Bengal Cat

Jean Mill, a breeder based in California, began developing the Bengal in 1963. She crossed a domestic cat with an Asian leopard cat she had purchased from a pet store. The early hybrids were often skittish and difficult to handle. It took several generations of selective breeding before the cats became suitable as household pets.

The International Cat Association granted the Bengal experimental status in 1983 and full recognition in 1991. The Cat Fanciers' Association did not accept the breed until 2016. Registration requirements vary between organizations. TICA requires Bengals to be at least four generations removed from the Asian leopard cat ancestor to qualify for show competition.

Mark Thompson runs a Bengal cattery in Oregon. He has been breeding the cats for eleven years.

Adult male Bengals weigh between 4.5 and 6.8 kilograms. Females are smaller, typically ranging from 3.6 to 5.4 kilograms. The breed standard calls for a long, muscular body with hind legs slightly longer than the front legs.

Coat patterns fall into two categories: spotted and marbled. Spotted Bengals have rosettes or single spots distributed across the body. Marbled Bengals display swirled patterns similar to classic tabby markings but with horizontal flow. Coat colors include brown, silver, snow, and charcoal. The snow variety comes in three types: seal lynx point, seal mink, and seal sepia. Each type results from different genetic combinations.

The coat texture differs from most domestic cats. Bengal fur has a dense, soft quality that breeders describe as "pelted." Some individuals display a glitter effect—a sheen caused by translucent hair shafts that catch light.

Lisa Chen operates a veterinary clinic in Seattle that sees a high volume of purebred cats. She notes certain patterns in Bengal health.

Bengals retain higher activity levels than many domestic breeds. They climb readily and often seek elevated positions in the home. Water does not deter them the way it does most cats. Some owners report their Bengals entering showers or playing in filled sinks.

The breed tends toward vocalization. Bengals produce a range of sounds including chirps, trills, and loud meows. They often respond to their owners verbally and may demand attention through persistent calling.

Enrichment matters more with this breed than with lower-energy cats. Without adequate stimulation, Bengals may develop destructive behaviors. Scratching furniture, knocking items off shelves, and opening cabinets are common complaints from unprepared owners.

Mark Thompson addresses this directly with prospective buyers.

Pet-quality Bengals from registered breeders sell for US $1,500 to $3,000 in the United States. Show-quality cats with desirable markings can reach $5,000 to $10,000. Rare colors like charcoal or blue command higher prices. Kittens from award-winning bloodlines have sold for over $25,000.

The price reflects breeding costs. Health screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy requires echocardiograms at around $300 to $500 per cat. Genetic testing for progressive retinal atrophy and pyruvate kinase deficiency adds another $40 to $120 per test. Breeders also factor in stud fees, veterinary care for pregnant queens, and kitten vaccinations.

Bengal ownership faces restrictions in some jurisdictions. New York City prohibits hybrid cats within five generations of the wild ancestor. Hawaii bans all Bengals regardless of generation. Several Australian states classify early-generation Bengals as restricted wildlife.

Regulations stem from concerns about ecological impact and public safety. Early-generation hybrids may retain wild behaviors and prey drives. Escaped or released Bengals could potentially harm native wildlife populations.

Buyers should verify local laws before purchasing. Requirements change periodically. Connecticut lifted its ban on Bengal ownership in 2017. Other states continue to debate legislation.

Lisa Chen sees the regulatory landscape as likely to remain complicated.