Bengal
A muscular, athletic cat with a leopard-like spotted or marbled coat.
- Size
- Medium to large
- Weight
- 8 to 15 lb (3.6 to 6.8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12 to 16 years
- Coat
- Short, soft and pelt-like
- Colors
- Brown, snow and silver, spotted or marbled
- Origin
- United States, from crosses of the Asian leopard cat with domestic cats
What does a Bengal look like?
Bengals look like small leopards. The coat is short and very soft, with rosettes (spots with a darker outline) or a marbled swirl, often with a glittering sheen. The body is long and muscular, the head is small and rounded, and the belly is usually spotted too. The tail is thick, ringed and tipped in black.
Bengal personality
Bengals are smart, confident and very active. Many love water, learn tricks and play fetch. A bored Bengal gets into everything, so it suits owners who enjoy an energetic cat.
How to care for a Bengal
The coat needs almost no grooming. What a Bengal needs is activity: climbing space, daily play and puzzle toys.
How do I know if my cat is a Bengal?
Look for rosettes or a marbled pattern with strong contrast, a spotted belly and a glittery coat. Many house cats are spotted tabbies, but their spots are usually small and solid, and the coat is plainer.
A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.
Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.
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