All about bengal cats and cats

Bengal cats differ from other breeds in a special cunning and unique mind. 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 life expectancy of such a pet.

The history of Bengal cats began relatively recently - in 1961. In those years, the famous geneticist geneticist Gene Mill worked on the breeding of the new breed. A little earlier she went to Bangkok and saw Felis Bengalensis wild cats there - they were amazingly beautiful, their skin was considered especially valuable, so the population was quickly exterminated and stood on the verge of extinction. In those years, small kittens were sold in large numbers to all tourists coming to the country.

Seeing a kitten with such an unusual color, Gene Mill immediately decided to purchase one of them and brought it to America, where she lived and worked. To her surprise, the animal turned out to be completely non-aggressive, although it also did not show affection and tried to stay completely alone.

The result of this union was a healthy kitten with a rather unusual color. It was then that Gene Mill came up with the idea of ​​creating an affectionate and kind pet with an exotic appearance. In 1991, her efforts were successful and the geneticist was able to present a new breed at the ongoing international cat show.

Representatives of many exotic shorthair 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.

A bengal cat looks like a little leopard. The standards of the American ACFA Association clearly state that the goal of breeding Bengal cats is to obtain a domestic cat with a gentle character, but so that in its physical parameters it does not lag behind representatives of the cat family living in a natural habitat - in a wild forest. These are hardy cats with characteristic external features, they have bright patterns on soft glossy wool and slender legs.

They are characterized by the following features.

• Highly placed short ears, while they should have rounded tips and a wide base. On the outside on each ear there is a bright spot - it looks like someone had pressed a finger on it.
• Volume cheeks, pads for mustaches are quite large.
• The body is oblong, well-developed muscles, the skeleton is strong, the neck is slightly elongated. Females are smaller than males in size and weight.
• The head is wedge-shaped, its outline is softened. The line from the chin to the lobe is strictly vertical, the nose is pronounced. The back of the nose is flat and wide.
• The eyes are oval, widely spaced, rather large. The color of the iris can be any, with the exception of blue (this color is found exclusively in Bengal kittens of breed Lynx Point).
• The coat is short, thin, glossy, quite tightly adheres to the body, reminds the atlas to the touch. In small kittens, the fur is usually longer than in adults. Its color can be dark, red or light, spots are distributed evenly over the body.
• The tail is medium, its structure is average, from the very beginning to the tip it is covered with characteristic spots.
• The neck is wide, very strong, usually 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 - is allowed. The pattern is necessarily black-brown, while whitish rims are possible on the abdomen, neck, chin, as well as in the region of the barb and around the eye.

• Silver tabby - assumes a light color of the animal, 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 (looks like Sims), as well as sepia and mink - these colors are close to golden-beige tones.

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

• Blue - suggests a silver color with low contrast patterns.

• Silver - with an opaque pattern.

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

The presence of sockets and rings in the tail area is encouraged, according to the standards, the presence of spots on the stomach is also mandatory. The spots themselves can be of several forms: similar to a bunch of grapes, to the tip of an arrow, to the track of an animal or bagel.

The appearance of a Bengal cat is very spectacular and even somewhat formidable - in the animal you can immediately feel the wildlife. For this reason, many consider the breed quite aggressive. In practice, this is completely untrue - despite its natural roots, the animal is perfectly adapted for living together with people. The most important thing is that it treats cats with great respect and accepts all the behavioral characteristics of the pet.

Like many other purebred cats, Bengal cats are very fond of affection and playing together with their master, 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 themselves require it. Often there are times when the cat is not in the mood and does not allow himself to be stroked - this is the norm and you should not worry about this.

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 get obedience from a cat is it is to enter into her confidence and negotiate.

Despite their rather wayward character, Bengalis feel and understand children very subtly. Even if the baby begins to put his pet in clothes or takes it by the tail, the cat will remain completely outward calm. Another advantage of the breed is full contact and understanding with dogs and cats of other breeds, therefore, it can be safely taken to a house where there is already some living creatures.

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

Keep in mind that before reaching 7-8 months, Bengal cats and cats are too active and seem to be ready to play and frolic for days, sweeping away everything that gets in their way. If such behavior does not suit you - it is better to immediately refuse to buy such an animal and get a representative of a more flexible 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 in your life Bengalis need a lot of gamesso that they can release their seething energy in a harmless direction.

