Bengal cat health problems and diseases

It’s not uncommon for cats—pure breeds especially—to have health problems. Unfortunately, this is also the case for Bengals. Because their gene pool is quite small, some of their genetic problems are harder for breeders to eliminate.

Health issues affecting Bengals are not to be neglected, as they can be very serious. It’s important to be knowledgeable about these health problems before you adopt your cat, so you know what questions to ask the breeder, and also after, so you know what signs and symptoms to watch for.

In this article, we give you an overview of the most common diseases and health concerns in Bengals.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is not and should not be taken as pet medical advice. If you have questions or problems regarding your pet, you should contact a licensed veterinarian.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

References: Centre DMV, Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common heart disease affecting Bengals, especially older specimens. This disease is characterized by an abnormal thickening (hypertrophy) of the left ventricle.

Signs and symptoms

The effects of HCM can vary greatly from cat to cat (as does the prognosis) depending on the type and degree of hypertrophy. Some cats with mild, focused hypertrophy never develop symptoms and show no signs of being ill. Others with more severe hypertrophy can develop fatal symptoms.

With severe hypertrophy, the left ventricle may have trouble expanding when the blood flows in, which decreases the heart’s efficiency and makes it work harder. This can cause a domino effect leading to increased intracardiac pressure, oxygen starvation of the heart, backup of blood to the rest of the heart and to the lungs, abnormal heart beating, blood clots, and congestive heart failure.

A cat suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may pant or show signs of lethargy due to the accumulation of fluids in or around the lungs. If there are blood clots blocking blood flow to the hind limbs, the cat may have acute pain in those limbs.

Treatment

While hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cannot be cured, it’s important to watch for these signs as the symptoms can be managed to some extent with proper treatment. The disease will still progress, but the cat’s quality of life can be improved.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

References: Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

Progressive retinal atrophy is a group of diseases that may eventually result in complete blindness. It can affect cats, humans, and other animals.

The early-onset form, also called retinal dysplasia, is usually diagnosed when the cat is 2 to 3 months old. It is characterized by abnormal development of the photoreceptor cells.

As explained by veterinarians Ryan Llera and Cheryl Yuill on VCAhospitals.com, “there are two main forms of PRA recognized in cats.”

The late-onset form usually occurs when the cat is 2 to 5 years old. With this form, the cells deteriorate over time, which first affects night vision. 

Signs and symptoms

Affected cats will become visually impaired, usually within 2 years. As BlindBengal.com explains, they may “bump into things and also show signs of having difficulties seeing at night.” They may also become more vocal and more nervous. Moreover, “their eye pupils are usually more dilated than those of normal cats in the same lighting conditions.”

Loss of vision in cats can also be caused by cataracts, a detached retina, or a lack of taurine in their diet, so it’s important to have your pet checked by a veterinarian before jumping to conclusions.

Treatment

Progressive retinal atrophy cannot be cured nor slowed down. That being said, it is possible for a Bengal to live with partial or even total blindness, as long as it knows its surroundings. This means keeping the cat inside and not making drastic changes to its environment.

Here’s a video of a blind Bengal that is doing great.

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK-Def)

References: International Cat Care, PetMD 

PK Deficiency is an inherited disease that significantly reduces the lifespan of red blood cells due to a lack of Pyruvate Kinase (a type of metabolic enzyme). This may lead to anemia and other blood problems.

Since the disease often goes undetected until the cat is a few years of age, carrier cats are sometimes bred many times. That’s why it’s important to ask the breeder if they have had their Bengals tested for this disease (veterinary laboratories offer a reliable test).

Signs and symptoms

The main symptom of PK-Def is anemia, which causes a lack of oxygen in the cat’s tissues.

Most of the time, the anemia is mild and intermittent. Cats usually adapt to this condition and show no obvious signs of being anemic. They may however become lethargic, show a lack of appetite, and feel tired and weak.

In some cases, anemia develops rapidly and threatens the animal’s life.

Other symptoms of PK-Def include muscle atrophy, jaundice, and an elevated heart rate.

Treatment

PK Deficiency can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is both expensive and dangerous. If this procedure is successful, the cat may live a full life. If left untreated, a severe case of anemia will usually lead to death.

