| FAQ's |
1. I have children and other pets would a Bengal fit into my household?
Bengals are an active breed and enjoy human interaction very much. They usually adapt into a household
with little problems. Many of our kittens have gone to homes with children and other pets and have had
no problem adjusting to this. Usually it's the other way around and older pets aren't as welcoming to a new
member. My kittens are hand raised with my two children alongside so children are usually seen as
another playmate!
2. I have heard that Bengal's don't shed, and I am allergic to cat hair. Are Bengals hypo-allergenic?
Bengals fur is low-lying and usually very silky. It is more like a pelt than fur. For this reason bengals don't
shed as often as other cats and people with allergies can have an easier time living with them than with
other cats. However, allergies are caused by pet dander not fur. Contrary to popular belief there is no
such thing as a hypo allergenic animal. We encourage people with allergies to visit our cattery to see how
they tolerate bengals, some do quite well however some do not.
3. What are some general characteristics of the Bengal breed?
Bengals are a high energy breed. They love to play for hours and don't often spend the entire day
sleeping away. Bengals also love high places so getting a cat tree may be in order. Some bengals adapt to
water very well and you may find yourself sharing your shower or closing your toilet lids to keep them
from playing in there. Bengals are also very intelligent and can be taught to fetch, walk on a leash and can
figure out how to open kitchen cupboards.
4. Do Bengals meow a lot?
Bengals are middle-of-the-road talkers, some are fairly quiet some can be quite talkative. Bengals tend to
have more of a wild sounding meow with chirps, growls and clicks rather than a simple meow.
5. Will my Bengal grow to be a huge wild cat?
Bengals are a breed originating with the crossing of the Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic short hair.
Asian Leopards are small shy animals. They are usually timid and not aggressive. Most breeders sell F4
bengals as pets meaning they are 4 generations down from an ALC and therefore are considered
"domestic". F3's and above are more costly, can be sterile, and often require a permit to own. Female
bengals average out anywhere from 8-11 pounds and males average 14-19 pounds. Bengals also have an
extra vertebrae so will be a bit longer than your average house cat, sometimes a bigger litter box helps
accommodate this.
6. Which is better... a male or a female?
We get this question a lot and always have the same answer. It really is a matter of preference. Some say
females are sweeter, some say males. I have found both when fixed at an appropriate age can be sweet,
loving house pets. The only real difference is size. Males will be quite a bit larger than a female.
7. We have a cat that tends to hide from company. Will my Bengal do this?
Our kittens are well socialized and tend to love people. After your kitten warms up to your household you
will most often have to try and get your cat to stop playing with guests that come over rather than trying to
get them to come out.
8. I know that Bengals have wild blood from the Asian Leopard Cat. Will a Bengal be too wild for my home
or attack people?
Bengals do have traceable wild blood, and the first 3 generations of crosses do tend to be a little more
wild than SBT's (4 generations and beyond). However, ALC's are timid, NOT aggressive, so the wild
characteristics, if passed to your Bengal, will be more of a "flee" reaction, not aggression. All cats can
have a tendency to hiss and spit and scratch is raised improperly. We strive to keep our cats friendly and
well adjusted and not just because they are bengals because they are members of our family.
9. Will a male "spray" if they are neutered?
I have never known a male to spray as long as they are neutered by the time they are 6 or 7 months old.
Males will start to "spray" at different ages but the average is 10-12 months old. If they start to spray
before they are neutered, it may take awhile for them to stop. This is why we HIGHLY recommend
neutering at around 6 months of age.
10. Can you tell me if bengals are prone to getting HCM?
HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) is a heart disease that results in heart failure. Any cat can get it, not
just bengals. Many Bengal breeders are testing for HCM and I most often buy my queens from lines where
BOTH parents have tested negative. It is believed to be genetic and I do not use any lines that have had
known HCM in the line.
11. What is the benefit of buying from a breeder that takes their cats to cat shows?
This is a question that is asked a lot and this is MY personal opinion. Breeders that show their cats know
what direction the breed is going in and where the standard is headed. They teach us and know what we
should be striving for in the breed. I do not often show myself; therefore I purchase my cats from
breeders that DO show. This does not mean I don't attend shows to keep myself educated. Almost all my
cats are from championship lines meaning the parents or grandparents have been shown to be superior
cats that conform to the breed standard. And I have great mentors who also show. I RARELY sell "show
quality" cats. I do know and understand the breed standard and how to recognize standard faults but do
not like to guarantee a show cat since I do not show myself. Be wary of breeder who always have "show
quality cats" available.
12. What is your kitten price?
I have it posted on the kitten page but kitten prices start at $700 and can go as high as $1300 depending
on quality, color, and contrast. Many people ask us why kitten prices are so high. We feel compared to
breeders across the United States our prices are very reasonable and on a scale to other reputable
breeders. I have had several Bengal kittens owners who bought a cheap Bengal on Craig list, the
newspaper, or random pet websites come to me with questions regarding the health and quality of their
kittens. We try and breed gorgeous, healthy, breed conforming kittens and don't cut any corners.
13. Do you breed for profit?
I do not breed for profit. Many reputable breeders will tell you it is extremely hard to breed for a profit! A
lot of time, effort, money, and love go into raising bengals. Some litters you have to be with around the
clock feeding every 2 hours, some foundation females may cost you thousands and not produce a single
kitten, you may lose kittens and experience heartbreak, you may expect gorgeous browns and get
surprise melanistic kittens! I have purchased countless toys, crates, houses, replaced carpet, and bought
pounds and pounds of food and litter. It all depends. Both my husband and I also work outside the house.
We raise bengals for pure love of the breed.
