The Bengal cat is a popular shorthair breed that’s been around since ancient times. It’s an intelligent, affectionate, and attractive cat.
Unfortunately, these cats also have sensitive stomachs and can get diarrhea easily, so it’s important to feed them high-quality food.
We’ve chosen several different brands to review so you can see the difference between them. We’ll give you the pros and cons of each brand and tell you how our Bengal cats liked them. We’ve even included a short buyer’s guide where we discuss what makes one brand better than another to help you know what to look for if you continue to shop. Keep reading while we discuss grains, omega fats, probiotics, and more to help you make an informed purchase.
The 8 Best Foods for Bengal Cats
Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe Dry Cat Food – Premium Choice
Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe Dry Cat Food is our premium choice food for Bengal cats. It’s relatively inexpensive and easy to find in most grocery stores. It provides your Bengal with 35% protein, in part, by using hake fish as its first ingredient as well as eggs and other protein sources.
There is no corn, soy, or wheat, and the limited ingredient formula makes it easier to track down anything that might be causing an allergic reaction in your Bengal. It’s easy to digest, so it shouldn’t cause constipation, diarrhea, or other problems, and it also provides your Bengal with beneficial omega fats.
Our Bengal cats enjoy eating Purina Beyond, and it didn’t cause our pets any problems. We could only complain that the kibble is quite large and may not be suitable for small kittens.
Pros:
- High protein
- Limited ingredients
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Easy to digest
- Omega fats
Cons:
- Large kibble
Kitten Chow Nurture Muscle & Brain Development Dry Cat Food – Best for Kittens
Kitten Chow Nurture Muscle & Brain Development Dry Cat Food is our pick as the best food for Bengal kittens. It provides your Bengal kitten with plenty of vitamins and minerals, including important vitamins E, A, and B. your Bengal kitten will also receive plenty of protein at 40% per serving, and you will get important omega fats.
While most of our kittens would run to eat Kitten Chow Nurture, we didn’t like some things about it. It has a chicken by-product listed as the first ingredient instead of whole meat, and many corn ingredients are digested quickly and leave your Bengal kitten feeling hungry sooner than expected.
Pros:
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals
- High in protein
- Omega fats
Cons:
- Chicken by-product as first ingredient
- Corn ingredients
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a great example of wet cat food that’s perfect for the Bengal breed. It’s very low calorie at only 182 calories per can, and it features real fruits and vegetables that will provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, as well as helpful prebiotics. Limited ingredients reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, and omega fats help the cat maintain a shiny, soft coat.
The downside we experienced while using Wellness Complete was that it caused our Bengal cat to have smelly poops. The large cans were nice because we have several cats, but it might be challenging to keep the food fresh for owners with only one or two.
Pros:
- Low calorie
- Real fruits and vegetables
- Limited ingredients
- Omega fats
Cons:
- Can cause smelly poops
- Large cans size
Ziwi Peak Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Ziwi Peak Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food is another great wet food that provides your Bengal with plenty of protein for strong muscle and energy. It has macro listed as the first ingredient, which provides protein and omega fats, and it also has lamb and New Zealand green mussels for even more protein and nutrients. All ingredients are either free-range meats or wild-caught fish, and there are no hormones or steroids used.
Ziwi Peak is a fantastic food that you can feel good about feeding your Bengal. However, we found that it smells terrible, and we considered moving the food out to the porch while we were reviewing it. It was also difficult to transition some of our Bengal cats to start eating it.
Pros:
- Omega fats
- Multiple protein sources
- Free-range meats and wild-caught fish
Cons:
- Some cats wouldn’t eat it
- Terrible smell
Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
You can Feed your Bengal a healthy diet made from high-quality ingredients and reduce litter box odor with Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food.
This cat food is a great option because it is protein-rich, full of healthy fats, and designed for optimal digestibility.
It features premium animal proteins like chicken, venison, and salmon with a blend of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It is supplemented with probiotics and chelated minerals and provides a total of 42% protein and 18% fat.
Pros:
- Contains several sources of premium animal protein
- Rich in superfood ingredients for balanced nutrition
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
Cons:
- Contains some plant protein (pea and potato protein)
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food
If your Bengal cat prefers dry cat food, than this product might be a good fit.
It is protein-rich and its main ingredient is meat. Plus it’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and added glucosamine that supports joint function.
It’s completely grain-free, so your Bengal kitties will not have any stomach troubles.
