild ancestors, the Asian Leopard Cat. There is no evidence to suggest Bengal cats are particularly sensitive to this vaccine, and they do not experience serious complications from it.
• The ancestors of Bengals did not naturally develop immunity like some other breeds, so if they are not vaccinated, they could contract diseases. However, indoor Bengals are less likely to get feline leukemia due to their lower exposure to potential carriers.

Spay or neuter your cat. Your pet should be spayed or neutered between 5-6 months of age. However, some breeds, including Bengals, should be spayed or neutered before being adopted (around 12 weeks old) to prevent early breeding attempts.

Deworm your cat. Your pet should be dewormed at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks old using oral medications such as Panacur. Some effective products like Stronghold (UK) or Revolution (US) work for a month, so you should consider giving your Bengal a monthly dose starting at 6 weeks of age.

Learn about specific health issues in Bengal cats. This breed is at a higher risk for developing Peritonitis (FIP), which is relatively common and can spread in environments where more than five cats share a litter box. Sadly, breeding facilities are often places where the mutated coronavirus virus responsible for FIP can spread, leading to clinical infection.

• Currently, there is no prevention for FIP. Even if you try to strengthen your Bengal’s immunity with a healthy diet, you may not prevent them from contracting FIP later in life. Therefore, it’s best to avoid any potential risks.
• If you have a Bengal from a breeder with a history of FIP in their cats, avoid allowing your cats to share a litter box. The coronavirus that causes FIP spreads through feces, so the closer the cats are to the waste, the higher the risk.
• FIP typically affects Bengals under 12-18 months of age, causing high fever, loss of appetite, and fluid buildup in the abdomen. There is currently no treatment for this condition.
• Before adopting a Bengal kitten, ask the breeder about the FIP history in their breeding stock. If they openly admit to having FIP issues or inform you that the kittens have been affected, you should seek out another breeder.
• Other health issues include HCM (heart disease), PkDef (chronic anemia), and certain recessive genetic disorders that may lead to blindness in their first year. However, many breeders screen for these conditions, reducing the likelihood of these issues in your Bengal cat.
• In Sweden, Bengal cats have been reported to suffer from rhinitis. The scientific conclusion is that this skin condition is genetically inherited within the breed.

Consider purchasing pet insurance for your Bengal cat. You will need to pay an annual fee, but insurance provides significant benefits if your cat faces an emergency. It covers part of the cost depending on the policy, ensuring you don’t have to make treatment decisions based solely on financial factors.

Provide opportunities for your Bengal to climb. Bengals enjoy climbing, and the higher they go, the more they love it. If you don't have climbing equipment, they'll find their own spots, like curtains.

• A cat tree is an excellent solution with multiple levels and cushions. If possible, place one in each room. Position the tree near a window so your Bengal can climb up and watch birds for entertainment.

Keep your Bengal entertained to prevent mischief. Prepare plenty of toys, and play with them twice a day, each session lasting at least 10 minutes (or until they’re tired). Bengal cats are highly intelligent and active, so provide toys that simulate hunting behavior. Without proper stimulation, they’ll find other ways to entertain themselves, like destroying furniture.

• Bengals are very smart and can figure out how to open food cabinets or even the refrigerator. Make sure to secure cabinets containing harmful items (like cleaning supplies) or food storage with locks to keep your cat safe.

Play with your Bengal! Playing with your cat not only entertains both of you but strengthens your bond. Cats love attention and being happy. They also enjoy snuggling with you, so allow them to sleep beside you at night! Bengal cats typically live between 12 and 18 years, so spend time each day playing with your pet.

• Playtime is crucial for your Bengal. They love chasing moving objects. You can attach fur to a string and slowly drag it across the floor. This will make your Bengal think it’s a living creature. Move it slowly, shaking it back and forth until they pounce on it.

Help your Bengal connect with all family members. Bengals tend to focus on one person and ignore others. To prevent this, start when they’re young by ensuring every family member spends time playing with, feeding, and grooming them. This helps your Bengal become familiar with everyone.

• Consider getting another cat to keep your Bengal company. Bengals can be mischievous at night, so if you don’t want them disturbing your sleep, adding a second cat could help. The second cat doesn’t have to be the same breed; it can be a stray, a shelter cat, or a cat you already own.

• Bengal cats prefer drinking from a tap because, in the wild, they often drink from rivers and streams. Always leave the tap on if your cat needs to drink, so they feel at home!
• Consider neutering your Bengal cat! Unless you're a breeder or want to end up with 50 kittens, it's best to have them spayed or neutered.

• Make sure that Bengal cats are allowed in your area before adopting! If this breed is banned and you adopt one, it could lead to euthanasia. NEVER let this happen to any breed of cat.