I baddly want a Bengal! Please read.

I wish you luck - your "requirements" won't fit very well with legit Bengal breeders.

The only way you can get some of what you want price wise is one of a few ways:

1. Retired adult cat (from show/breeding) - these range from 1-4 yrs old most times.

2. Bengal Rescue (again they are mainly adult cats)

3. Backyard breeders - a big NO NO! Most byb's will rip you off, may have a less then F4 generation cat (the numbers away from the Asian Leopard Cat) - you don't want anything less. BYB's have poor quality cats, don't put the effort to proper socialize their kittens/cats, and don't do genetic testing, nor guarentee you health, etc.


The cost of a pet Bengal would be over $500 - any less; beware of the "breeder". Bengal breeders don't want their cats to just go to anyone. They take the time to produce a good temperment cat. They guarentee the health of their cats and are willing to take back cats you cannot keep. Also the kitten will be neutered and spayed before you get them.

If you will not compromise on an older cat, then you have very little choice but to save up till you can afford the cat of your dreams. While you might think they are expensive, if you really knew what all the breeder's expenses are, you would realize that the breeder is NOT making a profit - they are lucky if they break even.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

The cost of a pet Bengal would be over $500 - any less; beware of the "breeder". Bengal breeders don't want their cats to just go to anyone. They take the time to produce a good temperment cat. They guarentee the health of their cats and are willing to take back cats you cannot keep. Also the kitten will be neutered and spayed before you get them.

If you will not compromise on an older cat, then you have very little choice but to save up till you can afford the cat of your dreams. While you might think they are expensive, if you really knew what all the breeder's expenses are, you would realize that the breeder is NOT making a profit - they are lucky if they break even.

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I my case, Simba was not neutered before I got him, but I was required to get him neutered myself ASAP, and also I was required to take him to the Vet right after I got him and get a verification by my own vet that he was healthy.

Do you have any cats now? I think you should "rescue" a kitty that needs a home and love it for the beautiful creature that it is, rather than support breeders, (no offense breeders). It just seems a waste to me to breed any domestic animals for profit. There are so many "nonbreeds" that need homes and get euthanized. There should be a moratorium on all breeds until we get the "mutts" in good homes.

Originally Posted by gailuvscats

Do you have any cats now? I think you should "rescue" a kitty that needs a home and love it for the beautiful creature that it is, rather than support breeders, (no offense breeders). It just seems a waste to me to breed any domestic animals for profit. There are so many "nonbreeds" that need homes and get euthanized. There should be a moratorium on all breeds until we get the "mutts" in good homes.

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Gail, while I feel certain that we can ~all~ respect and appreciate your feelings on the matter, this is, afterall, the Breeder's Corner.

Thanks for replying everyone. I will just save up for one then, because like I said im not willing to get a retired one, I reallyyyyy want a kitten and those are expensive, but im sure they are well worth it!

Originally Posted by Roimata

Thanks for replying everyone. I will just save up for one then, because like I said im not willing to get a retired one, I reallyyyyy want a kitten and those are expensive, but im sure they are well worth it!

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Remeber to save up a vet fund ... have an extra couple of hundered for the spay or neuter and shots withing a couple months of new arrival....

From the websites I have seen so far, from my understanding they do all those things FOR you, am I wrong?

No, you're not wrong. Now days most breeders do the spay/neuter, probably depends on the breeder how many shots they'll have had.

Over here it's common for the breeder to get the 1st shot done at around 10 weeks, then the new owner gets the last one when they take the kitty for the health checkup at 12-13 weeks.

In the USA it depends on the breeder as far as the early spay and neuter goes. My breeder had ALL of the shots done, before I bought Simba, but her vet didn't do early spay and neuter. Simba is 4 years old now, so maybe things have changed in the last 3 plus years, but when I bought Simba - it was up to me to get him neutered. Of course it was stipulated in my contract that he had to be neutered by the age of 6 months, and that I couldn't ever let him outside, unless on a leash. I ended up getting him neutered at 4 months a few weeks after I bought him.

