If you are looking for a cat that is exotic, intelligent, and playful, you might want to consider a Bengal cat. Bengal cats are a hybrid breed that originated from crossing domestic cats with Asian leopard cats. They have distinctive spotted or marbled coats, large ears, and muscular bodies. They are also very smart, curious, and affectionate, making them great companions for people who want a cat with a personality.
However, finding a reputable Bengal cat breeder can be challenging, especially if you live in Louisiana. There are many factors to consider when choosing a breeder, such as the quality of their cats, the health testing they do, the living conditions they provide, and the references they have. You also want to make sure that the breeder is ethical, responsible, and trustworthy.
To help you with your search, we have compiled a list of the top 5 Bengal cat breeders in Louisiana. These breeders have been selected based on their reputation, experience, and customer satisfaction. They also adhere to the standards and guidelines of the International Cat Association (TICA) and the Bengal Cat Club (BCC), which are the main organizations that recognize and register Bengal cats.
Why Bengal Cats are a Popular Breed?
Bengal cats are one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world and for good reasons. Here are some of the characteristics that make them stand out from other cats:
- Unique appearance: Bengal cats have a striking appearance that resembles their wild ancestors. They have a coat that is either spotted or marbled, with colors ranging from brown, silver, snow, blue, charcoal, and more. They also have glitter, which is a trait that makes their fur shimmer in the light. Their eyes are usually green, gold, or blue, and their ears are large and pointed. They have a muscular and athletic body, with long legs and a thick tail.
- Intelligent and curious nature: Bengal cats are very smart and curious, and they love to explore and learn new things. They can easily adapt to different environments and situations, and they enjoy playing with toys, puzzles, and interactive games. They can also be trained to do tricks, such as fetching, sitting, and jumping through hoops. They are very attentive and responsive to their owners, and they can communicate their needs and wants through vocalizations and body language.
- Loving and playful personality: Bengal cats are very affectionate and playful, and they form strong bonds with their owners and family members. They like to cuddle, groom, and sleep with their humans, and they will follow them around the house. They are also very social and friendly, and they get along well with other pets and children. They have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and they need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Top 5 Bengal Cat Breeders in Louisiana
Based on the above criteria, here are the top 5 Bengal cat breeders in Louisiana that we recommend:
1. Wildlife Bengals
Wildlife Bengals is a small Baton Rouge cattery and home. They breed Bengal cats with TICA and BCC registration since 2010. They breed rosetted and marbled brown, silver, and snow Bengal cats. Blue and charcoal are rare. They breed for health, temperament, and beauty with top-quality genetics from recognized breeders. Kittens are health-tested for hereditary illnesses like PK deficiency and PRA and guaranteed for one year. Socializing their kittens from birth, they raise them in a caring and exciting environment with children, dogs, and other cats. Our cats eat raw food and have toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. Cats are sold as pets or breeders, and they ship domestically and worldwide.
2. Belle Ami Bengals
Belle Ami Bengals is a tiny, family-owned cattery in Covington, Louisiana. Bengal cats are TICA and BCC-registered and bred since 2008. They specialize in rosetted and marbled brown and snow Bengal cats. Rare colors include charcoal and blue. Health, temperament, and type are their breeding criteria, and they use only award-winning bloodlines. They test kittens for hereditary illnesses like PK deficiency and PRA and guarantee their health for one year. They socialize their kittens from birth and raise them in a clean, cozy, family-like atmosphere. They feed their cats premium food and provide them with toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. They ship domestically and globally to sell kittens as pets or breeders.
3. Bodcau Bayou Bengals
Bodcau Bayou Bengals is a small Haughton, Louisiana hobby cattery. The TICA and BCC-registered breeders have been breeding Bengal cats since 2011. They specialize in rosetted and marbled brown and snow Bengal cats. Rare colors include charcoal and blue. They exclusively employ top-notch bloodlines from famous breeders to breed for health, temperament and looks. They test kittens for hereditary illnesses like PK deficiency and PRA and guarantee their health for one year. They socialize their kittens from birth and raise them in a large, comfortable home with outside cages and a pond. They provide their cats with toys, scratching posts, and cat trees and feed them raw. They ship domestically and globally to sell kittens as pets or breeders.
4. AraBella Bengals
Lafayette’s AraBella Bengals cattery is modest and home-based. Bengal cats are TICA and BCC-registered and bred since 2012. They specialize in rosetted and marbled brown and snow Bengal cats. Rare colors include charcoal and blue. Only high-quality bloodlines from respected breeders are used to breed for health, temperament, and beauty. They test kittens for hereditary illnesses like PK deficiency and PRA and guarantee their health for one year. Their kittens are socialized from birth and raised in a caring and nurturing environment with children, dogs, and other cats. They feed their cats premium food and provide them with toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. They ship domestically and globally to sell kittens as pets or breeders.
