All about Bengal cats and cats

Bengal cats are distinguished from other breeds by special cunning and unique intelligence. During active games, these beautiful graceful animals often show their wild nature, but at the same time they are very sociable and friendly pets, who easily find contact with people and other pets. The conditions of keeping and feeding these cats largely determine the lifespan of such a pet.

The history of Bengal cats began relatively recently - in 1961. In those years, a well-known genetic biologist Gene Mill worked on breeding a new breed. A little earlier she went to Bangkok and saw wild cats Felis Bengalensis there - they were distinguished by amazing beauty, their skin was considered especially valuable, therefore the population was quickly exterminated and stood on the verge of extinction. In those years, small kittens in large quantities were sold to all tourists coming to the country.

Seeing a kitten with such an unusual color, Jean Mill immediately decided to buy one of them and brought him to America, where she lived and worked. To her surprise, the animal turned out to be completely non-aggressive, although it didn’t show affection either and tried to stay completely alone.

The result of this union was a healthy kitten with a rather unusual color. It was then that Jean Mill got the idea to create a tender and kind pet with an exotic appearance. In 1991, her efforts were crowned with success and the geneticist was able to present a new breed at the ongoing international cat show.

Representatives of many exotic short-haired breeds, as well as Persian cats, took part in the formation of the breed. The first representatives of this breed came to the territory of our country in 1997.

Bengal cat looks like a little leopard. The standards of the American Association ACFA clearly spelled out that the purpose of breeding Bengal cats is to get a domestic cat with a gentle temperament, but so that in its physical parameters it does not lag behind the representatives of the cat family living in its natural habitat - in the wild forest. These are hardy cats with characteristic external features, they have bright patterns on a soft shiny wool and slender paws.

They are characterized by the following features.

• Highly positioned short ears, while they should have rounded tips and a wide base. From the outside, there is a bright spot on each ear - it looks as if someone has pressed on it with a finger.
• Voluminous cheeks, mustache pads are quite large.
• The trunk is oblong, the developed muscles, the skeleton is strong, the neck is slightly extended. Females are smaller in size and weight than males.
• The head is wedge-shaped, its contour softened. The line from chin to earlobe is strictly vertical, the nose is pronounced. The back of the nose is flat and wide.
• Eyes oval, widely spaced, rather large. The color of the iris can be any, with the exception of blue (this color is found only in Bengal kittens breed Lynx Point).
• The hair is short, thin, glossy, quite tight to the body, it feels like satin to the touch. In small kittens, fur is usually longer than in adults.Its color can be dark, red or light, the spots are distributed evenly on the body.
• The tail is average, its structure is average, from the very beginning to the tip it is covered with characteristic spots.
• The neck is wide, very strong, as a rule, proportional.

The breed standard assumes the following possible colors.

• Brown Tabby - This is a typical leopard color, with the presence of all shades of brown - from reddish to brick-brown. The pattern is necessarily black-brown, whilst whitish rims are possible on the stomach, neck, chin, as well as in the region of the booster and around the eye.

• Silver Tabby - suggests a light color of the animal, while the base color is white with the presence of shades of gray. The drawings are designed in the same shades, but slightly darker.

• Snow - this color is presented in three versions: color-point (resembles Sim's outwardly), as well as sepia and mink - these colors are close to golden-beige tones.

• Carbonic - the fur of such animals is of cold gray or brown tones with a darker pronounced pattern.

• Blue - assumes a silvery coloring with low-contrast patterns.

• Silver - with a low-contrast pattern.

The spots on the body of a Bengal cat can be either horizontal on the body or placed arbitrarily. Each spot quite clearly stands out from the general background, and the “necklace” in the neck area is no less pronounced.

The presence of sockets and rings in the area of ​​the tail is welcomed, according to the standards, the presence of spots on the stomach is obligatory. The spots themselves can be of several forms: similar to a bunch of grapes, to an arrowhead, to an animal's footprint or a bagel.

The appearance of the Bengal cat is very spectacular and even in some formidable - wild nature is immediately felt in the animal. It is for this reason that many consider the breed quite aggressive. In practice, this is completely untrue - despite the natural roots, the animal is perfectly adapted to living together with people. Most importantly, it treats cats with great respect and accepts all the pet's behavioral characteristics.

Like many other purebred cats, Bengals love to be very affectionate and play with their owner, but this does not mean that they need to be kept in their hands for hours. Weasel should be moderate and only when your pets require it. Often there are times when a cat is not in the mood and does not let herself be stroked - this is the norm and you should not worry about it.

