Month: August 2023

Bengal cat sitting in the sunlight
Breed Profiles

Bengal Cats: Living Room Leopards

mehshadoweye

Meredith Hemphill

mehshadoweye

Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Bengal cat sitting in the sunlight
Image by Christiane Heßler from Pixabay

Bengal cats are a popular but somewhat controversial designer breed. They are meant to look like little leopards without the dangers of having a wild cat in the house. Their coats are stunningly beautiful, and Bengal enthusiasts say they make delightful and unique pets. However, some people argue that Bengals are wilder than a pet should be because they are a hybrid breed. Today we’ll dive deep on this intriguing cat breed.

Neither Tigers, nor Leopards, nor Just Cats

The Bengal breed is credited to California breeder Jean Sudgen Mills, who crossed a female Asian Leopard Cat–a small, leopard-spotted wild cat–with a male black domestic shorthair in 1963 [2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15]. She was not the first to create this type of hybrid cat, however. The earliest mention was in 1889 by Harrison Weir in his book Our Cats and All at Them [13]. References to Asian Leopard Cat x Domestic Cat hybrids cropped up periodically over the next half-century [9, 13].

Contemporaneously with Jean Mills, Dr. Willard Centerwall bred these hybrid cats to study their genetics and immune systems [11, 13]. Mills used some of Centerwall’s cats to start a breeding program [11, 13]. Early Bengal breeders also incorporated Egyptian Maus and later added Siamese for more color variation [1, 5, 8, 11]. Mills and other early breeders experienced some challenges, including the unpleasant surprise that the hybrid toms were sterile [1, 15]. But the second generation was all fertile, and eventually there were enough Bengals that these days, most Bengals are bred from other Bengals [13, 15]. In fact, using Asian Leopard Cats in current breeding programs is typically discouraged [3].

Jean Mills petitioned persistently to have the Bengal recognized as a breed, and in 1983 The International Cat Society first accepted the Bengal as an experimental breed [11, 13, 15]. Today, six cat fancy registries accept Bengals, and they are a well-established global breed [11].

Many people think that the name Bengal comes from the Bengal tiger [1, 13]. There is even a myth that Bengal cats are descended from Bengal tigers, which would be impossible [6]. They are no more related to tigers than any other housecat [6]. The name comes from the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis [1, 5, 13, 15].

Bengal Cat Characteristics

Bengal cats are assigned a filial generation number (F1, F2, F3, F4….) depending upon how closely related they are to an Asian Leopard Cat [1, 9]. A F1 Bengal is the kitten of an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat [1, 9]. A F2 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat as a grandparent, a F3 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat great-grandparent, etc. [1, 9]. Bengal cats are considered domesticated from F4 on; only these can be registered and shown [2, 5, 6, 11, 13-15].

Appearance

Bengal cat colors

Bengals are a medium-large breed, with the toms getting up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) [4, 9, 11, 14]. They have long, lean, muscular bodies [2, 4, 9, 11, 15]. Their long and powerful legs make them incredible jumpers and climbers [4, 5, 9]. They can jump up to six feet–straight up or across [5, 6]!

Of course, their stunning spotted coats are what Bengals are most known for. Bengals come in six basic colors, but the cat fancy only recognizes brown, snow, silver, and sometimes charcoal [1, 8, 11, 15]. Blue and black/melanistic are non-standard colors [1, 8].

Brown is the most common color, with markings that may be black, brown, or reddish-brown [4, 8]. Snow Bengals inherited the temperature-sensitive albinism trait from the Siamese and come in lynx, mink, and sepia varieties [2, 5, 8]. Silver Bengals are white or gray with black markings [8]. The smoky black charcoal trait in inherited independently of coat color, so Bengals of any color may have it in addition to their base color [8].

Blue comes from the dilute trait, which is also inherited independently of coat color [8]. These cats are a steely gray with darker gray-blue markings [8]. Some breeders are attempting to gain championship recognition for blue Bengals [8]. The black/melanistic Bengal looks like a black panther, with black markings nearly invisible on a black background [8].

