Cross Breeds

question about bengal cats .. help!?

im getting a bengal cat next week because the owner is moving and cant take the cat. i was wondering if there is a difference in male and female bengal cats. i know that the male is bigger then the female. i want to know like if there is any difference in there personality? do all bengals like water? do all bengals play fetch? this guy says when he walks in the door the bengal cat jumps on his shoulders. any info? thanks!

Public Comments

1. they are more playful than most other breeds of cats.. but other wise thats about it.. if you are not planning on showing the cat.. neuter it to settle it down a bit..
2. I have a 4 year old male bengal cat. From the information I recieved from the breeder, if the cat is fixed the difference between male and female is minimal. In general, the consesus is that males are more loving and females more independent, but many female cat owners would dispute that. I think it has more to do with the personality, genetics and how much time went into socializing the cat when it was a kitten. PS-My cat is a huge people person who loves to play fetch with toy mice and is also a big fan of water (he drinks right from the tap!).
3. PLEASE, PLEASE be sure to do a *lot* of research before accepting 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. You'll find that Bengal females tend to be about the size of, or smaller than, male Bengals. There's probably not a big difference in personality between the sexes, altho I've heard that females have more of a hunting instinct than the males. 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! Nope, not all Bengals enjoy water. Mine won't get in the tub unless there's no water in it. However, she drinks water ONLY from the tap, and refuses to use a bowl. Not all Bengals will play fetch, either. Mine will, but only with very specific objects, and only when she's in the mood to. 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 go 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, so you see them turn up for adoptions now and then.