Bengals aren’t just beautiful — they’re athletic, muscular hunters. According to The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), this breed’s lean, active build needs more than a generic “all cats” diet.
Bengals thrive on high-quality animal protein, moisture-rich meals, and a feeding plan tailored to life stage and activity. A poor diet shows up fast — weight gain, a dull coat, low energy, or digestive trouble.
In this guide, you’ll see exactly what to feed, how much, and how to adjust, with practical tools like a “Bengal Diet at a Glance” chart, a simple feeding framework, and pro tips to keep your cat lean, energetic, and healthy.
Understanding Bengal Nutrition Basics
Bengals aren’t average house cats — their Asian leopard cat ancestry and muscular build mean they burn more energy and need protein-forward, high-moisture meals.
For most Bengals, aim for 35–45% protein (on a dry-matter basis) from animal sources, 15–25% fat, and only minimal carbs (AAFCO).
Quick note: protein on wet food labels is “as-fed” — to compare with dry-matter targets, use DMB% = (nutrient% ÷ (100 − moisture%)) × 100. Example: 10% protein, 78% moisture = 45.5% DMB.
Hydration matters. Feeding only dry kibble can leave Bengals dehydrated, so a diet centered on wet food or other high-moisture options is best. Think of your Bengal like a feline athlete — fuel them with quality protein, steady hydration, and a plan that matches their age and lifestyle.
Best Food Types for Bengals
Choosing the right food for your Bengal isn’t about trends — it’s about matching their athletic build and high energy with nutrition that fuels muscle, supports hydration, and fits your lifestyle. Here’s how each main food type stacks up:
Wet Food
High in moisture and protein, wet diets help keep Bengals hydrated and support urinary health when paired with overall water intake and proper urine pH. Brands like Weruva or Wellness offer AAFCO-complete options, but always check the guaranteed analysis — protein is listed “as-fed,” so convert to dry-matter for accuracy. Portioning matters too: wet food helps dilute urine when fed consistently in measured meals.
Dry Food
Kibble is convenient and works well in feeders or puzzles, but it’s lower in moisture and often higher in carbs. Aim for ≤30% carbs on a dry-matter basis, and scan ingredients for starch-heavy fillers. Use a kitchen scale to measure in grams — for example, if a kibble is 350 kcal/100 g and your cat needs 330 kcal/day, feed about 94 g/day split between meals.
Raw Diet
Raw has appeal — I understand why — but FDA data highlights real risks. Only consider reputable, AAFCO-complete raw or freeze-dried foods, and do so with veterinary guidance.
Follow safety basics: buy from trusted manufacturers, freeze promptly, thaw safely, prep on separate surfaces, and test stools regularly. Avoid raw food entirely if immunocompromised people share the home.
Homemade
Cooking at home offers control, but without precise supplementation, it’s dangerously incomplete. Essential nutrients like taurine, calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus balance must be added — not guessed. If you want to try homemade, use a vet-formulated recipe from a board-certified nutritionist (DACVN) and avoid improvised cooking.
Feeding by Life Stage
Because Bengals are muscular, high-energy cats, their diet should shift with age and activity. Here’s how to adjust:
Bengal Kittens
Kittens need calorie-dense, DHA-enriched growth formulas with at least 30% protein (on a dry-matter basis), offered in 3–4 small meals daily. Weigh weekly to confirm steady gains, and plan the switch to adult food around 9–12 months once growth levels out.
Adult Bengals
Active adults do best on protein-rich, wet-based meals (mid-30s% DMB), split into two feedings and paired with puzzle toys for enrichment. Indoor Bengals may need tighter calorie control to stay lean.
Senior Bengals
Older Bengals still need moisture-rich diets, but with careful balance: for cats with kidney disease, vets often recommend phosphorus-controlled formulas; otherwise, focus on high-quality protein plus added omega-3s for joint support. Regular bloodwork helps guide the best plan.