Cataracts

Reference: VCA Hospitals (Catherine Barnette, DMV)

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. This transparent membrane, which is located behind the iris, normally directs light to the retina so it can be converted to neural signals. But when cataracts occur, the retina no longer receives all the light it should, which causes blurred vision. 

Cataracts are often a secondary reaction to another health problem. They can have many causes, the most common one being inflammation within the eye. This inflammation, called uveitis, can cause the immune system to mistake the eye’s lens for foreign material.

Other causes for cataracts in cats include:

• an eye injury
• an eye infection
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• cancer
• a nutritional imbalance

Cataracts can also be hereditary. Indeed, hereditary cataracts are highly prevalent in some Bengal populations, notably in France and Poland.

Cataracts are not exclusive to Bengals: they can also occur in other cat breeds, in dogs, and in humans. 

Signs and symptoms

Small, early-stage cataracts can go unnoticed by the cat’s owner if they don’t affect the cat’s vision yet. A veterinarian could however detect them during a routine exam.

With advanced cataracts, the eyes have a bluish haze under certain light conditions, and vision is impaired. The cat does not feel pain but may have trouble moving around and finding its food and toys.

Note that hazy eyes are not necessarily caused by cataracts: they can also be caused by nuclear sclerosis, a normal condition that appears as cats age.

Treatment

Cataracts can often be surgically removed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, who will replace the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens. Such a surgery may not be an option if there is a lot of inflammation within the eye. 

The progression of cataracts cannot be treated with medication. However, there are medications that can control the inflammation in the eye to prevent glaucoma (a condition that can require the eye to be removed).  

If left untreated, cataracts can greatly impair sight and eventually lead to total blindness. Thankfully, blind cats can still live fulfilling lives.

Lymphoma

References: Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Live Science, Lymphoma Action, VCA Hospitals (Catherine Barnette, DVM)

Lymphoma (also known as lymphosarcoma) is the most common feline cancer. It attacks the lymphatic system, a network of organs and tissues that forms part of the circulatory system and the immune system.

This network is made of various components, including lymph nodes (a type of gland), bone marrow, the thymus gland, the tonsils, and the spleen. One of its functions is to defend the body against infectious agents (such as bacteria and viruses) by transporting white blood cells across the body. It also delivers oxygen to cells, removes waste from the cat’s tissues, and absorbs fat from the intestinal tract.

Lymphoma can affect any region of the lymphatic system. Here are some examples:

• Multicentric lymphoma: The cancer attacks the cat’s lymph nodes throughout the body.
• Mediastinal lymphoma: The cancer attacks the lymphoid organs in the chest cavity. About 80% of affected cats also have feline leukemia. 
• Gastrointestinal lymphoma: As the name suggests, this type of lymphoma attacks the gastrointestinal tract. More than half the cases of lymphoma in cats are gastrointestinal lymphoma.
• Renal lymphoma: This type of lymphoma attacks the kidneys, potentially causing kidney failure. Half of the cats suffering from renal lymphoma also have feline leukemia.

Signs and symptoms

The warning signs of feline lymphoma will vary depending on the type of lymphoma.

With mediastinal lymphoma, which occurs in the chest cavity, cats will often have trouble breathing due to an accumulation of fluids around the lungs.

With gastrointestinal lymphoma, the signs can be similar to other intestinal diseases. As explained by VCA Hospitals, these signs often include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Gastrointestinal lymphoma can lead either to an increase or a decrease in appetite.

With renal lymphoma, the kidneys can start failing. Oftentimes, cats will vomit, eat less, drink more, and lose weight.

Treatment

The most common treatment for feline lymphoma is chemotherapy. This is usually more effective with low-grade lymphoma (a slow-spreading, less malignant form) than with high-grade lymphoma (a fast-spreading, more malignant form).

As for surgery, it can only be used when the lymphoma is limited to a specific area of the body, which is uncommon.

While low-grade lymphoma can be treated with oral chemotherapy agents, the treatment of high-grade lymphoma requires the use of injections.