Bengal cats categorically do not accept superiority over themselves, therefore educational measures should not be applied to this animal. - they will still be unsuccessful. The only way to achieve obedience from the cat - it is to enter into her confidence and negotiate.

Despite the rather capricious character, the Bengalis feel and understand children very finely. Even if the baby begins to dress his pet in clothes or takes him by the tail, the cat will maintain complete external calm. Another advantage of the breed is full contact and mutual understanding with dogs and cats of other breeds, therefore, it can be safely taken to a house where there is already some living matter.

Some breeders from the very childhood teach Bengal cats to their hands. But don't do that since later the cat will require constant contact with the owner and almost round-the-clock joint stay. Agree, in the conditions of modern life to provide such conditions for the pet is almost impossible.

Keep in mind that before reaching 7-8 months, Bengal cats and cats are too active and seem ready to play and frolic for days, sweeping away everything that gets in their way. If this behavior does not suit you - it is better to immediately abandon the purchase of such an animal and get a representative of a more docile breed.

Over time, cats become more restrained and quiet, but even in adulthood, they still do not suit the role of sofa pets. At any moment of your life Bengalis need a lot of gamesso that they can release their boiling energy in a harmless direction.

Do not forget that wild blood flows in the veins of this cat. Constant staying at home is not for them, they need periodic walks in the fresh air. It is advisable to carry the cat in a warm season to a country house or to a country house - walking there is relatively safe because there is no such traffic flow as in the city, and a well-fenced high fence will limit the pet for its mini-travels.

If it happens that the cat runs away, then be sure - he will not disappear and, if necessary, he can feed and protect himself, and eventually he will find his way home.

Bengal cats can safely endure a short separation from their owners, but if your absence is delayed for a long time and you determine the animal to be overexposed, then the pet will experience extreme stress and may even wither away from anguish. This fact should be kept in mind before purchasing an animal of this breed.

If your occupation is associated with frequent business trips, then constant separation will make your pet extremely insecure, nervous and unbalanced.besides, a person can completely lose confidence from the animal’s side, since the cat will always think that you left it forever.

Bengal cats live 12-13 years, but with proper care, creating comfortable living conditions for them and a balanced diet, it is not uncommon for pets to be 17-18 years old and even more.

In general, animals are distinguished by good health from nature, therefore life of a pet depends only on breeders. Cats should be kept clean, eat right, get all the necessary vitamins, micro and macronutrients, have the opportunity for active games and avoid stressful situations. In this case, be sure your cat will stay with you for many, many years.

Bengal kitten is best to buy in a special kennel, specializing in the breeding of this particular cat breed. Before you make the final choice, be sure to talk to the breeders, ask about the state of health and the nature of the parents of the kitten you like. It is important that animals do not have hereditary and chronic diseases, are non-aggressive and as balanced as possible.

Pick up a little Bengal better at the age of 2.5-3 months - at this age, the kitten can already do without mother's milk. As a rule, by 2-3 months, all vaccinations are delivered to animals, quarantine is passed and all behavioral skills that are important for keeping at home are imparted - food culture, rules for using the tray, and features for communicating with others.

When choosing a kitten, it is necessary to pay attention to its physical condition - the animal should be moderately well-fed, with a soft coat. Usually in cubs it is smoky and fluffy, but not as smooth as in adult cats. By 5-6 months the color is already guessed, the most contrasting patterns will become only after a year.

If you start a pet for the soul and do not intend to professionally engage in breeding, preference should be given to the pet-class kittens. They are a bit cheaper, but completely unsuitable for breeding. Usually, such animals are subsequently sterilized or castrated to avoid unwanted pregnancy in females and to achieve calm males.

Usually cats are castrated at the age of 8-9 months. Cats sterilization operations are carried out around the same time, but preferably before the onset of the first estrus - at the age of 6-8 months should consult a veterinarian who will determine the optimal time for surgery.

If you intend to breed kittens for sale, then it is better to stop the choice on animals of show or brid class, they are expensive, but their tribal characteristics, as a rule, are exceptionally high.

When choosing a pet, many are guided by the peculiarities of pet care. In this regard, Bengal cats are completely unpretentious.

The hair of Bengalis is rather short, therefore it does not require daily combing - processing with a special brush twice a week is allowed. The claws are clipped once every two months, the ears are cleaned as they become dirty. This procedure is carried out using cotton pads slightly moistened with water at room temperature.

