Whoever said “making gains” was just for jocks? Bengal cats are no exemption to the rule.

Nowadays, Bengal cats are the “cool kids on the block” due to their exotic, wild and feral appearance. There are over 60,000 Bengal cats registered with “TICA” (The International Cat Association). Bengals are a product of cross breeding Asian Leopard cats with domestic breeds such as the Egyptian Maus. As a result, Bengals inherited feral tendencies demanding a Bengal cat diet that is a slightly different than their domesticated cousins.

What Do Bengal Cats Eat

What should you feed a Bengal cat? this question is asked by most newly Bengal cat owners. Since cats are carnivorous, feeding them cat food high in protein is a must. To understand the dietary demands of a Bengal cat we must look back at its ancestral past where we find the Asian leopard cats.

These Asian Leopard Cats had a diet consisting mainly of protein based foods such as birds, lizards, and insects. Currently, most commercial cat foods contain less meat and more carbohydrates such as corn, rice, and soy. If your Bengal’s diet consists mostly of low-grade commercial foods, one can expect some health issues later on.

A great supplement to a Bengal cat’s diet is raw meat provided that the meat is fresh and not processed. You can make your own Bengal cat food or buy quality commercial cat foods. Most importantly, make sure that protein is about 50%-80% of your cat’s diet leaving room for fiber and vitamins. Please check with your local Vet about optimizing your cat’s diet.

At a Glance: Best Wet Food For Bengal Cats To Buy

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Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Nom Nom Get 20% OFF Your First Order Read Full Brand Review Pros Fresh cat food delivery service conveniently shipped to your door

Low-carbohydrate

High-moisture

Made from highly-digestible protein

Human-grade food Cons Cost is above market average

Smalls Cat Food Click Here to Get 25% Off Your First Order Read Full Brand Review Pros Fresh cat food formulated specifically for your Bengal cat

Real meat is the main ingredient

Includes broth and flavoring to appeal to your cat’s taste

Complete instructions included

Human grade ingredients

Contains all the added nutrients your cat needs for good health Cons Needs to be refrigerated until serving time

Wellness Signature Selects View On Chewy Read Full Brand Review Pros An all-natural, grain free food suitable for cats of all ages.

It comes in custom packs that make it easy to serve during mealtimes.

Provides balanced daily nutrition for your cat. Its ingredients include pieces of shredded chicken and lean beaf and it doesn’t have any meat by-products, soy, corn, or wheat. Cons A bit on the expensive side

Weruva Classic Grain-Free View On Chewy Read Full Brand Review Pros: Made with animal protein sources

Minimal plant protein

No artificial ingredients

High protein content Cons Fish recipe could be a bit tricky as the chunks are a bit too big for some cats

Nature’s Variety Instinct

View On Chewy.com Read Our Full Brand Review Pros Chicken flavored food with natural ingredients. It is a grain free product with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Contains probiotics to aid in healthy digestion and antioxidants for the immune system.

Protein rich food made from animal proteins. It is suitable for all breeds of cats at all life stages. It contains some healthy vegetables and fruits and is freeze dried to give it a great taste. Contains low amounts of sodium selenite

Wysong Optimal Vitality Adult Feline Formula Dry Cat Food View On Chewy Read Full Brand Review This brand of dry food is also great as many times a cat will experience stomach problems when consuming too much wet food. Incorporating some dry goods into your cat’s diet will balance this out. Has a low level of carbohydrates and glycemic index, which is found in numerous other dry food brands.

It also has no artificial additives or non-nutritional ingredients.

Great flavors to choose from. Not all cats like the taste

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free View On Chewy Read Full Brand Review Suitable to cats of all ages, contains high levels of protein made from chicken and turkey, as well as other wholesome ingredients

Cooked in small batches to ensure proper nutrition for the animal.

Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 for the health of the cat’s coat and skin.

It also has calcium and phosphorus for the bones and teeth. May contain seafood, make sure your cat is not allergic to seafood before feeding him with this formula. Best to stick with the fish-free version.

Bengal Cat Food Allergies

Determining a Bengal house cat’s food allergies ahead of time is incredibly important, especially considering estimates that nearly 10% of all cats have food allergies.

In terms of symptoms, the clearest signs of food allergies in Bengal cats are similar to those of humans. Unfortunately, issues like itchy skin can be difficult to pinpoint as being directly caused by allergies, as there a whole host of other problems that can target Bengal cats as well.

As such, if you suspect that your cat might be suffering from allergies, it’s recommended that you conduct a series of food tests to see if there are any offending agents in your Bengal’s diet plan.

