Bengal kittens are one of the most expensive cat breeds you can own. You can get a slightly affordable cat by purchasing an adult Bengal. People love Bengals because they are exotic, agile, and graceful cats.
Bengal cats can cost a thousand dollars (USD) or more. They cost more than domesticated cats because they are a rarer breed. The average price for a Bengal kitten is $600 – $2850, depending on the coat and coloration.
Before you set your heart on adopting a Bengal, it’s essential to know the costs associated with owning one. Let’s take a look at the prices associated with different types of Bengal cats.
Bengal Kittens Cost
This data is an estimate based on the prices of many Bengal Catteries, but you may pay more or less for your kitten depending on local availability and the cost of caring for a Bengal kitten in your area.
Prices are based on the kitten’s age and how rare and desirable their coat coloration is. Prices may vary widely, and this guide helps you estimate the costs associated with owning a Bengal kitten. You should also know that these kittens can cost as much as $3,500 and more.
| Bengal Type | Brown Spotted | Brown Marbled | Seal Lynx Spotted | Seal Lynx Marbled | Silver Spotted | Silver Marbled | Mink Spotted |
| Kitten | $1750 and up | $1500 and up | $1750 and up | $1500 and up | $2750 and up | $2000 and up | $2500 and up |
| Adult | $700 and up | 750$ and up | $750 and up | $700 and up | $800 and up | $750 and up | $850 and up |
*Note: Different breeders have different terms to describe Bengal kitten coats. These are standard coat classifications, but you may see the same coat referred to with different terminology.
Prices increase as your kitten receives medical care, and as your cattery provides equipment for your Bengal cat. For instance, responsible catteries will send you home with your kitten’s favorite toys and a litter box, but that will increase the overall cost.
The more exotic the coat color, the more expensive the kitten will be. You can expect more than $2000 for a spotted or marbled Bengal kitten. Keep in mind that Bengal kittens cost more than adult cats.
Costs of Keeping a Bengal Kitten
Bengal cats are exotic cats with a strong, muscular body. They are some of the most popular and expensive cat breeds in the world. So you might be thinking, why are Bengal kittens so expensive? Here are some of the costs associated with Bengal kittens.
Up-front costs
Once you’ve adopted your Bengal kitten, you should be aware of other upfront costs to give your kitten the best start in its new home. These may include:
Vaccinations
The first thing you should ask your breeder before buying a kitten is whether they’ve had any vaccinations. You have to protect your kitten against serious infections and diseases. You can expect to pay an extra $80-$90 to get this done if your local breeder hasn’t.
Microchipping
When you take your Bengal kitten for the first vet appointment, you’ll be encouraged to microchip your kitten. The process involves inserting a tiny electronic device, approximately the size of a rice grain, under your kitten’s skin. It is a pain-free process for kittens and costs around $15 to $30.
Unlike dogs, microchipping a cat isn’t a legal requirement. But it will help make sure that you can find your kitten if they go missing.
Neutering
You may also want to consider neutering your Bengal kitten, particularly if they’re female. Neutering, also known as spaying, is a simple operation that prevents cats from having unplanned litters later in life.
Neutering improves a cat’s behavior and usually happens when Bengal kittens are four months old. It costs between $40 and $50 for female kittens or $30 to $40 for male Bengal kittens.
Costs for daily equipment
Along with the upfront costs of keeping a Bengal kitten, you’ll need to think about the daily requirements of your kitten, including:
Food
Bengal kittens tend to have a different diet than other breeds due to their complex history. Protein should be the primary component, making up between 50% and 80% of their daily food intake.
The Bengal kitten price for food can vary from just 30p to 80p a day, depending on the brands that you buy and how much your kitten loves to eat!
Equipment
Bengal cats are popular for their love of hunting, so you should factor in the price of toys for your Bengal kitten.
Toys such as play mice, strings, fluffy balls, and scratching poles can satisfy their hunting instinct. Not only will this help your kitten exercise when left indoors, but it’ll prevent them from getting bored and destroying your home.
Monthly costs
Once you’ve bought your kitten and the things that they’ll need every day, you may want to consider the monthly costs of keeping a Bengal cat.
