Bengal cats are majestic and they definitely make interesting pets, but how much do Bengal cats cost? You may be surprised about the price of a cat which resembles a small leopard!
How much do Bengal cats cost? – Everything you need to know about buying a purebred
The first thing to know is that buying a Bengal cat (also known as the ‘Cheetah cat breed’) is not cheap – especially if you are buying a kitten. A kitten from a reputable breed is likely to set you back around £800-£1500 ($1000 – $1800) this is roughly around the same as the Ragdoll cat price.
However, if you are looking to buy a Snow Bengal the price can be as much as £2000 ($2500) for a kitten!
While this is expensive, you will be even more shocked by the Savannah cat price! (as well as a the size!)
This particular breed is not as readily available as other breeds and this is what increases the price of a Bengal, however, the cost will be less than the price of a Sphynx cat or a Maine Coon.
When purchasing from a respected breeder, you may find some of your initial Veterinary fees are included in this – for example, the kitten may come with their primary vaccinations and even a microchip. It is a good idea to discuss this when trying to find a breeder and deciding who to purchase your kitten from.
If you are seriously thinking about buying a Bengal kitten you are most likely going to need to read ‘Are Bengal cats hypoallergenic?‘
Do not be tempted to go for the cheapest option when buying a Bengal Kitten
When buying a Bengal cat (or any pet!) it is not always a good idea to go for the cheapest price. While you do not want to get ripped off, you also do not want to buy from a backstreet breeder. We would never recommend purchasing an animal from websites such as Gumtree.
Do your research and buy from a respected breeder. By doing this you will ensure you are purchasing a healthy kitten who comes from a long line of well-bred Bengal cats, it can also be a good idea to ask to see evidence of the kitten’s family line – remember Bengals are a particular breed, they are different from tabby cats – which is a fur a coloring mainly seen in domestic shorthairs/longhair.
Some backstreet breeds will sell tabby kittens off as Bengal kittens. While tabby kittens grow into beautiful, lovely cats, you should not be tricked into paying more than you should for one.
While the cheapest option does not always mean bad, it is best to be suspicious and query how they are able to sell the kittens for a low price – especially if they are trying to rehome them quickly. A reputable breeder will always want to ensure their kittens are going to good, safe homes.
Why are Bengal Cats so expensive?
Again, this all goes back to the reputation and standards of the breeder. If you are looking for a pure, well bred Bengal, it is going to cost you. A good, respected breeder will not be looking to make a quick buck, they will be breeding the kittens because they have a love for the breed.
A respected breeder will most likely only breed from the same Queen once a year and when finding a stud (male) will have to ensure there is no cross in the lineage (to prevent any inbreeding). Many respected breeders while also ensure they follow all of the guidelines set out by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Other associated costs a Bengal Breeder may incur include:
- Stud fees (if they do not own the Stud)
- Genetic testing -to ensure healthy lineage
- Annual vaccinations and preventive treatment for the Queen
- High-quality food for the Queen and her kittens
- Primary vaccination costs for the kittens
- Veterinary health checks for the kittens
- Breed registration fee
- Microchips for the kittens
- +/- Neutering fees – some breeders may insist on proof of neutering to ensure you do not use the kitten for breeding.
- Time – While breeding cats may not be as time-consuming as breeding dogs, it still takes up a lot of time when done correctly and this will be factored into the price of a Bengal cat.
As mentioned previously, when done properly and respectfully breeding Bengal cats is not actually as lucrative as some people may think. It can often be more about continuing a good lineage of the breed.
How to find a good Bengal cat breeder
If you are looking for reputable Bengal breeders in the UK, I recommend checking The Bengal Cat Club UK. The particular site shares reputable breeders as well as current Bengal cats needing rehoming.
If you are willing to pay for the Bengal cat cost, you want to make sure your money is going to the right place.
Ways to spot a good breeder:
- Asked your Veterinary surgery for recommendations
- Ask friends who may have a Bengal cat
- Do not be afraid to ask the breeder questions! Questions may include: How long have you been breeding hairless cats? Do the Queen and Stud have regular Vet checks? How many litters does the Queen have a year?
- Ask to see the kittens with the Queen – Do not purchase any kitten where you cannot see the mum with them (unless from a rescue)
- With purebred cats, ask to see proof of their lineage – a good breeder will have access to this.