Do not forget that wild blood flows in the veins of this cat. A permanent stay at home is not for them, they need periodic walks in the fresh air. It is advisable to take the cat to the country house or country house in the warm season - walking there is relatively safe, since there is no such traffic flow as in the city, and a well-fenced site with a high fence will limit the pet’s borders for his mini-trips.

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

Bengal cats can easily endure a short separation from their owners, but if your absence is delayed for a long time and you identify the animal for overexposure, the pet will experience severe stress and may even wither from melancholy. This fact should be borne in mind before acquiring 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 unbalancedIn addition, a person may completely lose confidence from the sides of the animal, because 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 or more.

In general, animals differ in good health from nature, therefore only the breeders fully depend on the life expectancy of the pet. Cats should be kept clean, eat right, receive all the necessary vitamins, micro and macro elements, be able to play actively and avoid stressful situations. In this case, be sure that your cat will stay with you for many, many years.

It is best to buy a Bengal kitten in a special cattery specializing in breeding of this particular breed of cats. Before making the final choice, be sure to talk with the breeders, ask about the health status and 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.

It is better to pick up a little Bengalis at the age of 2.5-3 months - at this age, a kitten can already do without mother's milk. As a rule, by 2-3 months all vaccinations were given to animals, quarantine was passed and all behavioral skills important for keeping at home were vaccinated - food culture, rules for using the tray, especially communicating with your own kind.

When choosing a kitten, you need to pay attention to his physical condition - the animal should be moderately well-fed, with a gentle 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 have a pet for the soul and do not intend to professionally breed, preference should be given to kittens of the pet class. They are slightly cheaper, but completely unsuitable for breeding. Typically, these animals are further sterilized or neutered to avoid unwanted pregnancies in females and to achieve calm males.

Usually cats are neutered at the age of 8-9 months. Cats undergo sterilization operations at about the same time, but preferably before the first estrus - at the age of 6-8 months, you should consult a veterinarian who will determine the optimal time for surgery.

If you intend to breed kittens for sale, it is better to opt for show or brid class animalsthey are expensive, but their breeding characteristics are usually exceptionally high.

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

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

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

It is important to observe hygiene - cat bedding should be washed regularly, and bowls with water and food should be washed every day. The animal is not allowed to stay in a too stuffy and hot room, hypothermia is also best avoided.

The only thing you have to do all the time is to play with your pets. By nature, Bengalis are active and energetic, they have a physiological need for the release of their energy and in the interests of the breeder to make sure that this release occurs in the right direction, otherwise you can’t avoid broken vases, scratches on furniture and torn soft toys.

Keep in mind that cats of this breed vitally need a large space - this is not surprising, because they need a lot of toys, all kinds of ropes and tunnels with labyrinths, as well as separate shelves and manholes on the walls, where they can frolic for days on end while their master is busy. If you are the owner of a small-sized apartment, then it is better to look at cats of other breeds.

Bengalis love water, therefore periodically let them swim a little in the pool or at least take a shower. Believe me, animals will be grateful to you.

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

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

Adaptation to a new house and new conditions of existence is always considered quite difficult for any animal, especially for a kitten torn from its mother. After buying a little Bengal, it is very important to surround the pet with care and attention - the kitten should feel protected and surrounded by loving people. This is quite simple - you just have to follow a few rules, and then the adaptation and training of the Bengali will take more than a month.

On the very first day of the baby’s stay in a new place, you don’t need to constantly pick him up and offer active games, you can not scare him. The kid should get comfortable in a new habitat and sniff. In the first few hours, it is best to leave the animal alone and let it decide for itself where to sit, where to go and how to spend its day.

At this moment, it is advisable to limit the space for adaptation to the limits of one room, a Bengali should not open all new horizons for himself immediately, but gradually. In the room prepared for him, you should install a bowl of food, a drinking bowl, a berth, a house and a tray. Keep in mind, The kitten should be accustomed to order from the very first days - after which it will be too late to do so.

Naturally, a kitten at this age is not yet accustomed to the tray and at any moment can hooligan. No need to shout at him, curse, poke his nose and even more spank - the animal should be trained to the tray calmly, so that the pet is not afraid of the owner, but understands it.