The good news is that the side effects of chemotherapy are much less severe in cats than in humans. In fact, chemotherapy rarely causes cats to be sick or lose their hair.

That being said, the prognosis varies greatly depending on various factors, including the location of the disease and how early it is treated.

With mediastinal lymphoma, cats can survive for about a year if they don’t also suffer from feline leukemia. Cats that do suffer from feline leukemia generally die within a few months, because they respond poorly to chemotherapy. That’s why it’s important to get your cat vaccinated against feline leukemia.

With low-grade gastrointestinal lymphoma, signs of the disease disappear at least temporarily in about 70% of cats. With high-grade gastrointestinal lymphoma, treatment only works in less than half the cases, and the disease usually reappears after a few months.

With renal lymphoma, the prognosis is poor: cats rarely survive beyond 6 months. In a little less than half of the cases, the disease spreads to the brain and the central nervous system.

On average, cats that are treated for low-grade lymphoma will show no signs of the disease for 2 to 3 years.

For palliative care, a medication called prednisone can be used to temporarily reduce the symptoms.

Feline leukemia virus

References: Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, PetMD, VCA Hospitals (Rania Gollakner, BS DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM), WebMD 

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common infectious disease that can affect all cat breeds, including Bengals. It does not affect other animal species.

This virus attacks cells in the immune system and blood-forming tissues, causing these cells to die or mutate. Cells that mutate this way can become cancerous.

Cancers caused by a feline leukemia virus infection may occur in different organs and tissues throughout the body. Lymphoma is the most common cancer affecting cats with FeLV.

FeLV infection weakens the cat’s immune system, which can in turn lead to more infections. It can also cause other health issues, including anemia (a lack of red blood cells), intestinal inflammation, and neurological and ocular problems. An infected cat’s health will thus deteriorate over time.

Transmission most often occurs through prolonged close contact between cats. The virus is found in an infected cat’s bodily fluids, such as its saliva and urine. It can be transmitted in various ways, including mating, biting, and licking. Younger cats are more prone to being infected.

While not highly contagious and not highly prevalent, feline leukemia virus is very dangerous: it kills more than 80% of infected cats in less than 4 years.

Fortunately, it can be prevented with a vaccine. Even if your cat never goes outside, it is essential to have it vaccinated just in case.

Signs and symptoms

Because it suppresses the immune system, feline leukemia virus can lead to a variety of diseases and health problems that a cat would normally fight off, including:

• Weight and muscle loss 
• Secondary infections (of the bladder and skin, for example)
• Cancers such as fibrosarcoma and lymphoma
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Lack of coordination
• Lack of energy
• Yellow eyes
• Anemia (lack of red blood cells)
• Inflammation (nose, cornea, mouth tissues, moist eye tissues)
• Abortion

This complex mix of health problems can make it difficult to achieve a diagnosis.

Treatment

There is currently no treatment for FeLV. The only way to protect your cat is to keep it away from infected cats and to have it vaccinated (even if the vaccine is not 100% effective).

In about 70% of unvaccinated cats, feline leukemia virus overcomes the immune system and infects the body permanently. Most of the infected cats die within a few years due to the diseases caused by the suppression of their immune system. 

Health issues resulting from FeLV (like secondary infections and anemia) can occur shortly after the initial infection, but also many months later. It is essential to prevent and control these health problems in order to avoid suffering and prolong the cat’s life.

Feline infectious peritonitis

References: Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, VCA Hospitals (Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM), WebMD

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious viral disease that most commonly affects cats under the age of two. It is caused by the mutation of feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV) strains. 

FeCV is most often spread through oral contact with infected feces. It is very common, but relatively harmless when it doesn’t mutate into feline infectious peritonitis. It may cause diarrhea or mild respiratory problems, but cats generally recover quite well from these symptoms.

In about 10% of FeCV-infected cats, the virus mutates and spreads throughout the body, resulting in FIP. This disease is nearly always fatal.

Many factors are believed to trigger FIP, including stress and other infections. Genetics could also play a role in the disease’s development, with the Bengal cat being one of the most affected breeds.

Signs and symptoms

In some FIP-infected cats, it takes months or years for symptoms to appear. These cats may still shed the virus in the meantime.

