Bengal Buyers Checklist

​Some important guidelines when searching for your Bengal cat or Bengal kitten, buying a Bengal kitten is a costly investment.  Be sure you choose the right breeder. These are the important questions to ask your Bengal breeder:
 
Ask these questions and put a check mark next to each one that the breeder does.
 
Bengal cats have a few more health problems than some of the other cat breeds and testing is needed to ensure you get a healthy cat. If a breeder does not do these tests you risk getting a cat which will have health issues or possibly even die early.  If the breeder does not want to answer these questions, you should find another breeder. The Bengal cat price should not be your only consideration. You could spend thousands in veterinarian care and testing if you purchase from the wrong breeder.

• Is the kitten Internal Parasite free-TTF, Coccidia, Giardia, Tape &, round worms-ask the breeder what is the parasite protocol?  Each breeder should have a course of medications that they use to “worm” the kittens.

 

• Is the kitten Free of external parasites (fleas ticks ear mites)? Are they on a preventive program?

 

• Is the kitten free from ring worm free (external fungus)? This is easily treatable.

 

• Is the Kitten or are the kitten’s parents FeLV/FIV tested (feline Leukemia)? Some believe that Bengals have a natural immunity to Feline Leukemia.

 

• Is the kitten Virus Free (herpes) and conjunctivitis free eyes and clear nose?  If the kitten is sneezing, this is a problem.

 

• Is the kitten or are the kitten’s parent’s PK deficiency Screened and PRA screened? (PK is a very serious kind of cat anemia and PRA is blindness)  These are DNA tests through U.C. Davis in California.

 

• Has the kitten had its first shots administered? – Has the kitten had a health check by a licensed veterinarian?  Is the breeder willing to share the kitten’s health records and provide them to you if you buy the kitten?

 

• Does the breeder provide a deposit receipt or agreement in writing?

 

• Does the breeder have a written purchase agreement that spells out specifically everything that has been agreed to?

 

• Does the breeder offer a health guarantee against genetic defects? If so how long is the guarantee? 

 

• If buying the kitten as a Breeder, does the breeder guarantee that the kitten is fertile or will they replace the kitten? Male and Female.

 

• ​Are the Kittens TICA registered. Tica is The International Cat Association.

 

• Is the Breeders Cattery TICA Registered? 

 

• Has the kitten been checked for a heart murmur by a veterinarian?

 

• Is the kitten well socialized?  Socialized kittens do not hiss at you and are not shy.  (Shy is a code word for un-socialized).

 

• Does the breeder offer after purchase support if you need it?

 

• Take a look around the breeder's house…does the breeder's home appear clean and without smell?  What is the condition of the breeding cats?  If you are not allowed to see the breeding cats or visit the home, this is a red flag.  Buy at your own risk.

 
*A health guarantee should never be a substitute for testing; what good is a health guarantee if your beloved pet dies because the breeder would not test the breeding cats?  In most cases you will be offered a cat as a replacement, but how can a replacement take the place of your pet?  As a rule, you should buy from breeders who test their adult breeders for PK Deficiency, FeLV, PRA and who also have a consistent worming and flea protocol.   If you can check off each one of these things on this list, it is a good bet you will have a healthy Bengal. 
 
All reputable breeders have a contract between the buyer and the seller of the kitten. When you get your Bengal, you must realize that we have a large investment in your new kitten. The investment is not only monetary - a reputable breeder cares for kittens even after they are placed. Also when a breeder has a TICA registered cattery there are standards for health and cat care which must be adhered to.
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The contract is a legal document which spells out how you must treat your Bengal, and what penalties apply if you violate the agreement. The contract also provides you with some important health guarantees.

Your Friends at Registeredbengals.com​

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