How to Breed Bengal Cats

The Bengal cat is a relatively new breed in the feline world. A cross between a domesticated short hair and the wild Asian Leopard Cat, Bengals are a good choice for those who enjoy the rarity of the small wildcat.  A quality Bengal has a sweet disposition, unique markings and a spirited playful nature. Breeding Bengals should be done only as a means to preserve the line and to improve quality of this unusual cat.

 

Things You'll Need

  • Queen Bengal
  • Stud
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Nesting box
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the queen a good diet before the breeding process. The Bengal cat should always have access to a high-quality kibble throughout its lifespan, but is crucial to feed a good a nutritional food to ensure she has the nutrients to stay healthy during pregnancy. Avoid foods that contain grain as it is unhealthy filler for cats.

    • 2

      Locate a stud cat to mate with the queen. This will require careful planning and can be time-consuming. The ideal mate for the queen should possess the characteristics that the female lacks to produce quality babies. The male and female Bengal cats should both have a clean bill of health, be current on all shots and be parasite free

    • 3

      Introduce the pair when the female goes into heat. A female Bengal that has gone into heat may become rather talkative and will raise her tail end into the air when her back is scratched. A Bengal's heat cycle can last two to three days, or up until she is actually bred.

    • 4

      Leave the male and female alone in a secluded spot for 24 to 48 hours. Several matings may have to take place before the female will conceive. Document any mating attempts so that the estimated delivery date can be established.

       

    • 5

      Confirm the mating is successful by having a veterinarian perform a pregnancy test, or wait three to four weeks and look for indications of pregnancy. The queen's nipples may appear to be a dark pink color and be larger. Pregnant queens will become more affectionate as the pregnancy progresses; some may even vomit, similar to morning sickness in humans.

    • 6

      Build or buy a nesting box for the queen. The nesting box should be large enough for her to walk into and still be able to move around comfortably. A small covered crate that offers privacy for the cat would work well. Providing all goes well, the queen will deliver four to six kittens 56 to 72 days after mating.