Part wild cat
The breed began in the 1960s and 70s from crosses between pet cats and the small, spotted Asian leopard cat.
Short-haired cats · A lot of time and space
Bengal
Pedigree breed · from the United States
A muscular, golden cat marked like a leopard with dark rosettes and spots, and a ringed tail.
- Size
- About 30cm at the shoulder; 4 to 7kg
- Lives for
- 12 to 16 years
- Suits
- Active homes with space to climb
Prowls after you like a small leopard. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the bengal
A coat that glitters
Many have a sheen on the fur as if it had been dusted with gold.
It likes water
Bengals often play in running taps, paddle in the bath and fish in ponds.
A climber
It will reach the top of any cupboard, door or curtain.
Rosettes
It is the only pet cat with rosettes: spots with a darker rim, like a leopard's or a jaguar's.
Never still
It needs far more play and attention than most cats, and is very good at opening doors.
The real thing
Photos of the bengal
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
Looking after one
It needs tall climbing frames, puzzle feeders and a lot of play every day. Many owners build a secure outdoor run.
Before you get one
A bored Bengal can be destructive, and is a skilled hunter of wildlife. This is a cat for someone who wants a project.
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