The Bengal cats are very intelligent animals known by their leopard-like look and being a little wild. They are incredibly active and playful with a gentle temperament. As a matter of fact, Bengal cats have become incredibly famous recently. Actually, it is one of the most famous cat breeds in the entire world. The Bengal cats look like wild cats, however, they have the attitude of domestic cats. Bengal cats take their name from the Asian leopard cat’s scientific name, Felis Bengalensis.

Bengal cats are very intelligent and able to create certain ways to communicate with you so you can answer their needs or wishes. On the other hand, there are certain Bengal cat behavior problems that may be caused due to this way of communication. Thus, it is extremely important to understand what your cat is trying to tell you or what they need from you rather than pushing them away or punishing them.

The first thing that will attract your attention to the Bengal cats is their leopard-like appearance! In order to understand your cat’s behaviors, you need to learn more about their personality. The Bengals are so much fun to live with, they are extremely intelligent, curious, outgoing and active cats. If you won’t be able to have fun with your Bengal, plan to get two, not just one, and they will manage to have fun on their own. Otherwise, they could be destructive as they are able to destroy things if they feel bored.

Bengals love their humans, and they will literally do anything to get their attention. On top of that, they are stubborn, for example, if they find out that you do not like a certain attitude such as jumping on the kitchen counter or scratching some sofas, they will do it even more. Besides, they like to take things away and hide them so make sure to keep your precious things away from them.

More insights on the differences between Male and Female Personalities

First things first, whether you choose to get or already have a male or female Bengal, you will need to keep this important information in mind. The differences between male and female Bengals are not big, however, there are certain differences you will find clearly.

A male Bengal is more sexually driven so a fixed male does not have any real role. In the same case in the wild, a group of male lions or tigers will work together if the female is absent. This explains why male Bengals tend to lay back more!

On the other hand, a female Bengal is not sexually driven. They mainly develop strong maternal drives and act according to this nature.

How to Treat a Bengal Cat?

First of all, you have to keep in mind that every cat is an individual but in general, Bengals get along with other pets including dogs, other Bengals and more. They make perfect pets for homes with old children who know how to play and entertain them.

Bengal cats love to climb and jump off high places so make sure you provide them with window perches. They have no limits so expect them to join your bathtub or your quick shower. Some Bengal parents decided to install a motion-sensitive faucet in their kitchen so their Bengals can turn the water on and off to enjoy themselves. You may consider this idea as well! 

The Bottom Line

Your cat is special no matter what their breed is, however some breeds need more attention and care than the others. What makes Bengal cats a good choice is that they get along with the other pets you have whether cats or dogs as well as being easy-going with children and senior people.

On average, the Bengal cat lifespan ranges between 12 and 17 years. Bengal cats are a breed that combines the attitude of a pet cat and a wild, leopard-like cat. Bengal cats are a joyful breed that will fill your home with energy and playtime. People are fascinated with this breed because of the striking coat and the interesting combination between domestic and wild. There is a lot of information that we will explore in this article.

What prolongs a Bengal cat life expectancy?

You can likely increase the life span of your Bengal cat by keeping it healthy, active and following a nutritious diet. Bengal cats who get poorly balanced food are likely to die earlier than those who get a healthy nutritious diet. Moreover, Bengal cats may develop gastrointestinal allergies as a reaction to eating certain foods such as raw fish.

Diet 

The correct feeding of a Bengal kitten is vital because this is the stage where the joints and bones are growing and developing. Bengal kittens need to be fed a growth formula in order to help them grow stronger, they can have either dry or canned foods or even a mix of the two types as long as the Bengal kitten grows healthier. They ought to be fed three to four times per day until the age of four months old then they should be fed only once to twice per day. 

Dry foods make a good choice too as they provide Bengal cats with the taurine that’s essential to keep their teeth clean and healthy. On the other hand, wet foods can help to keep a Bengal cat hydrated as well as being tastier and more delicious, not to mention helping obese cats to stay on healthy diets and maintain good health.

Raw meat

Bengal cats are fans of raw meat however you should be careful to protect them from getting parasites, salmonella and other health risks related to raw meat. In general, you should ask your vet before making a decision on choosing any type of diet. 

Cooked meat

Bengal cats love cooked meat and fish, however, you should be very cautious with the bones otherwise they could get choked to death. Cooked fish, beef, pork, and eggs make safe and healthy food choices. 

Human food

Try to limit offering human food to your Bengal cat. For instance, do not give them sandwiches, grilled cheese, cupcakes, muffins or nachos. On the other hand, some food is dangerous and can be life-threatening such as grapes. 

Water

Make sure that your Bengal cat has access to clean and fresh water all the time. This is highly important in order to keep your Bengal cat well-hydrated. Not to mention, you should put water and food in separate dishes in different locations. Water bowls must be cleaned every day.

Exercise 

Bengal cats require a lot more exercise than a normal cat’s needs. Bengals are naturally active animals due to their back origins to the Asian leopard cats. Therefore, a regular and appropriate amount of daily exercise is highly important. 

In other words, Bengal cats are the types of animals that store their energy if they do not have the chance to let it go. So make sure to arrange a time on your schedule to walk your Bengal cat and to play with them at least twice or three times per week.

What shortens a Bengal cat lifespan?

In general, Bengal cats are healthy, however, it is highly recommended checking the following medical conditions that can shorten a Bengal cat lifespan. Here are the most common medical conditions that Bengal cats could be exposed to:

• Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome (FCK)

A common malformation of the chest is very common among Bengal kittens and it can be noticed after short weeks of birth. Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome can vary from mild to extremely dangerous. FCK can cause the Bengal’s legs to become weak. Generally speaking, mild cases may not require any treatments however if the case is severe splinting of the rib cage could be made. 

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a medical disease that has negative effects on the heart muscle. It makes the heart muscle becomes thick which leads to a reduction in the amount of the blood flowing through the heart. Early diagnosis can help control the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. 

• Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is famous for affecting the Bengal cats. It can be due to trauma and it can also be inherited. The Patellar may cause lameness and in this case, surgery is needed.

• Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency is an inherited disease due to an enzyme called Pyruvate Kinase. This medical condition can shorten the lifespan of the Bengal cats caused by a shortage of red blood cells and leads to anemia. It can be caused due to a genetic disorder where no treatment is used. 

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited eye disease. The rods of that eye can gradually increase until the cat becomes totally blind. Unfortunately, there is no effective way to diagnose the disease. In order to minimize the risks, make sure to give a proper amount of taurine to your Bengal cat. 

• Distal Neuropathy

Distal Neuropathy is a severe inherited neurological disorder that is widely famous among Bengal cats. In fact, some studies show that 9 out of every 100 Bengal cats suffer from that disease at a young age of one year or younger. Here are some of its famous symptoms:

1. Constipation
2. Weakness
3. Slow healing

• Psychogenic Alopecia

Psychogenic Alopecia can deeply affect the well-being of Bengal cats although it is not a deadly disease.

The Bottom Line 

Now, that you have a complete picture of a Bengal cat’s lifespan, needs, medical conditions, and other information, you will become more aware of how to interact and better take care of it. Keep in mind that Bengal kittens require extra attention and need additional nutrients in order to support their needs to grow healthy and strong.