The Bengal cat is one of the most famous cat breeds, as it is a marvel in the world of domestic animals. With its unique beauty, it reflects the charm and elegance of nature. It has characteristics and features that helped it leave its mark on the hearts of cat lovers.
The Bengal cat has gained wide international popularity due to its distinctive appearance, which somewhat resembles that of a wild tiger. However, he has a remarkable calmness that makes him an ideal companion for every family that wants to raise domestic cats.
The most important information related to the cute Bengal cat, its history, features, diet, how to take care of it, and many other details.
In this article in TekeTrek Website, we will introduce you to the most important information related to this object. Follow along with us.
About Bengal cat
- Firstly, it must be pointed out that the Bengal cat is a hybrid cat that was produced by chance. An Asian leopard cat mated with a domestic cat in the United States of America. Which led to it appearing like a leopard’s skin while having the characteristics of a domestic cat.
- It should be noted that this cat derives its name from the Latin name for the wild cat (Asian leopard cat). Which was known as Felis bengalensis (Prionailurus bengalensis). Knowing that the main goal behind developing the local Bengal cat breed was to achieve similarity with the behavior of domestic animals and the physical strength of the attractive wild cat.
Bengal cat specifications
- The Bengal cat has soft, dense fur, trimmed in varying shades of gold, silver, and brown.
- The Bengal cat has round colored eyes, the most common being orange, yellow and green.
- The Bengal cat has small ears with brown straight lines interspersed between them.
- The skull is located behind the ears, where it takes a gentle curve to the neck.
- The Bengal cat is about one and a half feet long.
- Its weight does not exceed 7 kg.
- It is unique from others in that it has longer back legs than the front ones with strong muscles.
- The Bengal cat has a long neck, in addition to a bushy tail
The most important characteristics of the Bengal cat
The Bengal cat has a range of characteristics that make it expensive. It is distinguished from other cat breeds. The most important of these features:
- The Bengal cat is distinguished by its great love for interacting and playing with others, as it has a lively personality.
- The Bengal cat has luxurious and beautiful fur, similar to that of the Bengal tiger
- The Bengal cat has a high level of intelligence and is capable of learning quickly. It can be trained on simple commands and movements
- The Bengal cat is distinguished by its great love for playing in the water
- The Bengal cat has a cheerful and friendly personality with all family members. He may like to participate with them in daily activities
- The Bengal cat has a strong physique
- It is also distinguished by its special voice, which is somewhat similar to the voice of a tiger
- The Bengal cat is considered very suitable for cat lovers who suffer from fur allergies, as it is characterized by its lack of hair loss.
- He has great flexibility that makes him able to jump to high levels
Types of Bengal cats
We can distinguish between two main types of Bengal cats:
1- The usual Bengal cat (Marbled Bengal):
- The typical Bengal cat is characterized by the presence of a cross-stitch pattern on the fur covering it. These stitches appear in the form of wavy or transverse zigzag lines on the body. In addition, some of them are distinguished by the presence of small spots that can be observed in certain areas.
2- Spotted Bengal cat:
- The Bengal spotted cat is characterized by scattered and irregular spots on its fur. These spots appear as small rectangles, circles, or irregular spots. It is worth noting that these spots can be multi-colored and are clearly visible on the background of the fur.
It should be noted that there are some other subtypes of the Bengal cat, such as the Clouded Bengal: which has fur covered in a large cloud pattern. In addition to the Marbled Bengal cat: which is characterized by the presence of interlocking stitches and regular spots.
Diseases that the Bengal cat suffers from
We can say that the Bengal cat has few diseases and is in good health. But like other animals, it suffers from health problems that can be summarized as follows:
1- Distal neuropathy
- Bengal cats may develop distal polyneuropathy early in life. Especially the first year. It is a disorder of the nervous system that may be cured without any medical intervention.
2- Flat chest syndrome
- It is a deformity affecting the chest, which may be mild or severe. It usually appears when kittens reach adulthood.
3- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- It is one of the types of heart disease that affects the Bengal cat. Knowing that it is hereditary in some breeds.
4- Patella dislocation
- Patellar luxation is a hereditary disease that affects the kneecap, and it can be mild or severe. Fortunately, surgery can be performed to relieve severe cases.
5- Hip dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia is a disease that, in severe cases, can cause lameness.
6- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Also known as Bengal PRA. It is one of the degenerative diseases that affect the retina. Which may lead to gradual loss of vision or blindness.
The diseases to which the Bengal cat is exposed are not limited to what we mentioned previously, but it may also suffer from cancer of the lymphatic tissue, digestive system diseases, feline urinary tract disease, chronic kidney failure, red blood cell deficiency, in addition to pancreatitis and many other diseases
Bengal cat food
If you want to own a Bengal cat, you must pay great attention to its nutrition by working to provide high-quality food. It contains various necessary nutrients:
- Providing dry foods rich in essential nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
- Make sure to provide daily meals that include balanced proportions of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy.
- You should avoid foods with artificial ingredients and avoid feeding him human foods.
- It is preferable to provide animal proteins more than plant proteins
Reproduction in the Bengal cat
- The appropriate periods for mating a Bengal cat vary depending on several factors such as: health, genetics, physical development, and age. But usually, he is ready to mate when he reaches the age of 8/12 months. Knowing that female Bengal cats reach sexual maturity after puberty. Which is also known as (the hot period). It usually occurs every 3-4 weeks. As for males, they are able to mate at any time when they have a sexual desire.
- It should be noted that the necessary vaccinations and health factors must be taken into account before mating. It is preferable to consult a specialist veterinarian in order to determine the appropriate timing for marriage. In all cases, it is preferable to begin mating activities after the female’s physical development is complete.
FAQ about the Bengal cat
There are many common questions that users have about the Bengal cat, and we will try to provide comprehensive answers to them:
- Is the Bengal cat ferocious?
The Bengal cat is an active and curious type of cat that prefers to be high.
- What are the characteristics of the Bengal cat?
The Bengal cat is a playful, intelligent and lively cat.
- Is Bengal cat friendly?
Yes, Bengal cats are very friendly and closely to her people.
- Do Bengal cats get sick easily?
Bengal cats are prone to GI upsets.
In the end, we have concluded that owning a Bengal cat with its unique characteristics is not just an option, but rather an investment that fills your daily life with joy and pleasure. It will add more beauty to it. You will also find a loyal friend and an integral part of your small family
