How much are Bengals compared to other pedigreed cats?

Generally speaking, Bengals are not much more than any other cat.  You might only have to pay an extra $100 more for a Bengal and on the other hand, because they are very popular, you might find a breeder in a pinch and get one for less!

You might be able to pick up a slightly older kitten (4months+), or one without clear spots, for less.  Retired adults usually go for $300. 

Now, someone in their 50s might think that $800 for a cat is crazy - you can pick them up in the newspaper for free - or get one from the SPCA etc.  However, things have changed rapidly in the last few years with both dogs and cats.  Prices have seemed  to go up.  But they haven’t really, it is just the market that has changed, there is very little interest nowadays - and for good reason - in low-end pets.  In the modern world it is understood that you should get your cat fixed and that anyone “breeding” should not be doing so just to produce pets but to “improve the breed”.  That means that we expect more nowadays of our “breeders”.  It is no longer enough to just neglect to get your cat fixed in order to become a breeder.  Now, breeders are expected to follow minimum standards set by the relevant cat associations.  They are also watched by the SPCA and similar, as well as being forced to compete “in the ring” with other breeders, at cat shows.  Many people do not know that breeders are forbidden to sell to pet stores.

With regards to Bengals, in the ring 60% of the total points are for conformation or the physical shape of the cat; the remaining 40% is all coat.  Since males can have many more offspring than females, champion males will cost more than females but as you only need one male, the price drops sharply as the “quality” of the male decreases.  At the other end of the scale, females are more productive and secure incremental improvements for the breeder.  Thus at the breeder/pet end of the scale, a female is more valuable than a male.  There is no real difference in temperament between fixed male and female cats, so boys are generally a better bargain - or at least you have more bargaining power with boys.

The Bengal, as with all registered cats, are placed in three different categories:  “Pet”, “Breeder”, and “Show”

• Pet kittens are to be altered, (neutered or spayed). There are no breeding privileges.
• Breeder kittens are offered with breeding rights and can be also bought as pets but are more expensive.
• Show kittens are exceptional examples of the breed, and are offered with breeding rights and showing rights. 

Most people are not interested in breeding, and are only looking for a pet. The alter contract on pet kittens helps keep the lines pure and unwanted kittens off of the street and out of the pound.

The price of your kitten will be determined by how well it conforms to the Bengal Breed Standard.