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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Bengal cats?

35 replies

liviadrusilla · 09/04/2015 11:12

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.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 09/04/2015 11:38

I have no specific experience of Bengals but there's at least one regular poster who has one so keep an eye on the thread in case she sees it and posts.

How old are they and do you know anything about their history?

Original poster
liviadrusilla · 09/04/2015 11:40

Thank you. They are approximately three and came from a house with a lot of cats. It appears they were rather neglected. I believe they may have been used for breeding. They seem to have nice personalities according to the staff - we haven't met them yet.

OP posts:
Indantherene · 09/04/2015 11:43

We have 2. They have to stay indoors which is a PITA and they have an hour or so when they charge around like mad things. They jump vertically, which is amazing and like to be up high.

Cost wise they eat Royal Canin and get through a £20 bag of food in 3 weeks plus 2 pouches of Felix a day. Litter is about £4 a week.

ClaimedByMe · 09/04/2015 11:46

My mum has one, he is a bit high maintenance, only drinks running water from a tap, he goes out weather permitting, has never done the toilet indoors, she also got him from a rescue centre, he is a pure breed and the most gorgeous cat ever.

noddyholder · 09/04/2015 11:53

WHy do they have to be indoors? There is one that comes in our garden all teh time My cat hates him but he is truly beautiful to look at

Original poster
liviadrusilla · 09/04/2015 12:10

This is all really helpful, thank you. Does anyone know whether they are prone to particular health problems? I've heard they can have kidney issues or go deaf, but there is conflicting information when I've been researching.

Indan - may I ask why yours have to stay indoors? I'd heard they needed time to burn off energy outside. Thank you for the food information - is that 2 packets of felix each or for both of them?

Claimed - he sounds gorgeous! The running water is a bit problematic though, especially as we are out during the day.

OP posts:
chockbic · 09/04/2015 12:16

Mine loves water. Over the kitchen floor, or in the bath. He's not fussy.

What about getting them a water fountain?

They have big personalities.

shaska · 09/04/2015 12:22

No idea about Bengals aside from small experience with the stabby one that lives next door to a friend of mine. Beautiful cat. Very... spirited...

But two vs one, it's nice to have two if you're out at work a lot as they can entertain eachother. I don't find much difference in the relationship with humans, ours have kindly each chosen one of us as favourite so DH gets the madcat and I get the lamb. It's no more complex than one really, especially if they're already friends as they're less likely to have arguments. More expensive though of course.

TranmereRover · 09/04/2015 12:22

I have two. Compared to other cats I've had, they are chattier, and like Chock's, adore playing in water / finding their own water (& ignoring the bowl) - keep your loo lids down! Mine were indoor cats for a year or so in London and are much happier beasts now they go out - and they're excellent vermin control even at 13 yrs old.
I feed them dry only, used to be Iams but have recently switched to Hills and the difference in their coats is marked; they also just had a geriatric cat blood test and came out with full marks on all kidney / etc issues. Never had any tooth problems (& I don't vaccinate).

wannaBe · 09/04/2015 12:29

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 Shock 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...

Undertheboredwalk · 09/04/2015 12:29

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 Grin 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? Grin

cozietoesie · 09/04/2015 12:48

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.

Grin
Fluffycloudland77 · 09/04/2015 13:04

My bengal is an angel at the vets. It sounds like these cats need a loving home & you're prepared to offer that.

Go for it.

ClaimedByMe · 09/04/2015 13:09

Its ok being out all day he only likes the tap on during the night many times

cozietoesie · 09/04/2015 13:11

Go and meet them and see if you 'fit'. Smile

Original poster
liviadrusilla · 09/04/2015 13:40

Thanks everyone, this is so helpful! Cozietoesie we're meeting them soon - I think you're right, we'll be able to get a much better picture then (and I can stop obsessively looking at pictures and videos!). The vet story is funny!

Lovely to hear from so many happy Bengal owners! Whether we end up getting these two or a regular cat, I'm so excited to have a cat around the place!

One more question - are they any more destructive than regular cats?

OP posts:
chockbic · 09/04/2015 13:42

Fluffy, is that really you?

I would say less destructive and more sensible with wires and such.

Still bonkers though Smile

RubbishMantra · 09/04/2015 13:54

Yes, I thought Fluffy was having a laff too. Grin

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/04/2015 13:56

Did you think the cat had hacked my account? Grin

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.

cozietoesie · 09/04/2015 13:59

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? Smile

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.

cozietoesie · 09/04/2015 14:04

PS - what I was getting at is that they're probably run down if they've been in a multi-cat household, neglected and used for breeding. (I'm assuming they've been neutered and given their shots etc by the rescue.) They might also be the sort of cat that doesn't do well in a rescue so might be less active there than they would be when fully fit and in their own home. With the best will in the world, rescues can't replicate a proper home environment.

I think you just have to go and meet them and see if you all suit each other. It might be love at first sight and it might not.

RubbishMantra · 09/04/2015 14:43

Just remembered. We used to live over the road from a lovely Bengal. In the summer, he'd stick his head through the window. Announce himself with a polite deep voiced miaow. Once invited in, he'd eat a bit of MCat's food, demand a bit of a fuss from me. Then he and MCat would go and sit in the lavender in my front garden.

A bromance I suppose.

RubbishMantra · 09/04/2015 14:48

And yes Fluffy. Either that or holding you at gunpoint. Grin

exWifebeginsat40 · 09/04/2015 14:57

my moggy is half Bengal and she is bonkers. really chatty, loves being high up and inspects the water in the bath for me.

i'd love to have a pure bred Bengal. they are awesome animals.

Indantherene · 09/04/2015 15:10

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 Grin

They also like bags and boxes, and particularly like the string handles of clothes bags.