Mixed-breed cats are quite popular, and there is no end to the amazing and unusual crossbreeds that can be found. Many of these crossbreeds include beloved or unusual breeds. A highly popular, though hard to find, are Bengal mixes. Bengals are rare, and finding a mixed breed is a challenge, but there are several that are quite captivating.
Bengal cats are a fascinating breed. They have a distinctly sleek appearance, striking curiosity and a little fear in some people. Their unusual appearance and confident attitude draw people in and spark interest in this breed worldwide. Some Bengal mixed breeds are even more popular due to their scarcity and unique appearance.
Mixed-breed felines are becoming increasingly popular for many distinct reasons. A Bengal mixed breed may be appealing because they are more docile than first-generation hybrid Bengal cats. People may be interested in having a cat that looks wild but is not as outgoing and energetic as the Bengal. We discuss seven of the most popular Bengal cat mixes we could find. Perhaps one of these lovable crossbreeds might just be the right fit for you.
The Bengal
Bengals are a fascinating breed of feline. Exquisite in appearance, they look like miniature tigers. They have been nicknamed pet or toy leopards due to their similarity to a true wildcat. The breed has more than simply a similar appearance to a wildcat. These kitties are directly related to them. This feline breed has an origin story unlike any other. Bengals were created in the name of science.
Bengals are genuine hybrid animals. In the 1970s, pediatrician Dr. Willard Centerwall was researching pediatric leukemia and created these hybrid kittens in a lab. Asian leopard cats have a natural partial immunity to feline leukemia, and he wanted to study that immunity to learn more about the disease and help treat his patients. After he finished his research work, Centerwall chose to pass the kittens along to a local California cat breeder rather than destroy them.
That breeder was a woman by the name of Jean Sudgen Mill. Mill crossbred these kittens with various domestic kitties, eventually developing today’s modern Bengal cat. She was not the only breeder interested in developing this exquisite breed. Another set of prominent breeders, Greg and Elizabeth Kent, developed another high-quality bloodline. These high-pedigree felines can be found throughout the domestic Bengal population today. Due to their connection to wildcats, this breed has faced some controversy and has active bans and restrictions in many different places. Most Bengals owned as pets today are at least five or six generations removed from full-blooded wildcats.
This breed makes for a wonderful pet. Bengals are quite intelligent, curious, energetic, playful, and affectionate. This kitty actually loves being around people and wants to be involved in everything the humans are doing. They have a high prey drive, meaning they can be very rambunctious. Owners with smaller pets like birds, fish, rodents, and reptiles will need to keep a close eye to ensure safety from the wandering eyes and noses of the glorious pet leopard.
Purebred pet leopards are amazing cats to raise if one can get their hands on them and have the appropriate time, space, and energy to raise them. Bengal mixes are also trendy, though some may be hard to find. If you are wondering about these unusual mixed felines, you have come to the right place. We get into the details of a few of our favorite Bengal cat mixes.
Bengal Maine Coon
A Bengal Maine Coon, also called a Bengal Coon, or a toy leopard, is one enchanting mixed breed. Both kitties like people, tolerate dogs, are highly trainable, and are fiercely independent. There is a large degree of uncertainty regarding what character traits from each parent breed a mix will exhibit. There is no guarantee they will get any one specific or any traits at all from either parent. Any cat owner bringing home a Maine Coon Bengal mix needs to expect the unexpected and be prepared for some unusual feline behavior. Regardless of personality, this mixed breed will be absolutely gorgeous, with a full fluffy fur coat, piercing eyes, and a strong muscular body.
A Bengal Coon is one splendid feline. Both parent breeds are hefty kitties, so a mix of the two can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds. Maine Coons have extremely long tails, so a mixed breed will likely have a longer tail than the average kitty. A striped tail, one of the most notable features of the Maine Coon coloring, is also possible. They may have short or long hair with a wide range of coat colors and patterns. Spotted coats, striped, rosette, or a mix of all three can occur. Colors include blacks, browns, silver, white, charcoal, blue, grey, red, tabby, and more. Eye color will include green, brown, blue, or amber tones. This breed will have a high need for grooming.
This breed will have a fairly long lifespan. Mixed breeds often live longer than purebreds, so anywhere from 9 to about 16 or so years is expected. Mixed breeds tend to be healthy but may have a predisposition to hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. As with other large feline breeds, there is always a risk of overeating and obesity. This can bring a whole host of health problems like diabetes, heart concerns, joint issues, and digestive concerns.