Bathe Bengalis as needed, although these animals love to splash in the water, unlike many of their other brethren. If the animal is bathed, be sure that you will not face such a problem as scratched hands. The rest of the requirements are similar to the standard and comply with all rules and regulations for the care of any other pets.

It is important to maintain hygiene - cat litter should be washed regularly, and water and food bowls should be washed every day. It is not allowed for the animal to stay in an overly stuffy and hot room; hypothermia is also better to avoid.

The only thing you have to do all the time is play with your pets. By nature, Bengalis are active and energetic, they have a physiological need to release their energy and in the interests of the breeder to make this release happen in the right direction, otherwise you will not avoid broken vases, scratches on furniture and stuffed toys.

Keep in mind that large space is vital for cats of this breed This is not surprising, because they need a lot of toys, all sorts of ropes and tunnels with labyrinths, as well as individual shelves and manholes on the walls, where they can frolic all day long while their owner is busy. If you are the owner of a small apartment, it is better to look at cats of other breeds.

Bengalis love water, so periodically let them swim in the pool for a while or at least take a shower. Believe me, animals will thank you.

It should be noted that cats of this breed are distinguished by exceptional cleanliness. They very carefully bury their tray, some even so squeamish that they simply will not go to the toilet, if it is stale. Bengal breeders should change the tray as often as possible.

On the fillers, too, do not save - you need to choose the one that absorbs moisture and perfectly masks the smell, the cat should think that the filler is fresh. If you buy a cheap product, you will have to change it at least once a day and the output will be very dubious.

Adaptation to a new home and new conditions of existence is always considered rather difficult for any animal, especially for a kitten, cut off from its mother. After buying a small Bengalis it is very important to surround the pet with care and attention - the kitten should feel protected and surrounded by loving people. It's quite simple - you just need to follow a few rules, and then the adaptation and training of Bengali will take more than a month.

On the very first day of your baby’s stay in a new place, you don’t need to take him in your hands all the time and offer active games; The baby should get comfortable in the new habitat and smell. In the first few hours it is best to leave the animal alone and let him decide for himself where to sit, where to go and how to spend his day.

At this point, it is desirable to limit the space for adaptation to the limits of one room, the Bengali should discover all new horizons not just for himself, but gradually. In a room prepared for him, you should install a bowl with food, a water bowl, a sleeping place, a house and a tray. Keep in mind, To teach a kitten to order should be from the very first days - after it will be too late to do it.

Naturally, the kitten at this age is not yet accustomed to the tray and at any time can cheat. No need to shout at him, swear, poke his nose, and especially slap - the animal should be taught to the tray quietly, so that the pet is not afraid of the owner, but understood him.

It is extremely important to arrange for your baby a separate place. - it can be a small mattress or a cat's house, always in a quiet corner. Look at the animal - usually he chooses a place that he likes, and you will only have to arrange a sleeping area there. Choosing a kitten may be the most unexpected - some sleep with the owners, others - under the battery, behind the TV or on the windowsill.

At first, the Bengali stay in the house should exclude any loud sounds, music and other factors that may frighten the cat. The more comfortable the situation is, the sooner he can get used to it. If other pets live in the apartment, then you need to get to know them gradually and very delicately. Do not forget that any animal is initially jealous of the accession of new pets, so contact with dogs or other cats should be strictly under the control of the owner.

Be sure to remove all sharp and dangerous items. With unaccustomed baby can get hurt, but rather it will lead to the manifestation of strong aggression in a pet.

It is impossible to bring up a kitten without establishing a trusting relationship - play with it more often, care for it, certainly encourage the right behavior and call it by name. The pet should feel your constant care and be aware of its importance in the house. The Bengalis are incredibly empathetic, they easily read the intonation of the hosts and even understand the meaning of individual words.

Bengal cat should receive a full balanced diet. The best option will be specialized dry food, they contain a full range of beneficial vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for the full growth and development of the cat.Such foods usually do not harm the teeth of the animal, while providing the cat with essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

If the main diet of your pet is dry food, be sure to ensure that the cat drank a lot. If the amount of fluid entering the body is insufficient, it can cause the formation of kidney stones. Do not forget that Bengalis tend to frolic in water at any opportunity, because of which the drinker is often turned upside down, so be sure to watch the volume of liquid in the bowl.

If it seems to you that your pet is drinking too little - get specialized drinkers in the form of a fountain. The sound of the murmuring of water causes in animals an involuntary desire to get drunk.

