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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Risk of cat getting stolen?

39 replies

FedoraTheExplora · 18/02/2016 00:09

When we move, I really want to get a kitten/ cat. My hearts set on a Bengal, but my best friend said to me that unless it was an indoor cat, it would probably get stolen. Is this true?

I don't think I would like it to be an indoor cat - in my head this seems cruel, though I am happy to be corrected by someone more knowledgable than me. Probably a really silly question, but you can't get a microchip that's GPS trackable can you?

I don't live in a really rough area - but probably on the poor side of average. Am I better to just get a ginger tabby? I just think the leopard print bengals are so stunning, but of course it's not the most important thing, and I will love him as the 4th member of the family he will be, no matter what he looks like before I get flamed. But I would so love a Bengal, but couldn't think of much worse than DDs first pet to get stolen (and ours too)

OP posts:

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thecatneuterer · 18/02/2016 05:23

I find it hard to reply to these sort of threads in a totally unbiased way as I feel very strongly that, given the huge amount of unwanted cats everywhere, everyone should rescue, not encourage breeding, and that colour/appearance shouldn't be a factor.

So that is my position. However I will try to answer your questions. I am with a large London rescue and we have a policy of not homing pedigree cats as anything other than indoor only cats anywhere within London (and if we had centres in other cities the same would apply to those). We will consider it in posh, ruralish areas, but nowhere else - precisely because of the risk of theft.

You can't unfortunately get GPS trackable chips. There will be a fortune to be made in them once they are invented.

I know that Bengals can also be very 'difficult'. For your own good, and for the good of cats in general, it would be so much better to go to a rescue and find a cat, regardless of appearance, that has the right personality to fit into your family.

wannaBe · 18/02/2016 06:59

I think that if you need to ask the question then you probably know the answer. Also, before you even consider a specific breed of cat it's important to do the research into the breed itself. IMO there is a huge lack of understanding of specific breeds due to the fact there are so many cross breeds (not a bad thing at all fwiw) out there

One of my local rescues has a Bengal which they take to our local pets at home when they're doing awareness raising etc. He is stunning. But he is also the size of a small spaniel. He has been deemed not suitable for rehoming due to the fact he apparently refuses to use a litter tray. At all and pooh's in the house constantly. Apparently this is not an uncommon trait among bengals.

If I am wrong and you have greater knowledge of the breed then I apologise. But the fact that you are questioning whether a moggy would be better and being stolen is your one concern over owning a pedigree leads me to think that perhaps you are taken with the stunning look of a Bengal without knowing more facts about the breed.

Before making a decision I would:

Go and research your breed. Battersea have some quite comprehensive information covering specific breeds otherwise do have a look for specific organisations relating to Bengals.

If after doing the research you are still set on a Bengal then have a look at your local rescues but also try to find a breed specific rescue.

But be prepared for a wait, because specific breeds don't come up nearly as often as general cross breeds. Although you may find some half bengals to adopt where someone's pedigree has got out and been seen by the local Tom...

But I agree with TCN that there are far too many unwanted cats in rescues and that seeking pedigrees encourages people to breed more unwanted kittens.

Fwiw I have always wanted a Siamese. I have some experience though and it's a breed I have always loved and wanted. But there is no way I would ever go to a breeder and buy a kitten And Siamese seem to rarely come up for rescue. If one did I would adopt it like a shot. But as things currently stand, when I do take on the next addition to my family it will most likely be a moggy, and will without question be a rescued one (or two).

thecatneuterer · 18/02/2016 10:55

And to underline what Wannabe has just said - we don't get many Bengals in for rehoming, but we certainly get some. Sometimes they are given to us with all the papers and receipts showing people paid huge amounts of money for them. And normally the reason they give them up is because they didn't realise how difficult Bengals are and the owners found they just couldn't cope with them.

We will only rehome them to people who absolutely know what they are taking on.

If you are thinking about a ginger kitten instead bear in mind that this is one of the rarest colours and also the second most popular - second to blue (grey). So ginger kittens are difficult to find and rescues will probably have a waiting list for them. Black and black and white on the other end can end up being stuck at the rescues until they are well into adulthood as people don't think they are pretty/interesting looking enough.

And of course if you take on an already adult cat then you will know what sort of personality it has and it would increase the chance of finding a cat that is a good fit for your family and situation. With a kitten it is pot luck.

cozietoesie · 18/02/2016 11:01

I have a feeling - based on probably apocryphal stories - that Bengals are cat flavour of the month right now and therefore (especially given the amount of cash which can change hands) more susceptible to 'loose' breeding. Bear that in mind.

MadisonMontgomery · 18/02/2016 11:02

I worry about this - I have an exotic shorthair kitten, I didn't really consider it before buying her but now she has started going out a bit it's worrying me that she might be stolen. She has a collar, is chipped & has just been spayed, so hopefully that is a deterrent. Has anyone tried the GPS collar tags?

thecatneuterer · 18/02/2016 11:07

Madison - the GPS collar tags are too big for cats. They are meant for dogs. Also it wouldn't help with theft as they can be easily removed. And of course once her fur has grown back it won't be possible for would-be thieves to know if she's neutered.

It probably depends on the sort of area you live in. Also do you see any other pedigree cats wandering around?

Micah · 18/02/2016 11:16

Wannabe- when i was looking i found several siamese rescues with cats available. Usually a bit older 3-7 yrs, but theyre definitely out there :).

