28.06.2022

How big is a full-grown Bengal cat?

Once you become a proud owner of a Bengal kitten, you have numerous questions about their development, nutrition, and care running through your head. 

One of the most common dilemmas regarding this breed is—how big can a full-grown Bengal cat get? These felines come in various sizes and can be average-sized or large. Since they are a relatively new hybrid of the Asian Leopard cat and a domestic feline, their size depends on their family line. In most cases, they won’t be much larger than an average domestic cat.

Untamed explains the development stages of your Bengal and helps you discover what you can do to ensure their healthy and steady growth.

When do Bengal cats stop growing?

I may be growing bigger, but I’ll always be your kitten.

Source: Bermix Studio

Bengal cats stop being kittens at the age of one, but they don't stop growing. In terms of height and length, they usually reach a fully grown status between 18 months and two years. Some Bengals can continue to grow for another year, but it's rare. After that, they may only gain or lose weight depending on what you feed them.

Bengal cat growth stages

A healthy and well-fed Bengal should weigh between 3.6 kg and 6.8 kg once fully grown, and males are typically larger and heavier than females. Two-week-old Bengal kittens usually weigh around 250 gr, and their weight doubles every two weeks.

Refer to the table below to see the expected weight, height, and length of a Bengal kitten in different life phases:

Bengal cat life phases and milestones

Your Bengal kitten will go through several stages until they are fully grown—here are some turning points in their development:

1. The first days
2. Three weeks
3. Two months
4. Three months
5. Six months

The first moments with your Bengal kittens

New-born kittens are blind, deaf, and utterly dependent on their mother. They can't regulate their body temperature, relying on their mom to keep them clean and help them relieve themselves. Tiny Bengals can recognise their mother's scent at this age, but their sense of smell will fully develop by the third week.

Kittens' eyes open around the second week, and they slowly begin to explore while wobbling around and staying close to their mom.

Three-week milestones

At three weeks of age, Bengal kittens start weaning, and you can begin feeding them solid food. High-quality and easily digestible food is essential to deliver all the nutrients to a growing kitty.

Is it playtime?

Source: Nika Benedictova

You can also begin teaching them to use a litter tray at this point since they no longer need their mother to relieve themselves. You can start by placing your miniature leopard in the litter tray after every meal.

Soon after, you will start noticing the kittens' playful nature. They will begin playing with each other, which is when they start learning how to control their biting.

What happens when your kitty is two months old?

Once they are two months old, your tiny leopard will begin exploring their surroundings. At this stage, Bengal younglings will feel confident to venture to a different room independently. If they lived outside, they would also be learning how to hunt, which Bengals are highly gifted for.

Hey! Do I look scary enough?

Source: GidonPico

The second month is also the time when kittens can be adopted into their new homes. They are completely weaned off, their eyes are fully open, and they can hear well and regulate their body temperature.

It’s also the moment to begin a critical stage of raising a Bengal kitten—socialisation. Your kitty should start meeting other people and pets. Remember to give them a lot of praise and treats so they associate this experience with something positive.

Three-month-old Bengal kitten expectations

At three months, your Bengal kitten will look like a tiny adult. They also grow incredibly quickly from this moment on, so you have to be careful with food portions. Since Bengal cats are highly active and energetic, an adequate diet and feeding schedule are critical. You have to weigh your kitten regularly to determine suitable portion sizes.

At this age, your kitten will learn their name, and you will be able to start teaching them simple tricks and commands. They will also begin to understand what behaviours are acceptable. At this point, you can start regular grooming rituals—even though such young kittens don't need them yet, it's wise to get them accustomed to the sensation.

Six-month-old Bengal kitten milestones

Your Bengal is now going through an adolescent stage, and they might develop a bad attitude. They will be playful but may start acting a bit aggressively.

I trusted you, and you took me to the vet. 

Source: Paul Hanaoka

If your Bengal is a girl, she will go into heat around this time, and a boy will be ready to reproduce. Spaying and neutering is a good idea, and it may help curb unwanted adolescent behaviour. Consult with your vet about the right timing for the procedure.

What can affect your Bengal’s growth?

Several factors can influence how big your Bengal kitten will grow, from genetics to care:

1. Genetic background
2. Parasites
3. Disease
4. Exercise
5. Diet

Your Bengal's genetic background

The Asian Leopard cat, your Bengal’s wild ancestor, is a relatively small jungle feline, but the size of your kitty will ultimately depend on the breed used in the Bengal breeding programme.

The following table presents the most common cat breeds used for Bengal breeding with their average weights:

Parasitic infestation

Many parasites can infect your Bengal and impact their growth, including:

• Ticks
• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections

If a growing kitten has roundworms, the infection can stunt their growth. It can also cause serious digestive problems and result in gas formation. Hookworms cause serious diarrhoea and loss of appetite, which leads to weight loss, and ticks are also carriers of many potentially life-threatening diseases. 

