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Bengal

Bengal

At a Glance

Known for their exotic looks yet attentive and loving nature, the Bengal is one of the most recognized breeds of cat. Bengals are very social and people-oriented and thrive in the company of other people. Find out more about this breed and if a Bengal is right for you and your family.

Breed History

Attending a cat show

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All About Cats

Printable Breed Introduction
Breed Standard
Pet Buyer’s Guide
Bengal-Full-Body
Temperament

Playful

Breed Seminar
Height/Weight Range

Bengals reach their full size by the age of 2

Adult females

Approximately 6-12 pounds

Adult males

Approximately 9-15 pounds

Life Expectancy

12 to 20 years depending on many factors including environment and nutrition.

Colors

Brown Tabby, Silver Tabby, Seal Lynx Point, Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby, Spotted, Marble, Charcoal Spotted or Charcoal Marble pattern.

Similar Breeds

Opposite Breeds

About The Breed

Loved by those who appreciate their inquisitive and loving nature, Bengal cats are a medium to large cat renowned for its richly colored, highly contrasted coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling. Originally developed from crosses between the domestic cats and the Asian Leopard Cat, the Bengal is the only domestic cat that can have rosettes like the markings on Leopards, Jaguars and Ocelots. Today’s domestic Bengal cat comes only from breeding Bengals to other Bengals and requires no specialized care.

Bengals are generally confident, curious and devoted companions. They get along well with other pets when properly introduced and enjoy being part of a family. Each Bengal is an individual and those interested should find out as much as they can about this wonderful breed before adding one to their family.

The goal of the Bengal breeding program is to create a domestic cat which has physical features distinctive to the small forest-dwelling wildcats, and with the loving, dependable temperament of the domestic cat. Keeping this goal in mind, judges shall give special merit to those characteristics in the appearance of the Bengal which are distinct from those found in other domestic cat breeds. A Bengal cat is an athletic animal, alert to its surroundings; a friendly, curious, confident cat with strength, agility, balance and grace. It is a medium to large cat which exhibits a very muscular and solid build. Its wide nose with prominent whisker pads and large oval, almost round eyes in a slightly small head enhance the wild appearance and expressive nocturnal look. Its very slight, to nearly straight, concave profile and relatively short ears with wide base and rounded tips add to the Bengal’s distinctive and unique appearance. The short, dense coat has a uniquely soft and silky feel. The coat may be glittered or not glittered, with neither type to be given preference. A thick, low-set, medium-length tail adds balance to the cat.

View Full Breed Standard

While extremely active, Bengal cats are also very affectionate and can be a “lap cat” whenever they choose. However, in general, their idea of fun is playing, chasing, climbing and investigating. They tend to save their cuddle time for when they want to sleep.

Constantly on the move, Bengals love climbing to high places. They can be trained to do many simple tricks with either food treats or clicker training, such as walking on a harness and leash and playing fetch with their families.

It is important that they aren’t left home alone for long periods of time. They do best with another cat or a small dog to keep them company.

TICA Regions, Clubs & Rescues

Want to connect with fellow cat lovers and those who love the same breed as you?
TICA is a large resource made up of smaller regions and clubs around the world.
Click here to find a club near you and contact information for your regional director and website.

Wherever you are, you’re in TICA’s world!®

Find a Kitten: TICA Breeders

The TICA website is the only place where you can find TICA member breeders who have signed the TICA Code of Ethics.

Find Bengal

Bengals are the only domestic cat with rosettes that resemble the markings on leopards, jaguars and ocelots.

Bengals are most noted for their luxurious short, soft coat which may appear in either the spotted or marble pattern. Some Bengal’s coats feature something called glitter, which imparts an iridescent sheen to each hair.

Breed Information & Characteristics

Loved by those who appreciate its inquisitive and loving nature, the Bengal is a medium to large cat renowned for its richly colored, highly contrasted coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling. Originally developed from crosses between the domestic cats and the Asian Leopard Cat, the Bengal is the only domestic cat that can have rosettes like the markings on Leopards, Jaguars and Ocelots. Today’s domestic Bengal cat comes only from breeding Bengals to other Bengals and requires no specialized care.

Throughout history, there are indications of a profound human fascination with the large and small wild felines that inhabit the jungles and forest of the world. In 1963, Jean S. Mill crossed the domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat, a spotted five to twelve pound shy wild cat species from Asia. This was the first effort to use hybrid offspring to create a breed of domestic cat with the loving nature of a favored fireside tabby and the striking look associated with Leopards, Ocelots and Jaguars. The modern Bengal breed traces to cats bred by Mrs. Mill beginning in the early 1980’s. The breed’s name is a reference to the scientific name of the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis. The hybrid crosses are registered as Foundation (F1, 2G & 3G) Bengals that are not eligible for show and only the females are used for breeding.

