Cross Breeds

Bengal Cats?

I am planing on buying a bengal kitten (cat). Before I do i would like to know what is it's behavior. Does it like dogs for the most part? Is it playful? Does it like to "talk" a lot? Anything. I know it depends on the personality of the cat you get but overall what are most bengal cats like?

Public Comments

1. Bengals are not for everyone, but with the right family they can be wonderful companions: http://www.absolutelycats.com/24BengalGallery.html
2. PLEASE, PLEASE be sure to do a *lot* of research before adopting a Bengal. They are extremely beautiful cats, but they are NOT for everyone! They're very active, very smart, and very willful. In addition, they're prone to IBS (diarreah) and sensitive tummies, which may require a special diet (read: expensive diet!) so be prepared to dish out some extra bucks if your pet is exhibiting these problems (which will also require at least one - if not multiple - vet visits to make sure your kitty has IBS and isn't sick). Also, if you're away from home more than 8 hours a day, or vacation often, a Bengal is NOT for you. These cats need a lot of attention, and left alone they can be very destructive. Really, owning a Bengal is a lot like having a dog. You wouldn't leave a dog unattended for days, and for the same reasons, you shouldn't leave a Bengal unattended for days. Also, you don't want to let these cats outside. Letting (any) cat outdoors increases the likelyhood of it being killed by another animal or disease such as FeLV. Especially dangerous about letting your Bengal outside is the fact that, since these cats are so interesting looking, it could get stolen. Also, it may startle people who are not educated about what a Bengal is, or isn't. Like any animal, some Bengals are good with dogs, and some are afraid of dogs. However, it's all in how the cat and dog were raised. I would not recommend a Bengal if your dog is aggressive towards cats. Given the choice to fight or flee, the Bengal will usually choose to flee. I've heard of Bengals who are afraid of dogs, and have seen pictures of Bengals snuggling happily with a dog. It will be wise to invest in a deep kitty litter pan. As one person wrote "Bengals will dig to China" in their litter boxes. Mine does, too. You will also need to buy a few very sturdy toys for your Bengal. They play rough, and play often. Again, Bengals are sort of like dogs. They're known to play fetch, and play in water. Regular cat toys usually don't stand a chance with Bengal play! Ah yes, and they're vocal. If something's on your Bengal's mind, s/he'll be sure to tell you aalllllll about it - be it 3 in the afternoon, or 3 in the morning. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I also encourage you to join some Bengal Yahoo! groups and ask your questions to other Bengal owners and breeders. They are happy to help, and it's a good idea to get a lot of feedback from people who actually own this breed. Owning a Bengal is like having a 2 year old running around your house. Mine is very sweet, but she craves a LOT of one on one attention. You MUST dedicate a lot of time to them if you own one. Bengals do not act like a regular house cat who will leave you alone and doze on your couch for hours at a time. Unfortunately, a lot of people get enamored with their looks, and don't realize what they're getting into when they buy a Bengal.