Bengals are an active breed and enjoy human interaction very much. They usually adapt into a household
with little problems. Many of our kittens have gone to homes with children and other pets and have had
no problem adjusting to this. Usually it's the other way around and older pets aren't as welcoming to a new
member. My kittens are hand raised with my two children alongside so children are usually seen as
another playmate!
2. I have heard that Bengal's don't shed, and I am allergic to cat hair. Are Bengals hypo-allergenic?
Bengals fur is low-lying and usually very silky. It is more like a pelt than fur. For this reason bengals don't
shed as often as other cats and people with allergies can have an easier time living with them than with
other cats. However, allergies are caused by pet dander not fur. Contrary to popular belief there is no
such thing as a hypo allergenic animal. We encourage people with allergies to visit our cattery to see how
they tolerate bengals, some do quite well however some do not.
3. What are some general characteristics of the Bengal breed?
Bengals are a high energy breed. They love to play for hours and don't often spend the entire day
sleeping away. Bengals also love high places so getting a cat tree may be in order. Some bengals adapt to
water very well and you may find yourself sharing your shower or closing your toilet lids to keep them
from playing in there. Bengals are also very intelligent and can be taught to fetch, walk on a leash and can
figure out how to open kitchen cupboards.
4. Do Bengals meow a lot?
Bengals are middle-of-the-road talkers, some are fairly quiet some can be quite talkative. Bengals tend to
have more of a wild sounding meow with chirps, growls and clicks rather than a simple meow.
5. Will my Bengal grow to be a huge wild cat?
Bengals are a breed originating with the crossing of the Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic short hair.
Asian Leopards are small shy animals. They are usually timid and not aggressive. Most breeders sell F4
bengals as pets meaning they are 4 generations down from an ALC and therefore are considered
"domestic". F3's and above are more costly, can be sterile, and often require a permit to own. Female
bengals average out anywhere from 8-11 pounds and males average 14-19 pounds. Bengals also have an
extra vertebrae so will be a bit longer than your average house cat, sometimes a bigger litter box helps
accommodate this.
6. Which is better... a male or a female?
We get this question a lot and always have the same answer. It really is a matter of preference. Some say
females are sweeter, some say males. I have found both when fixed at an appropriate age can be sweet,
loving house pets. The only real difference is size. Males will be quite a bit larger than a female.
7. We have a cat that tends to hide from company. Will my Bengal do this?
Our kittens are well socialized and tend to love people. After your kitten warms up to your household you
will most often have to try and get your cat to stop playing with guests that come over rather than trying to
get them to come out.
8. I know that Bengals have wild blood from the Asian Leopard Cat. Will a Bengal be too wild for my home
or attack people?
Bengals do have traceable wild blood, and the first 3 generations of crosses do tend to be a little more
wild than SBT's (4 generations and beyond). However, ALC's are timid, NOT aggressive, so the wild
characteristics, if passed to your Bengal, will be more of a "flee" reaction, not aggression. All cats can
have a tendency to hiss and spit and scratch is raised improperly. We strive to keep our cats friendly and
well adjusted and not just because they are bengals because they are members of our family.
9. Will a male "spray" if they are neutered?
I have never known a male to spray as long as they are neutered by the time they are 6 or 7 months old.
Males will start to "spray" at different ages but the average is 10-12 months old. If they start to spray
before they are neutered, it may take awhile for them to stop. This is why we HIGHLY recommend
neutering at around 6 months of age.
10. Can you tell me if bengals are prone to getting HCM?
HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) is a heart disease that results in heart failure. Any cat can get it, not
just bengals. Many Bengal breeders are testing for HCM and I most often buy my queens from lines where
BOTH parents have tested negative. It is believed to be genetic and I do not use any lines that have had
known HCM in the line.
11. What is the benefit of buying from a breeder that takes their cats to cat shows?
This is a question that is asked a lot and this is MY personal opinion. Breeders that show their cats know
what direction the breed is going in and where the standard is headed. They teach us and know what we
should be striving for in the breed. I do not often show myself; therefore I purchase my cats from
breeders that DO show. This does not mean I don't attend shows to keep myself educated. Almost all my
cats are from championship lines meaning the parents or grandparents have been shown to be superior
cats that conform to the breed standard. And I have great mentors who also show. I RARELY sell "show
quality" cats. I do know and understand the breed standard and how to recognize standard faults but do
not like to guarantee a show cat since I do not show myself. Be wary of breeder who always have "show
quality cats" available.
12. What is your kitten price?
I have it posted on the kitten page but kitten prices start at $700 and can go as high as $1300 depending
on quality, color, and contrast. Many people ask us why kitten prices are so high. We feel compared to
breeders across the United States our prices are very reasonable and on a scale to other reputable
breeders. I have had several Bengal kittens owners who bought a cheap Bengal on Craig list, the
newspaper, or random pet websites come to me with questions regarding the health and quality of their
kittens. We try and breed gorgeous, healthy, breed conforming kittens and don't cut any corners.
13. Do you breed for profit?
I do not breed for profit. Many reputable breeders will tell you it is extremely hard to breed for a profit! A
lot of time, effort, money, and love go into raising bengals. Some litters you have to be with around the
clock feeding every 2 hours, some foundation females may cost you thousands and not produce a single
kitten, you may lose kittens and experience heartbreak, you may expect gorgeous browns and get
surprise melanistic kittens! I have purchased countless toys, crates, houses, replaced carpet, and bought
pounds and pounds of food and litter. It all depends. Both my husband and I also work outside the house.
We raise bengals for pure love of the breed.
| Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you. |
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| We always refer to TICA standard for our answers, but some may have personal opinions that are not meant to offend in any way. |
