Bengal Cats are an exciting and relatively new breed of cat, only having been around for the past few decades. While most of the Bengal Cats in households are at least fifth generation cats, meaning they are generations removed from their wild ancestors, they still retain a bit of a feral streak that affects their appearance and personality.
In this article we are going to look at what is the best food for bengal cats. Feeding your bengal the right food is extremely important, as it will affect the health of your cat (view our guide to how big bengal cats get for more information on this) as well as the lifespan of your bengal cat.
An Intro To Bengal Cats
Bengal Cats are the result of a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and one of several breeds of domestic cats, including the Egyptian Mau and the British Shorthair. The types of cats used by breeders affects several different things, largely the cat’s size. For instance, cats that have more British Shorthair ancestry in their make-up will generally be larger than a cat with Egyptian Mau in its history.
Bengal Cats are recognized by TICA, the International Cat Association. After TICA granted its acceptance, other cat fancier organizations followed suit, such as the American Cat Fanciers Association. The Bengal is characterized by its coat pattern that features rosettes, which make it look rather similar to its wild cousins, the leopard and jaguar.
You can learn more about the history of bengal cats here.
So, What Is the Best Food For Bengal Cats?
If you’ve recently gotten a Bengal Cat or are thinking about getting one, you’ve probably considered what the best cat food for a Bengal might be. There are dozens of choices when you walk in a pet food store, and the choice can be very overwhelming. Every cat should be on a high protein diet, but that’s especially true of breeds like the Bengal that are so closely related to their wild ancestors.
In the wild, the Asian Leopard Cat eats whatever it can hunt, which includes rodents, lizards, and birds, just to name a few things. When it eats these creatures, it is mostly eating protein, with some fats and carbohydrates mixed in, largely depending on what its prey has already consumed.
The Bengal Cat in your house is going to be full of energy. These aren’t kitties that just lay around the house while you’re gone. As such, they often need a higher caloric intake than other domesticated kitties, and the protein feeds their energy levels. Pick a food high in protein, but not so high that it upsets their stomach. Consult with your veterinarian about the best pick for your feline family member, but some of the top choices generally include Royal Canin and Purina Pro Plan.
Dietary Needs of Bengal Cats
Bengal Cats need high protein levels to thrive. Carbohydrates, which are the main component of dry kibble, don’t provide the same energy levels, and they also make cats more prone to health issues such as obesity and diabetes. Many foods are the market are not designed with a kitty’s gastrointestinal tract in mind, instead leaving them with less meat and more carbohydrates in the form of corn and soybeans.
Another thing that cats like Bengals need is plenty of moisture. Without lots of moisture in their diets, they are at risk for developing health issues such as feline lower urinary tract disease. Dry kibble by its very nature is lacking in moisture, so it’s always a good idea to at least supplement your Bengal with canned food. Dry food isn’t all bad: the kibble can help clean your Bengal’s teeth, staving off periodontal disease from developing.
Why Making Your Own Food Isn’t Great
When you look at all of the foods on the market, it’s easy to think that it would probably be easier to make your Bengal Cat’s food rather than feeding him something off of the shelf. Unfortunately, this isn’t a great idea, even with the popularity of raw diets.
First of all, feeding your cat raw food puts him at risk for developing bacterial infections such as Salmonella or E. coli. You’re also at risk for developing an infection if exposed to these potentially highly pathogenic bacteria.
The main reason why you shouldn’t make your cat’s food unless you have a diet formulated by a veterinary nutritionist is because it’s too easy to miss key nutrients. Cats need to have taurine in their diets. Without it, they are at risk for developing certain types of heart disease.
They also need carefully maintained ratios of things like calcium and phosphorus or they could have their bones demineralize. If you do want to cook for your Bengal Cat, make sure you have a veterinarian formulate a diet for you, with all of the vitamins and minerals your cat needs to stay healthy.
Conclusion
There are lots of pet foods on the market, and it can be hard to determine which one you should get to feed your Bengal Cat. Like other cats, and maybe more so, they need to have high protein and low carbohydrate diets to maintain their health and physique. Talk to your veterinarian to see what options they recommend and find one that your kitty just loves to eat.
