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AIBU?

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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:
Thread gallery
8
Abergale · 25/10/2023 09:22

I think the biggest hurdle would be trying to have one outdoor cat and one indoor cat. Would be near impossible

Original poster
orangecandles · 25/10/2023 09:23

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?

If you read my other post - I've decided against it.

I agree - I'm not experienced enough. I've done the right thing by looking into it, asking for advice and then realising that it's not for us.

Yes my kitten will be allowed out when she's old enough as already stated. I've had many cats over the years since I was a child. Getting a cat is not a new thing to me and all of them have been well looked after and well loved.

But as you say - a bengal isn't right for us. I wasn't actually looking for one anyway!

OP posts:
Hughs · 25/10/2023 09:25

We have a 2 year old Bengal cross, she's the best cat ever, very talkative and needy in a good way. She goes outside, I don't think she would cope indoors all the time. She lives happily alongside our older cat and dog. A real character, we all adore her. The feel of their fur is like nothing else 😍

JudyGemstone · 25/10/2023 10:21

orangecandles · 25/10/2023 09:03

I know this, that's why I asked!

Show quote history

Yes of course sorry, I just meant generally!

I think this is often the reason inexperienced owners get dogs like Huskies and Akitas too.

GilesRupert · 25/10/2023 10:30

I'm surprised someone from a cat rescue centre would suggest this. I volunteer for a cat rescue and when they get Bengals in they specifically say that only people with previous experience of owning Bengals will be considered for adoption. They are extremely demanding and need a lot of stimulation. I'd recommend watching "My cat from hell", which often features Bengals kept indoors by people who don't know what they need.

Caerulea · 25/10/2023 10:32

You've probably made the right choice OP. Mine is the most insane hunter so if you wanted to keep it inside/harnessed for outside for the protection of wildlife etc but have an outdoor cat too it really wouldn't be fair.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 25/10/2023 10:59

You have to not mind a lot of talking with bengals, they never have an unexpressed thought in their heads.

Original poster
orangecandles · 25/10/2023 10:59

Caerulea · 25/10/2023 10:32

You've probably made the right choice OP. Mine is the most insane hunter so if you wanted to keep it inside/harnessed for outside for the protection of wildlife etc but have an outdoor cat too it really wouldn't be fair.

Thank you. I probably wouldn't want to keep her indoors to be fair. I've never been one for indoor cats which is what worried me. I'd probably go against the advice of the rescue if we were to go ahead.

But yes I've told her it's not for us. I'm open to adopting another but I'm going with gut on this one!

OP posts:
JudyGemstone · 25/10/2023 11:14

Yeah the place I rehomed my maine coon from said indoor only but I do let her out, she only goes out a couple of times a day and doesn’t go far but loves it. I’d feel mean keeping her in all day although I know some cats are ok with it, I think it doesn’t suit them all.

mbosnz · 25/10/2023 11:40

They are lovely cats. They can also be very loud, very intelligent, very demanding, and can be very destructive, cats, particularly if you don't have the time to give them the attention they absolutely crave.

I work at a vets, and we can hear the bengals before they come in the doors!

I have siamese and oriental, so I'm not put off by 'big personality' cats, but I've had at least three owners try and flog off their cats on to me, recently!

LittleGreenDuck · 25/10/2023 15:45

My neighbour has one. He talks a LOT and tries to get in my house at every opportunity. We cant leave a door or window open for five minutes without that bloody cat inviting itself in. I wish it was an indoor cat! And no, we've never fed him or anything, I think he's just tried to adopt us since his owner bought a big boisterous puppy. Honestly, I can chuck him out the front door and by the time I get back into the kitchen he's hoofed it round the house and is back in the kitchen window. Drives me nuts.

Sorry, that ended up in a bit of a rant and probably totally irrelevant! If you live near me, please don't get the cat. I can't cope with another one.

vix3rd · 25/10/2023 16:00

I've got one. She's 9 now & has always been very timid.
She so timid that she wont go into the garden anymore because the rabbit chases her & headbutts her.

She has glitter fur & it's so soft and all the kids love & want to pet her, but not very keen on children & hides from them.

I think she'd like a cat friend as the neighbours cat used to sometimes come in & she always wanted to snuggle (Neighbours cat wasn't keen) but I'm worried that if I got a kitten she'd hate it & then I'd be upset.

Does anyone own a bengal cat?
vix3rd · 25/10/2023 16:02

Evil Rabbit.

