This is a rare and expensive short-haired animal. Bengal breed of cats is a small parody of a leopard. Everyone who has such a wildlife specimen in his apartment is touched by his temperament and outlandish spotted color. For people, they become devoted friends for life.
Bengal cat - breed standard
The species is derived from crossing the leopard Asian (listed in the Red Book) with a domestic one. The color of the ancestor was brown and black specks on a yellow background, now the pets have other colors. Bengal cat is described by breed and character as wild - independent and independent, capable of any "feats". But such genes did not bring aggression into her temper, the animal is both domestic and sociable. Wild ancestors only left in the pet some signs, such as love in the water, unusual color, flexibility and plasticity of the predator.
What does a Bengal cat look like?
This is a large quadruped with a muscular body. Description of the Bengal cat - breed characteristics:
- the size of the animal tends from average to large, cats weigh up to six kilograms, females - up to four;
- head - elongated with a rounded face;
- paws - massive, rounded, hind legs longer than the forelegs;
- body - large, muscular, elongated in length;
- special features - a massive chin and pozasniki, which makes the mouth "tiger" by the time of growling, yawning;
- nose - wide and straight;
- ears - normal or small, inclined forward, tips rounded;
- eyes - expressive almond shaped, have a beautiful green, golden or blue color;
- tail - medium, not fluffy, there are spots along the entire length, the end is black;
- Wool - short or medium, soft to the touch like silk, glitters;
- color - patchy-striped (marble, leopard), there are gray, red, white shades.
Bengal breed of cats - character
This is a sweet creature in need of attention and affection. The Bengal cat in character description combines such features as cleverness and high intelligence, activity, playfulness and infinite devotion. She quickly learns, can master many tricks, even such as opening doors. Pets love games, jumpy and conquer different peaks.
Bengals love water and splash with pleasure. An outdoor fish tank is a great temptation for them. Bathroom, sink and toilet are favorite places for their entertainment. It is believed that leopards can even be taught to use the toilet . By nature, pets are calm and easily communicate with all - guests, children, other animals, to which they demonstrate a leading position.
Mini leopards show respect for others and require attention. They are well content with living in an apartment. Bengal breed of cats is attached to the owner more than home - runs after him everywhere, "helps" in all household chores and misses during separation. Such pets are not aggressive. A pleasant character is surprisingly combined with a menacing voice that reminds people that there is a descendant of wild ancestors. Such individuals love to roar, murch and "talk", but do not get bored.
Bengal breed of cats has its minuses of the breed - they are too assets, jumping, can accidentally break something. Toddlers should be picked up from childhood, so that they do not grow frightened. If the kitten is not accustomed to the owners and home environment, it becomes wild, hidden, alienated from people. But with good genetics and proper education such troubles will be avoided, and pets will adore and obey their masters.
Bengal cat - care and content
With proper care, the life of the individual is 15 years or more. Features Bengal breed of cats - they need minimal care, like to swim in the water and walk on the street. Periodically, the animal needs care for the hair, claws, ears. During moulting, there are no special problems with the hair covering - it needs to be combed more often. It is important to choose the right diet to provide the animal with the necessary nutrients and vitamins for active life.
Bengal cat - care
Dignity of the breed is its unpretentiousness. Caring for Bengal breed of cats is a pleasure. A minimum standard is required:
- clean the ears ;
- cut your claws every two weeks;
- periodically comb the hair with a special glove;
- feeding;
- affection and attention.
Such animals are clean, easy to accustom to the tray, do not shed. Because of their natural activity, they like walks - they need to be taken out on a long harness, since such individuals like to climb trees. Pleasant features of Bengal cats - they are absolutely not afraid of water and enjoy bathing, do not bite furniture and do not tear the wallpaper. They like pendant ladders, multi-level posts, tall houses. Gymnastic shells help the pet maintain good physical shape
Due to its origin from the wild kindred, the Bengal breed of cats has good health. It has good natural immunity and endurance. Severe problems with the state of health of such individuals are not observed. Characteristic diseases of Bengal cats:
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can cause sudden death;
- sensitive digestive system - owners should be carefully treated with animal feed;
- cat's leukemia.
