Bengal Cat: Energetic, Wild, and Playful Companion
This feline breed is relatively recent; it was only officially recognised in 1991. It is a hybrid breed created in the United States, where a common black domestic cat was crossed with an Asian leopard cat, which is a small wild feline widespread in south-east Asia. The aim was to create a domestic cat that had the appearance of a small leopard.
The first specimens were still a bit wild, so they were mated again with domestic cats until they managed to get a really good cat. The Bengal cat is therefore a splendid miniature leopard, whose need for movement and freedom must be respected, but it is very friendly with its humans. It is a lively breed and full of temperament, precisely because of its hereditary heritage.
It is alert, curious and sociable. Particularly responsive, it loves to interact with all family members. It is capable of showing interest in any activity involving family members. He is a favourite animal, in the feline world, for even small children, with whom he is very affectionate, protective and playful, putting up with very lively and noisy children very well.
He is very curious about strangers who may come into the house, with whom he immediately makes friends, if reciprocated. It is able to share its daily routine with other animals, with whom it is able to develop a relationship of mutual respect and very often affection.
The Bengal cat is often larger than common domestic cats. They are sinuous and athletic felines and can weigh up to 7/8 kilograms and be up to 70 centimetres tall. The head is slightly smaller than the body, with high, prominent cheekbones and large almond-shaped eyes that can be green or blue.
The coat is very soft to the touch and of short to medium length. The coat is spotted with warm colours ranging from chocolate to cinnamon. One of its peculiarities, unlike many other breeds, is a cat that uses its voice a lot. It meows often, either to draw attention to itself or to request food, and can be quite annoying if it is ignored.
He needs a lot of physical activity, so he is not a very suitable cat for flat life. He really likes climbing trees, running and jumping and is very athletic. It is a rather long-lived breed and the Bengal cat is a very robust cat and is also one of the hypoallergenic cats, ideal for those who love cats but are allergic to their fur.
It manages well to keep itself clean and does not need repeated brushing; it only needs to be brushed once or twice a week. As for its diet, it is a cat that tends to eat a lot, as it also consumes a lot being often on the move if it can.