Once you’ve identified a food that is giving your cat an allergic reaction, the treatment is as simple as removing it from your household and keeping it away from them.

This might involve switching from a reliable brand or shifting from dried food to wet food, but keeping your Bengal cat safe will be well worth it.

For More Info, read our: Best Cat Food Guide

Daily Calorie Intake For Bengal Cats

Dry foods like those found in the typical supermarket may be an affordable means of feeding your cat, but they also tend to be stuffed with unnecessary grains to bulk up the package.

This means your Bengal cat’s diet will be considerably less efficient than one that incorporates more wet food. Of course, even with the right meal content. Overfeeding can have plenty of negative effects on your Bengal cat’s health.

For a young Bengal kitten, more tends to be better. In order to find the best food for your kitten You’ll want to weigh your Bengal to get a specific measurement and then check the calorie content of the food in your Bengal cat diet plan.

At this point, kittens will start at roughly 100 calories per pound daily, going all the way down to around 40 calories per pound when they’re around 40 weeks old.

For adult Bengal cats, a diet of around 25 to 30 calories per pound is sufficient. If your cat has a healthy meal plan but is regularly sick, bloated, or dehydrated, then you might want to look at whether or not they’re getting too much food.

Don’t be afraid to include consumer-based options into a Bengal’s diet. Remember, it is all about balance and capitalizing on the ingredients that this breed needs the most.

Try to avoid foods that have complicated ingredients or filler foods. Your Bengal’s diet should be simplistic and nutritious to promote healthy development for a long, happy life.

Raw Food Diet for Bengal Cats

Fresh turkey is a great source of protein and omega 3 fats

Lean cuts of fresh meat are rich in protein and fiber

Chicken and turkey are great sources of protein. Cats in general, prefer turkey over chicken. Try them both and see which works best.

Keep in mind that protein should not be the sole component in a Bengal’s diet, minerals and vitamins must be included as well.

Raw meat may cause food poisoning if not prepared properly. The meat must be fresh, and should only be served once per meal. The Raw food should not set at room temperature for more than 30 minutes.

For more info on raw cat food, make sure you read the following articles:

What You Should Never Feed Your Bengal

Bengal cats should be should only consume cat foods that are consistent with Bengal’s dietary guidelines. The following foods are known to cause your Bengal cat diarrhea and other health problems

Chocolate Chocolate contains theobromine, a type of alkaloid that can be poisonous to cats. If not take care of, theobromine poisoning can lead to death.

Raw eggs Salmonella, a bacteria found in eggs can cause food poisoning. Also, the protein in raw egg whites known as avidin can hinder the absorption of B vitamin biotin leading to skin and coat problems.

Avocado Avocados contains a toxic substance to Bengal cats called persin.

Alcoholic beverages Alcohol can cause fatal brain and liver damage in cats in general as it is highly intoxicating. So, whether it is wine, liquor, beer or any food containing alcohol, it is not good for your cat.

Yeast dough Yeast ferments produce alcohol when consumed by a Bengal cat thereby leading to alcohol poisoning.

Liver Although Bengal cats can consume certain amounts of liver, too much of it could be dangerous. It can trigger a vitamin A toxicity which affects the bones of a cat.

Macadamia nuts Macadamia nuts are rich in fats which which can cause stomach pain and discomfort, leading to diarrhea and vomiting

Foods that contain Xylitol Candies, snacks, gum and baked goods contain a naturally occurring sweetener that is extracted from fibers of veggies and fruits known as Xylitol. This sweetener causes a rapid blood sugar drop

Caffeine Caffeine is highly toxic especially when consumed in large quantities. It is found in colas, chocolate, and cocoa.

Raw potatoes and tomatoes These two contain glycoalkaloid solanine which can cause digestive illnesses in your Bengal cat.

Bones A bone can cause a cat to choke, splinter or block its intestinal tract leading to perforation of the intestines.

Bengal Overview



Bengal cat are becoming extremely popular in across North America, Australia, and the UK. Their jungle-like athleticism combined with their high energy levels, creates a very spacial cat demanding certain dietary standards consisting mostly of protein.

Raising a Bengal kitten can be challenging. Therefore, understanding Bengal breeding history is key to providing the right Bengal cat diet and lifestyle that your cat deserves. That being said, give your kitty a juicy piece of meat and challenge its mind and body.

Additional Resources:

All About Bengal Cats

Bengal cat care guides

Wikipedia

Best High Protein Low Carb Cat Food

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