CHEAP BENGAL KITTENS

 A WARNING WHEN BUYING CHEAP BENGAL KITTENS

Be wary of Bengal kittens available through outlets that appear to be cheap (this includes established Bengal breeders). They are sold cheaper for a reason and with a Bengal kitten, you get what you pay for. If you are willing to pay very little for your Bengal kitten (and unfortunately this still means spending a few hundred dollars), then expect a mature Bengal cat that will NOT be a typical Bengal. See below for more information about cheap Bengal kittens.

- Bengal cats have a gene known as the glitter gene. It is a recessive gene and is highly desirable in the Bengal. It looks as if a handful of gold has been sprinkled over the coat. You will NOT find this in the cheap Bengal kitten.

- The diet of the cheap Bengal kitten and their parents are often a cheap grain based meal (have a look at Cat Facts to see how this can damage your Bengal kitten). This diet impacts on the Bengal kitten's long term health.

- The breeder breeds the Bengal cat more often than is allowed by the F.C.C.V. This has an impact on the Bengal queen's health and an unhealthy queen is not likely to produce strong Bengal kittens. The breeder can not register these Bengal kittens with the F.C.C.V. and then tries to sell them off cheaply. This should also give you a warning about the breeder's attitude towards his pets.

- They are often a mixed crossing between a Bengal cat and another kind of domestic breed. While the cat you buy might look similar to a Bengal, its temperament, attitude, intelligence etc won't be like one.

- F.C.C.V. breeders MUST follow particular guidelines, which are for the benefit of the Bengal cat, not the breeder. A cheap Bengal kitten is unlikely to be bred to these strict guidelines, resulting in a Bengal kitten that is not of the same quality as an F.C.C.V. registered one. If the Bengal breeder is not part of a cat governing body (such as the F.C.C.V.), ask them why.

- Visit the Bengal breeder's cattery and look at how it is run. If you want a Bengal kitten that is going to be part of your family, is there any point in buying from a breeder that keeps his kittens in a cage or away from people?

- Be wary of Bengal breeders offering "rare" colors. These colors are NOT recognised by any cat society, which includes Australian Cat Federation and the F.C.C.V. (click on those links to view their standards). The Bengal breeder selling these "rare" cats is just after your money and will charge you more for the privilege of owning a cat that is not recognised by any cat society.

- View the above Bengal cat standard. This is how a Bengal should look, behave etc. Bengal breeders breeding quality cats should always be striving to achieve these standards. Breeders breeding for "quantity" will not have an interest in these guidelines and the difference can be seen when you view their kittens.

REMEMBER, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR IN ALL ASPECTS OF THIS BREED.