- Ensure the kitten looks healthy. The cat’s eyes should be bright and free of discharge, ears should be clean, skin well kept and not dry. Have a hold of the kitten, it should be comfortable being held and not feel skinny or have a potbelly.
Before buying, ensure that you are satisfied with the health and conditions in which the cats and kittens are being kept.
Can you get Bengal cats from a rescue?
While it is an extreme rarity, especially for a kitten, it is sometimes possible to rescue a Bengal from a shelter home. All types and breeds can sadly end up in rescue homes, so it can always be a good idea to talk to rescue homes as well.
As much mentioned above, The Bengal Cat Club UK often advertise Bengals looking for forever homes.
At Ginger Cat House we always support ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ and believe you can find your perfect cat in a rescue – whatever breed they may be.
However, if you have your heart set on a particular breed of cat, you are unlikely to find one in rescue and in this case you may opt to buy from a breeder.
What other costs should you factor into a Bengal cat price?
So we have established the average price of a Bengal kitten is £1000 but the costs do not stop there.
A cat is a long term commitment (around 15 years for a Bengal) and with that comes costs. Other fees you will incur include:
| Vaccinations and yearly boosters | £40-£50 per year |
| Neutering | Male: £40-£60 Female: £60-£100 |
| Food | £30-£50 per month Bengals are large-breed cats and they are extremely athletic, this can make their energy requirement levels higher than other breeds. With all cats, ensure you purchase high-quality food. |
| Preventative flea and worming | £20 per month |
| Pet Insurance | £15 per month Depending on age and policy |
| Toys and beds | Ongoing costs Bengal cats are intelligent creatures who love to play and hunt, a good rotation of interactive toys will prevent boredom and possible behavioural problems. I would also recommend purchasing a climbing tree designed for a large breed cat. |
| Bathing and Grooming | £20 They will need well-groomed nails to prevent causing themselves injury. |
When buying a cat, the price obviously does not stop after the initial purchase price. Therefore you need to take this into consideration when deciding to buy a cat.
Veterinary fees are inevitable at some stage throughout your cat’s life. This will come in the form of preventative health issues such as neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control but sadly, also through natural aging and if they become unwell. Therefore, we always recommend pet insurance, the price for this can vary, but on average it will be around £15 per month for a good comprehensive cover.
Obviously, your cat is going to need to eat, so food will be a consistent cost. Diet will change at different points throughout your cat’s life, from kitten to senior. The most important thing is to ensure you purchase a complete diet, not complementary.
Food costs will vary and often it may be beneficial to buy cat food in bulk from places like Amazon.
Depending on your home situation, you may also want to purchase an automatic cat feeder. We use this double feeder – it works great for what we need and includes cooling packs to ensure food stays fresh.
Other essentials to consider when weighing up the price of a cat are toys and brushes. All cats, especially kittens need toys. Toys are obviously for enjoyment but they also stop behavioral boredness which may result in problems or stress for your cat. Try to purchase a combination of toys that they play with you and toys that they can play with on their own – such as interactive toys.
A good cat tower scratching post will also be essential to prevent behavioral issues as well as allow your cat to display natural behaviors. The size you need will depend on the breed, for example, a Maine coon will want to buy a cat tree for large cats.
Other costs you may incur include a safe cat carrier (we love cat backpacks for ease), cattery fees if you go on holiday, microchipping (£25 roughly), cat flaps, etc.
Have you decided you really want a Maine Coon? Well, it is time to pick the perfect name for a your new Maine coon!
Are Bengal cats predisposed to any diseases?
Pyruvate kinase deficiency has been identified in the Bengal cat, as has progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and flat-chested kitten syndrome.
Bengals may also be predisposed to hip dysplasia and it is suggested that they may have a higher prevalence of a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy than some breeds.
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. All most all pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
No matter the breed you purchase, we always advise taking out pet insurance at time of purchase. Having adequate pet insurance will ensure you can pay for any unexpected illness or injury.
Do Bengal cats make good pets?
Bengals cats maybe costly but they do make wonderful pets. They are one of the most affectionate cat breeds and love nothing more than be sociable with all members of the family.
However, it is also important to be aware of their intelligent nature and understand their need to keep an active mind. Boredom and frustration can be seen in this breed and in turn result in behavioural issues and at times aggression. Be sure to keep your cat entertained with both human affection and well-suited toys.
Bengal cats can also be very territorial, due to this they do not always tolerate or cope well in an environment that is highly populated with other cats.