Feline
Every cat is an individual, but most Bengals
get along with other pets, including dogs.
Th ey are best suited to homes with older
children who will enjoy playing with them,
but as long as they have an escape route
from toddlers they should do well with
them.
Th is is a cat that needs a lot of vertical
territory. Bengals love to climb, the higher
the better. Provide them with tall cat trees
and window perches. Th ey are also fond of
playing water. Don’t be surprised if your
Bengal wants to join you in the shower or
bathtub. You may fi nd yourself installing a
motion-sensitive faucet in your bathroom
or kitchen so he can turn the water on and
off for himself. If that’s not on your agenda,
he will appreciate having a pet fountain to
drink from.
Th ey are also highly intelligent and enjoy
the attention that comes with being clicker-
trained. Challenge their brain and keep
them interested in life by teaching them
tricks and games and providing them with
interactive toys or puzzle toys that will
reward them with kibble or treats when
they learn how to manipulate them.
Always choose a kitten from a breeder who
raises litters in the home and handles them
from an early age. Meet at least one and
ideally both of the parents to ensure that
they have nice temperaments.
What You Need
To Know About Bengal Health
All cats have the potential to develop
genetic health problems, just as all
people have the potential to inherit diseases.
Any breeder who claims her breed has no
health or genetic problems is either lying
or is not knowledgeable about the breed.
Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who
does not off er a health guarantee on kittens,
who tells you that the breed is 100 percent
healthy and has no known problems, or
who tells you that her kittens are isolated
from the main part of the household for
28
Always choose
a kitten from a
breeder who raises
litters in the home
and handles them
from an early age.
Meet at least one
and ideally both
of the parents
to ensure that
they have nice
temperaments
health reasons.
Bengals have hereditary health issues that
can be a concern, especially if you aren’t
cautious about who you buy from. One
possible condition is polycystic kidney
disease, but DNA tests are now available to
help remove aff ected cats from the breeding
pool. Bengals may also be more prone to
some infectious diseases such as feline
infectious peritonitis and trichimonas
foetus, a protozoal infection that causes
diarrheal. Responsible breeders take steps
to identify or avoid these problems.
Remember that aft er you’ve taken a new
kitten into your home, you have the power
Creature Companion | February 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 2 • Noida
to protect him from one of the most
common health problems: obesity. Keeping
a Bengal at an appropriate weight is one of
the easiest ways to protect his overall health.
Make the most of your preventive abilities
to help ensure a healthier cat for life.
Th e Basics of Bengal Grooming
Bengals have a short, luxurious, soft coat
that is easy to care for with weekly brushing.
He will love the attention, and if you brush
him more oft en you will fi nd fewer dust
bunnies and hairballs around the house.
Th e rest is basic care. Trim the nails as
needed, usually weekly. Check the ears every
week for redness or a bad smell that could
indicate an infection. If the ears look dirty,
wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened
with a gentle cleanser recommended by
your veterinarian. Brush his teeth frequently
at home with a vet-approved pet toothpaste
and schedule veterinary cleanings as
needed. Start brushing, nail trimming and
teeth brushing early so your kitten becomes
accepting of this activity.
* Information sourced from
vetSTREET (Visit for more info
about pet breeds)