Monday, January 26, 2015

Information Prospective Owners Should Know Before They Buy Bengal Kittens

By Janine Hughes


The Bengal cat combines the cuddly cuteness of a regular domestic cat with the exotic, wild beauty of its wild ancestors. The result of originally breeding a house cat with an Asian Leopard Cat, Bengals possess a distinctive appearance and personality. Before a prospective owner goes out to buy Bengal kittens, it is important to first find out all there is to know about them and what it takes to care for them.

This sleek, sophisticated cat's most noticeable feature is its glorious coat of rich, silky fur in striking colors and patterns. There are many color variations Bengals come in; silver, snow, brown, charcoal, black, chocolate, and cinnamon, with marking which are either marbled or spotted. In the sunlight, their fur tends to glisten like gold.

Larger than many other types of cats, the Bengal may weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, with males usually weighing a bit more than females. In contrast to the rest of their bodies, the head and ears of these cats are somewhat small, which is a characteristic inherited from their wild predecessors.

Similar to many tabby cats, Bengals will also normally have a "thumbprint" mark in front of the ears, where less fur grows. They usually have a marking on their foreheads which is shaped like the letter "M" as well, another common feature they share with tabbies. Their bodies are strong, slim, and agile, with the front legs slightly shorter than the back legs, which makes their backs appear arched.

Unlike most other cats who spend a fair amount of time sleeping and laying about, Bengals are rather mischievous and active. They love to play games with their owners and are very smart, so they can even learn to do tricks such as fetching an object like a dog does. Bold and affectionate, they get along well with children and other pets. Bengals like to have stimulating toys to play with, and will even enjoy a walk on a cat leash outdoors.

A very vocal breed, Bengals will be sure to let their owner know if they need their litter box cleaned, or if they want to be fed by meowing loudly. They do not avoid water like most other cats do, these bold felines don't hesitate to drink right from the tap, and may even take an interest in investigating the shower. Keeping them indoors is recommended so they don't get stolen for their uniqueness, or continue to bring in their prey, since they naturally love to hunt. If the cat is unhappy remaining indoors, an outdoor enclosure is a suitable solution.

Kittens should be purchased from only registered breeders with a solid reputation, to be certain that the animal has been screened for health disorders which can occur more often with this breed such as chronic anemia and heart disease, and also that it has been socialized appropriately. At one time it was thought that Bengals were immune to feline leukemia, but this is false.

Grooming needs are fairly basic for these cats. Teeth should be brushed daily to prevent gum disease, ears and eyes cleansed as needed with a damp cotton ball or cloth, and their nails trimmed every other week. Fur should be combed weekly so it stays healthy and shiny.




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