Despite their exotic, wild looks, Bengals are affectionate and loyal. They love playtime and exploring the corners of your house, and they’ll always come running for pats and cuddles.
Personality and temperament
Bengals are the bold adventurers of the feline world. These cute, mini leopards love climbing and exploring, which suits their ‘wild’ appearance perfectly. At heart, though, Bengals are affectionate and make playful housemates. They tend to form deep connections with their human family and will ‘chat’ or become vocal when they’re happy. Bengals want to be included in all the action of the household, and some even embrace water and may join you in the bath (whether you like it or not).
Size and appearance
Exotic and wild, Bengals look like they’ve just walked out of the jungle. Their long, leaner bodies are built for action, with large hind legs and an athletic appearance. A medium to large breed, Bengals are famous for their short, dense coat, featuring a shimmery shine, known as a glittered coat. They have one of two distinct pattens; a spotted (or rosetted) marking or a marbled pattern. It’s thought that no two Bengals look the same.
History
Dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, these lively cats were created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat (a small, spotted wild cat native to Asia) with a domestic cat. The idea was to create an exotic-looking feline with the temperament and traits of a domestic cat. With their shimmery coats and spotted coats, it’s not surprising these street-smart wildlings were an instant hit with cat breeders. Due to concerns over their wild genetics, however, Australia has banned imports of all Bengals and New Zealand Bengal owners need a permit and are restricted to the main islands.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
Although Bengals are generally an active athletic breed, they can be prone to the following hereditary and lifestyle health conditions:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a genetic heart condition)
- Inherited eye diseases, including progressive vision loss
- Patellar luxation (dislocating kneecap)
- Feline stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth and gums)
- Dental disease
Regular vet check-ups and care can help manage these conditions and keep your Bengal healthy.
Food and exercise
These high-energy, natural athletes need a nutrient and protein-rich diet to fuel their active lifestyles. A mix of good quality wet food, where the main ingredient is meat, and dry food is best – avoid overfeeding as they will eat out of boredom. Bengals are playful and intelligent and will love daily playtime that includes mental simulation. They love climbing trees and tunnels, and some Bengals even like outdoor walks with a harness.
Grooming and maintenance
Bengals are very low-maintenance. Their short coats rarely tangle or mat, and they tend to have a natural shine.
How to groom your Balinese
- Coat type: short, dense, soft coat
- Fur: brush weekly with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: check weekly for dirt or wax build-up
- Eyes: wipe gently with a soft cloth if needed
Training and space requirements
These spotted beauties are one of the most trainable cat breeds in the world due to their intelligence. They can be trained to use a harness, learn commands and even fetch with consistent, positive reinforcement. Keep training sessions short and make them interesting – these furry housemates love learning but get bored easily.
Bengals can adapt to smaller spaces as long as there are lots of opportunities to climb and explore, but they will thrive in larger homes where they can roam freely. These felines love outdoor ‘catios’ or access to secure outdoor spaces, as well as constantly changing climbing trees and climbing challenges.
Best suited for…
Despite their wild genes, Bengals love being cozy and hanging with their humans. They suit families (especially with older kids) or those with the time and energy to keep up with their furry housemate’s antics and their need to scale every piece of furniture in the house.
