If you’ve been reading up on Bengal Basics and are excited to move forward with finding your very own Bengal kitten… we’re here to help!
If looking for a Bengal kitten for sale, where do you start? For starters, you’ll want to avoid Craigslist, Ebay Classifieds, and Hoobly. This is just going to lead you to backyard breeders or scams. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Instead, you’ll want to go straight to a Bengal breeder to find a kitten.
Your choice in a breeder is going to be the biggest decision you make!
It’s not the easiest decision and can take some work to find someone you feel totally comfortable with, but it’s well worth the effort!
- The breeder will be your ongoing support system.
When questions come up, the breeder is there for you and your kitten. - Your kitten’s most influential development period is with the breeder!
Its time with the breeder is the foundation for the rest of its life. - It’s important to support ethical breeding practices by choosing a reputable breeder.
An ethical breeder is someone who prioritizes the physical and emotional health of their cats, and does not sacrifice their cats’ well-being for profit.
Things to consider when looking for a breeder
First, make these 5 checks:
- Do you like the breeder’s adult cats?
Instead of immediately looking for kitten photos, you’ll want to look at the adults! This will give you a better idea of what the kittens will look like when they grow up. - At what age does the breeder let kittens go home?
Studies show that kittens should stay with their mother until they’re 12-16 weeks old. If the breeder is letting kittens go home before they’re 10 weeks, don’t work with them. - Do they perform standard health testing?
Find out what health tests the breeder performs. Make sure they’re testing for HCM, PK-def, and PRA. You can learn more about these conditions here. - Do they offer a health guarantee and contract?
Do they have a contract and health guarantee in place? To understand more about common contract terms, click here. - Are they registered?
Do they indicate anywhere on their site that they are a registered cattery? You may see a TICA or CFA logo, but to ensure the cats are purebred and the breeder has breeding rights, you’ll want to look for the adult’s pedigrees.
Then, take a closer look at the breeders you’re considering:
- Is there a buyer screening process in place?
Good breeders really care where their kittens go. Look for an application or questionnaire. A “Buy Now” button is not good. - What’s included with a kitten?
Make sure they’re vaccinating and deworming kittens before sending them home. Do they include neutering, microchipping, or anything extra? If this is important to you, make a note. - Look at their photos.
Do the cats seem to be kept in good housing conditions? - Do they allow visitors?
You’ll likely want to meet the parents of the kittens and see the cattery for yourself. If the breeder specifies that they don’t allow visits, discuss with them the option of live video sharing. - Does the breeder come across as knowledgeable and helpful?
By now, you probably have a sense of one or two breeders who would be your top pick! Reach out to them via their preferred method (often a kitten questionnaire or website contact form).
Once you’ve shared some communication and you feel comfortable with your breeder of choice, they’ll let you know your next steps. They may add you to their waitlist, or if kittens are available, you can schedule a visit and make a deposit.
We also have a printable guide to help you keep organized in your search! You can download it below:
The “Choosing Your Bengal Breeder” Worksheet
It’s really easy to get caught up in all the emotions when you start looking at kitten pictures (been there!), so we’ve created a no-nonsense printable guide to be your compass.
Enter your email address below to get access to the guide.
