Bengal cats stop growing at around one and a half to two years of age. Although, there are some Bengal cats that continue to grow for another year. They tend to be slow growers as they develop into a medium to large sized cat. The male Bengal can weigh up to 15 pounds, while the female Bengal average at 10 pounds.
It is important to know when a cat will stop growing so you can have some idea how big they can get. Even if they continue to grow, most people no longer consider Bengals as kittens after one year.
If you have a Bengal cat and are wondering when it is going to stop growing, then keep on reading.
How big can Bengal cats get?
The Bengal cat can grow larger than other house cats, but that does not mean that they will. While there are some big Bengals, not all of them get to that size.
Some Bengals can weigh up to 20 pounds or even higher, which is also possible for many other house cats breeds. If you own a Bengal, you may be worried that your cat will reach an unmanageable size, especially if you live in a smaller living space.
Bengals are already quite intimidating due to their unpredictable and energetic temperament.
Just remember that even though there is a possibility that your Bengal cat could grow big, it is unlikely that it will. Also, the breed is domesticated enough to not pose an actual threat to you or your family.
How long does a Bengal cat get?
Bengals, on average, are around the same size as other domestic cats, but they do have considerably longer torsos. Bengals are built to be agile, aerodynamic, and fast, just like their Asian leopard cat ancestors.
The lengthy torso is characteristic of the Bengal cat breed, and if you look at them from the side you will notice that their hind legs are longer than their front legs. The cat’s long legs, lengthy spine, and far-back positioning of their hips are what makes the Bengal cats torso so long. Their Asian leopard cat ancestors also have long bodies and legs to jump quickly from tree to tree.
Why does a Bengal cat’s growth matter?
Knowing when a Bengal cat is done growing is important because some health conditions are linked to how old the cat is. Some Bengal cats are prone to a health problem known as flat chested kitten syndrome. Affected cats tend to outgrow the problem when they become adults, but it can be a problem when they are younger, with the chest or thorax, becoming flattened and can even lead to lung collapse.
Another reason why it is important to know how big your Bengal is going to be is because the cat’s size can be an issue if it does not fit your house or lifestyle. Small homes tend to not be ideal for these cats. If your home is not large enough to allow your Bengal cat to roam and explore, you may find that your cat becomes destructive, finding all sorts of things to get into to make up for the fact that it has less room to roam.
Some people consider large houses to be a potential hazard for a Bengal cat, but as long as there are no areas for it to get lost in or fall from, it will not be a problem for your Bengal.
Why is my Bengal cat so small?
While Bengal cats can grow larger than the average cat, they do tend to be on the lean side. The cat’s appearance makes them look skinny, making some owners fear that they are not feeding their cat enough food. They are also more muscular than other cat breeds. This gives them an incredible range of motion and agility.
Take your cat to the veterinarian to find out exactly how much you should be feeding your Bengal. Keep in mind that a fat cat is not a happy cat, and the opposite is also true. Happy cats are those that are muscular and able-bodied. When a cat is unable to move its body freely due to being overweight it can become frustrated or even depressed.
Cats that eat wet or dry cat food usually become overweight faster than cats that eat purely raw food. This is due to the use of unwanted fillers.
Another factor to consider is maybe your cat is simply a late bloomer. It is common for a Bengal cat to have stunted growth, or to reach full growth maturity at a later time.
While most Bengal cats are done growing by their second year, others need three years to reach their adult size. This is related to genetics, the cat’s diet, exercise, and other factors such as birth order, sex, being neutered or spayed, birth mother’s health, or any underlying health issues.
What is a Bengal cat?
The Bengal cat is an exotic hybrid cat. The breed is a cross between a domestic shorthair and an Asian leopard cat.
The breed was developed by Jean Mill in 1963. They are a relatively new breed especially when compared to breeds like the Persian cat that have been around for hundreds of years.
Asian leopard cats are small, wild cats found throughout the continent of Asia. The Bengal inherited many of the Asian leopard cats characteristics, such as their unique spots, playful nature, and love of water.
Bengal cats are medium to large sized cats. They can weigh anywhere between 8 to 15 pounds and be 13 to 16 inches tall.
The cat’s most distinctive physical characteristic is their coat. It is covered in leopard-like spots or rosettes. These spots can be black, brown, or rust, while their coats can be ivory, sand, brown, orange, or gold. Other Bengal have coats so shiny that they practically glitter in the sun.
Bengals have round heads with large eyes and beautiful markings on the face. Their bodies are muscular and streamlined, just like their wild cat ancestors. Their front legs are a little shorter than their hind legs, and this difference in length gives Bengals their graceful and powerful stride.
Bengal cat personality
The Bengal cat is intelligent and very active. This makes the breed a lot of fun to have in the house. But this high energy cat can also be quite the handful.
They are friendly, talkative, and confident cats who are alway alert and observant of their surroundings. They like to play games, even fetch, when trained properly.
The Bengal is good with its paws and can usually figure out how to open a closet or cabinets. They are very determined especially about spaces they are not allowed into.
When your Bengal is bored, they can develop some negative habits, such as playing around with your electronics, switching light switches on and off, or fishing out seals from drains.
Bengals love to play with water and you should not be surprised if they jump right into the bath or the shower with you. Downside to this is you must be careful with your aquariums or fish ponds because your cat is not afraid of getting wet if it means catching your fish.
They are avid climbers and can often be found on the highest point in the room, such as the top of the bookshelf. They enjoy hanging out on perches and just looking down on the activity in the room. Getting them a tall cat tree is a necessity for this cat, as well as challenging toys that will keep their mind sharp.
During the Bengals downtime, they like to lay on your lap and even cuddle up with you in bed at night.
Conclusion
Bengal cats stop growing between one and a half to two years of age. It is completely normal for a Bengal owner to be worried about their cat’s rapid or delayed growth. Rest assured, your cat will stop growing. Even if your Bengal grows to be one of the biggest of its kind, you will still have a cuddly, friendly, and tame cat.
Image: istockphoto.com / mister Big