How Long Do Bengal Cats Live?

Bengal cats are, without a doubt, among the most attractive cat breeds. However, owners can still have many questions, such as how long do Bengal cats live or what is the life expectancy of a Bengal cat?

A Bengal cat has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. However, if you feed your Bengal the proper nutrition, make sure your cat gets enough exercise, take them to the doctor once a year, and keep them safe, your Bengal cat can live a longer life.

Continue reading to learn more about how long Bengal cats can live, their life expectancy, factors that can limit their lifespan, and more.

How Long Do Bengal Cats Live
How Long Do Bengal Cats Live

How Long Do Bengal Cats Live?

Bengal cats have an average lifetime of 12-20 years. While most Bengals live until they are 10 years old, many Bengals live for 15 years on average and seldom live past the age of 20. Bengal cats can actually live significantly longer than other domestic cats, however, this is not always the case since domestic cats have an average lifetime of 11-17 years.

Domestic cats can actually live up to 20 years if they are in good health, eat properly, exercise regularly, and are free of illnesses or health concerns. In contrast, Bengal cats may live for various lengths of time as a breed, and individual Bengal cats are not necessarily more or less likely to live longer merely because they are considered a Bengal cat.

How Long Can an Indoor Bengal Cat Live for?

Bengal cats that live inside generally live for 12 to 16 years. Indoor Bengal cats live the longest when compared to outdoor Bengal cats.

An indoor Bengal cat will live long, healthy lives if they are given enough space to exercise and play, and they will generally outlive outdoor Bengal cats. It is also feasible for an indoor Bengal cat to live up to and slightly above 20 years of age if it is healthy, eats a nutritious diet, and gets adequate physical exercise.

How Long Can an Outdoor Bengal Cat Live for?

Outdoor Bengal cats live for a shorter period of time than indoor Bengal cats, generally about 10-15 years if they are in good health. Due to environmental risks that might damage or kill them, a higher percentage of outdoor Bengal cats die at a young age than indoor Bengal cats. 

Domestic cats that are solely kept outside seldom live past the age of five. Your Bengal cat will be able to live close to the same amount of time as an indoor Bengal if maintained primarily inside and let outside on occasion.

Bengal Cat
Bengal Cat

Does Nutrition Affect the Life Expectancy of Bengal Cat?

The expression, “you are what you eat,” applies equally to Bengal cats and people. The main difference is that Bengal cats require a special diet in order to live a long and healthy life. 

The food of a Bengal cat should be as close to what a Bengal cat would ingest in the wild as feasible. A well-balanced food is essential for your Bengal cat. This may imply avoiding some of the more popular cat food brands, which provide flavored grain and filler-based food.

It’s also critical for a Bengal cat to get the proper nutrition. Bengal cats require a lot of protein, which they get from meat. This will also supply them with taurine and other nutrients, ensuring that your Bengal cat remains disease-free. You’ll also need to know what things you shouldn’t feed your Bengal since some foods are poisonous to Bengals and can make them sick or even kill them.

Can Exercise Improve a Bengal Cat’s Life Expectancy?

Bengal cats have strong bodies and are active companions by nature. This is partly due to genetics since their predecessor, the Asian leopard cat, is famed for its agility and ability to climb trees. 

Bengal cats are naturally energetic cats and receiving lots of exercises is critical for them to have a long and healthy life. As a result, if you prefer to sleep in or want a cat who will go about its business all day, a Bengal may not be the perfect cat for you.

Bengals require proper and consistent exercise to be flexible, energetic, and healthy. Schedule at least 15 minutes of fun with your cat twice a day, especially if they are indoor cat. It will not only keep them fit, but it will also assist you if your cat wakes you up early in the morning or goes crazy in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately, a lack of exercise can result in an increase in body weight as well as health concerns connected to nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise, when combined with a well-balanced diet, can help your Bengal maintain a healthy weight.

Overall, the healthy weight of a female Bengal ranges from 6 to 10 pounds, whereas male Bengals weigh between 10-15 pounds.

Bengal Kittens
Bengal Kittens

What Health Issues Can Affect the Life Expectancy of a Bengal Cat?

Bengals, like other cats, are susceptible to bacterial and viral illnesses such as calicivirus, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and rabies, which can, fortunately, all be prevented by immunization.

Bengals can also have inherited health problems, which might be a problem if you aren’t careful about who you buy from. Cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are among these issues. However, responsible breeders take measures to detect and avoid these issues before placing them with their forever families.

Kidney disease, which can be caused by infections, obstructions, tumors, or poisons, as well as age-related changes, can also harm Bengals. Chronic kidney disease develops when kidney function steadily deteriorates over time. As a result, therapy varies depending on the origin and amount of the damage, but it generally starts with intravenous fluids to flush the kidneys, followed by particular diets and drugs. 

Since Bengals hide their pain and suffering well, many ailments and illnesses can go unnoticed. Regular vet visits and wellness examinations, on the other hand, can discover illness or disease far sooner, allowing the cat’s conditions to be treated rapidly. As a result, medical treatment for your Bengal cat can help it live a much longer life.

Can Dental Health Affect the Life Expectancy of a Bengal Cat?

Diet and dental health are inextricably related. Your Bengal may develop a variety of gum-related disorders, infections, and stomatitis as a result of poor oral hygiene.

According to research, cats that ate dry food had much fewer dental issues than cats who ate wet food. On the other hand, dry meals may not be the ideal choice for your cat’s optimal health in terms of nutrition and hydration.

Note that a Bengal cat won’t always let you know when they’re in pain, but you’ll be able to determine if they’re having problems based on their behavior. If they only eat with one side of their mouth or refuse to eat, they may have dental problems that need to be addressed right away. 

If you feel that your cat is having dental problems, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your cat may be suffering from the early stages of periodontal disease.

Bengal Cat
Bengal Cat

Does Pollution or the Environment Affect the Life Span of a Bengal Cat?

Cats are smaller than humans, which makes them more sensitive to pollution and chemicals. They’re more vulnerable to being poisoned or digesting anything that might cause a slow or untimely death because they’re smaller, closer to the ground, and clean themselves. As a result, poisons, insecticides, herbicides, dyeing agents, lawn fertilizers, bleach, and other chemicals may quickly limit the life span of Bengal cats.

Make sure your Bengal cat is safe from damage and that you understand what products you’re using and how they’ll affect your Bengal cat. After all, even something as easy as attempting to make your lawn greener or putting anything out might be fatal to your cat.

What Can You Do to Ensure Your Bengal Cat Lives Longer?

Some cat breeds are more prone to specific health ailments than others. Despite the fact that the amount of information available on the internet is continually expanding, it is critical that you leave diagnoses and check-ups to the specialists.

Visit a veterinarian on a regular basis to ensure that your cat is healthy. Therefore, you should be taking your Bengal to the vet once every six months to a year. Cats are actually considered hardy creatures. In fact, by the time a cat’s owner notices something is wrong, the sickness may have progressed to the point that it is no longer treatable.

Even if your Bengal cat is an indoor cat, a skilled veterinarian will know where to look, what to look for, and will give your Bengal cat any vaccines that will benefit your cat’s immune system.

Final Thoughts

Overall, a Bengal cat has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. However, if you give your Bengal the appropriate food, make sure he or she gets enough exercise, take them to the vet once a year, and keep them safe, your Bengal cat can live a longer, happier, and healthier life.


You are here:
Scroll to Top