Thursday, January 22, 2015

What Cat Lovers Should Know If They Want To 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.

An elegant cat, the Bengal's beautiful coat is its most impressive features. Its rich, silky fur can be either chocolate, cinnamon, black, silver, charcoal, snow, or brown, with a spotted or marbled marking pattern. When sunlight hits their coat, it is known to shine like gold.

They are a larger breed of cat, weighing on average between 8 and 15 pounds, with males being slightly heavier than females. Their heads are relatively small compared to the size of their bodies, and their ears are also fairly small, this is a trait passed down from their wild cat ancestors.

Bengals have some similar traits to many tabby cats such as the "thumbprint" marks where the fur in front of the ears is more sparse. Also, the M-shaped marking on the forehead, which is frequently seen in tabbies as well, is present in most Bengal cats. They have athletic bodies, which are typically slim, and the back legs are slightly longer than the front legs, giving their backs an arched appearance in some stances.

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.

These cats are great communicators and will meow loudly if they want to be fed, or need their litter box cleaned. Whereas most cats are not fond of water, the opposite is true with Bengals, who will drink right from the tap, and even push their way into the shower at times. Most owners keep these cats indoors, so they do not get stolen, or drag in dead animals since they are natural-born hunters. An outdoor enclosure is the ideal solution for the cat who is not satisfied staying inside.

It's important to purchase Bengal kittens only from a reputable, registered breeder to ensure that the animal has been properly socialized from a young age and that it has been screened for certain health problems associated with this breed such as heart disease and chronic anemia. Some believe that this breed is immune to feline leukemia, but this is not true.

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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