Are Bengal Cats Expensive: 6 Factors That Affect Price
Bengal cats are a hybrid breed of domestic cats but are Bengal cats expensive, that is exactly what I will be discussed in this article.
Bengal cats have the wild appearance of a jungle cats, but they are still domesticated.
The cost of a Bengal cat is reflective of their rarity and the expense to raise them.
What you get from this post;
- Price of each generation of Bengal cat.
- General price range of a Bengal cat.
- What we see as purebred Bengal cat which is F4.
- Factors that may influence the price of a Bengal cat.
- Tips for buying a Bengal cat.
Bengal cats require special care, including high protein food, which can be costly for pet owners.
In addition to their diet needs, Bengal Cats require a lot of love and attention from their human companions – something that comes at no additional cost!
It’s not unusual for owners to pay up to $3,000 for one of these beautiful kitties.
Let’s take a deeper look into why Bengal Cats are expensive and why you might want to invest in one (or two)!
So, Are Bengal Cats Expensive?
Yes, Bengal cats are more expensive than most domesticated cat breeds because they are more uncommon and expensive to breed, also Bengal cats are a cross between Asian Leopard cats and domestic cat, therefore, the breeding and rearing Bengals is more difficult and expensive for cat breeders.
Bengal cats are expensive because of the high expenditures of breeding and raising them, as well as their rarity and distinctive coloration.
They are bred for their exotic appearance and are more expensive than regular cats because of this.
Bengal cats have been called the “hottest pet in North America” by many experts.
However, many people may be unaware of why they are so expensive.
It’s not a common misconception that Bengal cats are expensive because of their higher price tag.
In reality, it’s because they’re more difficult to breed. That’s why many people turn to breeders.
Bengal cats range in price from $1,000 to $25,000. So, yeah, they are pricey.
They were created in the 1970s by careful breeding of Asian leopard cat hybrids with domestic cats with the goal of generating a sociable cat with unusual characteristics.
They are still difficult to come by, which accounts for the high price.
Because the Bengal breeding group is still very low, breeders have fewer options for cats with whom to mate.
Many breeders carefully investigate the gene pool in order to maintain healthy, diversified bloodlines while avoiding inbreeding.
Why are Bengal cats so expensive
Bengal cats are extremely costly because they are a mix of domestic cat and Asian Leopard cat DNA therefore, they are more rare than other domesticated cat breeds.
The costs of breeding and nurturing Bengal cats, along with their scarcity and distinctive coloration, add to their high price, with breeders finding it expensive and difficult to nurture a single Bengal cat.
Factors that determine how expensive a Bengal cat can be
Here are some common factors that might influence the price of Bengal cats:
Coat Color of Bengal Cats
The coat color of a Bengal cat influences the cat’s final price. Bengal cats come in a range of colors, which affects their price.
Bengal cats are legally recognized in three colors: brown, silver, and white, according to TICA.
Bengal cats, on the other hand, come in a wide range of hues, such as charcoal, blue, and melanistic (pure black).
Seal lynx point, seal mink, and seal sepia are the three colors offered for Snow Bengal cats.
Bengal cats can be spotted or marbled, and they have two distinct coat patterns.
A Bengal cat, on the other hand, might have a wide range of patterns within each pattern group.
Here is the price of a purebred Bengal cat according to its color:
| Bengal Color | Price (USD) |
| Silver Spotted | $2000-$2750 |
| Snow Sepia | $2100-$2500 |
| Charcoal Rosetted | $2000-$2500 |
| Snow Lynx | $1900-$2300 |
| Mink Spotted | $1800-$2500 |
| Silver Marbled | $1900-$2000 |
| Seal Lynx Spotted | $1350-$1800 |
| Brown Spotted | $1300-$1750 |
| Seal Lynx Marbled | $1250-$1500 |
| Brown Marbled | $1200-$1500 |
The price may change from one breeder to another!
This is determined by the person as well as the cost of breeding, which may include care and feeding in addition to profits.
This is the most crucial factor that may influence the ultimate price of a Bengal cat.
Various breeders have diverse duties to complete as well as different ways for producing Bengal cats.
Feeding costs, for example, may have an effect on the breeder’s pricing, since wet food is more expensive than kibbles.
You wouldn’t expect a breeder who only feeds kibbles to charge the same as one who also offers wet food.
The Bengal Cat Generation
As we will discuss below, there is a substantial price difference between each generation.