Animals need to carry out mandatory vaccination, especially against rabies, and prevention of ticks and fleas. Female mini leopard ripen late, bring in 3-4 kids, diligently take care of them. Male cats are sexually active, require frequent matings. Their requirements they can confirm and mark corners. When choosing, one must take this feature into account. The leopard breed is at the peak of fashion. The cost of pets is high, fans of the breed are ready to shell out a considerable sum to have such a delightful miracle of grace and spotted coloring settled in the house.
What to feed a Bengal cat?
The basis of the diet of a mini leopard is meat - lean beef, chicken, rabbit in raw form without heat treatment, but necessarily frozen. You can use offal - liver, heart, kidneys. Twice a week it is allowed to use boiled fish. Nutrition Bengal cats should include vegetables (the fourth part of the volume of food) and dairy products - kefir, baby cottage cheese, cream. If the owner prefers specialized food, then it should be given 3-4 times a day.
Types of Bengal cats
Mini leopards have different colors - golden, gray, brown with characteristic patterns. The pattern is dominated by spots, rosettes with a light center, marble areas. They come with a contoured or disconnected contour. The most common color is rosettes or spots on a gold background. Due to the variety of patterns and tones, the same Bengals are not found. The more precise and contrast the pattern, the more valuable the color of the animal. An interesting species is the Bengal cat lop-eared. She looks like a Scottish breed. Along with the colorful color, the individual has dangling ends of the ears.
White Bengal cat
"Snow leopard" is a recognized shade of mini leopard. On the grayish-white or creamy background of the animal's body, dark spots are visible, the color of which varies from reddish-brown to black. Snow Bengal cat has pronounced darker areas on the muzzle, tail and paws, similar to the Siamese color. Such individuals are beautiful and unique. This is the only coloring of the Bengal breed of cats, in which animals are endowed with blue (even blue) eyes.
Kittens of the snow leopard appear completely white and only with age they become saturated colors - greyish or cream shades and dark spots. Working with kids is difficult and interesting - the flowering pattern gets to two years of a pet's life. How the animal will look, breeders can only guess, based on forecasts and experience.
Bengali silver cat
This variety of color is highlighted by the color of the coat. Bengal cat - short description:
- silver background (variations of shades - lighter or darker);
- absence of areas with red and rusty spots;
- paw pads are dark;
- nose red;
- color of eyes - from golden to green emerald with black rims;
- ornament on silvery wool - blue-black in the form of spots (completely painted in a dark tone), rosettes (a clarified center with a black outline), a marble pattern of different shapes and sizes.
Blue Bengal cat
This is a rare color of mini leopards, such kittens are born infrequently. Color is recognized recently. The gray Bengal cat has a blue background with a metallic glow on the back and a peachy tone on the belly and chest. Characteristic for the rocks ornaments (rosettes or spots, marble contours) on the body have a dark gray-blue color. Blue Bengals are original and attractive.
Carbon Bengal cat
This color is found in individuals with wild ancestors. Coal color is rare, does not have a separate code. It completely lacks a brown or yellow hue. Such a Bengal shorthair cat has a cold dark background of fur and more black marks - stains or marbles, on the muzzle of the animal contours of the mask are drawn. Color looks non-contrast, but attractive. At birth, babies completely look black with light tummies. Such mini leopards are rare.
Bengal marble cat
The drawings on the body of the breed are strikingly different. In addition to traditional spots, marble color is distinguished, which is characterized by the fact that there are no outlined contours on the trunk. On the body there are large patterns of dark color of various sizes and shapes (not leopard). Bengal marble cat - description: the figure is formed on a gold or silver background, the color in itself includes the most complex divorce in the body, the stomach is lighter, with spots. The eyes of the golden marble are green, and the silver ones (less common) are blue.
Bengal breed of cats are loving, loyal and sympathetic animals. They build strong relationships with their masters and have a deep need to open their feelings to them. Such a pet will get along with a person who is ready to devote daily a lot of time to communicate with fluffy wards. Spotted favorites require attention, they are talkative, publish a wide range of sounds, can growl. This is not the kind of breed that will sit on your knees for a long time - they need movement. Pets will not make the owner sad, their pranks will amuse the whole family.