How to identify a purebred Bengal kitten

Bengal cats are called “domestic leopards” because of their unusual spotted coloration, which is rare in other breeds. Bengals got it from their ancestor, the wild Asian leopard cat. What are their other features?

Thanks to the catchy coloring and large size, this breed has gained great popularity in recent years. The cost of a show-class kitten can reach up to 150 thousand rubles. But how not to make a mistake with the choice? Many people doubt whether they really get a thoroughbred Bengal kitten for this amount. There were cases when scammers sold ordinary spotted street kittens under the guise of Bengals. If the buyer does not understand the intricacies of breed standards, then the forgery will be discovered too late. 

Also, the question often arises: how to distinguish a Bengal kitten from a mestizo? In case of accidental mating with ordinary cats, kittens may be born that have partially inherited pedigree traits, and unscrupulous sellers may ask for an unreasonably high price for such mestizos.

What will help identify real Bengal cats:

1. Wool. It should have a special iridescent sheen.
2. Spotted color. Ideal spots are large with a closed contour, but smaller ones are also possible.
3. Large size. Bengals are larger than ordinary cats, with well-developed muscles.
4. Pedigree. This is an official document issued by a felinological organization. It indicates the breed of the cat, its registration number, as well as information about several generations of ancestors – their breeds, colors, exhibition titles.
5. Kitten metric. If the pedigree has not yet been formalized, then the authenticity of the breed can be confirmed by the metric. It contains the name of the kitten, date of birth, breed, color and gender, as well as the names and colors of the parents.
6. Specialist consultation. If the future owner expects to receive a kitten of an exhibition class, the pedigree will not be enough. In this case, it is better to choose a pet together with a specialist who knows the breed standard well and will be able to identify a promising kitten.

To protect yourself from scammers, you need to purchase a kitten in a trusted cattery with a good reputation, and not on dubious ad sites. It is best if the cattery is monobreed: there is less risk of accidental mating with representatives of other breeds.

Knowing how to identify a purebred Bengal kitten, the potential owner will definitely not go wrong with the choice. And if love and devotion are more important than fashionable colors, you can read an article about why you should adopt a cat from a shelter.

See also:

How to understand your kitten Why does my kitten scratch everything Decided to get a kitten? Check if you are ready for it