Costs of keeping a bengal cat

Before you set your heart on owning a Bengal cat, it’s essential that you’re fully aware of the costs associated with owning this breed. This is because different cats have varying care requirements and you should ensure you are financially able to care for a Bengal before bringing one home.

Originally bred to become a domestic version of larger Asian Leopard Cats, the cost of keeping a Bengal can vary depending on the age, size and type that you have.

In this guide, we’ve shared the costs that you may run into when caring for a Bengal cat:

How much does a bengal cat cost?

When it comes to purchasing a Bengal kitten, the price for the animal can range anywhere from £300 to £5,000. The price of a Bengal cat varies so dramatically because there are specific sub-breeds, plus you have to take breeders and whether the cat is a pedigree, into consideration.

Rosetted Bengal kittens are one of the most expensive types of Bengal cat, with the high cost reflecting the more distinctive markings on the cat’s coat.

Up-front costs

Once you’ve purchased your Bengal kitten, you should be aware of other upfront costs to give your cat the best start in their new home. These include:

Vaccinations

The first thing you’ll need to ask your breeder before purchasing your Bengal kitten is whether they’ve had their vaccinations. Helping to protect your cat against serious infections and health conditions, you can expect to pay an extra £70-£90 to get this done if your breeder hasn’t.

Microchipping

When you take your Bengal kitten for its first vet appointment, you’ll be encouraged to microchip your cat. The process involves REPLACEing a small electronic device, approximately the size of a grain of rice, under your Bengal’s skin. It is a pain-free process for cats and costs around £15 to £30.

Unlike dogs, microchipping a cat isn’t yet a legal requirement. But it will help make sure that your pet is returned to you if they go missing.

Neutering

You may also want to think about neutering your Bengal cat, particularly if they’re female. Neutering, also known as spaying, is an operation that prevents cats from having unwanted litters later in life.

Neutering usually happens when Bengal kittens are about four months old and has been shown to improve their behaviour. It usually costs between £40 and £50 for female cats, or £30 to £40 for male Bengal kittens.

Costs for daily equipment

Along with the upfront costs of keeping a Bengal cat, you’ll need to think about the daily needs of your kitten, including:

Food

Bengal cats tend to have a different diet than other cat breeds due to their complex history. Protein should be the main component, making up between 50% and 80% of their food intake.

The Bengal cat price for food can vary from just 30p to 80p a day, depending on the brands that you purchase and how much your Bengal kitten loves to eat!

Equipment

Known for their love of hunting, you should factor-in the price of toys for your Bengal cat when calculating how much it’ll cost to care for them.

Toys such as strings, play mice and scratching poles can help to cater for to their hunting instinct. Not only will this help them to exercise when left indoors, but it’ll prevent them from becoming bored and destroying your home.

Monthly costs

Once you’ve purchased your kitten and the things that they’ll need on a day-to-day basis, you will want to start thinking about the monthly costs of keeping a Bengal cat.

Flea and worming treatment

As one of the most important treatments for cats and kittens, flea and worming tablets should be given to your Bengal cat at least once a month. They will help to prevent flea infestations that lead to skin irritation, along with protection against intestinal worms.

Cat insurance

Now that your Bengal cat has settled into their new home, you should invest in a cat insurance policy that will protect both yourself and your pet against any unexpected accidents or illnesses.

For a small monthly fee, you will be protected against vet fees and ensure that your Bengal kitten lives a long, happy and healthy life, without putting you at financial risk.