Does anyone own a bengal cat?
Adorapan · 25/10/2023 19:54

I’ve had four - two rescue and two from a brilliant small scale breeder - and they have all been wonderful. Never aggressive, varying from super playful to quite gentle and all very affectionate. I think sometimes the sense of them being ‘other’ from most cats is a bit overstated - they haven’t been too dissimilar to my domestic shorthairs other than in energy levels and vocalness. But ours did go outside, keeping them in would have been more demanding I think and they loved exploring.

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 19:58

vix3rd · 25/10/2023 16:00

I've got one. She's 9 now & has always been very timid.
She so timid that she wont go into the garden anymore because the rabbit chases her & headbutts her.

She has glitter fur & it's so soft and all the kids love & want to pet her, but not very keen on children & hides from them.

I think she'd like a cat friend as the neighbours cat used to sometimes come in & she always wanted to snuggle (Neighbours cat wasn't keen) but I'm worried that if I got a kitten she'd hate it & then I'd be upset.

Why do you have my bengal? She's very timid with strangers too.

Does anyone own a bengal cat?
HamstersAreMyLife · 25/10/2023 19:59

I did have a beautiful Bengal RIP 😩 he was an indoor cat initially then I let him out. He did get kidnapped which was horrific but I eventually got him back. He had a half sibling and I do think they both thought they were people. Neither were aggressive or prey driven (in fact terrified of mice unlike my current moggie) but I don't know if I got lucky. He was honestly the most adorable loving cat but quite high maintenance and not self sufficient in any way!

HomeatRoseCottage · 25/10/2023 20:02

I know a couple who have a bengal. He is their absolute prince baby, and an indoor cat.

I agree with PPs that they’re quite wild. My friends have made him all kinds of climbing apparatus in their house - shelves so he can climb high up the walls, a platform all around the top of the room, a cargo net to climb etc. They live in a flat with a balcony which they have fully enclosed with a frame and wire so he can go outside on to that whenever he likes, and it has lots of high platforms and things to climb as well.

He seems like a very contented, loving cat and appears to have a happy life but they have dedicated a lot of time and money to making their flat suitable for him.

I agree they’re an exquisite breed! But maybe harder work than the average mogg.

Lifeinlists · 25/10/2023 20:09

I wish someone would steal our neighbour's Bengal cat. 12 years in and it hasn't happened.

It's vicious, bullies other cats - well attacks them actually, not remotely friendly, kills anything it can get its claws on very regularly, and never seems to go home as it's out all hours of the day and night.

Can you tell I'm not a fan?
Don't do it OP. The 'reason' you're being given about its past may a variation of the truth!

Sarvanga38 · 25/10/2023 20:16

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

I’m another who doesn’t recognise Bengals as the wild animals from these threads. Some of the earlier generations were very wild, but the breed is a good way from those now. I’ve known lots of them (two dozen+ over years?) - some indoor, some free-roaming - and none of their owners have had these issues. The outdoor ones haven’t had the injuries or complaints that you’d expect if they were troublesome.

Some cats are arses, but this is an individual thing, I think.

I do think though that an indoor cat with three children is probably unrealistic though.

StStephensTower · 25/10/2023 20:16

We have a Bengal (currently snuggled up on my lap)!
He's been brought up around kids so is super friendly and affectionate. He's got a very loud meow so often gets 'told off' for shouting but otherwise he's pretty much like any other cat I have had. He likes to hunt but not prolific.

Blueuggboots · 25/10/2023 20:18

I have two, they're gorgeous, and they're indoor cats.

They do get very attached to their owners and can be temperamental.....my male cat has weed on the carpet a few times to show his displeasure.....BUT he's gorgeous and very loving!

Guttedme · 25/10/2023 20:18

Yes I have a part Bengal nearly 5 years - indoors cat. I got her as original owner said the other ‘cat siblings’ left home because of her.

Gets excited at a window but never gone aside.

the first vet was rude about bengals so I went to another.

Blueuggboots · 25/10/2023 20:23

You don't get much room on the bed either!!

My two are currently prowling around me because they think it's time I went to bed....

Doyouthinktheyknow · 25/10/2023 20:30

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!

My cat came from a multi cat household, she was a breeding queen. She absolutely hates other cats and thrives being on her own so take that with a pinch of salt.

Dcat is a ragdoll so completely different and stupidly soppy but chases other cats out of our garden🤣

DesparatePragmatist · 25/10/2023 20:33

I'm just here for the Bengal cat photos - thanks to the (sadly few) PPs who know the rules!