Tailored health nutrition is essential to preserve the health and beauty of Bengals. Food provides the energy needed to support vital functions and a complete nutritional formula for Bengal should contain a suitable balance of nutrients. By feeding your cat in this way, you will provide him with a diet that is neither deficient nor excessive, which are likely to be harmful to his health. Clean, fresh water must be made available at all times to support urinary health. Cats naturally tend to eat small amounts, consuming between 7 and 10 meals per day. Your Bengal will regulate its own intake if you feed it its recommended daily ration all at once. The following recommendations concern healthy animals. If your cat suffers from health problems, consult your veterinarian who will prescribe a specific food.

Growth is an essential stage in a kitten's life. It is a period of great changes, discoveries and new encounters. A Bengal kitten's needs for energy, protein, minerals and vitamins are much higher than those of an adult. A puppy needs energy and nutrients to maintain its body, but also to grow and develop. The growth of a kitten takes place in two phases:

Construction

From birth to 4 months

Weaning is the transition a kitten makes from liquid food (or breast milk) to solid food. This period occurs naturally when he loses his baby teeth, between 3 and 6 weeks. At this stage, kittens are not yet able to chew. It is therefore preferable to give them soft food (rehydrated kibble or suitable mash) to facilitate the transition between liquid food and solid food.

Between 4 and 12 weeks after birth

The natural immunity a kitten receives from its mother's colostrum (or first milk) wanes as its immune system gradually develops. This critical period, called immune deficiency, requires a complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, to strengthen its natural defenses. Kittens are going through a period of intense and particularly delicate growth during which they are prone to digestive disorders. Their diet at this time must not only be high in energy to meet their essential growth needs, but must also contain highly digestible proteins to preserve their digestive system which has not yet reached maturity. Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, can promote digestive health by contributing to the balance of intestinal flora. The result ? Good quality stools. The kitten's diet must contain omega 3 fatty acids (EPA-DHA) which will promote good neuro-cerebral development.

Consolidation and harmonization: from 4 months to 12 months

From the fourth month onwards, a kitten's growth slows down. A diet lower in fat is therefore recommended during this period. This is especially important for sterilized cats. Between 4 and 7 months, kittens' milk teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. When their permanent teeth have emerged, kittens should eat kibble large enough to encourage chewing. The immune system of Bengal kittens develops gradually until they are 12 months old. A complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, can help strengthen your natural defenses during this period of great changes, discoveries and new encounters. The digestive system develops gradually, with digestive capabilities reaching full maturity around twelve months of age. Bengal cats are then capable of consuming adult food.

Besides maintaining healthy urinary function (as with all cats), here are the main nutritional goals for adult Bengals:

Maintain optimal muscle mass in this dynamic cat, thanks to high-quality protein and moderate fat content

Highly digestible proteins and prebiotics promote optimal digestion, balancing the intestinal flora

Maintain skin health and short coat shine with the enriched addition of targeted nutrients, such as targeted amino acids, vitamins, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Promote good oral hygiene thanks to an easy-to-grip kibble shape and a texture that encourages chewing.