Bengals can either be spotted or marbled [1, 2, 5, 8, 9]. Their spots can be simple dots or a variety of rosette patterns like those seen on leopards, ocelots, and other wild felids [1, 5, 8, 9, 15]. The marbled coat pattern consists of dark swirls all over the cat’s coat [1, 8]. Some Bengals have both patterns [8]. Bengals can have green, gold, or–in the case of snow Bengals–blue eyes [8, 11].

Personality

Bengals are extremely intelligent and extremely active cats [1-6, 9, 11, 14]. They need ways to keep their minds and bodies active because boredom leads to mischief [1, 5, 6, 9, 11]. These are not cats that do well in home where they will be left alone for long periods of time [3, 15]. They need lots of playtime and attention [3, 5, 9, 11, 15]. However, they are very trainable and often do well with learning to walk on a leash, so they are well-suited to active people who want a cat that’s as adventurous as they are [1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 15].

Additionally, Bengals are very affectionate [1-3, 9, 14, 15]. They tend to have a favorite person who they become attached to and will love forever [9]. If well-socialized as kittens, Bengals are typically good with dogs, children, and people in general [4, 5, 9, 14, 15]. They don’t always like other cats, however [1]. They can be quite territorial, so if you want a multi-cat household, it may be best to get a pair of Bengals who already know each other or introduce the Bengal to a house where other cats are already established [1]. Bengals do not tolerate change well and are prone to stress and problem behaviors if you don’t ease them into big changes [1, 3, 9].

A fun and unusual thing about Bengals is that most of them love water [1-6, 9, 11]! This comes from the Asian Leopard Cat which lives near rivers [4]. Bengals are known for playing with their water dishes, following their people into the bath or shower, and going swimming if they get half a chance [1, 4, 5, 6]. Providing water games can be a good way to keep your Bengal entertained–just be prepared to clean up the splashes after [1, 4, 9, 11].

Welcome to the Jungle

It is important that anyone adopting or purchasing a Bengal or other hybrid cat realize that they have different needs than the typical housecat [3, 6, 7, 14]. Because they are so smart and so energetic, Bengals need a lot of toys, things to climb, and interactive playtime, or they will become destructive [3, 5, 6, 9, 11]. Many Bengals enjoy running on wheels [3]. Also some Bengals don’t digest dry or grain-based cat food very well which is unpleasant for everyone [3, 15]. Bengal Rescue recommends feeding Bengals a grain-free wet food or raw food diet.

Bengals should be indoor-only cats, both because they are likely to be stolen and because they are particularly hazardous to local wildlife [1, 9, 14]. Bengals love the outdoors, though, so taking them for walks and/or providing a catio for outside time is a good idea [9, 14]. It really helps get some of their energy out.

Snow Bengal cat
Snow Bengal – Image by 성혁 이 from Pixabay

Speaking of the Bengal’s high prey drive and excellent hunting skills, you have to be very careful about keeping small animals (birds, lizards, hamsters, etc.) in a home with a Bengal [1]. The cat doesn’t know those are pets, too; they just see prey. With their love for water, Bengals are especially interested in aquarium fish [1, 11]. So don’t let your Bengal near your smaller pets. Cat-proof extensively, more than you think you have to. These crafty kitties can get into places you wouldn’t expect.

F1-F3 Bengals, also known as Foundation Bengals, are more like wild animals than housecats [14]. The International Bengal Cat Society explains that “owning one of these cats is akin to owning a large parrot or an alligator as a pet” [14]. Only consider taking in one of these cats if you are prepared to make major adjustments [14].

Special Health Concerns

There is a myth that Bengals are immune to Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) [6, 11]. Asian Leopard Cats are immune, but Bengals did not inherit this trait and need immunizations for FeLV like all domestic cats [6, 11]. Bengal cats are also prone to a few illnesses. Bengals have an elevated risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common type of heart disease in cats [1, 2, 9, 15]. They can have some eye problems as well: progressive retinal atrophy, which causes premature blindness, and cataracts [1, 2, 9, 11, 15]. And there is a higher rate of Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency among Bengals [2, 15]. This metabolic disorder disrupts their red blood cells [2].