When the disease does become active (which is uncommon), the initial symptoms may vary. They can include lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

After a few weeks, FIP will develop into either an effusive form or a non-effusive form.

With the more common effusive form, fluid accumulates in body cavities (for instance, in the chest or the abdomen). Fluid accumulation in the chest is more dangerous, as it leads to labored breathing.

With the less common non-effusive form, there is little fluid accumulation, if any. However, inflammation often occurs in different organs, including the brain, the liver, and the eyes. Symptoms will vary depending on which organs are affected. They can include jaundice, vomiting, and increased thirst.

Moreover, both the effusive and non-effusive forms can cause fever.

Due to the symptoms being vague and the tests being limited, FIP is hard to diagnose.

Treatment

Feline infectious peritonitis only develops in a small proportion of FeCV-infected cats. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be cured and is almost always fatal.

Different drugs can be used to prolong the survival period and improve the infected cat’s quality of life.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection

References: International Cat Care, PetCoach

Tritrichomonas foetus is a parasite that can survive in a cat’s genitourinary tract and gastrointestinal tract.

T. foetus spreads by direct contact, especially in areas of high cat density. It is most common in pedigree breeds, including Bengals, and generally infects cats that are less than 1 year old. 

Signs and symptoms

When in the genitourinary tract, Tritrichomonas foetus can cause reproductive problems such as infertility and abortions.

When in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause colitis (inflammation of the colon), possibly resulting in severe and prolonged diarrhea. There may also be blood in the feces. 

Cats with severe cases of diarrhea may feel pain in the anus and develop fecal incontinence.

Even if the diarrhea is severe and prolonged, T. foetus rarely causes significant weight loss.

Treatment

The most commonly used anti-protozoal drugs have no effect on T. Foetus, but cats usually overcome the infection by themselves within 2 years.

Pet probiotics and a high-fiber diet can sometimes be used to improve fecal consistency and support the gastrointestinal tract until the parasite is gone. 

Even when they become asymptomatic, cats may still carry and shed the parasite.

Psychogenic Alopecia

References: CatHealth.com, Veterinary Partner

Psychogenic alopecia is a form of excessive grooming caused by psychological factors such as stress, conflict, and frustration.

Affected cats will pull out their hair by licking, biting, or plucking at it. This compulsive self-trauma thins out the coat, sometimes to the point of creating bald patches.

Internal and environmental stressors that can cause psychogenic alopecia include: 

• Moving to a new place
• Fear of another pet
• Conflict for food or a litter box
• Isolation
• Boredom
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive noise
• Territorial conflicts
• Changes in the family’s routine
• People or animals being added to or leaving the household
• Furniture being displaced

Psychogenic alopecia is a self-reinforcing behavior that may escalate to extreme self-mutilation if nothing is done to eliminate the stress factors.

Signs and symptoms

Cats suffering from psychogenic alopecia will initially have patches of thin, broken hair that can eventually become bald spots.

This thinning of the coat most often occurs on the flanks, but other affected areas can include the belly, the inner, and the groin. Moreover, the skin will sometimes be irritated.

As affected cats pull their hair out with their mouths, they may produce more hairballs than usual.

Even if you do not see your cat pulling its hair out, it may still suffer from psychogenic alopecia and only adopt this behavior when it’s alone.

Treatment

Psychogenic alopecia is hard to diagnose because physical issues that could also cause hair loss must first be ruled out. Such physical issues can include a food allergy, skin cancer, a flea allergy, parasites (fleas, mites, or lice), a bacterial infection, and a fungal infection.

Many medical tests (skin cell analysis, blood tests, skin biopsy, allergy testing, etc.) are required to exclude other possible causes. Your veterinarian may also suggest switching to a hypoallergenic diet.

If your cat indeed suffers from psychogenic alopecia, you’ll have to address the source of stress that causes this over-grooming behavior. This can mean providing your cat with more toys to cure its boredom, playing with your cat more often, or adding a litter box and a food bowl if you have several cats. The idea is not to punish the behavior but to decrease anxiety.