5. Mythical Bengals
Mythical Bengals is a small New Orleans hobby cattery. Bengal cats are TICA and BCC-registered and bred since 2013. They specialize in rosetted and marbled brown and snow Bengal cats. Rare colors include charcoal and blue. These breeders use superior bloodlines from experienced breeders to ensure health, temperament, and type. They test kittens for hereditary illnesses like PK deficiency and PRA and guarantee their health for one year. They socialize their kittens from birth and raise them as a family in a warm, friendly environment. They feed their cats natural food and give them toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. They ship domestically and globally to sell kittens as pets or breeders.
What to Look for in a Bengal Cat Breeder?
Bengal cats are a special breed that requires a lot of care and attention, and not all breeders are qualified or experienced enough to produce healthy and well-adjusted kittens. Therefore, it is important to do your research and find a breeder that meets the following criteria:
- Quality of bloodlines: A good breeder will have a clear and detailed pedigree for their cats, showing their ancestry and genetic background. They will also have a breeding program that aims to improve the breed and preserve its characteristics, rather than just producing kittens for profit. They will only breed cats that meet the TICA and BCC standards, and they will avoid inbreeding or overbreeding.
- Health testing of cats: A good breeder will perform regular health tests on their cats, such as screening for genetic diseases, infections, parasites, and other conditions that can affect the health and well-being of the cats and their offspring. They will also vaccinate, deworm, and spay/neuter their cats, and provide them with proper veterinary care. They will also provide health certificates and guarantees for their kittens, and disclose any health issues or concerns to the buyers.
- Living conditions of cats: A good breeder will provide their cats with a clean, comfortable, and stimulating environment, where they can express their natural behaviors and instincts. They will also socialize their cats and kittens from an early age, exposing them to different people, animals, sounds, and situations, to ensure that they are confident and well-adjusted. They will also feed their cats a high-quality and balanced diet, and provide them with fresh water, toys, scratching posts, and litter boxes.
- References from previous customers: A good breeder will have a good reputation and a loyal customer base, and they will be able to provide references from previous buyers who can attest to the quality and temperament of their cats and kittens. They will also have a website, a social media page, or a blog, where they can showcase their cats and kittens, and share their achievements, awards, and testimonials. They will also be responsive and transparent, and answer any questions or inquiries that the buyers may have.
Final Tips for Choosing the Right Bengal Cat Breeder
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential Bengal cat breeders, you should take some steps to ensure that you are making the right choice. Here are some tips to help you with your final decision:
Visit the cattery in person
If possible, you should visit the cattery where the kittens are born and raised, and meet the breeder and the cats in person. This will give you a chance to see the living conditions of the cats, the health and temperament of the kittens, and the personality and professionalism of the breeder. You will also be able to interact with the kittens and see which one you connect with the most. However, if you are not able to visit the cattery in person, you should ask the breeder to provide you with photos, videos, and live chats of the kittens and their parents, and to answer any questions you may have.
Ask about the kitten’s upbringing and socialization
You should ask the breeder about how they raise and socialize their kittens, and what kind of experiences they expose them to. You want to make sure that the kittens are well-adjusted and confident, and that they are used to different people, animals, sounds, and situations. You should also ask about the kitten’s diet, grooming, litter training, and vaccination schedule, and how they prepare them for their new homes.
Ensure proper documentation and certifications
You should ask the breeder to provide you with proper documentation and certifications for the kitten you are interested in, such as the pedigree, the health certificate, the health guarantee, the contract, and the registration papers. You should also verify that the breeder is registered with TICA and BCC and that they follow their standards and guidelines. You should also check if the breeder has any awards, recognitions, or memberships in any cat associations or clubs.
Consider the care and support provided by the breeder after purchase
You should ask the breeder about the care and support they provide after you purchase the kitten, and how they follow up with their customers. You want to make sure that the breeder is available and responsive, and that they can offer you advice, guidance, and assistance if you encounter any issues or challenges with your new kitten. You should also ask if the breeder has a return policy, a spay/neuter agreement, a health guarantee, or a warranty for the kitten, and what are the terms and conditions of these policies.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the breeder and their practices
Finally, you should trust your instincts and make sure that you feel comfortable with the breeder and their practices. You should feel that the breeder is honest, ethical, and responsible and that they have the best interests of the cats and the buyers at heart. You should also feel that the breeder is friendly, helpful, and respectful and that they communicate clearly and promptly. You should also feel that the breeder is passionate, knowledgeable, and experienced and that they produce high-quality and healthy kittens.
