History:  

The California breed Jean Mill developed the breed by crossing an Asian Leopard cat in 1963. The cat has characteristics of the Asian Leopard, such as an energetic nature, spots, and a love of playing in water. 

In 1986, the International Cat Association accepted a Bengal cat. It was accepted in the TICA championship in 1991. The Government Council of the Cat Fancy also accepted the Bengal cat in 1997. The CFA registered a Bengal cat on February 7, 2016. 

Height: 35-42 cm 

Weight:  3-6 kg 

Size: Medium to large-sized 

Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years or more. 

Breed Appearance:  

Bengal cats are medium and large-sized cats. The height of the cat is 13 to 16 inches tall. Cats have a similar look to Asian leopards. They have heritable coat patterns such as ticked, mackerel, spotted, and blotched. Cats have soft fur to touch, providing a feeling a bit like bunny hair. 

They have lengthy legs, so they jump all the time. However, cats have short fur, so a brush is needed weekly to remove loose hair and dead skin cells. Additionally, cats have muscular bodies, and their standard eye colours are brown, yellow, green, and orange. 

Health & Care:

The lifespan of a Bengal cat is 12 to 16 years or more. They are healthy cats but can develop health issues, such as anaesthetic allergies, heart attacks, and eye problems. Cats are intelligent and energetic, so keep them happy with mental stimulation. In mental stimulation, engage them with other people, cats, children, and animals. Take them out in the garden to play. 

Also, while it is home, provide them with cat toys and rotate them every week so your cat does not get bored. Additionally, when caring for the cats, brush their coats weekly to keep them in top condition. Also, they love water, so bathe them daily, and regular tooth and nail care is essential for their healthy body and life. 

Living Conditions:

Bengal cats are social animals, so they need to interact with humans; otherwise, they feel anxious. If you are away from home for long hours, keep toys, one cat tree, and, if possible, another cat to play with so you don’t get anxious. 

Additionally, cats have a high prey drive and enjoy watching squirrels, birds, and other animals from inside the home. They love chattering at the window, installing a carpeted perch to give cats a comfortable viewing spot. Moreover, it is cat-like to show love and affection by curling up on your lap and snuggling up to you. 

Grooming: 

A Bengal cat's grooming requirements are less than others, as they have thin coats and hair. Despite that, they face a bit of shedding in the autumn season. During the autumn, to keep hair falling nil, brushing their hair with a quality slicker brush every week at once is essential. You can bathe a Bengal cat once every 2 or 3 months, but before bathing them, comb their hair so you can remove their mats and tangles effectively. Additionally, use good shampoo so cats don’t get infections on their skin. After applying shampoo, dry them with a cotton ball to clean their skin. 

Advantages:

• They have impressive traits that can make you laugh.
• The cat is intelligent enough to understand their mood changes. 
• It has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years or more. 
• Bengal cat shows affectation with active sit-on lap and snuggling. 

Disadvantages

• Bengal cats are social animals, so they need human interaction; without it, they feel anxious. 
• The cat is chatty. It makes a different noise.  In case a cat greets you, they chirp. 
• A Bengal cat is unsuitable if you like sitting at home because they have a high energy level and love to play.