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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone own a bengal cat?

71 replies

orangecandles · 25/10/2023 08:17

I've just adopted a kitten from a rescue. The lady who runs the rescue has text me to say she's had a bengal kitten come into her care that needs a home and would I be interested. I mentioned to her previously that I would always consider getting another kitten.

She is absolutely beautiful! A very expensive breed and unfortunately not had the best start in life by her owners that bought her.

I'm so tempted to take her but she has to be kept indoors at all times. I've never had a house cat before - mine have always gone out to foam as they like and luckily they have always been safe.

I completely understand why she has to be kept indoors. She would be stolen in a heartbeat - she's like a white leopard - just gorgeous!

Does anyone own a bengal? What are they like as indoor cats?

Pros/cons please!

Thank you! X

OP posts:
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8
JudyGemstone · 25/10/2023 08:21

I haven’t owned one but the vets generally aren’t fans, they are beautiful but can be very aggressive with other cats and wildlife decimators!

am surprised they asked you to take her with your existing kitten tbh, they do best as only cats.

they also love to hunt and don’t like being cooped up as indoor cats.

Mercurial123 · 25/10/2023 08:23

My friend had a Bengal who would roam 8kms away from home. They aren't indoor cats.

Calvinlookingforhobbes · 25/10/2023 08:24

They are wild!be careful

Uniquuue · 25/10/2023 08:25

Pretty much every cat complaining thread on here involves a bengal

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 08:26

I have had mine for 18 years now and she's still going strong. Unless you cat proof any outside areas, you'll need a lot of indoor space.

Treat a bengal like you would a dog, including harness training for walks. They need lots of fuss, attention and training, but will reward you with being loyal and attentive.

At 18, mines slowed down a bit, but still plays like a kitten when she can.

Edit: also ignore opinions touted as fact by posters who haven't owned one. They don't have a clue.

Karwomannghia · 25/10/2023 08:26

My friend has one and he’s beautiful. He’s a real character and goes all over outside. He loves with other cats too.

ComtesseDeSpair · 25/10/2023 08:28

I’ve had several. Would never keep one indoors, they’re massively energetic and excellent hunters. All my boys loved being outdoors - and would have driven me nuts with howling and boisterousness if I’d tried to keep them inside!

DancingQueen2018 · 25/10/2023 08:28

I’ve got 2 part bengals. They are gorgeous but prolific hunters, climbers and general mischief makers - though they’ve slowed down a bit at 12. They also talk more than my 7 year old DD.

i can’t imagine trying to keep them in, they’d go mad. I also can’t imagine having any other breed now, they’re never boring.

Defiantlynot41 · 25/10/2023 08:28

You might get more replies from the Litter Tray than AIBU. Many cautionary tales on there, just have a look at the TC (Thug Cat) threads - I think we are up to thread 5 now @Grumpyoldpersonwithcats ? And a couple of bengal experts on that thread too like @formerlypathologicallyhappy

DaisyMaisyFaisy · 25/10/2023 08:29

I’ve got a bengal cross, he’s noisy, loves water and beats up the dogs!!! He’s an absolute darling but he is an arsehole. He does go in the back garden but I’ve cat proofed it so he can’t leave. It would spoil his fun of chasing the dogs if he couldn’t go out!!!

Worddance · 25/10/2023 08:29

I wouldn't. Huge amount of resources required and he'll need different conditions from your other kitten. Interkitten dynamics probably a pain the neck. Bad call from the shelter lady.

ToadOnTheHill · 25/10/2023 08:29

I would be very concerned about the cat having health conditions from backdoor breeding. So it would be a no on that basis.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 25/10/2023 08:44

I had one he was the best cat ever but he was an only cat who hated other cats and needed to roam.

I couldn’t have kept him with a moggy he would’ve harmed it.

Original poster
orangecandles · 25/10/2023 08:57

Thanks everyone.

I did ask her how she was with other cats and she said fine because she's just come from a house where there were 9 other cats.

I think I'm going to have to politely decline - I'm a single mum of 3, my house isn't huge and I don't think we are going to be the right owners after reading these responses.

Also need to think about my current kitten (who will be allowed out when she's old enough) and I don't want any stress to her.

Thanks for bringing me to my senses! It was her eyes that did it - she's just a beautiful cat!

