How To Keep A Bengal Cat Healthy

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Maintaining your Bengal cat’s health is your most important job

as a Bengal parent.  You must provide your Bengal with an optimal

environment for his growth and development, as well as happiness.

Bengal cats require the following needs to stay in healthy and happy:

 

A healthy diet

A clean and stimulating environment

Access to sunlight

Areas to move and and play

Quality bonding time with humans

Minimized sources of stress

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Prevent Diseases, Viruses and Parasites

Another important element for the Bengal cat is to prevent health issues such as diseases, viruses and intestinal parasites. Like all breeds of cats, Bengals have certain weaknesses regarding their health.

 

For example, we know that the HCM (heart problem) affects several bloodlines of Bengal cats and other breeds all over the world. Unfortunately, the result is often death. Since this problem is hereditary, it can be avoided most of the time if all breeders have their cats tested before breeding them.

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Breeders must have their breeding Bengal cats tested for hereditary and viral health problems. This greatly contributes to better health of the entire feline population.

 

If you adopt a Bengal kitten as a companion, these tests will never be required unless your kitten is sick. So it’s best to choose a reputable breeder; it will save you a lot of hassle.

 

At Panthera Bengal Leopards, health is a top priority. We do everything possibly to keep our Bengal cats and kittens healthy. All Bengal kittens adopted from our cattery come with a complete health guarantee.

 

We are proud that our cattery has tested negative for the following diseases and parasites :

HCM (heart)

FiV / FeLV (Immunodeficiency / Leukemia)

PK-Deficiency (anemia)

PRA-b (progressive retinal atrophy of the eyes)

Trichomonas (intestinal parasites)

Giardia (intestinal parasites)

Coccidiosis (intestinal parasites)

 

How is the presence of these diseases or parasites detected? 

The Pk-Def (anemia) and PRA-b (progressive retinal atrophy of the eyes) tests are done genetically in a laboratory through a saliva sample from your cat. It is the same way that we test the Bengal cat color genes.

 

Diseases such as FIV/FeLV (Immunodeficiency/Leukemia) are viral and sometimes fatal. This test is done by taking a blood sample at your veterinary clinic.

 

Intestinal parasites (tritrichomonas, giardia, coccidiosis, etc.) are also viral. This test is called a PCR and is done with a stool analysis in a laboratory through your veterinarian.

 

HCM in Bengal cats is only detectable by a specialized cardiologist who performs a cardiac ultrasound.