What is a Foundation (F1, F2, or F3) ALC or SBT Bengal?
The first three generations resulting from the ALC x Bengal are considered "Foundation Bengals" or F-1, F-2, and F-3 ALC. The International Cat Association (TICA) considers the fourth generation (F-4) to be a "SBT" (studbook tradition) Bengal, eligible for competition in the show ring and a fully accepted domestic cat.
Please note: We only breed SBT Bengals.
How big do Bengal cats get? Bengal cats will vary in size depending on the pedigree background. Males will average between 12-15 pounds, females 8-12 pounds. Length can be up to 22" or greater.
Our Bella is a dainty girl, but our Bogee is quite larger (12 lbs) and pure muscle.
Do Bengal Cats get along well with children? Yes, Bengal cats are excellent family pets, and they love to play and sleep with the children of the family. However, please remember that children must be taught to treat animals with respect - this applies to all animals.
Our Bengals "put up" with a lot of love from our kiddo. They don't scatter when he thunders by them, they stick their ground until they have had enough. They are often found sleeping next to our young children or in their room/bed.
Is a Bengal Wild? Not at all! Although it has a wild looking appearance, the Bengal has a pleasant and affectionate nature. The only area in which the Bengal Cat has retained a "wild" behavior is in the way it moves and its love of water. Bengal cats are domestic cats. They are accepted in several cat registries as domestic cats.
All of our kittens are raised in the home with us and played with daily to ensure social skills.
Do you need a special permit to have a Bengal? Not to have a domestic Bengal cat. These animals are unique and must be cared for appropriately. It is not recommended that anyone consider these cats without researching the breed prior to committing yourself.
Can you really train a Bengal? Of Course! Not only CAN you, but you absolutely MUST! For the sake of your cat and your sanity, you must be consistent with rules, appropriate with discipline, and creative with activities. Bengals are extremely intelligent, and need constant stimulus to keep them happy. Training them allows for interaction with you, teaches them rules and boundaries, and can be very exciting.
We recommend a tall/large cat tree. We found a reasonably priced premium cat tree from Armarkat. They love the hanging basket at the top. Another option. With the same bells and whistles, shorter and wider, $70 cheaper.
Are Bengals allergy friendly? Bengals have a beautiful, short, pelted coat that requires minimal grooming. They are considered hypoallergenic. They seem to be far less likely to flare up allergies, however, each person may be affected differently.
What should I feed my Bengal? Our cats are fed premium high protein wet and dry cat food, as well as raw (chicken with bone/skin or bone/skin-less). Nutrish Cat Food is a favorite of our cats. A diet high in protein is crucial for this breed.
Raw fish? Do not feed Bengals raw fish. Raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase which destroys thiamine (one of the essential B vitamins). A thiamine deficiency may lead to appetite loss, seizures, coma and death. There is also the risk of internal parasites when feeding raw fish.
Prices Explained: Many people see the price of a Bengal (or other top pedigreed cat, dog, horse, etc.) and think the breeder MUST be making a bundle to charge so much for those kittens! Not so. A quality queen runs from $1500 up to as much as $2500 and sometimes even much more. A quality stud is usually just as much. Keeping a stud involves additional costs of developing separate housing. So, long before kittens are a consideration, some real money must be spent. There are the normal vet bills, food, litter and the other usual equipment multiplied by however many cats you have. Not to mention the costs of registrations, pedigrees, showing and the related traveling expenses. Then, there will be the cost of extra vitamins/nutritionals for the queen during her pregnancy and maybe she'll deliver without added vet bills, but there can be many unexpected expenses: emergency post delivery exam, or even intervention during or just after delivery, sometimes X-rays or ultra sounds are necessary and even a C-section to the tune of $300 - $600 depending on your area and the nature of the complication. Once the kittens are born, hopefully the mom will be able to take care of their needs 100%. Money will be spent on vaccinations, about $35. each for the first shot including an exam, and then $16 each for the subsequent shots given by a tech w/out an exam. Extra food for mom and babies as they learn to eat.