Flea and worming treatment
Flea and worming treatments are crucial for keeping your Bengal cat healthy. You should give flea and worming tablets to your kitten at least once a month. They will offer protection against intestinal worms and help prevent nasty flea infestations that lead to skin irritation.
Cat insurance
Once your Bengal kitten settles into its new home, you should invest in a cat insurance policy that will protect your pet against any unexpected illnesses or accidents.
For a small monthly fee, you will save up on vet fees and ensure that your Bengal kitten lives a long and healthy life.
Bengal Kittens Are Rare
We’ve already highlighted that Bengal kittens are rare compared to other house cats. But that doesn’t mean that Bengal kittens are rare in the traditional sense of the term.
Consider some other rare cat breeds, like Savannah cats, and even popular but less common breeds like Manx, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cats. Bengal kittens belong with those breeds not because they are rare and have specific care requirements.
They aren’t challenging to find, but they are more expensive than smaller non-hybrid breeds. You can expect to pay a hefty price tag for Bengal kittens.
Bengal Kittens Are A Hybrid
Like Bengal kittens and Savannah kittens, hybrid kittens are rarer than other breeds, thanks to the breeding difficulty. Hybrids also have higher maintenance needs than other cat breeds, which adds to their cost.
Most breeds don’t allow kittens that are distantly related to a wild cat. That means that an Asian Leopard cat’s great-grandchild (kitten) might be eligible for breed inclusion.
Bengal kittens Aren’t Legal Everywhere
One barrier to increasing Bengal kittens’ population is that they aren’t 100% legal in all areas. Many states regulate Bengal kittens more heavily than other breeds, and they aren’t authorized to breed or own at all in a few places.
Those legal barriers make it more difficult for breeders to get started and makes the breed rarer and expensive.
Breeder Incentive to Keep Bengals Rare + High Breeding Standards +
These two factors are very important. Responsible catteries have high breeding standards, and the selection of Bengals that meet the requirements is very small. Catteries work hard to make sure they aren’t inbreeding their Bengal cats.
Breeders also have a huge incentive to keep Bengal kittens rare because of the high costs of care. Keeping the breed rare and ensuring there is more demand for Bengal kittens helps breeders maintain high genetic quality standards.
Bengal cats from a responsible cattery are more expensive. Reputed catteries invest ample resources, time, and attention into the care of Bengal kittens.
Most Bengal catteries neuter Bengal kittens before selling them. They check kittens for disease and vaccinate them. Some kittens also undergo genetic testing to ensure optimal health. Additionally, Bengal kittens require fundamental training to prepare for their new owner’s home and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy a Bengal Kitten?
If you’re looking for a Bengal kitten, you should consult a reputable breeder. Avoid local pet stores unless they are working with a shelter for rescued cats. While some pet stores do a brilliant job of sourcing their kittens from reputable breeders, many do not.
Look for a reputable cattery that will let you visit the kittens before you adopt them. You can check the living conditions of the kittens and their parents. You should also ask about the kitten’s training and medical care. Most responsible catteries work closely with a veterinarian to make sure all the animals are healthy.
How can I buy a Bengal kitten?
Most Bengal kittens are available at local catteries. Pet owners usually reserve a kitten in a current or upcoming litter before meeting the animal. It’s essential to understand your contract’s terms since only a part of your deposit is refundable.
If you change your mind and don’t end up adopting your kitten, you’ll have to pay some of the adoption fees. Many breeders open reservations for their kittens every month, so it’s good to follow your local breeder on social media and sign up for newsletters. That way, you’ll know when new Bengal kittens might be available.
Can I take Bengal cats for a walk?
Bengal cats should go on regular walks outside with supervision. You should make sure to properly attend to your Bengal by keeping them on a harness. Give them access to wild nature to stimulate their curious minds. Going for daily walks outside can be tiresome, but you adopted a Bengal cat for a reason.
Do Bengal kittens need a litter box?
Bengal kittens need clean and spacious litter boxes. If you do not accommodate your kitten’s size, they may feel claustrophobic or cramped and eliminate their waste outside the box.
What are the common health issues of Bengal cats?
Bengals have hereditary health issues including, cataracts, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Responsible breeders take steps to avoid these health problems. So, it’s important to buy Bengal cats or kittens from reputable breeders.
