The Unmatched Beauty of Bengal Cats
The beauty of wild cats is unmatched in domestic animals – until now, that is, and the existence of the
Bengal cats. These cats have been a recent addition to the world of domestic cats. They are bred not just for their beautiful markings which resemble wild Asian Leopard Cats (it should be noted that they are completely unrelated to the Bengal Tiger species), but also for their incredibly docile temperament.
Bengal cats were created to give cat loves the beauty of the markings and body shapes of the wild cats that so many of us love and admire while still allowing us to experience the companionship of a friendly cat. This is much preferable to the wild and destructive instincts of actual wild animals, making the Bengal cats a superior breed and a very popular one.
Bengal cats are a registered breed with several notable institutions including the International Cat Association, however just as notable is the refusal of the largest registry of pedigreed breeds to accept them. The CFA of the United States is reluctant to accept cat breeds which are a hybrid of domestic and wild cats, and so does not recognized the Bengal cat hybrid.
Bengal cats are medium sized domestic cats, with weight ranging from 8 to 15 pounds and with females generally being smaller than the males. Their faces tend to feature horizontal striping known as “mascara”, which extends all the way around the back of the neck. The sides and backs of the Bengal cats are marked with spots, with rosettes being more desirable than single spots. The tails and legs of the Bengals are striped.
Even better than the beautiful markings, though, are the loving and friendly disposition of the typical Bengal cats. These cats were not just bred for their colorations and markings, but also for their personalities and friendliness. Bengal cats are highly intelligent cats, and are also very curious and high energy. They love to interact with their people, and will often become engaged in games like fetch or hide and seek.
Bengal cats also tend to be fascinated by running water and usually do not mind getting wet. You might find a Bengal jumping into a sink or tub to find out what is going on, and some Bengal cats will actually seek out running water to play in and explore.
Beware the high energy of the Bengal if you are planning to be away from home for long periods, as this is not the kind of cat that you want to get bored. Bengal cats are more than capable of getting into mischief if they are not entertained, so a feline companion might be in order. Just be careful that you pay equal attention to both, as Bengal cats are also quite capable of feeling jealous when they are not treated with equal affection or if they feel that they are being ignored.
In general, Bengal cats are great pets for those who love to spend time petting and playing with their cats, although
Bengals are not the best lap cats.