The breeder, on the other hand, sets the exact quantity or the final price. Nonetheless, there is always a generational divide.
F1, F2, F3, and F4 generation Bengal cat price
Here’s how to obtain a Bengal cat generation, such as F1, F2, F3, and F4, and how much do Bengal kittens cost.
F1 Bengal cat price and breeding
The F1 Bengal cat is the product of a carefully selected and rigorous cross-breeding of a Bengal cat with an Asian Leopard cat.
The end result will be F1 Bengal cat kittens, which are expensive and difficult to come by.
F1 Bengal cat female kittens are the most expensive Bengal cat, with typical prices ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 USD.
F1 male kittens, on the other hand, are affordable because they are born sterile, costing no more than $1500 USD at most.
F2 Bengal cat price and breeding
F2 Bengal cat kittens are the offspring of a female F1 Bengal cat and a male Bengal cat cross.
The final result will be an F2 Bengal cat, which is still rare and expensive.
On average, the F2 generation costs between $1,100 and $1,000 USD.
F3 Bengal cat price and breeding
A male F2 must be mated with a female Bengal cat to produce F3 Bengal cat kittens.
This cross will result in an F3 generation Bengal cat.
On average, the F3 generation Bengal cat will cost between $1,000 and $15,000 USD.
F4 Bengal cat price and breeding
To create an F4 Bengal cat, you must pair an F3 female Bengal cat with a male Bengal cat.
A kitten is considered a purebred Bengal cat until it reaches the fourth generation (F4).
On average, the cost of an F4 Bengal cat Kitten will range from $1,200 and $10,000 USD, depending on your location and the breeder’s charge.
The Bengal Cat’s Qualities
When you begin researching various breeders and looking at Bengal kittens, you will come across kittens labeled as pet quality, breeder quality, and show quality.
While you may be seeking for a Bengal kitten to keep as a pet, kittens with exceptional qualities will be designated as breeder or show quality.
Most respectable breeders who adhere to the breed standard and strive for perfection must regularly spend tens of thousands of dollars on Bengal cats from good parents.
This is why Bengal cats appear to be so costly.
Here are the Bengal cat quality classifications:
Pet Quality
As a prospective cat owner, you should look for a pet-grade Bengal kitten.
The usual price of these kittens is $1200 to $3000, although it might go more depending on coat color and characteristics.
Pet-quality kittens are spayed or neutered and are not meant for breeding.
Breeder Quality
Breeder quality kittens often have outstanding physical and behavioral traits that should be handed down to future generations and can benefit the breed as a whole.
Bengal kittens with breeding rights are only sold to approved boarding kennels and breeding programs committed to the Bengal breed’s preservation and improvement.
Breeders’ quality might cost between $2000-$3000.
Show Quality
Bengal kittens with showcase excellence or show quality have all of the desirable qualities of a Bengal cat.
These kittens frequently have exceptional pedigrees and have the potential to do exceptionally well in cat shows.
Bengal cats are the most expensive, with costs in the hundreds of dollars. Their cost might range from $3000-$10000 or higher.
The Bengal cat age and size
Most breeders sell Bengal cats from 6 weeks and above, depending on the individual.
However, while age and size have little to no bearing on the price, the runt of the litter does.
Simply said, the runt of the litter is the last born of the litter, which is usually smaller than the previous litters.
Of course, this may have an impact on the eventual price of the litter’s runt, if there is one. To find out what you may need to buy for a new Bengal check here.
Your current state or location
There is no standard or consistent pricing for a Bengal cat, unless you purchase from a recognized breeder or group.
Your current location may have a minor impact on the price of the Bengal cat because costs vary from state to state or nation to country.
More interesting topics about Bengal cats:
Bengal cat price tips for quality
- If you are told to pay less than $500, run the other way! This is either a backyard breeder or a hoax.
- $500-$1,000: Proceed with caution. It’s quite likely a backyard breeder or a hoax.
- $1,000-$1,500: This is the bottom end of the price range for a purebred Bengal kitten.
- A decent average price range is $1,500-$2,000.
- $2,000-$2,500: A little more, but still a very reasonable price for a Bengal kitten. Most likely from a well-known breeder in high demand.
- Over $2,500: On the extremely expensive end of kitten pricing, maybe from a champion lineage cattery.
How much does it cost to adopt a Bengal cat?
On average, adopting a healthy Bengal cat from a rescue home or an animal shelter will cost around $150 to $300 USD.