However, you can feed the Bengal cat with natural food, in this case The basis of the diet must necessarily be meat. Usually use rabbit or beef, it can be given raw or boiled. Animals also need fish, but it should be included no more than twice a week.. It is better to avoid shallow river - there are too many bones in it, besides, such fish is often affected by worms, therefore it must be boiled or offered exclusively to sea animals.

In addition to meat products, the animal needs dairy products and cream with low fat. A necessary part of the daily diet are considered vegetables. Usually, animals eagerly eat cucumbers, as well as paprika and tomato. Additionally should be included in the menu porridgeIt is advisable to boil them in water without salt, sugar and oil.

If possible, it is necessary to interfere with eating fresh greens. - it can be beet or carrot tops, lettuce leaves or dill, but it is better to avoid spicy herbs with a pungent smell.

It is forbidden to regale cats spicy, fried, as well as salty and pickled products.

Argued that cats love to feast on milk. In fact, the body of an adult cat does not synthesize enzymes that can digest this product, so its inclusion in the diet is justified only in the case of kittens no older than 3-4 months. Once in 7-10 days you can offer cats chicken or quail eggs.

After the animals have their taste preferences and you make a permanent menu for them, you should definitely visit the vet. Perhaps the list of products for your pet will have to be reduced or, conversely, expanded.

Bengal cats are a naturally healthy creature, and a couple of years ago only intestinal disorders and a too weak stomach were mentioned among the problems of these animals. However, these pathologies had no effect on the life of the pet.

However, recently information about other Bengalis who are often diagnosed in kittens often comes from owners. this is flat chest syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the first case, the sternum puts too much pressure on the heart and lungs, causing breathing problems in the kitten, and in the second one heart wall is thicker than the other. Both of these ailments often lead to the sudden death of a pet.

The hereditary diseases of veterinarians include the formation of cysts on the kidneys and even blood cancer. To avoid difficult situations breeders are better off not experimenting with food and feeding their cats with food from the common table - what is well absorbed by the human body, can be dangerous for the cat.

Do not mix natural food and feed use - The fact is that dry and wet foods are digested by the organs of the digestive system in different ways, so mixed feeding will lead to serious gastrointestinal pathologies. If, for one reason or another, you are forced to transfer your Bengali from one food to another, then this should be done gradually - usually it takes about a month to complete a replacement.

Some lines of Bengal cats can not boast of good immunity. As a rule, this happens in cats, whose ancestors were often crossed with close relatives.

Reviews of owners of Bengal cats indicate that such animals will not suit people with a measured temperament, who like to sit in the evenings alone in front of the TV. The owner of such a cat should have really nerves of steel, because The pet will be too active and will require constant attention.

Animals of this breed differ in increased sexual activity, so the cats begin to tag their territory, and the females "sing" at night. However, all these phenomena completely stop with the castration / sterilization of the animal.

It is not a particular problem for a Bengali to climb a high concrete fence or catch a bird in flight. They are strong, with well-developed muscles and very tenacious claws, and natural curiosity does not allow them to quit the job started halfway. In the house, cats need free space and space for a game corner - only in this case they will be able to fully satisfy their need for a sports lifestyle.

Genetically, these cats have a passion for water, so do not resist if the animal wants to take a bath with the owner. In this case, the kittens will try to throw in the bathroom all the toys, tubes of shampoo, jars of creams and all other items that will only be in the access zone.

There is an opinion that Bengalis are aggressive animals, but the owners' reviews deny this statement.. Most of the representatives of this species of cats are extremely intelligent and friendly. Animals become aggressive only if they were raised in cages and do not have frequent contact with people. Cats and cats, which from early childhood were surrounded by care and affection, are always quite gentle, docile and understanding, they will never attack one of the family members and guests of the house.

At the same time, spotted Bengal cats differ exclusively in their jealous disposition - they are full owners and egoists, therefore one shouldn’t allow the slightest disregard to her person or show sympathy for another animal.

If you keep several pets in the house, then bringing up a Bengali in friendship with them follows from the very first days. By the way, Bengalis get along well with dogs and love to play with him. This is probably due to the fact that both representatives of the animal world love to protect and defend their territory. Bengalis easily distinguish their owners and their family members from strangers and will never be given to strangers.

Owners of cats of this breed say that their pets love to talk to people - they make cooing sounds that look much more like playful chirping and shrieking than meowing.

On how to care for the Bengal cat, see below.