The Best Cat Food For Bengals in 2022

Bengal cats are a very athletic but graceful breed with a muscular body and a spotted coat that makes them look like a little Leopard. To maintain them in peak condition, they need a high-quality diet that will provide them with all the nutrients they need. Here are the main characteristics of a reliable Bengal cat food.

• A high-quality protein source. This should be provided by real meat or fish. Bengals are big fans of chicken!
• A source of fiber. Beet pulp is a good option. This will provide a healthy source of natural fiber that will help with weight management and with controlling hairballs. As many Bengals are indoor cats, these are both common concerns. Check out our guide on high fiber cat food for more info.
• Balanced nutrition. You need a food that provides a balanced diet for your cat and will support a healthy immune system as well as maintaining healthy digestion.
• Coat health. The striking feature of a Bengal is its amazing coat. Omega oils will help to keep it in top condition.
• Natural ingredients. Bengals are closely related to wild cats and so food that is as natural as possible will suit them best. This means a predominantly protein-based diet that has low levels of carbohydrates. Wild cats do not eat grains and they can cause digestive issues in all cats.
• Free from. Many Bengal cats suffer from food allergies so it may be best to avoid common allergens such as corn, wheat, or soy. Find out more about hypoallergenic cat food here.

Bengals cats have some specific nutritional needs. Owners who are concerned about what to feed Bengal cats should consult their vet or an experienced and reputable Bengal breeder. They still retain many characteristics from their feral ancestors and therefore need a diet that is as natural as possible. Here are some of the main things that the Bengal cat diet should include.

• High quality protein – ideally provided by real meat or fish
• Easy to digest carbohydrates – but cat’s need very little of this nutrient
• Fiber – helps with weight management and hairball control. For more options head over to our guide on cat food for hairballs.
• Vitamins and minerals – to maintain a healthy coat and immune system
• Fatty acids – for healthy skin and coat
• Overall calories – Bengals are lean cats and should not have a large calorie intake

You may also like our article on Vitamins For Cats.

Bengals are not as active as they would have been in the wild so you need to avoid feeding them any ingredients that would make them put on weight whilst delivering little in the way of nutritional benefit. Also, they can suffer from food allergies as can any other breed. Here are some of the ingredients that you should avoid in commercial cat foods.

• Meat by-product meals

These are just not close enough to a wild diet to suit the Bengal. They have been highly processed and rendered and are a cheap ingredient.

• Fillers

In the wild, a Bengal would eat little in the way of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, they are widely used in cheaper cat foods because they cost so little. Look out for typical fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy and avoid them. They offer little nutritional benefit to a cat and can trigger allergies.

• Artificial additives

Again, it is best to match your cat’s diet closely to that of a wild cat so that means avoiding artificial additives. They add no nutritional value and can trigger digestive issues.

Take a look at our review of the Best Organic Cat Food for more options. 

Overall, Bengals are one of the healthier breeds of cats but as with all pedigrees, there is the potential for them to develop genetic health problems. You can avoid many of these by only dealing with a reputable breeder.

Common Bengal genetic health problems include the following issues.

• Cataracts

Cataracts are not as common in cats as they are in dogs and tend to occur at a younger age. It’s a disease that causes the lens of the eye to become opaque (cloudy) so vision is impaired and eventually lost. You may notice a blue, gray or white layer on your cat’s eye, they may avoid leaping and jumping on things and they may seem clumsy. Surgical removal is possible in some cats.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

This is another eye disorder and whilst it is painless, it results in a total loss of sight which is obviously very debilitating. The blindness is progressive which means that it develops gradually over months or years. There is no treatment and it can affect kittens who are only 12 weeks old.

• Entropion

Yet another genetic eye condition is Entropion which occurs when the eyelid folds inward and scrapes against the eyeball. This causes irritation and damage to the cornea which can eventually lead to ulceration and perforation. It is typically diagnosed at around two years of age and requires veterinary treatment.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

This heart condition occurs in all breeds but is common in Bengals. It is caused by a thickening of the inner muscle in the heart. As a result, the blood flow is interrupted and it can even be fatal in some cats. It can affect young kittens but there is no genetic test for it as yet. Responsible breeders will have their breeding stock tested for heart murmurs every year by echocardiogram.

• Distal Neuropathy

This is a neurological disorder which is hereditary and affects around one in ten Bengal cats. It can become apparent from as early as 12 months of age. Many owners notice it first as a general weakness in their cat and this may be accompanied by constipation and problems with wounds healing.

Sadly, there is little that vets can do to treat it and paralysis and eventual death occur.

As well as the hereditary diseases, there are some health issues that you should be aware of when you get a Bengal cat or kitten.

• Psychogenic Alopecia

When Bengals get anxious, they are prone to obsessive behaviors and that includes over-grooming. They do it because it helps them to calm down and feel more relaxed. However, when they over-do it, tufts of fur fall out and they can be left with bald patches. The inside of the thighs, the abdomen and the groin are common sites for the problem to occur. It needs to be investigated and treated by a vet.

• Feline infectious peritonitis

This is a viral infection of the intestines. You may first notice that your cat has a vague fever and lethargy and after a few days this can be followed by abdominal swelling and liver and kidney problems. Your vet needs to provide treatment.

• Bengal nose

This is the common term for a skin condition that can affect any breed but that is common in Bengals. The cause is not entirely understood but it is thought to be allergy-related. You should talk to your vet about how you can identify substances that your cat may be allergic to.

Our top pick of the best food for Bengals is a recipe that is closely matched to that of the wild cat so it will suit their feral cat ancestry. It is a dry food based on the diet of the Lynx. It is packed with high quality protein (40 per cent) obtained from chicken and turkey.

The carbohydrate content is easy to digest (peas, potatoes and sweet potatoes) and will not trigger any allergies. It is also soy-free and there are no artificial flavors or preservatives to worry about.