4 Surprising Things You Did Not Know About Bengal Cats
PetSmart and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network sponsor this post. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the launch of Natural Balance products at PetSmart. Still, Miss Millennia Magazine only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.
My boyfriend, Chris, and I recently decided to add a new addition to our family—our cat family, that is. We already own a Russian Blue named Katniss and decided to get a more exotic breed this time around. We purchased a Bengal cat named Suki about three months ago. Turns out, there is a lot to learn about Bengal cats!
Suki is a sweet, anlovable house cat. She loves to climb, often enjoys playing in water, sleeps in my lap when I work, adores Katniss, and has quickly worked her way into our hearts. I mean, look at how cute she is!
If you are unfamiliar with the breed, the Bengal cat is a cross between a domestic cat, the Ocicat, and the Wild Asian Leopard cat. That is where they get those marble patterns!
About Bengal Cats
Bengal cats are more than domestic versions of their larger jungle cousins. They have a variety of coat colors to choose from. It is important to remember that there are only three primary breed-accepted colors: Brown, Silver, and Snow. The coat patterns can be either spotted or marbled coats within each color category.
Bengal cats with spotted coats are the most popular. Two-tone rosette markings, huge and random ones, are highly sought after and also known as house cats that resemble mini leopards.
Marbled coat patterns are derived from swirling blotched tabby stripes. Marble Bengal cats are attractive when they have a horizontal flow, a random pattern, and an asymmetrical pattern. The first Marbled Bengal was born in 1987 by Jean Mill (Millwood Cattery).
In terms of Bengal pet health, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and progressive retinal atrophy are significant concerns. If exposed, they can also contract feline leukemia. Additionally, testing Bengal Cats before they breed is necessary to prevent PK-deficient cats from mating. It is a test that breeders must do on their own.
If you plan to breed cats, you may want to check the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). It is one of the last organizations to accept Bengal cats into their registries and currently hosts the world’s largest database of pedigreed cats.
However, I have learned in the few months that we’ve owned Suki that there is more to domestic Bengal cats than we knew about before getting her. Please review my list of items. I bet you didn’t know about Bengal cats either.
1. They have a ton of energy
One thing that initially surprised me about Suki was her energy level.
I knew we should play with her daily. However, it turns out that she needs at least 30 minutes of playtime each day to be tired at night. Otherwise, she will keep us up all night meowing.
Bengal cats need to play to expend all their energy, or else they can become destructive. On days when we didn’t play with her, not only was she loud at night, but she also attempted to take her frustrations out on our feet, the curtains, and Katniss (playfully, of course).
2. They are brilliant
Another thing we quickly realized about Suki was her intelligence. We first discovered this when we noticed how quickly she could learn new things. She quickly learned how to get up on our very tall bed without jumping (since she is still so small) and how quickly she can pick things up.
We got her the cat puzzle toy below, and I’ve seen her solve the entire thing in as little as ten minutes.
3. They have more of a howl than a meow
Suki’s meow is a funny one. While I do not have hers on video myself, I figured I’d share how much different it is from a regular meow. The first time I heard her do this, I thought she was hurting or something. Later I realized, this is how Bengals meow…or should I say Me-howl!
4. Bengals should have a grain-free diet
This is actually a valuable fact for any cat owner, not just those with Bengals. A diet free from grains for cats or kittens can reduce the risk of ailments such as diabetes, allergies, or obesity.
Bengals are also known for having Bengal gut, which basically means they produce the stinkiest feces imaginable. While this is not the norm for Suki, she does have a very sensitive stomach. When she strays away from her regular food, we pay for it with the smell.
Luckily, Natural Balance Pet Foods® has a Limited Ingredient Diet, which makes it easy on Suki’s Belly. PetSmart® now sells Natural Balance, so getting Suki the best cat food means not having to go far for quality.
Shop Natural Balance Pet Foods® at PetSmart® here!
I love Natural Balance since they have an unparalleled selection of high-quality pet products.
You can choose between wet or dry food, and Suki and Katniss love them both. Suki really loves the freeze-dried meat pieces she finds. Overall, my cats are healthy and happy with this brand.
I am confident that there are many more things I will learn about my Bengal cat, Suki, as time progresses, but one thing I can say is that there is nothing like having an exotic pet. Suki is charming, and she’s a lot of fun to play with. If I had to choose again, I would definitely pick a Bengal. They are the best!