Expect this breed to be a handful. Both parent breeds have extraordinarily strong attitudes and are incredibly independent. This means they will have a powerful, stubborn streak and need affectionate owners yet can set and enforce firm boundaries. This particular crossbreed might be exceptionally hard to find, and potential owners will likely have to wait for a litter to be born. They can be quite pricey, ranging from a few $100 to well over several thousand. Appearance, bloodline, personality, and purpose of companion or pet play a role.
Bengal Siamese
A Bengal Siamese mixed kitty is an incredibly good-looking feline. These kitties are also extremely rare and challenging to find. Though this crossbreed can happen naturally, most are bred explicitly by breeders and are not a typical mix to see everywhere.
These cats are unforgettably beautiful. Appearance-wise, these cats can have the spotted, striped, marbled, or rosette pattern over the silken cream-colored coats of the Siamese. Some may have classic seal point markings along with the leopard-like pattern. These kitties will have striking eyes and large ears, and some may even have what looks like a Siamese-colored coat on their body with Bengal cat legs, paws, tails, and faces. One will never forget seeing one of these magnificent beauties.
This unique kitty will need a lot of grooming as they will have luscious, lush coats. They will need homes with attentive owners. Bengals are known to be highly active, and Siamese cats are not as energetic, so this kitty may be super physical or more mellow. Pet leopards are notorious climbers, so any mix will want to explore and climb to some degree. They will usually have a good relationship with other pets in the house. Owners should be careful as any breed mixed with the Bengal is likely to have high motivation to hunt and chase smaller animals.
Expect the Bengal Siamese to weigh between 10 and 15 pounds, though some may be smaller if Siamese genes are dominant. They will be a medium to large breed but not as big as a purebred Bengal. These beauties reach about 16 to 18 inches long and stand between 8 and 10 inches tall. This mixed kitty will be fairly long-lived, with a lifespan between about 15 to 20 years.
This mix Bengal cat makes a radiant-looking pet, though they can be high maintenance. They will require regular grooming, high-quality nutrition, lots of attention, and plenty of physical exercise. These impressive kitties need an owner that is committed. They do not do well when left home alone for an extended period and need regular interaction throughout the day. These cats can be quite a handful, so they may not be the best choice for new feline owners or those with young children. This specific Bengal mix can come with a high price tag, those with high pedigree can cost anywhere from $1,000 to over $3,000, and lower quality bloodlines will cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000.
Bengal Savannah Cat
A Bengal Savannah cat mix is one of the rarest, most show-stopping crossbreeds around. These kiddos are very unusual because both parent breeds are true hybrids. Both are crossbreeds between wildcats and domestic felines. Bengals are a cross between Asian leopard cats and domestic cats. Bengal Savannah mix has 50% wildcat genes, though pets are always at least five generations out from hybrids. This mix is rare and considerably new. This crossbreed is incredibly unpredictable due to the unique mixture of wildcat and domestic cat genes.
These kitties are not suitable for just any owner. The Savannah gets slightly larger than a Bengal, about 12 to 25 pounds, so a mix of the two is bound to be on the larger side. It is not unusual for this mix to grow between a foot and a half to two feet long, with considerably long tails.
Bengals have higher grooming needs than Savannahs. A mix will likely need moderate grooming and coat care. Fur is silky and delicate and on the shorter side, as both these breeds have medium to short coats of hair. Coat color will vary but can range from light brown, deep brown, orange, reddish, and black. They can have stripes, marbling, rosettes, or spots. This mixed breed will look very much like a small leopard or other wildcat species.
This mix Bengal cat will have an agreeable personality, though they may have a short limit for cuddles. Because of this, they must train early to tolerate children and other pets, or they may exhibit some aggressive and territorial behaviors. This cat will be a hunter and may enjoy going outdoors. It is best to keep this breed securely on a leash and harness, as they can damage the natural wildlife and plants and may scare off people they see due to their wildcat appearance.
The Bengal Savannah can make a good pet for a dedicated owner that has a lot of time and attention to give them. They can be highly unpredictable in appearance and behavior and need someone very experienced in handling complex feline behavior. These cats are very smart, inquisitive, and confident. This combination makes for an agreeable companion but also a cat that can get into places and up to mischief quite easily. This is not a good breed to leave home alone for very long.
A crossbreed this rare costs a considerable amount. It is not unusual to spend between $3000 and $5000 for a high-quality kitten of this mix. It is imperative to check local guidelines and laws when considering adopting one of these hybrid kitties. Both the Bengal and the Savannah have wildcat genes, and some states and municipalities will have restrictions on the generation of cats that can be owned or if they can be owned at all.
