Bengal cats are one of the most sought-after felines in the world. Many people find them irresistible due to their beautiful coats and elegant, outgoing personalities.
These domesticated felines have an average weight of between ten and fifteen pounds, a round body shape, and love to form bonds with humans, other cats, and dogs.
Born as purebreds by crossing spotted Egyptian Mau with Asian leopard cat breeds, Bengal cats are perfect for those who want a self-sufficient pet that can amuse itself when left alone for long periods of time.
The popularity of this breed came about largely because they had high levels of intelligence, which allowed them to be trained. They are super playful and love affection and are the perfect mix of smart, affectionate, and energetic.
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How much does a Bengal cat cost?
You can expect to pay between $500 and $3,000. Prices are higher for the kittens, especially kittens that have their pedigrees verified.
They are one of the more expensive cat breeds that you can purchase.
An older adult can work out less expensive because they might be a retired breeding cat, and they no longer need to produce litters.
Are Bengal Cats Rare
Bengal cats are not rare at all. Some people think they are rare, but it’s really just down to the cost, which is a big factor. So generally don’t commonly see them, which I think gives people a misunderstanding that they are rare.
When Bengals were first bred, they were rare, but that is no longer the case.
Over 2000 Bengal cat breeders operate in the U.S., according to TICA
In 1992, there were 125 breeders. The reason for this staggering growth is that people are breeding this cat for profit. Many new pet parents choose Bengal cats.
Bengal cats: legal, but rare
Bengal cats are not legal in all areas, which holds back their population growth.
A few states don’t allow Bengals to breed or own at all; others regulate them more heavily than other breeds.
Because of these legal barriers, the breed is slightly rarer.
What you need to know about Bengal breeding
Breeders have incredibly high standards, making the selection of Bengal cats relatively small. Many Catteries work hard to ensure they are not inbreeding or inbreeding too closely. There have been many examples of this which that understand and avoid these potential problems.
Cat breeders choosing to avoid inbreeding have even fewer options when it comes to selecting breeding partners.
The Bengal breeding community is still relatively small, so breeders are limited in their choices of the cats that they can choose to breed with.
Many breeders actively research the gene pool to make sure that they keep healthy, diverse bloodlines and avoid inbreeding.
Breeders are also motivated to keep Bengals rare because of their high care cost. Many catteries, particularly young, small catteries, will not survive if pet buyers want to treat their cats as commodities. The price of a Bengal must be high enough to support the breeder’s business and still provide a healthy profit for the breeder.
They are also generally more expensive since responsible catteries have invested a lot in the care of their kittens.
The cattery will usually spay/neuter its cats before giving a kitten to its forever home.
Kittens will sometimes need extra work with socialization, and they may need frequent veterinary care during their first few weeks. Although the cattery will have done some work with little training and obedience, you still might need to work on some of this fundamental training for them.
Where To Buy A Bengal Cat
The first thing you need to concern yourself about is making sure you purchase from a reputable breeder.
You are not going to just pop along to your local pet store and find one. But, they may be able to guide you to any breeders that they are aware of.
You also need to ensure that the cattery has a really good reputation in regards to the health of their cats.
Much like with people, there are going to be a few bad apples in the bunch.
You need to ensure that you are not getting your hands on a cat that has been passed around by the local animal shelters due to bad behavior or health fears.
In order to be considered responsible, catteries work closely with a vet to make sure all their animals are healthy.
In this case, the care of all the animals is in the hands of an expert.
This should give you a sense of security and feel confident that their animals have been taken care of.
How Can I Buy A Bengal Cat
If you are interested in finding a breeder near your area, go to the local animal shelter or cat rescue organization.
If you found one, ask them if they have any kittens available for sale at this time.
You might be able to reserve one from an up-and-coming litter.
Most breeders will require a deposit. Just have a quick look at the terms conditions to ensure if there any issues, you can get a full refund.
Don’t forget to make sure it is a reputable breeder before you make your deposit.
You can easily find a breeder online, but be careful because there are people who will scam you.
It’s also nice to build up a good relationship with the breeder because if you are unlucky in securing a kitten the first time around, you could always go to them to get a second chance.
What To Know When Buying A Bengal Cat
If you are looking to purchase a purebred Bengal cat as a pet, there are some important things that you must consider first.
1. A high-maintenance cat
Yep, this is completely true; they can be very high maintenance in the beginning. I’m sure during your research, you have come across people mentioning that they have a very strong bond with their family members.
While this is true, it can also be very overwhelming for the cat and the family as well.
It’s very interesting when you begin to realize it can be like owning a dog instead of a cat simply because they will follow you around the house and look for a lot of attention at times.
They like to be involved with what you’re doing at the time. They tend to bond stronger with one person, and their bond can be very strong.
2. How to tell if your Bengal is an F1, an F2, or even higher
As we have said already, the Bengal is an intelligent breed that was created through crossbreeding, which essentially means that they are 50% Asian Leopard and 50% domestic cat.
A Bengal will usually appear in advertisements with him an “F” designation for this cross, and you should know what that means.
An F2 cross is a result of breeding two F1 crosses and an F3 for the next generation, so the lower the “F” number, the closer the cat is to its wild heritage.
The generation of a Bengal can be important for various reasons. A crossbred Bengal cat might have more wild traits than an F1 that are harder to predict and control.
The closer he is to an F1, the less expensive he will be, but the more complicated it is to find him a new home because his offspring, on average, will have less predictable traits.
3. A Bengal is a lively, energetic breed of cat
Oh boy! are they energetic, they love the attention of their owners, and they will bounce around with the energy of a young child. They are a very social animal that loves human company and affection.
You might be woken up in the middle of the night with them leaping on you to demand attention, racing around the house chasing imaginary prey, or biting your toes.
So be prepared for a wonderful experience of fun and affection, an amazing personality trait, but also make sure that you are ready to accept the responsibility of owning such a clever and energetic animal.