Responsible breeders will test their cats for genetic diseases [1, 15]. If you get a Bengal from a breeder, make sure to ask about their genetic testing policy, and have your veterinarian thoroughly examine your new cat for any signs of disease as well.

Bengals are more likely to be sensitive or allergic to anesthetics, so discuss this with your veterinarian if you have a Bengal who needs to be aestheticized for any procedure, including spay/neuter surgery [1, 9]. Allergic reactions to anesthetics can be fatal.

Why are Bengal cats illegal in some places?

Bengals and other hybrid cats are banned in some locations, including New York City and Hawaii [9, 10]. Restrictions in some places only apply to earlier generations of Bengals, i.e. F1-F3 [9]. There are several reasons for these regulations.

Bengals are considered particularly dangerous to native wildlife because of their high prey drive and superior hunting skills [10]. This is part of the reason they are not allowed in Hawaii [10], where the native birds have been severely depleted by invasive species, including domestic cats. The other concern in Hawaii is that cats can carry the parasite toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for Hawaiian monk seals [10]. That is true of all cats, though, not just Bengals.

Connecticut banned Bengal cats in 1996 citing concerns that the domestic cat rabies vaccine may not be effective for the hybrid breed [12]. Some places ban hybrid cats simply because regulators consider them wild animals [12]. There are also concerns that continuing to breed hybrid pet cats could put strain on populations of threatened wildcats, as some breeders continue to go back to the Asian Leopard Cat to make new lines of Bengals or to the Serval to make new lines of Savannahs [7].

If you are considering adding a Bengal cat to your family, check your local exotic pet regulations to make sure that they are permitted as pets in your area. And remember to always look at adopting first. Organizations like Bengal Rescue (Western US), Bengal Rescue Australia, Great Lakes Bengal Rescue (US), East Coast Bengal Rescue (US), and the Bengal Cat Association (UK) can help you find the living room leopard that’s meant for you.

Fun Facts

  • The New Zealand Cat Fancy Registry also recognizes long-haired Bengals, also known as Cashmeres. [2]
  • Bengals are low-shed and low-dander, so while not strictly hypoallergenic, some people with cat allergies find them easier to be around. [3]
  • Some Bengals have a special trait called “glitter” which makes them sparkle or shimmer in the light. Glitter is caused by scattered colorless hairs throughout the coat that reflect light, giving the cat’s fur a glittery appearance. [2, 4, 5, 15]
  • Bengals cost between $1,500 and $10,000 USD from a breeder, depending upon sex, generation, and color/pattern. F1 females and snow Bengals are the most expensive. Back in 1990, when Bengals were relatively new, a woman once paid $50,000 USD for one! [1, 5, 14]

Sources

  1. Avery, T. (2023, March 29). The joys and hazards of living with a pet Bengal cat. Pet Helpful. https://pethelpful.com/cats/The-Joys-and-Hazards-of-Living-with-a-Bengal-Cat
  2. Basepaws. (n.d.). Bengal cat. https://basepaws.com/a/cat-breeds/bengal-cat
  3. Bengal Rescue. (2023). Adopting your first Bengal? https://bengalrescue.org/resources/adopting-your-first/
  4. Bengals Ramazan. (n.d.). Features of the Bengal cat. https://www.gatobengali.com/bengal-cat-features.php
  5. Brody, K. (2017, April 2). 15 things you didn’t know about the Bengal cat. Yummy Pets. https://www.yummypets.com/mag/2017/04/02/97710/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-bengal-cat
  6. Great Lakes Bengal Rescue. (2015, November 7). What is a Bengal? https://www.greatlakesbengalrescue.com/whatis.html
  7. Horton, H. (2022, February 17). UK could ban part-wild hybrid cats after social media fuels boom in popularity. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/uk-could-ban-part-wild-hybrid-cats-after-social-media-fuels-boom-in-popularity
  8. Jaccard, L. (2018, January 6). Bengal cat coat: Colors and patterns. Bengal Cats. https://bengalcats.co/bengal-cat-colors-patterns/
  9. Jimerson, D. (2021, April 20). Bengal. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/bengal
  10. KHON 2. (2018, November 16). Exotic Bengal cats confiscated in Honolulu. https://www.khon2.com/local-news/exotic-bengal-cats-confiscated-in-honolulu/
  11. Kruzer, A. (2022, June 18). Bengal cats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/bengal-cats-1238154
  12. McCarthy, K. E. (2000, July 11). Bengal cat laws. Connecticut General Assembly. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/2000-R-0680.htm
  13. The Bengal Cats. (2019). What is the origin of the Bengal cat? https://www.thebengalcats.com/pages/what-is-the-origin-of-the-bengal-breed
  14. The International Bengal Cat Society. (n.d.). Bengals as pets. https://www.tibcs.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=902066&module_id=469648
  15. The International Cat Association. (2019, October 28). The Bengal breed. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=1521:the-bengal-breed&catid=48