Bengal Ragdoll Or Bengdoll
The Bengdoll, as the Bengal Ragdoll mix is also called, is a generously sized, floppy, longer-haired cat with the markings of a tiny leopard. For owners who have always wanted a cat with a wild, fierce look, which has a floppy lovable personality, this is the mix for them. Not only is this cat a distinctive beauty, but they are also intelligent, friendly, and docile making them a perfect feline companion.
Unlike some other mixed Bengal cats, the Bengdoll is not as high-energy. They love to play but are less likely to go after smaller pets in the house and will have much shorter attention spans. This kitty is smart enough to learn games but may not want to. They are fast learners and quite friendly, making them a magnet for cat lovers. These kiddos are soft and affectionate. They do not mind cuddles or being the center of attention. Keep in mind that this is a mixed kitty, so not all cats are as agreeable as others, though this hybrid breed is famous for being affectionate and highly interactive with people.
These kitties will weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, depending on which breed is more dominant. Ragdolls are considerably bigger than Bengals, so a mix will likely be somewhere in between. This kitty has an expected life span of between 12 and 20 years, so expect them to be around for a reasonable amount of time. These kitties will have a considerable amount of hair and may not be an excellent choice for people looking for a hypoallergenic cat, as they will shed considerably.
This crossbreed is incredibly friendly, calm, and well-behaved. They love to be around children, new people, and other pets. Bengals have a high prey drive, so some of this mixed breed may inherit a bit of that hyper streak, but it will be nothing like a purebred Bengal. Imagine having a tiny, long-haired, bushy-tailed leopard cat that curls up and purrs you to sleep every night.
As with all Bengal mixes, this kitty will have a considerably high price tag. On the lower end, they will cost about $800. On the higher end, they can cost $3,500 or more. This mixed breed is well worth the high price tag. There may simply not be a more perfect feline mix.
Bengal Persian Mix
A Bengal Persian mix cat is a gorgeous, fluffy, distinctive-looking feline. Most of this mix would likely be medium to short-haired. Some may have long hair if they happen to be the offspring of a Bengal that carries a long-haired gene. Not much is known about this crossbreed because it does not often happen. If it does happen, it is usually something specifically bred for or occurs naturally. This is relatively rare because though the Persian is a common breed, pet leopards are quite expensive, and it is unlikely that responsible owners will allow them to roam free and mate with other cats.
Bengals are higher energy, so a mix will be somewhere in between. The appearance will be unpredictable. Persian kitties come in many assorted colors, so a blend may be anywhere from light brown, tan, silver, brown, cream, red, and shades of orange. Patterns will be varied. Some will inherit the wildcat-like spots and markings, while others may not.
This Bengal mix cat is quite hard to find and very expensive. Because this mix is so unusual, there is not much known about them. Potential owners need to contact Ragdoll and Bengal breeders to see if they breed this specific mix. This special kitty will need an owner who has a lot of resources and time to dedicate to them. They will need grooming every couple of days, regular exercise, and plenty of love and attention from human family members. These kitties will likely do well with other pets, cats, and people, including young children.
Bengal Tabby
A Bengal tabby mixed cat is not a super common breed. Tabby is not a specific feline breed. Instead, it is a coat pattern. Tabbies have a distinctive M-shaped mark on their foreheads, stripes around their legs, and tails, along their backs, and on their faces. Bengals carry the tabby gene, so this coloring can become dominant when mixed with other breeds. A Bengal mix with a Domestic Shorthair tabby is called a Toyger because it looks like a miniature tiger.
These kitties are generally highly energetic, very agile, muscular, and quite distinctive in appearance. They have a wild spark about them, often accentuated by the different tabby patterns possible. A Bengal tabby cat will be sociable and agreeable with humans, canines, and other felines.
This crossbreed may inherit more Bengal traits or be more like other, more docile breeds. Generally speaking, they are pretty smart, fairly well-behaved, easy to train, and responsible when left home alone. They have relatively minimal maintenance, especially compared to other Bengal cat mixes. This kitty is ready to please their humans and will put a lot of effort into earning praise and cuddles.
Toygers are extremely healthy and have a considerably longer life span of about 12 to 18 years. They will be small to medium-sized, with a naturally loving personality and an independent streak. They are not hypoallergenic and regularly shed, though they will shed considerably less than other mixes. Long-haired cats will shed more. As with all different Bengal cat mixes, expect to pay a pretty penny for a tabby mix. Anywhere from $800 on the low end to over $3,000 on the high end.
Serengeti
Serengeti cats are intended to look like a Serval wildcat but have a domestic cat’s docile, affectionate temperament. This breed was first developed in the 1990s in an attempt to create a new feline breed with the exotic wild appearance of a Serval and the domestic temperament of a house cat.
