Bengal cats are heavily desired for their exotic look, but like most things, they come with a heftier price tag than most other cat breeds. A quality Bengal from a breeder can range from $,2000-5,000 and upwards of $10,000 for a Bengal with great show quality. Now I know that is a very large range for adopting a cat, but let’s take a look at some of the things that will change the price of a Benga cat.Enter your text here...
Generation
The generation of the cat is a generic way of saying who its parents are. Bengals are a breed of wild Asian Leopard cats and domestic breeds that can vary. Typically the cats are continually bred with other domesticated cats until about the 4th generation being separated from the Asian Leopard Cat
Think of the Bengal cats that you’re looking to adopt as the great-grandchildren of the Asian Leopard Cat.
The breed has to be removed far enough from the Asian leopard cat so as to make them domesticated for human households and to meet breed requirements.
Pedigree
Bengals are a recognized cat breed so they have “standards” based on their coats, body types, eye color, and several other factors. Having a known and documented pedigree for your cat is useful to know if the family line has exposure to feline illnesses.
A pedigree can also increase the price of the Bengal if the family line is known to have certain traits that judge’s like in the breed. If the Bengal who you are adopting is the child of two award-winning Bengals due to their head shape, then this could increase the price of the cat. These Bengal cats can range from $3000-$10,000
These are only relevant if you’re looking to have a show cat. If you’re looking to adopt your Bengal as a loving companion and pet, then it doesn’t matter what industry standards are for Bengals. Choose your new pet based on how you bond and feel about the animal's behavior and personality.
Breeder
Larger, more established breeders can demand a higher price. They typically come with better reputations in the community and likely have bred many successful Bengals. They’ll also have the largest selection of litters and typically will have more experience with getting the most desirable physical and behavioral traits from their kittens.
It should also be noted that more established breeders can go through more precautions and veterinary steps to ensure that the cat is vaccinated and tested for any known genetic ailments.
People who specialize in the breed and can deliver consistently healthy and desireable litters are going to want to charge a premium for their expertise and professionalism. Not to mention that most sanctioned breeders have to adhere to guidelines set forth by cat breed governing bodies in order to remain a sanctioned breeder.
Coat Type
Let’s call it what it is. The exotic-looking coat of the Bengal is what attracts most people to the cat. It’s cool to have a mini leopard in your house that won’t get hungry and eat you while you sleep.
The Bengal cat has a few different types of coats and the more distinctive and exotic looking the coat, the higher the price.
Leopard Spotted
Sorrel Spotted
Charcoal Spotted
Tri-Color Marble
Sorrel Marble
Seal Point Lynx
Snow Mink
Snow Sepia
Charcoal Snow
Things to know about the Bengal Cat.
Personality
Bengal cats, due to their wild ancestors, are very active and very intelligent. The Bengal is a great breed if you are looking for a fun cat, but can be challenging when not given the proper time and attention. As a general rule, The Bengal is a chatty, friendly cat that is always on the prowl. Nothing going on will get overlooked and they enjoy games of chase, fetch and routinely learn tricks. Bengals are extremely nimble and have great dexterity in their paws.
A Bengal cat that is bored is a cat that is going to cause problems. When Bengals are not given enough activities to do, they can in to some destructive habits. Bengals are not shy to scratching at furniture, tearing up bathrooms and running rampant if not given enough toys and play time. They are also fond of water so you must make sure that you leave all toilet seats down and secure any Aquariums or Ponds from their reach. Bengals are expert hunters and will have no problem grabbing pet fish if given the opportunity.
Bengals enjoy getting to the highest point in the house possible. High shelves and ledges are no match for this cat, so make sure that you have plenty of cat trees for them to climb on. The Bengal is affection and when they are done playing jungle cat, they will happily rest on your lap or share your bed.
Health
Any cat can have ailments that are related to any cat regardless of breed. It's important to always consult with your breeder about genetic concerns. The Bengal is a generally healthy cat, but here are some health concerns that have been noted in this breed:
- Flat-chested kitten syndrome - a deformity that kittens can grow out up
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a heart related disease
- Patellar luxation - hereditary knee problems
- Progressive retinal atrophy - a degenerative eye disease
- Distal neuropathy - a nervous system disorder that causes weakness.