After Spay/Neuter
Energy needs drop quickly — cut calories by about 20–25% right after surgery, but keep protein steady to protect muscle. Re-weigh weekly and adjust portions so ribs are easy to feel but not see.
How Much & How Often
Bengals burn energy fast, so feeding isn’t guesswork — it’s math plus monitoring. Start with RER = 70 × (kg^0.75), then apply a MER multiplier: kittens ~2.5–3×, active adults ~1.4×, neutered indoor cats ~1.2× (Merck).
For a 5-kg active Bengal: RER ≈ 234 kcal; MER = 234 × 1.4 ≈ 328 kcal/day. If a can has 180 kcal, that works out to about 1.8 cans/day, split between AM and PM.
Kittens do best with 3–4 meals, adults usually 2. Keep treats ≤10% of daily calories. Weigh weekly — if body weight shifts more than 5% in 2–4 weeks, adjust intake by about 5–10%.
Ingredients to Look For (and Avoid)
When choosing food for a Bengal, the first 3–5 ingredients should be named animal proteins (chicken, turkey, rabbit), not vague “meat meal” or “animal digest.” Look for added taurine, omega-3s (fish oil, krill), and moisture-rich formulas, since Bengals thrive on high-protein, high-hydration diets.
Watch for label tricks like ingredient splitting — e.g., “peas, pea protein, pea starch” can make plant fillers seem smaller when combined, they may outweigh the meat. “Grain-free” isn’t a quality guarantee either; many swap grains for potatoes or lentils, which add little nutrition.
Avoid corn, soy, artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin), and artificial colorings such as caramel coloring. Focus less on marketing buzzwords and more on clear, digestible animal protein — that’s the real fuel Bengals need.
Treats, Supplements & Extras
Treats can be a great way to train or bond with your Bengal, but they should make up no more than 10% of daily calories (≈20–30 kcal for most cats).
The healthiest choices are single-ingredient freeze-dried meats (chicken, turkey, salmon) or functional treats like dental chews. Supplements can help in special cases — taurine and omega-3s for raw-fed cats, or probiotics for sensitive digestion — but giving extra on top of a complete food is unnecessary, and sometimes harmful.
Finally, keep a strict “no” list: chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine, and some essential oils.
Common Diet-Related Health Issues
Bengals often show diet problems first in the gut: loose stool, vomiting, or itchy skin tied to food sensitivities. Chicken, beef, and fish are common triggers, so limited-ingredient or novel-protein diets (rabbit, duck) may help — but always transition slowly over 7–14 days. If signs last more than 2–3 days, an elimination diet for 4–8 weeks and a vet check are the next steps.
Even with their athletic build, indoor Bengals gain weight quickly if free-fed kibble — portion control, puzzle feeders, and calorie tracking are key to avoiding diabetes and joint stress. Keep an eye on body condition score (BCS); you should feel ribs without seeing them.
Genetics also plays a role: Bengals can carry a risk for HCM, a heart disease. Diet won’t prevent it, but staying lean, ensuring taurine adequacy, and adding omega-3s support overall cardiac health. Moisture-rich meals also help protect kidney function over time.
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Final Thoughts
There’s no single “perfect Bengal cat diet” — the best plan balances quality, hydration, and consistency while adapting to your cat’s age, activity, and health. What works for one Bengal may not suit another, so safe trial-and-error is normal. Think of feeding as an ongoing process:
- Build a strong foundation with protein-rich, moisture-supporting food.
- Customize based on weight, sensitivities, and lifestyle.
- Monitor & adjust with your vet every 6–12 months.
Like tuning a high-performance car, diet is about steady, thoughtful care — not chasing one magic formula.
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Hi, I’m Abir Ahamed—a writer, editor, and proud cat lover with a passion for feline welfare. I use my words to educate, inspire, and advocate for responsible pet care. Based in Bangladesh, I bring a unique perspective to Cats Question, hoping to help cat lovers make informed, compassionate choices.