In some cases, it’s also possible to condition the cat to make a positive association with the stress factor if this factor is not objectively negative.

Your veterinarian may also recommend using pheromone products to reduce anxiety, a special collar to discourage this behavior, and antidepressants like amitriptyline, clomipramine, or fluoxetine to improve your cat’s mood. These antidepressants will generally be used for 3 months, but some cats require them for life.

If a skin infection develops as a result of psychogenic alopecia, it may have to be treated with antibiotics.

Entropion

References: The Cat Clinic, PetMD, VetFolio (Kris Pratt, BS, LVT)

Entropion is a serious eye disorder that causes the eyelid to roll inward. It can occur with either eyelid, but lower eyelid entropion is more common. Most affected cats are about 2 years old. 

Entropion is most often due to the shape of the cat’s face. It can occur when there is too much tension on the ligaments of the inner eye (which may happen with short-nosed breeds), but also when the ligaments around the corner of the eyes are too slack (which may happen with larger breeds).

In addition to a genetic predisposition, other causes of entropion include inflammation, spasms, eye injuries, and recurring conjunctivitis.

Signs and symptoms

Because the eyelid is turned inward, the eyelashes scratch the cornea (the front portion of the eye). This can cause multiple issues, including:

• Corneal ulcers
• Inflammation of the inner eye
• Perforation of the cornea
• Pigmentary keratitis (a dark scar tissue buildup)
• Painful spasms
• Mucus or pus discharges
• Chronic conjunctivitis
• Corneal neovascularization (new blood vessels appearing in the cornea)
• Corneal sequestrum (necrosis of the corneal stroma)

Some of these issues can lead to a loss of vision and even blindness.

Treatment

In mild cases of entropion where there are no ulcers, eye drops can be used for lubrication. If there are ulcers, however, antibiotics will be required.

In most cases of entropion, surgery is necessary to correct the affected eyelid.

Your veterinarian may also recommend you use temporary solutions (like ointments) until your cat is old enough for the surgical procedure.

Flat-Chested Kitten Syndrome (FCKS)

References: Everypaw, International Cat Care, Pets4Homes

Flat-Chested Kitten Syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by a flattening of the rib cage. In some cases, the spine will deviate.

Bengals are one of the most affected breeds.

Signs and symptoms

Flat-Chested Kitten Syndrome can cause various health issues, including:

• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Chest infections
• Cyanosis (a lack of oxygen in the blood that makes the skin and mucous membranes turn blue)
• Weight loss
• Breathing difficulties
• Lethargy
• Heart murmur

Kittens with FCKS may also have trouble suckling from their mothers. Moreover, many cats with this thoracic deformation have splayed legs (also referred to as swimmer syndrome).

The condition’s severity can vary greatly from one cat to another. Sometimes, it will only last for a few days. In the worst cases, the cats will die.

Treatment

Some kittens will recover from FCKS by themselves in a few days and live a normal life, with the thoracic deformation becoming less obvious when they grow up. The spinal deviation will however remain.

When the condition is severe, the prognosis is not good, especially since surgery is rarely an option.

Patellar luxation

References: VCA Hospitals, International Cat Care

Patellar luxation is a dislocation (luxation) of the kneecap (patella). Medial luxation (displacement to the inside of the knee) is more common than lateral luxation (displacement to the outside of the knee).

Patellar luxation can be caused by an injury or a congenital malformation, which may be hereditary or non-hereditary. The most common malformation is a shallow trochlear groove, but other malformations include excessively curved leg bones and off-center attachment of the patellar ligament to the tibia.

Congenital patellar luxation usually affects both hind legs. This is called a “bilateral luxation.”

The condition also varies in severity, with grade 4 being the worst case. 

Grade 1: The kneecap can be manually pushed out of place, but it goes back into the groove when the pressure is released.

Grade 2: The kneecap pops out from time to time. 

Grade 3: The kneecap is displaced most of the time. It can be repositioned manually.

Grade 4: The kneecap is always out of place. Surgery is required to reposition it.

All cats can suffer from patellar luxation, but a genetic predisposition exists in Bengal cats.

