The Bengal cat appeared as a result of crossing a domestic cat and a wild Far Eastern cat (lat. Prionailurus bengalensis). Something gray and nondescript could not come out of such a union. They differ in character and appearance from the beloved domestic purrs, but this does not mean that they are wild and dangerous. No, they are homey and smart, but they can be persistent if you don't give them what they need.
Playful, with a musical voice, they are nevertheless not suitable for every person and carefully evaluate the strengths and capabilities before buying such a cat. And from the article you will learn what habits this cat has, advantages, disadvantages, history of origin and how to care for it.
Why does a cat come to the door and meow?
If the cat meows
under the door, this may indicate that she wants to escape. Most often, pets persistently wait for the opportunity to slip out into the street. This behavior can result in the animal becoming lost, injured, infected with parasites, or exposed to other risks.
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Do Bengal cats love water?
Despite the common idea that cats don't like water, many Bengal cat believe that their cats love to play in the water. This feeling of comfort in the water may come as a surprise to those who didn't expect it from their feline friend. Since this is a more common Bengal trait that is so uncommon in cats, let's take a closer look at it through the following topics:
- Maybe it's just kittens playing?
- Why are Bengals so interested in water?
- How can I help my Bengal play safely in the water?
Maybe it's just kittens playing?
Kittens do grow out of their strange habits as they get older, but more often than not, if a Bengal kitten likes water when young, this trait will continue as an adult. Bengals' interest in water is rarely just a kitten habit as they grow and the interest remains.
They rarely grow out of it, as some kittens with their strange features do. A Bengal kitten that loves to play in the water will likely continue to love the water when it reaches adulthood.
Why are Bengals usually interested in water?
Availability of fresh water is generally important for Bengals, and it can also prevent the pet from getting into trouble when seeking water from other sources. Bengals can still find their own water sources, such as a bathtub or kitchen sink, fountain, bathtub, or shower.
Cat fountains are especially useful when you live with a Bengal who loves to play in the water. Not only does it provide the cat with a source of water, but it also combines a place for Bengals to play in the water, so it's a real source of fun for cats.
Not all Bengals want to get wet or will be happy to find themselves in a bathtub of water, but many will manage to join their owner in the shower, dive into a water bowl, or check out their human's pool.
Bengal owners who enjoy water quickly cease to be surprised by their cat's love of water. We have many examples on our site of Bengals' interest in water, where they jump into the bath or shower with or without a person and put the lives of their fish brothers and sisters at risk.
However, an interest in water does not mean that Bengals will happily dive into a deep pool. But sticking their paw into a bowl of water and moving it around the surface is much more likely to show their interest in water.
This habit comes from the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) in their ancestry. The Bengal cat does the same thing as ALC - they stick their paws into the pond and wave them to clear the surface of dirt before drinking.
How can I help my Bengal play safely in the water?
Remember, just because Bengals may like water, it doesn't mean they need to be washed frequently!
The best way to care for your Bengal coat is by brushing it weekly to remove dead hair and skin, distributing oils throughout the coat. They rarely need to be bathed, even if they want to.
This doesn't mean you can't fill a bathtub or basin with water for some sparkler play. Simply pour a few inches of water into the bath when your Bengal has behaved well and has earned some treats or has too much pent-up energy that needs to be released.
It is also very important to maintain a hot bath if the Bengals in the house like to play in the water or in the bathtub. Making sure your Bengal cat can't get burned by hot water will save its owner a trip to the vet and an upset pet.
Making sure the toilet seat is down before leaving the bathroom will save the owner from having a wet, unhappy kitten fall into the toilet.
A Bengal kitten that shows an interest in water will likely continue this habit as it ages. So for most Bengals, if they are going to show an interest in water, it will start at a young age. Providing your Bengal kitten with options for safe water play from an early age can also help ensure an interest in water that will continue as the kitten gets older.
So, what do you think about Bengal kittens in the water? Do you agree with what has been said here? Leave a comment below to let us know!
How to bathe a kitten so that it is not afraid?
To accustom your pet to bathing, it is better to start procedures from an early age. At 2 months, the baby can be bathed for the first time (without using shampoo), but veterinarians advise postponing this manipulation until 4 months. Bathing a very tiny baby will wash away the postpartum lubricant that protects it from infections. It can also interrupt the kitten’s natural scent, and the cat will refuse it.
At 3–4 months, as a rule, the baby is separated from his mother, so he can more easily endure the stress of immersion in water. Not every animal can get used to being washed, but the owner must be patient and follow the basic recommendations:
- Introduce the kitten to the basin - it should not cause him fear. The baby should be placed in the container before pouring water into it. Let your pet sit in it, smell it, and get used to it.
- The animal is taken out of the basin, water is poured at a temperature of 38–40°C to a depth of 5–7 cm. The pet is placed in water, held tightly by hand and talked to in a calm, even voice.
- The kitten's head is quickly wetted, making sure that the liquid does not get into the ears and nose. The shampoo is thoroughly washed off, since its residue on the fur can harm the animal. The procedure time should be kept to a minimum. During the process, the pet is petted to calm it down.
Description
These mini leopards, with their sleekness, flexibility and spotted coloring, are a stark reminder that cats were wild 9,500 years ago.
And this wildness haunts people; they try again and again to create a domestic cat that will resemble a wild one. Judge for yourself: Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Pixie Bob, Savannah Bengal.
These are developed, large athletes, their bodies are long, but not of the oriental type. Developed muscles (especially in cats) are one of the distinctive features of the breed. The legs are also muscular, of medium length, the hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones.
