Hi everyone! I'm new to the Bengal breed, but already quite obsessed. I've finally been getting ready to find a kitten of my own, however while I'm still stuck in my undergraduate schools I'm not quite ready to put down the money on a pedigree (that will come when I'm ready to breed ) - to that end, I'm looking into adopting a kitten from a shelter or rescue, and would like some help in discerning some of the more identifiable features of the bengal, at least during the kitten stage.

So far from what I'm aware of, I should be looking for black paw pads, spotted underbelly, and hind legs that sit higher than the front.

I'm also not certain if the blue eyes during the kitten stage is an absolute must for identification or not, so if someone could help me out with that, it would be great.

I have yet to see an image of the kitten from a "birds-eye" view, so I can't tell if it has the racing-strips down it's back (are these necessary?) - however its fur does seem to be shorter than my housemate's kitten, despite them both being around the same age and therefore I'd assume in the "ugly fuzzies".

I will be going to visit the cat later today, and hopefully I can get some pictures of my own to post here - until then, please let me know if there's anything I should/shouldn't be looking for on this cute little one!

hi & welcome,

to be honest there are a lot of cute moggies that resemble bengals in one way or another.

the only way to guarantee it being a bengal, is to buy a registered one with a pedigree from a reputable breeder.

my advice would be to go & look at the kitten, if you like it, offer it a home whether it is a bengal or not, you will have a lovely pet.

it is highly unlikely for somebody's pure bred bengal to arrive at a cat shelter pregnant with pure bengal babies. there are many other spotty breeds & moggies who will bear resemblance.

as you said, you will have a well bred registered one of your very own at a later date, so for now just see whether this little kitten grabs your heart & will fit in with your current circumstances.

good luck, & anyone who loves bengals is welcome here, whether you have one or not & we still like to see cute kitten pics, even if they aren't purebred...they are all cute!

I agree too .

If you want a "real" Bengal for cheap, you should turn to Bengal rescue but then you'll have an adult one (kittens usually don't get rescued, if there's a problem they're rehomed by the breeder).
If you want a cat looking a bit like a Bengal (cross bred or not, you can't really make the difference), well any brown spotted tabby will do the trick (he'll have black pads and a clearer underbelly too ! That's just caracteristic of the brown tabby...).

So as you can make the difference...

Onyx, my moggie, a brown spotted tabby, when he was a kitten (I chose him because of the spots ) :





Chaos, my Bengal, as a kitten and now :





With Onyx :



As you can see, Onyx has lost some contrast when growing up and is kind of greyish , whereas Chaos is a bright reddish color...

Lastly, all kittens eyes are blue (didn't understand the question ?) , until 1 1/2 month old approx.

Well, no clue if she's a Bengal, but she's adorable!

Still need to come up with a name, of course.

She's sweet!!! Really lovely face

what a cutie!

i hope she brings you much love while you bide the time for your bengal

She is quite the cutie! Congrats on your new addition!

Take care,
Carol

She's really cute, welcome to her !

Wainting for some more photos now

She's adorable!! Just a hint - I just bought my first bengal this past weekend. I too simply don't have the $$ at this time to buy a kitten, but I did get a retired queen for only $350. She's absolutely wonderful, and quite frankly fits better with my other 2 adult housekitties. You don't have to spend a fortune for the honor of owning (or perhaps better said "being owned by" - lol!) one of these beauties. Also, make contact w/ and keep in touch with your area's bengal rescue!! Good luck with your new addition - she looks like she's gonna be a little ripper!

She's a sweet little pumpkin!
Love her eye markings. Congrats on your new friend

Just thought I'd give an update on the kitten situation (I've named her Saya, pronounced Si-yah).

She's adjusted well after about a 24-hour period of refusing to meet anyone other than myself. Eating well, using the litter pan regularly, and she's an all around happy kitty (if a wee bit energetic - tail-chasing seems to be a favorite activitiy of hers).

As much of an off-chance as it may be, I'm still looking forward to her next few months to see if I found a diamond in the rough, or rather a bengal in the gray fuzzies She seems to meet a large amount of the physical and behavioral description (right down to having a unique, almost chirp-like meow) - and her pattern doesn't seem constant in either tabby stripes or spots, but its a little difficult to see the pattern clearly which makes the "gray fuzzy" alert turn on in my head.

Anyway, I'm gonna see if I can get my camera working again and see if anyone has any thoughts Even if she's just an extremely outgoing and energetic brown tabby, she's the most lovable pet I've ever had!

fantastic news!

she sounds like shes settled in well. i'm sure you'll enjoy her & it'll be nice to see more piccies