Of course, whether you’re a new Bengal owner or just considering adopting a Bengal, you should know everything you can about their habits and diet. One common rumor about the breed: they’re really big eaters. But, do Bengal cats eat a lot?
Bengal cats eat a lot. Bengal cats are large and require higher calorie counts to maintain their weight and health. They eat more food to compensate for their highly active routines compared to other cats of the same size.
Of course, that doesn’t mean your should let your Bengal eat all they want. Weight management is an essential part of taking care of any cats, and your Bengal is no exception. This article is all about your Bengal cat’s diet, how much they want to eat, and how to manage your cat’s impressive appetite!
Are Bengal Cats Greedy
Bengal cats are no more greedy than other cats, though we suppose that doesn’t mean they aren’t greedy at all. After all, most cats can be single-minded when they want something. Bengal cats might seem a little greedy when they are hungry, and they can try to swipe food from one another just like any cat, but that doesn’t mean that they are a naturally greedy breed.
Since Bengal cats tend to be easier to train than other cat breeds, it can be a lot easier to train them out of food aggressive or greedy behaviors.
Like other cats, overly greed behavior can be a sign that your cat isn’t getting something they need from their diet or that they aren’t getting enough food in general. Consult with your vet to see if increasing the amount of food you give your Bengal might be a good option. Similarly, your vet may be able to suggest more nutritious diet options to help make sure your cat is getting a balanced diet.
How Much Does A Bengal Cat Eat
Every cat is different, and it’s no different for Bengal cats. Take this as a guideline. It’s still important to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and weight and adjust their diet accordingly.
Kitten Bengals should be allowed to eat pretty much as they want. Kittens are both incredibly active and fast-growing, so it’s essential to make sure their body has the energy and nutrition it needs to grow into a healthy adult.
They’ll frequently eat twice as much food as you’d expect an animal of their size to eat, but providing them with plenty of food now will help them get a healthy start in life.
When your Bengal is an adult, it’s more important to start limiting their food. Your Bengal should eat about 3% of their total body weight. Of course, that will vary slightly from cat to cat. Some Bengals may need slightly more food to maintain their average weight, while other cats may need slightly less.
It’s essential to pay attention to your cat and see what they’re telling you at mealtimes. If your cat keeps looking around for more food, they may not be getting quite enough in their regular diet. If your cat consistently leaves some food in their bowl, it might be time to consider lowering their portion sizes before they start overeating.
Cats that look for food between mealtimes may also show signs of hunger or aren’t getting good nutrition from their current diet.
Why Does My Bengal Cat Eat So Much
There are a few reasons for Bengal cats to be big eaters, but the biggest is that they are big, active, intelligent cats. Yes, even Bengal intelligence plays into their dietary needs! That’s thinking and having a complex brain takes an incredible amount of energy.
Don’t be too surprised if your Bengal seems a little hungrier after you try training them or take them on a walk or for other new experiences. The more your Bengal is thinking, the more calories they’ll crave!
The size and activity level of Bengal cats also leads to needing more calories for weight maintenance and nutrition.
Why Is My Bengal Cat Always Hungry
There are a few reasons your Bengal might seem like they are always hungry. The number one reason is that your Bengal may still be growing! Like other large breeds of cats, Bengals tend to keep growing a little longer, so it’s common for them to have an elevated appetite for a few years.
Once your cat is a more established adult, it’s not uncommon for them to still have a large appetite, though. An active cat is often a hungry cat since running around and playing takes a lot of energy.
However, if your cat’s diet seems extreme, or they are eating a lot and still losing weight, it may be time to take your cat to the vet. It’s possible that they could have different nutritional needs, a medical condition, or a parasitic infection affecting their diet.
Those conditions are rare, but your vet can also work with you to find a good diet and feeding schedule even if your cat is healthy.
How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Bengal Cat
Bengal cats are like most cats; it’s recommended to feed them twice a day. Kittens should be fed three times a day.
Of course, you can free feed your Bengal at least part of their diet, but it’s important to portion control the available food so that they don’t overeat while free-feeding.
Feeding your cat smaller meals more often can also sometimes be an excellent way to control excessive hunger, but only if you can commit to the schedule and maintain reasonable portion control for each meal. Even if your cat is eating 3 or 4 times a day, they should still get roughly the same amount of food as if you were feeding them twice a day.
What Food Is Best For Bengal Cats
Bengal cats usually don’t have any particular dietary requirements that other cats don’t have. Some owners claim that Bengal cats do best on a homemade raw diet. Still, vets argue that it’s challenging to make those meals nutritionally complete and that homemade raw diets can lead to nutrition deficiencies. Store-bought options are available, but there are still questions about safety and nutrition, even from store-bought versions.
Of course, if you choose to feed raw, keeping a close eye on your cat’s weight, eye color, and coat quality can all help you monitor their health and nutrition.
Canned foods and kibble can both be good options for Bengal cats as well. Just make sure you’re getting a well-balanced food with reasonably high levels of protein and a balance of fats and carbs. Vitamins and minerals are also critical, especially B12 and Taurine.
How Do I Stop My Cat From Eating So Much
If your cat is eating too much, you should consider switching to set mealtimes instead of free feeding. Limiting your cat’s food directly is one of the easiest ways to control your cat’s diet. Occasional treats between mealtimes can sate your cat’s hunger without increasing their caloric intake too much, though some cats can get excessive with treats.
How Do I Get My Cat to Stop Begging For Food
Getting your cat to stop begging for food can be tricky, and you may not be able to train them out of it entirely.
Start with just ignoring your cat when they do it. Cat’s typically want attention when they try to interact with their owners, and not getting that attention can be enough to change the behavior.
However, if that isn’t enough, consider using a spray bottle, a verbal no, or another gentle cat discipline to encourage them not to beg. Remember that it’s not a great idea to be overly disciplinary with your cat because they can get angry about it, or they might start to associate the discipline with food, especially if they are begging for their food, not yours.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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