The neck is long and appears thick, but is in proportion to the body. The head is in the form of a modified wedge, with rounded contours, rather long than wide and looks small in relation to the body.
The eyes are oval-shaped, almost round, large. Eye color can range from gold, green to blue in point cats. The richer and deeper it is, the better.
The ears are small, short, wide at the base and rounded at the tips, set at the edges of the head.
Luxurious coat of medium to short length, close to the body, dense, but surprisingly soft and silky. Bright markings create a contrast with the main color.
Have you decided to get this breed?
Then these tips will be useful to you:
- Buy only from a nursery or reputable breeder
- Complete the purchase and documents for the animal
- Check your kitten's eyes, are they clean and clear? Make sure he doesn't have a runny nose
- Kittens should be picked up no earlier than they are 10–12 weeks old.
- There should be no diarrhea or its symptoms. Look under the tail, check that everything is clean and there is no redness
- The coat should be shiny, clean and not look greasy, this could be a sign of illness
- Find out if you have been vaccinated
- The kitten should be active, playful and curious. A little shyness when meeting people is normal. Avoid adopting lethargic kittens
- Take a closer look at other kittens and adult cats, do they look healthy and active?
- Is the room clean?
- Find out if the kittens are litter box and grooming trained?
- Please clarify whether genetic tests have been carried out for the presence of diseases?
Health
Like all cats obtained from wild animals, Bengals are distinguished by enviable health and a life expectancy of up to 20 years.
They do not have the inherited genetic diseases that plague hybrid breeds.
Before purchasing, make sure your cat is F3-F4 generation, as the first generations are too wild cat-like and can be difficult to control.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to meet first-generation cats in our latitudes and you have nothing to worry about.
Breed standard
Skin
- Spotted or marbled, with a variety of colors, but gray or brown is the most common. There is also snow bengal (seal-linx), red-brown, pink, black and various brown shades. Note that not all of them are recognized as the breed standard. There are currently 5 recognized colors and 6 are under consideration.
- The fur is not as thick as that of ordinary cats, it is very soft, and is more reminiscent of rabbit fur in texture.
- Belly spotted
- The peculiarity of the fur is its golden effect, shimmering in the rays of the sun. This is the so-called glitter, the shine of wool, which was passed on to him from his wild ancestors.
Head
- The ears are small and round, unlike ordinary cats, which have pointed ears.
- In the dark, the eyes of a Bengal cat glow brighter than those of ordinary cats. This fact has not yet been recognized, but try comparing photos of these breeds.
- The eyes are large, very bright, of different colors, up to sapphire
Body
- Medium to large in size, with muscular legs, strong. Large, round pads. The tail is medium, rather thick.
- It takes up to two years for a cat to reach its full size.
- Males weigh 4.5 – 6.8 kilograms, and females 3.6 – 5.4 kilograms. The life expectancy of a Bengal cat is 14-16 years.
- They jump higher than ordinary cats and run well.
Voice
- Loud, has more intonation and sounds than other cats
Warning hiss or meow - fear or natural caution
The character of the Bengal cat is mixed with curiosity, playful enthusiasm and natural predatory caution. Bengal aggression is always caused by a non-standard situation. The owner's desire to dig into his bowl while eating can cause hissing or warning growling. Excessive curiosity of household members towards newborn kittens causes justified anxiety in the mother cat, which can exacerbate protective maternal aggression. Hygienic care of cat's nails may not cause positive emotions in a Bengal cat. They are screaming and trying to escape. It is important that the aggressive meowing and hissing of the Bengal does not turn into an attack with scratching or biting the owners. To do this, you need to carefully approach the choice of your future pet, observe the behavior of the parents, and study the pedigree. The character of the Bengal kitten's parents and its physical characteristics directly affect the physical, psychological and behavioral predispositions of the kitten.
How to care at home
To care for your cat you will need a hygiene kit and a carrier, and a long harness for walks.
Caring for a cat is simple: brushing, claws, ears, bathing. Grooming is limited to brushing and bathing. The rubber slicker brush for the Bengal needs to be thinned out a little, because his coat is short and smooth, and hardly sheds (with the exception of the molting period).
Bathing unnecessarily for up to a year is not recommended. And then just show the cat the water - he will run to the procedures himself. It is recommended to bathe the animal using special shampoos for short-haired cats (after a “dirty” walk or before a show) if necessary. Splash in the water - optional.
Be sure to trim your nails regularly with a nail clipper. You should also check your ears weekly. Clean shallowly, at least once a month, with a cotton swab soaked in Vaseline.
When keeping a cat, sooner or later you will have to decide on the issue of carrying accessories.
Feeding
Bengal cats are carnivores, they are neither omnivores nor herbivores. Over the years, cat owners have forgotten about this fact.
If you look at commercial foods, you will see that they are low in meat and high in corn, soy, wheat, rice, and potatoes.
Since these types of cat food are only 50-60 years old, it is unlikely that they would have time to turn into omnivores.
So, why do they contain so many plant components?
The answer is simple: they are cheap .
- Do these foods provide enough for the cat to survive? Yes.
- Do these foods provide enough for a cat to thrive? No.
- What are the alternatives to commercial feed? Natural feed, meat and fish.
Just give your cat more natural food.
It is surprising when the owners are perplexed.
How? Only meat? And raw too? Yes.
What could be more natural for her? Or did you think that for the previous 9000 years cats ate exclusively canned food and dry food?