Published August 28th, 2023

Cat under an umbrella in the rain
Cat Care

Disaster Preparedness for Cats: How to Keep Your Pet Safe in an Emergency

mehshadoweye

Meredith Hemphill

mehshadoweye

Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

It’s the middle of hurricane season, and we just had a line of severe thunderstorms and tornados go through last Monday. Yesterday I saw a picture of someone looking for a lost cat in the ashes of their house on Maui. An emergency can happen any time, so we all need to think about disaster preparedness for our cats. What is the plan in case of a fire, flood, earthquake, or any other worst-case scenario? I hope you and your pets never have to face anything like that, but sometimes it happens. All we can do is be prepared.

“Hope you got your things together…looks like we’re in for nasty weather.”

Be Ready Before Something Happens

If there’s an emergency, you may need to move your cat to a safe room or even evacuate your home. At the very least, you’ll need to know where your pets are. So, step #1: make sure you have a carrier for every animal [2, 3, 8, 9]. A cat (or dog) carrier needs to be big enough for them to comfortably stand, lie down, and turn around in [1, 9]. You’ll also want to get your cat comfortable with being in the carrier [9, 10]. Similar to crate training dogs, you want your cat to feel like the carrier is a safe den and not just the place you shove them when scary things happen.

There’s not a one-size-fits-all method here, but things you can try include: putting a cozy blanket in the carrier, giving treats or feeding your cat inside, incorporating the carrier in playtime, and draping a towel over the carrier to make it cozier. Make sure you leave the carriers somewhere your cats can hang out in them regularly [9]. Label every carrier with your pet’s name, your name, and your contact information [3, 6, 5].

Gray kitten hiding under sofa
Block the unders to avoid this during a crisis – Image by Alexander Alehin from Pixabay

Even if your cat is used to their carrier, they might still be scared during a real emergency, so expect to have to catch your cat. That being said, it helps to pre-emptively “block the unders,” in the words of cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. This means under the bed, under the dresser, under the sofa–all those hidey-holes cats can get into that we can’t get them out of easily, if at all. Find a way to block those off so that if you need to quickly grab your cat and go, you don’t have to try to crawl under the furniture looking for a terrified house panther. [9]

Despite our best efforts, our pets still get lost sometimes, especially during the chaos of a disaster. So, it’s important that your pet has identification, too. The best way to make sure that a lost cat is returned to you is to have them microchipped [6, 9]. Get your cats microchipped as soon as possible–most vets will do it during their spay/neuter surgery–and keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip service [1-3, 6, 8-10]. If your cat will wear a collar, make sure they’re wearing correct tags including your contact info and any serious medical needs [1-3, 6]. Only use breakaway collars with cats.

Make sure you have a pet rescue alert sticker posted on a front window or somewhere near the door of your home [3, 4, 9]. These tell first responders that there animals in the house, what kind, and how many, so that they know to look for them [3, 4, 9]. You can order a sticker for free from the ASPCA. If you evacuate and have time on the way out, write EVACUATED over the sticker in permanent marker so no one wastes valuable time looking for animals that have been safely removed already [3, 4].

