What is a Bengal?
Bengals originated as a hybrid crossing between the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) and the domesticated house cat. After four to five generations of Bengal-to-Bengal breeding, the breed is recognized for championship competition by most international domestic cat associations including TICA, ACFA, GCCF, and AACE. Think of their breed as you would a Abyssinian, Siamese or Main Coon. They are not classified as wild animals.
They are recognized in several cat fancy registries and currently make up the largest number of cats registered in The International Cat Association (TICA). TICA recognizes several colors (brown, seal lynx point, mink, sepia, silver) and patterns (spotted and marbled) for championship competition.
Common myths we would like to dispel:
They are not related to the Bengal tigers!
They are not ferocious.
They do not commonly get to be 20 or more pounds.
They do not have litter box problems.
That said, they are not "cute little kitties with spots". These household cats are known to have a high energy level and able to leap entertainment centers in a single bound. They have been known to jump 6 feet—vertically and horizontally.
More Bengal facts:
They are smart. Opening closed cabinets, mostly closed doors, and finding a way to open containers of food is not beyond their capabilities. They use their big paws and claws like fingers on a hand!
They are vocal, letting you know when it’s dinner time, play time, or time to just hear themselves echo in the basement. Not always the common ‘meow’, some males can actually have a loud howl.
They like to shred and chew toilet paper, tissue, and things of paper nature.
Whatever you’re eating, they want it and will try to take it, including if you have thrown it in a closed garbage receptacle.
They like all water, including your running faucet, showers and your bath tubs!
They like to dig to China while in their litterboxes.
They like to scratch on closed doors to get their humans to open them.
They have occasional bursts of energy that will replicate a herd of elephants running through your household… this can occur any time of the day or night.
Some of them will go for walks on leashes.
All toys are destructible... all toys. Sometime you look like a toy. Everything is a cat toy, including the other pets in your house and even guests.
Related Links
The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS)
The International Bengal Cat Connection (TIBCC)
The International Cat Association
Cats International is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to helping people better understand their feline companions. We offer advice for all of your feline behavior problems and questions absolutely free!