Bengals need to go out. They are big, lots of energy and need a big territory. They dont like other cats about, even if they do seem to be friendly. Dont get on if you live in a high density cat area, have a small house/garden, or dont like being woken to play at 3am.

Goadyflattery · 18/02/2016 11:22

This a million times over if you truly care about animals.

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/02/2016 17:47

Don't get a Bengal. Save yourself while you can.

Even a tortoiseshell would be less trouble.

Canshopwillshop · 18/02/2016 18:10

I have 2 Brown spotted (leopard print) Bengals and they are fantastic. They are normal size cats. It tends to be the unneutered males who reach gigantic proportions - our first cat's dad was huge. They are very sociable, they get involved with everything you do, they are great with the DC, quite vocal and great fun. They are both house cats but we do live in a fairly big house and they have lots of space, they are very contented. They are no more energetic than any other cat - my 2 will chase each other round the house for a mad 10 minutes but then they will sleep for hours. They do not 'need' to go out - they won't know any different. In fact when we got our second kitten, the breeder stated that she was only going to sell her on the condition that we kept her indoors. Unless you live in the middle of the countryside, it makes sense to keep cats in - they have no road sense and yes, Bengals are highly nickable

Mincepies76 · 18/02/2016 18:19

I've got a Persian Chinchilla, we specifically wanted a house cat (he's such a lovely boy!) I wouldn't let him outside...because his breed isn't meant to go outside and I would worry he'd be pinched...you don't see a lot of pedigree cats out and about (well I don't!) I know nothing about Bengals but they are beautiful looking...I had a lovely Tabby girl though who was very pretty

cozietoesie · 18/02/2016 18:29

I once lived in an area where some 50 or 60 (if I recall) cats had gone missing in the previous two years - no bodies, no nothing. Sadly, it was also an area where there was a known issue with certain types of dogs and with their 'training'.

I kept my cat inside while I lived there.

chickindude · 18/02/2016 18:47

I have 4 Bengals. 2 are from a rescue. 2 are almost 10 years old, the other 2 around 4 years old.
Ours go in and out regularly.
They are high maintenance cats, but funny and loving. Not for a novice cat owner though.

Madbengalmum · 18/02/2016 19:02

I have had bengals for 20 years now and never had any problems with them at all.
They are immaculate litter trained cats, and they are no different from any other breed or moggies in that they are very easy to litter train.
I am perplexed that someone would say that they poo all over the house as that is the opposite of what i have experienced.
My bengals have all been very different personality wise and some breeders are far better than others with temperament. Some of my bengals have gone out and my current kitten is an indoor baby and doesnt cry to go out.
I don't find them to be high maintenance compared to long haired cats for example who require grooming.
If you have the space for an indoor cat they are fabulous, but do your research breeder wise,as temperament is the key.

Here is my new snow leopard baby..

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/02/2016 19:14

Mines highly territorial. If he hears a cat fight he works out which direction to go and comes back bleeding.

He also wees in the house when the tension is particularly bad with neighbourhood cats.

He's pretty full on.

Canshopwillshop · 18/02/2016 19:29

Madbengal - beautiful kitten

ThomasRichard · 18/02/2016 19:29

Not helpful but I've never heard of these cats before and just like pled them up. Aww.

lljkk · 18/02/2016 19:49

I knew a lady who had 7 indoor-only ragdolls, almost all rescues. Apparently they're another popular breed for rescues, but not so trendy now, so easier to get one & much more justified & easier to to keep indoor only.

Madbengalmum · 18/02/2016 20:19

Aww, thanks canshop!
He is a little star, quite a personality, but adorable.

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/02/2016 20:37

Why are your bengals better behaved than mine Madbengalmum? Is it like children, once you get past a certain number they entertain each other?.

I even get told off from outside.

TheNoodlesIncident · 18/02/2016 23:22

I have a half Bengal and she is very territorial and not very nice to other cats. She has chased every neighbourhood cat and bitten the vicar's cat

You cat is luffly Fluffycloud - love those spotty tummies

cozietoesie · 18/02/2016 23:29

I remember mentioning Bengals to the head vet at Seniorboy's practice. She got this faraway look in her eyes and said - through slightly gritted teeth - 'Ah Yes........ Bengals'.

I wouldn't exactly say she was twitching.

ThomasRichard · 18/02/2016 23:36

TheNoodles you own Scarface Claw!

Glastokitty · 18/02/2016 23:46

Bengals are not a starter cat, a friend has one, and gorgeous as it is, its bloody hard work. She keeps it inside with a moggy companion. I have a moggy and a rescued ragdoll which is also kept inside (although it goes on walks around the garden on a lead). he wouldn't last five minutes outdoors on his own, he would probably follow a thief home.

OddsandSods · 19/02/2016 10:53

My Burmese breeder used to breed Bengals and said they are lovely cats (she still had a couple of ex breeding queens) but stopped because she didn't like the people who were trying to buy them (I guess because they are 'trendy' you get lots who don't think it through). I think they're not a dissimilar breed but as someone said up thread, unscrupulous breeders aren't breeding for temperament and health. When I took the Burmese to the vets the nurses fawn over them and being the tarts they are there was lots of purring and tails in air. Apparently they were a real contrast to the Bengals they had in that morning...

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