Accepted as a new breed in TICA in 1986, Bengals gained championship status in 1991. They are now one of the most frequently exhibited breeds in TICA. An enthusiastic group of breeders around the world have successfully fulfilled the goal of creating a docile, civilized house cat that wears the richly patterned coat of the jungle cats and has some of the arresting features that have inspired and aroused humanity for centuries.

Breed History

While you can train a Bengal to have “good manners”, they are an active, inquisitive cat that loves to be up high. If you don’t like a cat to leave the floor, a Bengal is probably not the right cat for you. Bengals are busy by nature. They are very affectionate and can be a “lap cat” whenever THEY want to be, but in general their idea of fun is playing, chasing, climbing and investigating. When a Bengal is in full play mode, it’s rather like trying to hold on to running water! They’ll often save the cuddle time for when they want to sleep. Many Bengals enjoy water and may join you in brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Some Bengals are vocal while others are more quiet and selective about using their voice.

Bengals will also, in general, ALWAYS want to be where you are. After all, that’s where the action is! And Bengals are all about “The Action”. When given the choice of a static toy, and one that does wild, unpredictable things, Bengals will always choose the “wild” one! For individuals or families who enjoy rambunctious, funny, beautiful and dynamic feline companionship, consider the Bengal.

The Bengal is most noted for it luxurious short, soft coat which may appear in either the spotted or marble pattern. Some Bengal’s coats feature something called glitter which imparts an iridescent sheen to each hair. The spotted pattern is most associated with the “leopard look” as the coat features clearly discernible spots and rosettes. The Bengal’s spots can be large or small and often include rosettes, like the spots of Jaguars and Leopards, which are two- toned spots. Bengals may also be marbled, which is a derivative of the classic or “bull’s eye” pattern found in many breeds of cats but with an especially dramatic appearance in Bengals. The marbled Bengal has a swirling pattern that appears as random swirls or thick diagonal and horizontal lines flowing across the coat of the cat.

The most popular color of the Bengal is the brown/black tabby, a lackluster description for coats that can be anywhere from a cool grey to vibrant shades of golden, bronze, copper or mahogany with spots or marbling ranging from rich browns to intense black. Bengals also come in a range of colors associated with a form of albinism, called “snow” by breeders, that indicates Siamese and Burmese ancestry. In these colors the coat appears ivory, cream or light tan with spots or marbling that may range from light brown to dark chocolate and the eye color is blue to aqua. Silver Bengals have grey to nearly white backgrounds with dark grey to black patterns. Also distinctive about the Bengal’s coloring is that they may have nearly white undersides and facial markings that still show the tabby pattern.

Bengals are medium to large cats, from 6-15 pounds, with males generally being larger than females. A healthy Bengal is well muscled and has an appearance that depicts its athleticism. Bengals are balanced cats and none of its physical features should appear exaggerated or especially pronounced.

Bengals are generally confident, curious and devoted companions. They get along well with other pets when properly introduced and enjoy being part of a family. Each Bengal is an individual and those interested should find out as much as they can about this wonderful breed before adding one to their family.

TICA breeders should test for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (the most common heart disease in all domestic cats), provide genetic testing for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and PK-deficiency (Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency). Note: Bengals are commonly misdiagnosed with Intestinal Bowel Disease. An appropriate high protein diet and proper testing for parasites can clear any real issues.

Shorthaired Bengals don’t require much grooming as their short hair results in little shedding. Most cats shed a winter coat in the spring, so brushing with something like a Zoom Groom brush is good. Providing a chew toy helps with keeping the teeth clean as do chicken sticks, strips or chunks of meat. Monthly nail trimming is recommended.

Longhair Bengals require daily grooming with a comb or brush.

Similar to any cat, Bengals require proper protein and nutrients. A high-quality diet is recommended. As with any cat, after altering (spaying/neutering), they have a greater tendency to become overweight. Owners should be aware of both the quality and quantity of foods being fed. Most breeders would recommend avoiding “free feeding” of adult cats. Bengals also do well on a raw diet. Freeze dried raw diets are available at most pet stores.

As with all cats, it is important to give your cat fresh, clean water daily. Fresh, clean water is best, so cats don’t hesitate to drink. If you worry about your cat drinking enough water each day, here’s a tip from some cat behaviorists: place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats’ noses are sensitive, and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less. Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl.

Bengal (SH/LH) Breed Committee (7)

Name Email
Chair: Robyn Patersonsolanaranchbengals@gmail.com
Steven Corneillestevencorneille@aol.com
Sami Kerrsamanthakerr@akerrsbengals.com
Jessica Petraslibertybengals@gmail.com
Irene Van Belzenivbelzen@xs4all.nl
Kathy Shawkhatti1@gmail.com
Kelli Faramkelli@cheetahsdenbengals.com

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