The combination of these two breeds creates a glorious specimen of feline, incredibly agile and skilled at hunting. They need an exceptionally high amount of physical activity and exercise every day. The Serengeti is not a cat for inexperienced owners or owners that do not have the time and energy to commit to playing with them. This is not simply a case of a cat that loves to play games. This breed needs this physical activity to stay healthy. Otherwise, they can become depressed, aggressive, and destructive.
The Serengeti is known for being very loud and vocal. This is one kitty that will let you know their opinion whenever they want to. Despite being loud and quite confident, these cats are super affectionate with human family members. They also tolerate other pets, including cats and dogs, very well. They weigh about 8 to 15 pounds when fully grown and live between 10 and 15 years.
A Serengeti needs a home with plenty of space to explore and a variety of areas to climb on, cross through, hide in, and explore. This is another breed that does well learning to walk outdoors on a leash. The training may be challenging due to this breed’s incredibly high energy level and curiosity. They are very speedy and will run high-speed circles around homes on a regular basis.
This designer kitty is relatively healthy, and no breed-specific health conditions are associated with this crossbreed. Of course, they are always susceptible to common feline ailments like dehydration, joint issues, cardiac disease, and diabetes. One of the most significant factors to this breed’s health is whether or not they have enough exercise and plenty of space to explore, run, and climb. Along with that, they need lots of mental stimulation, high-protein diets, and regular veterinary care.
Everything about this crossbreed, including their name Serengeti, oozes mystery, elegance, and flair. These kiddos are hard to find, but once an owner has one, they are likely never to want another breed.
Health Issues In Mixed Breeds
Overall, feline mixed breeds are healthy. They are often larger than their parent breeds and live longer. These crossed kitties may have a genetic predisposition to have some common feline diseases and health conditions. Reputable breeders will screen for common health conditions and defects.
Bengals can be at risk for some hereditary health issues, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and cataracts.
Mixed-breed kitties are not immune to leukemia or other cancers, and neither are other Bengal mixes. Other breeds they breed with will have their own unique health concerns. A mix breed can inherit all or some of these health issues. Owners may want to consider cat insurance to help offset the cost of regular care and be prepared for emergencies.
Mixed-breed felines can be predisposed to some common health concerns, including:
- Dental disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Kidney dysfunction, failure, and disease
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUDT)
- Patellar luxation
- Parasites
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Pancreatitis
- Digestive issues
- Lymphosarcoma
Reminders
Keep in mind that these breeds are a bit erratic and out of the norm when it comes to genetics. They may not show their full personality until fully grown. Pet leopards are an extremely high-energy breed, and any cat mixed with their genetics is likely to have a lot of spunk. Especially with a hybrid cat like the pet leopard, it is vital to learn about both parent breeds. Because these cats are so unpredictable, it is best to be ready for anything.
All felines are somewhat uncertain in both appearance and temperament, and owners cannot expect them to behave exactly like a parent or sibling cat. Owners of any breed mixed with a Bengal must be patient, ready to learn, and firm in boundaries and behavior expectations. Cat owners take a huge responsibility to provide lifelong care and support. Be ready to ask for help, especially with a hybrid kitty like the Bengal. Veterinarians and trainers are fantastic resources to be familiar with. Cohabitating with a mixed breed like the ones we have discussed is no small task.
The information we present here does not substitute the advice of a breeder, veterinarian, or trainer. It is an overview of these breeds and an introduction to some of the most elusive and rare mixed felines around.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is A Bengal Mix?
Bengal cats have longer bodies and tails than regular domestic felines. They also have longer back legs than front legs. Bengals have a distinct appearance, as well as temperament. These kitties are very athletic and have a lot of energy. If you do not know the parents consider a DNA test to better determine your pet’s true breed.
Final Thoughts
Though most are rare and can be hard to find, Bengal mixes are growing in popularity. Any cat mixed with the Bengal is on the higher end of the price range, even for companion breeds. These kitties have a remarkably interesting history. Unlike many other breeds, the Bengal came into existence for research and were not originally intended to be kept as pets. Any cat mixed with this hybrid breed will be an exotic-looking, distinctively striking feline. Describing them as simply beautiful does not do these exquisite mixed kitties justice.
These Bengal mix cats can make excellent family pets but are exceedingly high maintenance. They require owners who have a lot of patience, time, and resources to give to them. Any of these mixed kitties will make a delightful pet and command the attention of anyone who crosses their path. We hope you have enjoyed learning about these fantastic and rare crossbreed felines.