To prevent your feline from getting infected, you should:

• Clean their litter tray regularly
• Never allow them to drink stale water
• Administer preventive medication (following your vet’s advice)
• Keep your garden faeces-free

Diseases

If your Bengal isn't developing as well as they should, an underlying health issue might be the reason. Some of the most prevalent health problems in Bengal cats that can hamper their growth include:

• Distal neuropathy
• Patellar luxation
• Hip dysplasia
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Flat-chested kitten syndrome

Exercise

I see, I jump, I catch the closed window.

Source: Paul Hanaoka

Exercise is crucial for the proper development of Bengals because they are full of energy and need to be active. All felines benefit from exercise since it improves blood circulation and muscle and bone growth. Lack of physical activity can negatively impact your kitty's health and cause various problems later.

Diet

Their diet and feeding schedule are the critical factors impacting your Bengal kitten's growth. The quality of cat food you feed them is of utmost importance, so you should opt for wet food and avoid kibble. Canned food usually has a higher percentage of animal protein and essential nutrients that felines need to develop properly. It also contains more moisture than dry food, which is essential because cats don't have a strong drinking drive.

The best diet for your growing Bengal

Nutrition plays a vital role in your Bengal's development, so they need cat food that can meet their dietary needs.

Animal protein and animal fat are crucial ingredients in cat food.

Image (c) Untamed

Cats are carnivores, so they need meat and fish to satisfy their nutritional requirements. Vegan and vegetarian options won't do—not because plants and vegetables are toxic for felines, but because cats lack the necessary enzymes to digest these ingredients.

You should avoid cat food that lists the following ingredients:

• Corn or sweetcorn
• Potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Wheat
• Carrots
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Rice

Small quantities of mango, banana, or green beans are acceptable if your cat suffers from constipation, but they should not be a part of their regular diet.

The right food for your Bengal must contain:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat

Animal protein

Cats need essential amino acids—like taurine and arginine—to:

• Get energy
• Build strong muscles
• Maintain normal organ function
• Keep their skin and coat healthy

The only viable source of these amino acids is meat. Meat is also much easier for felines to digest than plant protein, so your kitty won't suffer from gastrointestinal problems. 

Since Bengals get their energy from protein, carbs are useless in their diet. Overconsumption of carbohydrates can only lead to obesity and other health issues. Your feline needs more than 50% protein in their meals to grow and function properly.

Animal fat

Reasonable amounts of animal fat are necessary because it delivers essential fatty acids—such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids—crucial for maintaining cell structural integrity. It’s also super tasty to felines and serves as an excellent secondary energy source.

Bengals are known to be picky about food and can refuse wet or dry food for no apparent reason. High-protein food with the right amount of fat (not more than 20%) should entice their appetite.

Can Untamed keep your Bengal on the right track?

Untamed is perfect for keeping your Bengal healthy and ensuring they grow and develop correctly.

Choose the flavours your Bengal will love and watch them thrive!

Image (c) Untamed

Our delicious meals deliver everything your Bengal needs to grow and stay strong and happy. Every Untamed tin is:

• Full of protein—Go for Chocka Chicken, Tuck-In Tuna, or Full-On Fishy in jelly or gravy, and you will see that all our recipes contain twice as much protein as most other products on the market
• Allergen-free—We don't believe in artificial colourants, taste enhancers, sugars, grains, and other unwanted filler ingredients. Our meals are suitable even for kitties with sensitive stomachs. If your Bengal is prone to allergies, you can treat them to our single-protein-source dishes—Tuck in Tuna or Choka Chicken in Jelly
• Vet-formulated—With the help of veterinary experts, we created dishes suitable for cats at every life stage. Developing kittens, adults who need their energy levels kept in check, and senior cats who have dental issues and struggle with keeping their muscle tone can all benefit from Untamed

Untamed is also devoted to keeping our planet healthy and clean. We believe in ethical production and work with sustainable and cruelty-free suppliers. Our packing is 100% recyclable, and our operations are carbon neutral.

Do you want to see your Bengal grow big, lean, and well-proportioned? Try Untamed!

Order the starter pack and get your Bengal hooked on Untamed!

Image (c) Untamed

How to get Untamed for your growing Bengal

Getting Untamed for your Bengal cat could not be easier:

1. Tell us about your Bengal
2. Choose the products 
3. Place the order

The goods will arrive in a day, and if we get the green light from your cat, we can deliver their favourite dishes at the same time every month to keep them fit and happy. According to many satisfied customers, you can expect the following effects after switching to Untamed:

1. Week 1—Your Bengal will have no digestive issues and make less mess in the litter box
2. Month 2—You will notice your kitty becoming leaner and more muscular, and their attitude should improve 
3. Month 4—The coat will be shinier and softer. They will shed less, and hairballs won’t be frequent
4. Life-long—You will have no problems keeping your feline friend at a healthy weight, and you should visit the vet only for regular check-ups