Most breeders now will not sell kittens less then 3-4 months old; so if you are expecting a younger cat - forget i!

During that time the kitten will have had all or most of its shots and probably will be neutered/spayed before you take him/her home. The price of shots and neutering are included in the cost of the cat.

In the UK if breeders want to be registered with the main cat registry they have to agree to not sell their kittens younger than 12 weeks when they've finished getting their shots.

I think that's becoming the norm in the US as well like GoldenKitty mentions. I can't really imagine really wanting a kitten younger than that. They're still tiny at 12 weeks and quite hard work as well.

I've had a few flakes come around over the years, wanting a "baby" kitten @ 2 to 3 weeks of age. So they could bottle feed it and have it "bond" more closely.

I don't know where people get these notions, but they're out there.

True, I also read that you cant get one less than 12 weeks, thats alright, mostly I just want it to be small when I get it so I can watch it grow......if I got an adult cat it would take all the fun out the experience I think.

I also have grown to love the bengal breed and would love to add one to my family one day. Just one thing to keep in mind as you are making this decision. All the posters so far have given you excellent advise, but one thing I didn't see mentioned was that there is a benefit to having an older and/or(retired) cat in leiu of having a kitten. Remember, kittens are just a bundle of energy and they are still trying to sort out their personality. With an older cat their personality is pretty much set so you know what they want or how they will react, if they are social or not, etc. That is one thing I would take into consideration.
I agree with all the others as far as prices for purebred bengals. You get what you pay for. Cheaper prices do NOT guarantee a purebred and often you pay more in the end because you didn't end up with what you wanted in the first place. Some things are worth saving for and if this is truly something you want then I think it is worth the time, effort, and money to get one from a responsible and reliable breeder.
During the time you are saving, I would start researching and finding out all you can about bengals that way when the time comes you know exactly what you want. Good Luck!

I know there are advantages to haveing an older, retired cat, but I want a small cat because I want it to grow with me, I will lose out on the experience if I have a fully grown cat handed to me, I know its alot of work lol. And since I am in no rush I can save up and look further into this, thanks everyone

Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

I've had a few flakes come around over the years, wanting a "baby" kitten @ 2 to 3 weeks of age. So they could bottle feed it and have it "bond" more closely.

I don't know where people get these notions, but they're out there.

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As a former bird owner for over 20 years, I can testify that this IS one good method of rearing birds into pets due to imprinting.

It might well be that these people may be under the impression that this would work with all species.

Or maybe they've seen Born Free one too many times.

Originally Posted by Roimata

From the websites I have seen so far, from my understanding they do all those things FOR you, am I wrong?

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Around me most vets dont do animals under 4-6 months so no they are nt fixed but they have all but the rabies shot... I just wanted to make sure you save enough

Also keep in mind you want a Bengal that is WELL socialized with people, cats, and dogs. Many "cheaper" Bengals may not have that advantage of caring breeders.

Good breeders put time, money, and heart/soul in raising a social kitten. They are very concerned as to who gets their cats and where they will live and what kind of home they will have.

And while you are checking out breeders - believe me they are checking out you too!

Well im only 18 and I just graduated, im going to be moving to Florida sometime in July, there I wont have any pets. Im really set on getting a Bengal, I dont see how I could go on without one now HAHA i'll be really excited if I can get one I have to save up alot.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Also keep in mind you want a Bengal that is WELL socialized with people, cats, and dogs. Many "cheaper" Bengals may not have that advantage of caring breeders.

Good breeders put time, money, and heart/soul in raising a social kitten. They are very concerned as to who gets their cats and where they will live and what kind of home they will have.

And while you are checking out breeders - believe me they are checking out you too!

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Those rules apply even to breeders who sell you one of their retired Queens. So, I would say, no matter where you get your Bengal or what age Bengal you get...the breeder will be checking you out as well. Just like you want the best Bengal, the breeders also want to make sure that you will be the best home for their cat or kitten.