Signs and symptoms

Patellar luxation is easy for a veterinarian to diagnose, as the knee has popped out of its groove. Affected cats limp and have trouble running and jumping. In some cases, the hind legs will collapse.

Cats suffering from congenital patellar luxation sometimes also have hip dysplasia.

Treatment

If the patellar luxation is mild, cats may be able to tolerate it all their life, or at least for a long time.

Some cats are able to put their kneecap back into place by hyperextending their leg, but this can damage the soft tissues and increase the risk of further luxations.

To prevent long-term health issues associated with a more severe luxation, surgery may be required. If your cat’s trochlear groove is too shallow, for example, it will have to be deepened. Other solutions may include fixing the patellar ligament’s position on the tibia.

If left untreated, the luxation can lead to arthritis, an irreversible and painful condition that decreases mobility. Moreover, the cat will be more likely to sustain other knee injuries. This is why it is often best to get the surgery done as soon as possible, especially with high-grade luxations.

The recovery period is usually quite short.

If arthritis had already developed before surgery was done, your veterinarian may recommend using supplements or anti-inflammatories to slow its progression and alleviate pain.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

References: International Cat Care, VCA Hospitals, WebMD

Chronic Kidney Disease (or Chronic Renal Failure) is a common condition in older cats. This condition interferes with the kidneys’ various functions, which include:

• Removing waste from the blood through urine
• Regulating electrolytes
• Managing blood pressure
• Maintaining fluid balance
• Maintaining acid balance
• Producing hormones
• Stimulating red blood cell production
• Conserving water

Oftentimes, the underlying cause of Chronic Kidney Disease is unclear. Possible causes include:

• Kidney infections (pyelonephritis)
• Tumors
• Dental disease
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid problems
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Toxins
• Inflammation in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis)
• Trauma
• Viral infections
• Congenital malformations
• Kidney stones

A vast majority of cats with CKD are over 3 years old.

Signs and symptoms

Chronic Kidney Disease often worsens gradually over time. There are many possible signs and symptoms, for example: 

• Weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Lack of energy
• High blood pressure
• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Frequent urination
• Poor hair quality
• Bladder and kidney infections
• Anemia (lack of red blood cells)
• Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium)
• Hyperphosphataemia (high blood phosphate)
• Mouth ulcers
• Bad-smelling breath

Because kidneys have a lot of spare capacity, they are generally at less than 30% of their capacity when symptoms can be seen.

Treatment

In most cases, Chronic Kidney Disease cannot be cured or reversed. While cats can live with partially impaired renal function, a CKD diagnosis means that the damage to the kidneys is already severe and will usually worsen progressively. 

With early diagnosis, however, it’s possible to enhance the cat’s quality of life and sometimes even slow down the disease’s progression. Routine veterinary check-ups (with urine tests) are therefore recommended for mature cats, as they can help diagnose the condition early. 

Depending on blood test results, your veterinarian may recommend different options to manage the disease, for example:

• Surgical removal of blockages 
• Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy
• Antibiotics

It’s also very likely that your vet will recommend a special diet with low protein content to minimize the accumulation of toxic products and low phosphate content to protect the kidneys. Therapeutic diets are frequently enriched with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids and may include phosphate binders or potassium supplementation. Keep in mind that dietary changes should be made gradually so your cat doesn’t reject the new food.

Moreover, high water intake will be crucial to prevent dehydration, as cats with CKD have trouble retaining water. This can be done by switching to canned food and placing additional water bowls around the house.

Various solutions may also be used to treat symptoms such as anemia, vomiting, and nausea.

Final thoughts

As this article shows, Bengals can suffer from a variety of conditions. Any breeder who claims that the breed never has health issues or genetic problems is lying, plain and simple.

Unfortunately, there are many scammers out there who are willing to hide the truth to make a buck. That’s why it’s important to choose your breeder carefully.

No one can guarantee that your Bengal cat will never get sick, but you can reduce the odds of that happening by choosing a breeder who tests its cats for various conditions and has bred several generations of healthy cats. 

To help you do just that, we’ve created a USA breeder list and a Canada breeder list. As you’ll see in these lists, many breeders do extensive testing and offer guarantees that are valid for several years.