It is extremely important to equip your own separate place for the baby - it can be a small mattress or a cat's house, always in a quiet corner. Take a closer look at the animal - usually he chooses the place he likes, and you just have to equip the sleeping area there.The choice of a kitten may be the most unexpected - some sleep with the owners, others under the battery, behind the TV or on the windowsill.

At the first time a Bengali is in the house, any loud sounds, music and other factors that can scare the cat should be excluded. The more comfortable the situation will be, the faster he will be able to get used to it. If other pets live in the apartment, then you need to get acquainted with 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 controlled by the owner.

Be sure to remove all sharp and dangerous objects. With a habit, the baby can get hurt, and this will more likely lead to the manifestation of strong aggression in the pet.

Raising a kitten is impossible without establishing a trusting relationship - play with it more often, take care of it, certainly encourage it for the correct behavior and call it by name. The pet should feel your constant care and realize its importance in the house. Bengalis are incredibly sensitive, they easily read the intonation of the owners and even understand the meaning of individual words.

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

If the main diet of your pet is dry food, then be sure to make sure that the cat drank a lot. If the amount of fluid entering the body is insufficient, this can cause the formation of kidney stones. Do not forget that Bengalis are prone to frolic in the water whenever possible, which is why the drinker is often upside down, so be sure to monitor the amount of liquid in the bowl.

If it seems to you that your pet drinks too little, get specialized drinking bowls in the shape of a fountain. The sound of bubbling water makes animals involuntarily want to get drunk.

However, you can feed a Bengal cat with natural food, in which case the basis of the diet must necessarily be meat. Usually rabbit or beef is used, it can be given raw or boiled. Animals also need fish, but they should be included no more than twice a week.. It is better to avoid a small river one - there are too many bones in it, in addition, such a fish is often affected by helminths, so it must be boiled or offered to the animal exclusively marine.

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

If possible, it is worthwhile to mix fresh greens with food. - it can be beet or carrot tops, lettuce or dill, but spicy herbs with a pungent odor are best avoided.

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

There is an opinion 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 if we are talking about kittens no older than 3-4 months. Once every 7-10 days, you can offer cats chicken or quail eggs.

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

Bengal cats are a healthy creature by nature, and a couple of years ago, among the problems of these animals, only intestinal upsets and too weak a stomach were mentioned. However, these pathologies did not affect the life expectancy of the pet.

However, recently, owners often receive information about other diseases of Bengalis, which are often diagnosed in kittens - 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 most often lead to the sudden death of a pet.

To hereditary diseases, 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 not feeding their cats food from the general table - what is well absorbed by the human body can be dangerous for the cat.

Do not mix natural nutrition and feed use - the fact is that dry and wet products are digested by the digestive system in different ways, so mixed feeding will lead to serious gastrointestinal pathologies. If for some reason you are forced to transfer your Bengal from one feed to another, then you need to do this gradually - usually it takes about a month to completely replace it.

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

The reviews of the owners of Bengal cats indicate that such animals are not suitable for people with a balanced temperament, who likes to sit alone in the evenings on TV. The owner of such a cat must have really steel nerves, because the pet will be too active and will require constant attention.

Animals of this breed characterized by increased sexual activity, so cats begin to mark their territory, and females “sing” at night. However, all these phenomena completely cease with castration / sterilization of the animal.

There is no particular problem for a Bengalis to climb a high concrete fence or to catch a bird in flight. They are strong, with well-developed muscles and very tenacious claws, and natural curiosity does not allow them to leave the job halfway. In the house, cats need free space and a place for a play corner - only in this case they will be able to fully satisfy their need for a sporting 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 all the toys, tubes with shampoo, jars of creams and all other objects that will only be in the access zone into the bathroom.

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

At the same time, spotted Bengalis cats are extremely jealous in nature - they are full owners and selfish, therefore you should not allow the slightest ignorance to her person or show sympathy for another animal.

If you keep several pets in the house, then you should bring up a Bengal in friendship with them from the very first days. By the way, Bengalis get along very well with dogs and love to play with him. This is probably due to the fact that both those and other representatives of the animal world love to guard and protect 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 note that their pets adore talking with people - at the same time they make cooing sounds, much more reminiscent of playful twittering and croaking than meowing.

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