Pack Your Cat’s Disaster Preparedness Kit

Having an emergency kit packed and ready to grab and go will save you a great deal of time and stress if disaster strikes. You’ve probably heard recommendations for packing an emergency bag for yourself, but you should have one for your cats, too [1-10]. If you have a car or other reliable transport, pack a tough, waterproof box (like a storage bin with handles) that you can load up and take with you. If not, use something like a duffel bag or backpack that you can carry. Have one of those on hand even if you plan to drive, just in case that ceases to be possible.

Here’s a list of, ideally, everything to put in your pet emergency kit:

  • Important documents: identification papers like adoption records and microchip number; medical records; contact information for you, other potential caretakers, and your veterinarian; recent photo(s), preferably with both you and your pet
  • Food and bottled water for at least three days
  • Food and water bowls (collapsible ones save space), manual can opener if needed
  • 2 weeks-1 month supply of any medications
  • 1 month of parasite preventative
  • Cat litter and disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans and shallow cardboard boxes work)
  • Trash bags
  • Disinfectant, dish soap, paper towels
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Familiar blanket or bed
  • Familiar toy(s)
  • Grooming supplies, if your cat needs them
  • Harness and leash, if you walk your cat

Remember to periodically replace items in your emergency kit that expire, like food and medications. Below are downloads for pet emergency kit checklists from the Red Cross, American Veterinary Medical Association, and ASPCA, if you’re a checklist person like me. The ASPCA one is specifically for cats.

Red Cross Pet Safety Kit Checklist Download
AVMA Pet Evacuation Kit Checklist Download
ASPCA Disaster Planning for Cats Download

Know Where You Can Go with Pets

Cat under umbrella in the rain
Image by준모 강 from Pixabay

Having a well-considered plan is key to disaster preparedness, especially with cats. Figure out now what room in your home you will hole up in if you are sheltering in place [2, 6]. Make sure you could close off all the exits and keep your cat in that space with you if necessary [2]. In case you need to send pets away for a while, find out which family, friends, and neighbors are able and willing to care for them [2, 3, 6, 10]. Also look for veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, and animal shelters that will house pets during emergencies [1-3, 6]. You can try asking your veterinarian for suggestions [3].

If you have to evacuate, always take your pets with you [2, 3]. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for them [3]. That being said, a lot of places won’t allow you to stay with your pets, including a lot of Red Cross rescue shelters [3, 6, 8]. Keep a list of nearby hotels, motels, and shelters that allow cats [1-3, 6, 10]. If you think an evacuation might be coming, go ahead and make a reservation [1].

Resources for cat-friendly hotels:

Be Aware of Unusual Hazards

During and after a disaster, the environment is likely to be very different than your cat is used to. Familiar smells and landmarks may be gone [2, 6]. There can be all kinds of debris about as well as spilled chemicals and contaminated water [2, 6]. Wildlife can show up in strange places [6]. If your cat normally goes outside, don’t let them out there until you are sure it’s safe [2, 6]. Make sure you check your own space for unexpected hazards, too [2, 6]. Your cat may behave differently from all the stress [2, 6]. They may become more withdrawn or aggressive [2, 6]. Just be gracious with them. Cats love routine, so it helps a lot to get them back to their daily rhythms as soon as possible [9].

Sources

  1. Adams, B. W. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. The Humane Society of the United States. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/pet-disaster-preparedness
  2. American Humane. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/pet-disaster-preparedness/
  3. American Red Cross. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html
  4. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). Disaster preparedness. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness
  5. American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Pets and disasters. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergency-care/pets-and-disasters
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 14). Pet safety in emergencies. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies.html
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 31). Pet disaster preparedness kit. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies/pet-disaster-prep-kit.html
  8. Department of Homeland Security. (2023, June 16). Prepare your pets for disasters. Ready. https://www.ready.gov/pets
  9. Galaxy, J. (2022, May 28). The cat emergency prep checklist. Jackson Galaxy. https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blogs/news/the-cat-emergency-prep-checklist
  10. International Fund for Animal Welfare. (n.d.). Pet emergency kit plan: Be #disasterready. https://www.ifaw.org/campaigns/pet-emergency-preparedness-kit-plan

Published August 13th, 2023