DNA, HCM, FCoV — what responsible Bengal breeders test for and why it matters
Last updated: 03/06/2026
When purchasing a Bengal kitten, the health testing carried out by your chosen breeder is the single most important factor determining the long-term health of your cat. Responsible Bengal breeding requires significant investment in genetic testing, cardiac screening, and disease prevention protocols. Understanding what to look for will help you make the right choice.
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is one of the most significant health concerns for Bengal breeders and buyers. Bengal Kittens Breeders Home is proud to be the only Bengal breeder in the UK who guarantees that every kitten leaves us FCoV clear — a distinction that sets us apart from every other breeder in the country.
Read full guide →Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. At Bengal Kittens Breeders Home, every breeding cat undergoes annual echocardiographic screening for HCM — an investment in the long-term heart health of every kitten we produce.
Read full guide →Genetic health testing is fundamental to responsible Bengal breeding. At Bengal Kittens Breeders Home, all breeding Bengals are DNA tested for 50 genetic conditions — one of the most comprehensive testing programmes of any Bengal breeder in the United Kingdom.
Read full guide →Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKdef) is an inherited genetic condition that affects red blood cell function in cats. At Bengal Kittens Breeders Home, all breeding Bengals are tested for PKdef as part of our comprehensive 50-condition DNA testing programme.
Read full guide →Everything you need to know about our Bengal kittens
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is a common virus in cats that, in rare cases, can mutate into the fatal Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Bengal Kittens Breeders Home operates a closed, controlled breeding environment with a structured FCoV elimination protocol developed in collaboration with our veterinary practice and following guidance from Dr Addie at The University of Glasgow. We are proud to be the only Bengal breeder in the UK who guarantees that kittens leave us FCoV clear.
Our health testing is among the most comprehensive of any Bengal breeder in the UK. All breeding Bengals are DNA tested for 50 genetic conditions including Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKdef), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRAb), Progressive Retinal Atrophy rdAc, and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD variant 1). Every breeding cat also undergoes annual echocardiographic screening for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. It causes the muscular walls of a cat's heart to thicken, decreasing the heart's efficiency. At Bengal Kittens Breeders Home, every breeding cat undergoes annual echocardiographic screening for HCM to identify and remove any cats from our breeding programme where genetics may play a role.
