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When it comes to domesticated house cats, there are some breeds that seem to still be connected to their wild ancestors, and the Bengal is one of those breeds. Bengal cats are fully domesticated but are cross-bred with Asian Leopard cats. In some cases, the different throat anatomy of some wild cats prevents them from purring like domesticated cats. Instead, a flexible ligament in their voice box allows them to roar. So, is this the case with Bengals? Yes, Bengal cats purr for the same reasons other cat breeds do.
Continue reading to learn if Bengal cats purr and some other fun facts.
Are Bengal Cats Domesticated?
Bengal cats might have a bit of a wilder side to them, but you can have them as pets. Although they have part wild cat in their DNA, and their behavior sometimes shows, they have been bred to be largely similar to other domestic cat breeds. They have been bred over multiple generations meaning that they are fully domesticated.
They are safe to choose as pets, but you can always learn more about their behaviors, needs, and levels of energy.
Do Bengal Cats Enjoy Affection?
Since Bengals are domesticated, they do enjoy the attention of their owners, similar to other cat breeds. For example, they love to be snuggled and petted, crave attention, and enjoy playing and interacting with their owners. When they feel this attention, Bengal cats will purr as a sign that they are in a great mood.
They use purring to express their happiness and contentment in most situations. Sometimes your cat may be purring to communicate a positive sentiment towards you as well. For example, if they are excited about getting a treat or their routine can of yummy wet food, you might notice them purring.
Can Purring Be a Negative Thing?
Unknown to most, purring from cats can be a sign of trying to calm down from negative emotions as well. For example, you might notice cats purring when they’re in a stressful situation. Although this is a rare occurrence, it is a good thing to be aware of. You don’t want to mistake happy purring for something that may be detrimental to your cat’s overall mood and health.
You may find when getting a vacuum out for a routine carpet cleaning that your Bengal runs into another room to hide. When you finally find them, you notice they’re purring! This is because the action helps them to calm down. Another scenario could be if your cat is in pain, they might purr. This is fairly common and is simply a cat’s way of self-soothing.
Final Thoughts
While Bengal cats are unique, they share many of the same qualities that other cat breeds have. Although they might be closely related to a wild cat breed, they have been bred over the decades to be safe, loving, domesticated pets.
They purr for the same reasons that other cats do, either to show their positive mood or to calm down. They also enjoy close relationships with their owners and although they are not necessarily snuggly lap cats, they do love attention and interaction with their humans.
Featured Image Credit: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek, Shutterstock
