Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright
Bengal cats are incredibly energetic and attractive felines. They come in two basics spotted and striped patterns or a combination known as “sparbled” that describes a marbled patterning. Their basic colors are brown and white with everything in between, including black. The Bengal eye color may also change to blue or light green in adulthood, depending on their breeding history. When selecting a Bengal be sure to choose an F5 type if you have children as this generation is furthest away from their wild origins.
When doing your research and locating a breeder, ensure that you don’t visit two or more in the same day. If you do, then be sure to change your clothing so that you don’t run the risk of infecting any young felines in your search. Should you specifically want a pedigreed Bengal then establish whether the breeder is registered with the appropriate governing body in your area. It is also good to check that your kitten has been vaccinated against deadly diseases, deformed and treated for fleas before you take it home.
Bengals Nutritional Needs
Bengals are carnivores and should preferably be fed on a diet of raw food. This is more likely to meet their dietary requirements than dry commercial pet food options which contain very little meat and are composed mainly of corn, starch and other fillers that make it difficult for your cat to digest. Raw food may be provided in the form of beef, mutton, chicken, boned fish and organs. It is essential that your Bengal consume the amino acid Taurine that is found in muscles and organs.
Of course you can mix canned and raw foods but err on the side of caution to ensure your mini tiger receives the necessary nutrients to maintain a high quality diet. Feeding your Bengal raw food will also result in less smelly faces that are biodegradable rather than the commercial food that is filled with preservatives and will take ages to degrade.
The Tiger Temperament
Your Bengal is a very sociable feline and will bond well with other family pets. Just don’t allow him near any small birds, hamsters or reptiles as he will definitely supplement his food source with these creatures. This feline is intelligent and as easy to train as a dog, if not easier. You can teach him to come when called, potty train him and walk him on a leash as well as a few other tricks. These cats are also extremely energetic and will require a lot of play time. Quite a bit of home training is therefore recommended to ensure that he becomes a respectable member of the household. If not, he will easily pounce and jump onto various surfaces and may keep you awake at night if he does not deplete his energy resources. You won’t easily curb his energy levels so don’t purchase one of these delightful animals if you expect a couch potato.
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