We are used to thinking of Bengals as highly energetic cats that burn plenty of calories every day. But the truth is that even these active kitties can become overweight.
It is common for the Bengals that are understimulated or overfed to be overweight; unhealthy food might be to blame as well. Your kitty can gain some weight if it is given certain drugs or if the cat is suffering from a medical condition that may result in obesity.
Is It Common for Bengal Cats to Be Overweight?
Bengals usually have a slender, muscular body, they are very delicate, agile, and graceful, but with the ‘help’ of an unhealthy environment or diet, they can easily become overweight.
Kitties between the age of 2 and 10 are far more likely to become overweight. By the way, unneutered cats and females are the kitties that are more prone to obesity.
Your kitty might become overweight if:
- It doesn’t exercise enough
- The cat eats unhealthy food
- It eats too much food (this usually happens, if you choose to free-feed the cat)
- The Bengal has been prescribed certain drugs in which weight gain is a side-effect
- The cat is suffering from Cushing’s disease or some other medical condition that can make the kitty become obese
How Do I Know If My Bengal Is Overweight?
The simplest way to find out if your Bengal has extra weight is by touching the kitty’s side. The cat has more fat than it should if it’s hard for you to feel its ribs (your Bengal also shouldn’t have a belly pouch).
Cats that weigh 10-20% above their breed’s ideal weight are considered to be overweight, while anything above that indicates obesity.
But due to the fact that the perfect size of your Bengal is going to depend on a lot of factors, it is better to visit a vet and determine the optimal weight of your cat together with a professional.
Read: Is a Bengal Cat Good for First-Time Cat Owners?
How Much Should a Bengal Cat Weigh?
Bengals usually weigh anywhere between 8 and 15 pounds, but some kitties can weigh 20.
That does not necessarily mean that the Bengal is overweight, by the way. Some cats are simply bigger than others and that’s determined mainly by genetics.
Are Bengal Cats Larger Than Regular Cats?
Overall, Bengals are larger than the majority of domestic kitties, but they are certainly not the largest breed out there. In fact, a Bengal cat is considered to be a medium-to-large kitty.
Moreover, if your two cats have the same weight, the Bengal will end up looking smaller than the cat of another breed because of the size of its head and the shape of its body.
Read: Can Bengal Cats Live Without Going Outside?
How Much Should a 1 Year Old Bengal Cat Weigh?
You can expect your Bengal to weigh between 8 and 14 pounds by the time it reaches one year of age. Do bear in mind, however, that the majority of these kitties will continue to grow until they turn 2.
How Big Do Bengal Cross Cats Get?
The size of the cat would majorly depend on the breeds that were used to create the Bengal.
If the kitty descends from an Asian Leopard cat and an Egyptian Mau, then it is going to be relatively large in size, as the Egyptian Mau can weigh up to 15 pounds.
However, if the wild cat got crossed with an Abyssinian, for example, this Bengal line would end up being average in size (the Abyssinians usually weigh up to 10 pounds).
Read: How to Start to Train a Bengal Cat to Walk on a Leash?
Why Is My Bengal Cat So Fat?
If your kitty is not suffering from any health conditions that can cause weight gain, then it looks like you’re either not stimulating the cat enough or you’re not feeding the Bengal correctly.
Here are a few things that you can do to help your feline friend get rid of the excess weight:
- Change the cat’s diet (the vet might recommend switching to canned food). By the way, you should never free-feed your kitty and you have to control the portions that you’re giving it
- Play with the Bengal a few times per day for 10-15 minutes
- Get a puzzle feeder
- Enrich the kitty’s environment with toys, cat trees, a cat wheel, and a scratching post
- Take the Bengal out for walks
What Is the Best Food for a Bengal Cat?
The ideal diet for practically any cat is the one that mimics its diet in the wild. That’s why a nutritionally balanced raw meat diet is considered to be the healthiest option for a Bengal.
However, not all owners have enough time to stick to such a menu, so high-quality food made especially for Bengals is usually the second-best option. Make sure to read through the ingredients though – you wouldn’t want to feed your feline freed with anything that is not natural.
What Should You Not Feed a Bengal Cat?
In general, giving the kitty any human food (apart from meat) might not be healthy for the guy. Chocolate and caffeine, for example, can be toxic for your cat, while raw potatoes and tomatoes can cause digestive illnesses in the Bengal.
Read: 3 Ways How to Calm a Bengal Cat?
How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My Bengal Cat?
You can feed an adult cat twice a day, but if you’re able to split its daily food intake into smaller meals, then you should definitely do that.
Giving a Bengal food 4-5 times a day helps prevent overeating and more closely replicates how a cat would be eating in the wild.
Is Fancy Feast Good for Bengals?
Fancy Feast cat food is generally considered to be safe for Bengals and it might be able to provide your cat with enough nutrients (some formulas are fortified with vitamins).
However, you should be cautious about the products that contain fish as this ingredient may contain significant levels of mercury.
Read: What Are the Difficulties of Raising a Bengal Cat?
Is Royal Canin Good for Bengals?
Royal Canin has food created especially for Bengals. With the help of these formulas, you’ll be able to provide your cat with a complete and balanced diet that is packed with digestible protein and various minerals.
The only downside is the price – Royal Canin is a relatively expensive brand.
Do Bengal Cats Need a Special Diet?
The diet of a Bengal is no different from that of any other domestic cat. Their diet should mainly consist of protein as these animals are carnivores.
What Do Bengal Cats Suffer From?
Bengals have a very delicate stomach which makes them prone to vomiting and diarrhea.
That’s why you have to make sure that your kitty is receiving high-quality food.
Why Does My Bengal Cry So Much?
If your cat is constantly crying for food, it might be because the kitty is tired of the food that it’s getting. Try switching the flavors or transitioning to canned food.
A Bengal might also be crying simply because it’s bored (food is viewed by it as an entertainment option) or if the kitty has a health issue that makes it feel hungry all the time.
How Often Do Bengal Cats Poop?
Usually, Bengals poop once a day, but once every two days is considered to be okay as well.