Hello, hoping I can get some advice here! I've had cats as a child but have now moved in with my partner and we are going to get a cat/cats. We will get them from a rescue centre. We both work, though I have some time at home in school holidays. We own a house and have a garden, no children.
We originally thought about getting one domestic moggy, probably a kitten/juvenile, in the summer as I will be at home. I wanted to adopt a black cat as I think they are rehomed far less than other colours. But we've seen a pair of Bengal cats who are older, but adorable. They would need to be taken as a pair. I am rather in love with them but we know we need to think carefully about whether we are the best home for them.
Does anyone have any experience of Bengals as opposed to normal cats? What sort of financial commitment should we expect, and does our situation sound ok for them? Does having two cats mean a different relationship with the owner, or is it ideal because they'll have company when we're at work? Is it more complicated than having one?
Thanks in advance for all advice, happy to answer questions.
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The litter tray
Bengal cats?
liviadrusilla · 09/04/2015 11:12
There was a cat rescue in my local pet shop a few months ago with a bengal cat on a lead. It was about the size of a cocker spaniel 
was adorable though. I quite fancied adopting it until they told me that it had already been rehomed twice but returned because it kept deficating in the house and refused to use a litter tray so they had deemed it no longer suitable for rehoming. Not helpful I know.
Anyway when my moggy departs I want a siamese...
I have a 3yr old Bengal Tom, couldn't imagine keeping him in he'd go stir crazy, he's a running, jumping climbing trees kind of cat 
they can be very vocal too, ours never bloody shuts up, he even tries to talk when he's eating, resulting in a garbled weird noise! He is a stunning animal though, very affectionate and not really any higher maintenance than any other cat I've ever had, insurance is slightly more expensive with pedigrees but other than that no difference I'd say. They're brilliant pets,ours is fab with our two youngest dc (3 & 1) he knows when to leave them alone but enjoys playing with them and has never lashed out. They're amazing animals to watch :) would definitely recommend. Can you tell I love my moggy?
One thing I can say.
I was chatting with the vet last month - we were discussing Seniorboy's behaviour in the surgery. She said 'Oh most cats are very well-behaved for us' and I asked 'Do you have any Bengals in the practice?'
Her face went sort of ......funny...... and she said, ruminatively, 'Ah Yes - Bengals!'.
And changed the subject.
Fluffy, is that really you?
I would say less destructive and more sensible with wires and such.
Still bonkers though 
Did you think the cat had hacked my account?
I wouldn't say ours is more destructive than any other, they all wreck your furniture and throw up in inappropriate places. Much like children.
Normal cats but bigger and stronger? They might turn out to be of sweet and retiring disposition - and on the other hand not. Maybe just meet them, see what they're like and then multiply it by 2?
You'll doubtless be cat-proofing the house in any case. That's only sensible with any new pet - or at least until you know their proclivities.
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Interesting that others go out. The breeder told us that was her one condition; that they be kept in because they have no road sense. People over the road from us have had 3 young cats run over in front of our house in the last year, so I'm not keen on letting them out. If they'd stay in the garden that would be OK, but I can't see it.
We don't have a door on our bathroom ATM and the pair of them came to watch me in the bath, walking round and round the edge and swiping at my toes.
The boy is daft and lays down flat when you chase him, but is handy with the claws. The girl demands cuddles on her terms only, comes when she is called but won't be picked up. They are very vocal.
They have a pouch a day each, though they would like to eat a lot more
They also like bags and boxes, and particularly like the string handles of clothes bags.
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