About Bengals

The Bengal Cat’s name comes from the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus Bengalensis. Bengals are the only domestic cat with rosettes that resemble the markings on leopards, jaguars and ocelots. 

Bengals are a hybred breed that was developed in the early 1900's by crossing the Asian Leopard cat with domestic felines. The actual Bengal species began In the 1970's, when Jean Sugden Mill, an American breeder and a conservationist from Des Moines, IA, bred the Asian leopard cat hybrids with domestic breeds. Her goal ws to produce a breed that stayed true to the exotic appearance of the Asian leopard cat, with the personality of a domestic house cat.

Under 5 generations, cats bred with the Asian Leopard cats are considered a hybrid.  Gen 5 and over cats are constitute the true breed of Bengal. The Asian Leopard cat crossed with Abyssinian or Burese creates the Brown; crossed with the Egyptian Mau creates the Silver. The Snow Bengal cat is a relatively new breed that has its origins in the United States during the 1990's. The Snow Bengal is not a naturally occurring breed. It is the result of careful breeding between the Bengal and the Siamese. They are considered a rare species.

Bengals may look like a wild cat, but purchasing a Bengal that has been bred with temperament in mind and well socialized from birth, is as lovably friendly as the time you put into it. Full of life and extremely people-oriented, Bengals are playful, energetic cats with a generous dose of curiosity. Fans of the Bengal rave about their personality and playful antics. Bengals form strong bonds of love and are fiercely loyal with their families.  They become faithful, affectionate, fun-loving friends, provided you meet them halfway and give them the love they need in return. They require your time. Their hearts can be broken easily.

Bengals feature high cheekbones, dark markings around the eyes, and the ears are small and pointed but round at the tips. Their coats, which are actually a pelt and considered to be a part of their skin, have a unique, plush feel unlike any other cat breed. Because they are low shed and have no undercoat, along with this type of “skin,” they are low allergen. There is no such thing as a non-allergenic cat.

One of the most distinctive features of this feline is its unique coat pattern and color. Most Bengal cats’ coats have rich, highly contrasted shades of bright orange to light brown (known as browns), with dark spots or a distinctive marbling pattern. Some even have a “glitter” to the tips of their fur, which glistens when the light hits it. (FYI- all of our breeding Bengals carry glitter. Most are full glitter.) Other colors include the beautiful Silvers, and the dazzling  “Snow” Bengals – the Lynx Point, the Lynx Mink, and the Sepia. We are proud to now be breeding the more exotic colors - the striking Charcoal and the Silver Charcoal. There is also the Blue (the d,d dilute gene) is very rare, and the s panther-like Melanistic (black with black rosettes). Their patters can be spotted, marbled, or sparbled, with a beautiful variety of spots. They can be single-spotted, rosetted – arrowhead, paw-printed, donut, clustered- and they can be clouded. (Our Eira has clouded rosettes.)

Athletic and agile, Bengals love to climb and will gravitate toward the highest point in any room. Bengals are often great sources of entertainment. One of the main characteristics that make them so special as companions is their intelligence. We have found that regular kitty toys are not enough. They bore easily.  We’ve gone to human toddler electronic interactive toys, as well as robotic toys, and the wonderful Ferris Cat Wheel from ZiggyDo.Com.  But nothing replaces your personal one-on-one time with your cat. 

Bengals learn very quickly, and enjoy learning new behaviors. In fact, they may learn tricks you’d rather they didn’t, such as turning on and off light switches, opening doors, and turning on water in your bathroom or kitchen sink. The curious Bengal may get into everything, and changes in the home often provoke a quick response from the Bengal. Open a cupboard and your Bengal may dive in for a quick look, and decide, if they are not up to their standards, to rearrange the contents. To leave this thought on the positive, they can learn the good things, too. They are easy to leash train. They can be taught tricks like a dog can – stay, sit, fetch and much more.  We have a family a few families that as soon as soon as they took their new family member home, they started clicker training. Bengals are eager to please.

Because of the leopard cat’s habit of eliminating in water to hide their scent from larger predators, some Bengals learn to use the toilet. Like their wild relatives, Bengals relish their freedom; they dislike being restrained. Well socialized Bengals will seek you out and cuddle up on your lap or beside you in bed. Bengals often love water, particularly if it’s running. I sometimes turn a small stream of water on in the kitchen sink, just so they can play. Some only dip an occasional paw under the faucet, while others may try to go for a romp in the tub or shower—as long as it’s their idea. Some report that their cats’ fascination with water borders on obsession, and steps must be taken to keep floods to a minimum; Bengal owners quickly learn to keep the toilet lid down.

Health issues within the breed include:

• Distal Neuropathy (can cause weakness)
• Hip Dysplasia (can cause lameness)
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM- can cause heart failure)
• Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome (a deformity that ranges from mild to severe - usually shows no signs as an adult.)
• Patellar Luxation (dislocation of the knee cap)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (a degenerative eye disease)

When looking for a kitten and researching a specific breed, it’s important that you are aware of any health problems the breed is predisposed to so that you can reduce or eliminate the chances of bringing home an affected kitten, which could have devastating consequences. There are currently 3 known genetic conditions that every Bengal breeder should test or screen for in order to help prevent the passing down of hereditary Bengal health issues: 

·  PK-Def, which causes anemia

·  Bengal PRA, which causes blindness

·  HCM, which causes heart failure

Evans Ranch Pride Cattery is a "TICA Outstanding Cattery of Excellence."  Our renewal is in March, when HunniPawz will hold the title. 

HunniPawz's breeding cats are genetically tested to ensure that our cattery is not only placing beautiful cats with wonderful temperaments, but cats that are assured genetically healthy. Our cats are screened routinely by a veterinarian and certified healthy. The veterinary practice we have chosen for our cattery specializes in reproductive health.  HunniPawz is a FIP, FIV and FeLV free facility.

Kittens may go to their forever homes when they are developmentally ready at 16 weeks. They are microchipped, litter box trained, well socialized, have had all age-appropriate veterinarian wellness checks, and are immunized. Males are neutered right at 16 weeks. Remaining females are spayed closer to 6 months. Kittens/Cats are guaranteed healthy leaving our cattery and come with a written 5-year genetic health guarantee. 

Through TICA, we have partnered with Trupanion to offer health insurance for your new family member that will take effect from the very first day your new little love is in your possession- no waiting period. This will cover 90% any unforeseen health event that may occur.  It does not cover routine well checks and immunizations.   

As an adoptive "parent", you will become a part of our cattery family with us offering life-time support.

We welcome questions. We love to educate. We love fitting the right pet to the right home.