OP posts:
Slushynana · 25/10/2023 08:58

I rescued one that someone had tried to keep with another cat. The rescue made me sign a form to say he would be an only cat. He was the most loving cat I have had, he was also the biggest pain in the arse. If I hadn’t let him go outside I wouldn’t have had a house left. Sadly lost him aged 15 to a brain tumour.

JudyGemstone · 25/10/2023 09:02

Yeah a lot of dog and cat breeds are beautiful to look at but that doesn’t make them suitable pets for many households!

purser25 · 25/10/2023 09:02

They are mad very clever. One came into our house sorted through our cat’s toys chose one and walked of with it. They used to open our cat food cupboard and help themselves we altered our cat flap. Mind you ours has been known to nip into their house and finish of food. They were in a catio at first but I think they got frustrated they now wander the area but seem so happy.

Original poster
orangecandles · 25/10/2023 09:03

JudyGemstone · 25/10/2023 09:02

Yeah a lot of dog and cat breeds are beautiful to look at but that doesn’t make them suitable pets for many households!

I know this, that's why I asked!

OP posts:
Gifgirl · 25/10/2023 09:07

I've never had a Bengal but my friends have one. They don't let him out but he bloody needs to go outside!

Also, one of our neighbours has a Bengal and it's terrorising the local cats, including ours.

MachinesOfGod · 25/10/2023 09:07

I can already tell from your OP that you’re not sufficiently experienced with Bengals to consider rehoming one!

Bengals need to be indoors not just because they’re expensive, but because they are ABSOLUTE MENACES and will terrorise every other cat/human/garden in your neighbourhood.

They need a huge amount of stimulation and entertainment, I really don’t think getting a Bengal on a “Oh, by the way…” type whim is right, and I’m concerned about the cat rescue lady thinking that’s appropriate as well!

Is your other new cat an outdoor cat? How would you facilitate one indoor and one outdoor cat? Are you planning to have a cat flap?

oakleaffy · 25/10/2023 09:12

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 08:26

I have had mine for 18 years now and she's still going strong. Unless you cat proof any outside areas, you'll need a lot of indoor space.

Treat a bengal like you would a dog, including harness training for walks. They need lots of fuss, attention and training, but will reward you with being loyal and attentive.

At 18, mines slowed down a bit, but still plays like a kitten when she can.

Edit: also ignore opinions touted as fact by posters who haven't owned one. They don't have a clue.

Edited

Oh my goodness!
Never lived with a Bengal, but knew people who had one- He was beautiful!
glittery fur and smooth like satin- and so dog like!
He was a beautiful cat 🐈‍⬛ In his nature as well- Intelligent and Loud and would follow us on walks and LOVED water.

He died at aged 16
Lovely cat.
@orangecandles Intelligent and dog like- these are lovely.
is he an F4 ?

usernother · 25/10/2023 09:13

I know someone whose neighbour has one. It roams the estate basking in the compliments from everyone who spots it, not an indoor cat. Magnificent looking cat.

Inastatus · 25/10/2023 09:15

I’ve got 2 - one is 13, the other is 9. My first boy was great with the other moggies we had at the time. We also introduced a dog and he was fine with her (although he bosses her around!). We got our girl Bengal a few years later and introduced them carefully. They are all great mates and the two cats love to cuddle up and groom each other.

The boy is very noisy and likes the sound of his own voice but the girl is much quieter. They are indoor cats but I let them in our enclosed back garden and keep an eye on them. They have loads of space indoors with places to climb and toys to play with. We are home a lot and they adore company, they are not at all aloof like some cats can be.

mintich · 25/10/2023 09:19

I have two Bengals. We have built a wooden catio on the back of our house and put ladders toys etc in it. Its not huge but they love it! They have a cat flap to get to it.
They are lovely indoors but they do have a lot of energy and want to climb, so this is the best option so they get fresh air, climbing etc.
We also have leads and harnesses to come out into the garden with us when it's nice.

RaspberryCloud · 25/10/2023 09:20

My Bengal-cross is 17.5 years old now and I wouldn't have any other breed! He could never have been an indoor cat - loves to be out and roams far (as evidenced by his tracker). Talks constantly, so much personality, very bossy, incredibly loving. Loved to climb when younger but now just wants constant snuggles. Not a fan of other cats though!

I'm sure it's cat-dependent to done degree, but I do get mildly irritated by people freaking out about being ' wild' etc - they're just normal cats with more personality, and very dog-like at times. All other cats seem a little beige in comparison!

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