Bengal

Average Height

30 - 38 cm

Average Weight

4 - 7kg

Expected Lifespan

10 - 15 years

A Touch of the Wild at Home

At first glance, the Bengal cat looks like it has just stepped out of the jungle, with its sleek, leopard-like spots and wild elegance. But do not be fooled by its exotic appearance. Beneath that stunning coat lies a gentle, affectionate, and very much domestic companion. Bengals are living proof that you can have the beauty of the wild with the heart of a family pet.

The Bengal is a true breeding marvel. This breed began as a cross between the small, exotic Asian Leopard Cat and the everyday domestic tabby. The idea was to combine the striking beauty of a wild feline with the gentle, trainable nature of a house cat. The result was a success, producing cats that kept their dazzling appearance but with the loving, playful temperament that makes them wonderful companions.

Bengals are athletic, muscular, and endlessly curious. They are the adventurers of the cat world, with energy to spare and a love for climbing, leaping, and exploring every nook and cranny of the home. Do not be surprised if your Bengal spends its time perched on the highest shelf, surveying its kingdom. To keep them happy, you will need to provide toys, climbing trees, and plenty of mental stimulation. Without enough activity, Bengals can become mischievous, knocking things from counters or scratching furniture to keep themselves entertained.

Despite their high energy, Bengals are affectionate and form strong bonds with their families. They love being near their humans, although on their own terms, and are not shy about making their feelings known. These cats are famously vocal and will happily “chat” with their owners throughout the day. Confident and outgoing, they adapt well to children, often treating them as just another playmate. However, smaller pets such as birds or rabbits are at risk around this natural hunter, so Bengals are best suited to households without such companions.

Bringing a Bengal into your life means welcoming an intelligent, playful, and strikingly beautiful cat that will keep you entertained and on your toes. They combine the allure of the wild with the affection of a family pet, creating a companion that is as unforgettable as their glittering coat.

The Bengal Anatomy

Head

Skull is broad and slightly longer than wide. Ears are medium to small in size, with a rounded tip. Muzzle is broad with high cheekbones. Bridge of nose extends above the eyes. Eyes are slightly oval and large.

Body

Neck is thick and muscular. Body is muscular and long. Front legs are of medium length and back legs are slightly longer than the front. Paws are round and large, with prominent knuckles. Tail is thick with rounded tip, size is in proportion to the body. Coat is short, dense, silky and soft.

The Bengal Coat and Colours

All tabbies have the same distinctive features, M-shaped marking on their forehead and line leading from the outer corner of each eye. May be one of four patterns; mackerel, spotted, ticked or classic. Mackerel is identified by thin stripes that run parallel down the body. Spotted is identified by spots on the body, can appear to be broken mackerel stripes. Ticked is identified by multiple colour bands on each hair of the body. Classic is identified by bold, swirling patterns across the sides.

  • Brown tabby
  • Blue tabby
  • Black silver tabby
  • Blue silver tabby
  • Brown charcoal tabby
  • Black silver charcoal tabby
  • Blue charcoal tabby
  • Blue silver charcoal tabby
  • Chocolate tabby
  • Lilac tabby
  • Fawn tabby
  • Seal mink tabby
  • Blue mink tabby
  • Seal silver mink tabby
  • Blue silver mink tabby
  • Seal sepia tabby
  • Blue sepia tabby
  • Seal silver sepia tabby
  • Blue silver sepia tabby

This is more of a solid colour that shows ghost tabby markings. In kittens the pattern is more visible, in adults it appears more solid.

  • Black melanistic
  • Blue melanistic
  • Seal melanistic
  • Seal mink melanistic
  • Seal sepia melanistic
  • Blue point melanistic
  • Blue mink melanistic
  • Blue sepia melanistic

This coat has ghost tabby markings which run horizontally. All colours have a whitish underbelly.

  • Seal mink smoke
  • Blue mink smoke
  • Seal sepia smoke
  • Blue sepia Smoke
  • Black smoke
  • Blue smoke

Some Bengal Traits

Friendliness
Trainability
Energy
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Sensitivity
Bengal on purple background

Discover More Breeds