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Bengal
A domestic cat with a wild leopard look — bold rosetted spots, an athletic build and boundless energy.
How to spot it
A muscular, athletic cat 4–7 kg developed by crossing domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat. The short, unusually soft coat carries bold spots or marbling, often with a golden "glitter"; brown-spotted is classic, but snow and silver exist.
Personality
Highly active, curious and intelligent — it climbs, jumps, plays in water and needs constant stimulation. Affectionate on its own terms, but a poor match for anyone wanting a quiet lap cat.
Grooming & coat care
The short pelt is very low-maintenance: a weekly brush is plenty and it sheds little.
Health & lifespan
Around 12–16 years. Watch for HCM and, in some lines, an inherited blindness (PRA) and patellar luxation; buy from a breeder who screens. Note that early-generation hybrids are restricted in some places.
Living with one in India
The short coat handles heat well; the real issue is energy — a Bengal needs a large, enriched indoor space, tall perches and daily active play, or it turns destructive and loud. Not a cat to leave alone in a small flat all day.
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