Menu
A very important point to make for the Bengal breed is their domestication, considering they have those wild genes. This article is more focused on Bengal Cats that are F1 or F2 generations (One or two generations away from the Asian Leopard Cat_. If you are looking to adopt a Bengal cat yourself, realize that they are likely F8 or above, meaning they are completely domesticated and at least 8 generations away from their wild ancestor. This isn’t a bad thing, this is how many people are able to own Bengal cats.
So, let’s look into whether Bengals are domestic or not with these topics:
Since Bengal cats have their wild ancestor, the Asian Leopard Cat or ALC, it can be considered that Bengals are therefore not a domestic cat. They were originally bred to see if the Feline Leukemia immunity in the ALC could be passed to a domestic cat but it didn’t work. Instead the breed was discovered to show the wild cat beauty but with the temperament of a domestic cat. The Bengals popularity took off from there.
Considered that Bengals have the genes of their wild cat ancestor, it’s important to keep in mind that they do show the temperament of their domestic cat ancestry as well. They are no more aggressive than a regular domestic cat, especially when they have been bred down a few generation, or filials.
According to Bengal Cat World, ALC’s are even a shy and timid cat compared to other wild cats. They’re still wild, they just don’t act as wild as other wild cats.
Breeding together the domestic parent and the ALC or Bengal parent gives the kittens the temperament of the domestic with the traits of the ALC ancestor as well. Having the domestic parent involved in breeding though domesticates the kittens bred by nature from the start and then by behavior as they are tended to and raised in a domestic setting.
Having a domestic breed in their family lineage places the domestic nature in the kittens produced in breeding, making the domestication process quick and easy. Having two domestic parents produces cats that are effortlessly domestic whereas with Bengals, it produces cats that are prone to domestication from the start.
Furthering and finishing the domestication process for Bengal cats is the way in which they are raised. Bringing up a kitten in a domestic setting teaches that cat how to behave in a home and around other pets. This is also where nature versus nurture concludes as nature’s domestication influence has already taken place, now nurture finishes it off.
The best way to do this is by socializing the Bengal at an early start. Vet Street suggests potential owners buying a Bengal from a breeder, get one that has been in a home for the beginning of its life and that it was handled from an early age.
Check out the video below to see how well domesticated Bengal cats are:
Bengals are known for their wonderful temperaments, bringing together the best of the domestic cat and the ALC. They are an active and playful breed that will show adoration and affection to those they love one moment then jumping around the house the next.
Bengals are the epitome of a curious cat. Whichever family member this is inherited from, owners commonly find their Bengal cat in cupboards and boxes. These curious kitties will kindly but obsessively explore anything and everything that they can.
They love their favorite humans and will strive for attention from them. If doing something frowned upon gets them attention from that human (or humans), Vet Street advises that the Bengal cat will purposefully conduct that act. They enjoy spending time with favorite humans, getting their attention, and showing them how much they favor that human and care for them.
Bengal cats are as people loving as regular domestic cats, devoted to spending time with and getting the attention of their humans. This proximity to humans teaches them domesticity through learning house rules, preferred behavior, and appropriate interactions with and other pets.
They are playful cats that demonstrate their domestication through this behavior. They’ll impolitely join their human(s) in the shower but avoid the behavior if it isn’t accessible to them.
Considering the Bengal cat to be domestic is very important for the breed since it has its wild cat ancestry. This helps the breed be so popular and well liked. After all, Bengal cats wouldn’t make good house pets if they weren’t domestic.
So, what do you think about Bengal cats being domestic? Do you agree with what was said here? Comment below to let us know!
Resources
Affiliate Disclosure
BengalCatClub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Additionally, BengalCatClub.com participates in various other affiliate programs. This means that when you purchase certain products through our recommendations, at no additional cost to you, we receive a monetary reward for referring you.
*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