So iff you have an indoor cat, this is great because it is specially formulated for its diet. Also, this recipe contains all the necessary nutrients that your Bengal will need to be in ideal shape.
Pros:
- Real meat is the first ingredient and is rich in protein
- Grain-free
- No wheat, soy, corn, by-products, artificial flavors or colors
- Made in the US
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
Cons:
- Some cats may not like it
- May cause urinary issues
Purina Fancy Feast Grilled Seafood Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
This wet cat food is great for your Bengal cat as its bite-sized pieces are rich in protein.
It’s reasonably priced and is perfect for your Bengal kitties as it is made to please them.
It has a variety of slow-cooked flavors that provide dietary fat which helps in digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. So with 24 cans of variety goodness, your Bengal will never get bored.
Also, it gives them a hundred percent complete and balanced nutrition with essential vitamins and nutrients.
Pros:
- Complete balanced nutrition
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Value for money
- Good for cats with digestive problems
Cons:
- Contains fillers
- Cats may only like the gravy
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
This line of cat foods does not require a prescription to purchase, but it is still recommended by veterinarians. It is designed to address common issues like hairballs, digestive upset, and sensitive stomach and all recipes are complete and balanced for cats.
Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food comes in both dry food and wet food recipes, including variety packs of wet food to give your Bengal options.
Pros:
- Formulated to address common concerns
- No prescription needed for purchase
- Complete and balanced nutrition
Cons:
- Somewhat more expensive than regular cat food
- Contains corn and wheat ingredients (some cats are sensitive)
Read Also:The 3 Absolute Best Brushes For Bengal Cats
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Food for Bengal Cats
Wet Food Versus Dry Kibble
Dry Kibble
We usually recommend dry kibble for most cats because it helps promote cleaner teeth. Many cats suffer from dental issues, and some experts suggest that more than 50% of cats older than four have some form of dental disease, and the number might be closer to 90%. Dry kibble promotes cleaner teeth by scraping away plaque and tartar as your Bengal chews. Dry food also tends to be less expensive, is easier to store, and you don’t need to worry about it spoiling in a few hours.
Wet Food
Bengal cats can be quite picky, and many of them will only eat wet food. It’s quite rich and can quickly lead to weight gain, so you will need to be careful with portion control, but many cats love the strong smell and flavor of the real meat pieces found in the can. It’s closer to the cat’s natural diet, and it can help relieve the chronic constipation many cats suffer from because they don’t drink enough water. However, the high moisture content can also lead to diarrhea, and it spoils quickly at room temperature once you open it.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in your Bengal’s gut. Prebiotics are the food that they eat. Strengthening your Bengal’s gut bacteria will make it easier for your Bengal to digest its food, reducing the frequency of diarrhea and constipation. They are especially good for the sensitive digestive system of the Bengal. Probiotics can also help boost the immune system, helping your Bengal fight off disease.
Protein
One of the most important ingredients in any cat food is the protein source. We recommend choosing a brand that lists real meat like chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, or duck as the first ingredient. Many brands contain meat byproducts or meat meals, and while these protein sources aren’t terrible, they are ground and dried and could be several years old, so it’s not nearly as fresh as real meat. Choosing a brand with real meat as the first ingredient makes sure your Bengal gets plenty of protein and receives a diet close to its natural one.
Ingredients to Avoid
We recommend avoiding any brands that contain chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT. We also recommend avoiding artificial dyes. Ingredients like corn and soy are among the most genetically modified foods, and they are not part of the cat’s natural diet. Cat’s might like these ingredients, but they can upset your Bengal’s stomach, and they digest quickly, so your Bengal might get hungrier sooner than it normally would.
Conclusion
When choosing your next food for Bengal cats, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cow recipe is suitable for all cats, and is made up of all-natural, human grade ingredients which makes it a bit expensive. Another smart choice is our pick as the best value. Dr. Elsey’s clean protein Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a low-calorie wet food that will help hydrate your Bengal and relieve symptoms of constipation. It’s also close to the cat’s natural diet. Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe Dry Cat Food is a solid third place kibble that provides your Bengal with plenty of protein, omega fats, and no harmful ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, it is essential to provide a balanced and rich diet for your Bengal cat in order to avoid health problems as well as to keep it healthy and active.
Also, you can make fresh cat food for your Bengal, or if you are short on time, then you can consider one of the best cat foods as shown above.
However, be sure to consult your veterinarian before you make your choice. That’s because they know what’s truly the best for your Bengal kitty.
