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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 cat: AIBU?

88 replies

twilightcafe · 12/05/2016 09:30

We've been approved to adopt a Bengal cat from a local shelter.

We had the home visit recently but now I am getting nervous. We've had cats before (who have lived long and happy lives) but this seems like a completely different kettle of fish.

Are they really harder work than other cats? Do they have to remain indoors all the time - and how am I going to police this with two children in the house? Will we have to keep the windows shut all the time in case she tries to escape?

Have I lost my mind and am I going to regret this decision? Help!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
cozietoesie · 13/05/2016 15:24

gave it to him

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 13/05/2016 15:34

I decided to stick it out and gave in! In the past I've made him wait and honestly he never stops! It goes against all my parenting beliefs Wink

Little bugger starts purring the instant I eventually do what he wantsWink

Original poster
twilightcafe · 13/05/2016 20:29

I'm picking her up on Monday lunchtime!

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cozietoesie · 13/05/2016 20:48

Good luck, twilight. Smile

(Let us have a picture when she arrives.)

randomcatname · 14/05/2016 16:57

I have a Bengal we rescued. She's around 8 years old. I was apprehensive but she is an utter delight. I seem to remember Bengals come in grades from F1 to F5 or something like that - so some of them are further removed from the Asian leopard than others, which might account for some of the behaviour they're associated with.

My cat is very very chatty, seems as though she's talking to you, and very affectionate and gentle. Never had a nip or a scratch from her. When the DC have friends round and it's getting a bit frantic, she just takes herself away. We let her out after 6 weeks, following the shelter's advice. She's in and out all day and curls up on the bed with us and doesn't move all night most nights.

She doesn't like it when we've been away and had cat sitters come in and she definitely likes to have human company. Really sociable and all round gorgeous. Enjoy your new pet! :)

Original poster
twilightcafe · 16/05/2016 13:35

She's home! She is certainly chatty!

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NationMcKinley · 16/05/2016 13:43

I had a gorgeous, rescue Bengal for a few months. Sadly we couldn't keep him as he wanted to kill our other cat. He'd had a shocking start in life and despite huge amounts of time, patience and advice he never got any better with her. With us, he was adorable and I loved him so much. He was very demanding but he was funny and affectionate. He was also good with our young children. I'd have another one like a shot. Enjoy! Smile

NationMcKinley · 16/05/2016 13:48

Random yes, that's absolutely right. My instinct is that he was an F2 or at least far nearer the "wild" end of the spectrum than most. He looked like something from a wildlife documentary. The way he'd stalk our original cat was unlike anything I've seen before. I've no doubt that he would have seriously injured or killed her at some point. So sad as with humans, once he knew you, he was lovely. I think he was the product of disreputable breeders and then had several homes where he was bought as a "status" cat by people who hadn't a clueAngry

francis223 · 16/05/2016 13:52

Can we have a photo pretty please?

HollyKate · 16/05/2016 14:03

Oooh, yes, photo please! And as someone else said above, don't panic - they're definitely higher-maintenance than other cats but they make up for it! I have three females - one 4yo, and 2yo litter-sisters. They're gorgeous, we got them as we wanted playful cats who would be social with our children. (Previous gorgeous cats rather horrified by advent of loud messy babies and not that playful.) All mine are friendly, they all go out (I don't think we could physically keep them in). They drink from water bowls though they prefer taps, and they eat Royal Canin dry food. One of them loves water so much she has actually jumped in a (hot!) bath and happily waded up and down. Only major problem we've had is weeing in the house - we think due to a large Burmese chasing ours around our garden, they were feeling insecure and showing it. They can be "naughty" - deliberately knocking things off counters is a favourite, but they basically need loads of toys and attention! Hope yours settles in and good luck, sure she will be lovely!

HollyKate · 16/05/2016 14:08

Bengals - always hyper and full of energy...

cozietoesie · 16/05/2016 14:18

Are you talking back to her, twilight? Smile

NationMcKinley · 16/05/2016 14:25

Another hyper Bengal Smile

Bengal cat: AIBU?
IAmAPaleontologist · 16/05/2016 14:30

My sister has Bengals, she adores them but she is a slave to them. But she is a child free by choice crazy cat lady and I think a lot of being a slave is her choice rather than the cats Grin. Hers are indoor cats but she has lots of toys for them. She feeds raw and she has them in a routine at bedtime, they even go get their toys and bring them to her for the pre-bedtime play. If she doesn't do the routine then they won't settle and will keep her up all night.

My cat is a rescue moggy but we are pretty sure he has a good dollop of bengal in him,he shares a lot of the characteristics but he is lovely. Crazy,a food thief, attention seeking, loud, but wonderful. And he goes out, mostly at night and doesn't keep the whole house awake as he's been used to being shut downstairs since we got him. We don't have a flap but he lets himself in and out of the bathroom window (downstairs bathroom).

Original poster
twilightcafe · 16/05/2016 17:06

Here she is! I tried keeping her in the utility room, but she was having none of it! She's currently prowling around the house.

I've got Royal Canin food in for her. I'm eyeing up a water fountain for cats on Amazon. Grin

Bengal cat: AIBU?
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Fraggled · 16/05/2016 17:12

We have a Bengal, she's a (very happy) house cat. Also have a tabby. She's great fun, loud and gregarious. We adore her.

Bengal cat: AIBU?
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/05/2016 17:13

Lovely pics!

coffeeisnectar · 16/05/2016 17:25

She's gorgeous Twilight! Looks like she's made herself at home already.

These posts are so funny. Gotta love our cats :o

Lindy2 · 16/05/2016 17:31

My neighbour has a half Bengal cat. He is lovely. He has decided he likes our garden and runs up to see me every time I go outside. I have never known a cat talk as much. We have quite long conversations. He also seems to love the rain and is regularly soaked through but happy in the garden.

HollyKate · 16/05/2016 17:47

Oh, she's beautiful! And she looks so relaxed.
I've been thinking about one of those fountains, but I'm worried that three children and three cats splashing about would mean our kitchen floor was constantly swimming in water...

NorbertDentressangle · 16/05/2016 18:02

Blimey! I've always liked the idea of a Bengal but I think this thread has put me off a bit.
We had a high maintenance tortie for nearly 20 years and the stories on here sound very familiar and have reminded me what hard work she could be at times.

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/05/2016 19:26

Ooh she's rosetted Envy

She looks beautiful.

RoseDog · 16/05/2016 20:11

Wow she is gorgeous, her markings are very similar to my mums Bengal, even the white at the mouth!
Do you know if she is full Bengal and do you have her papers?

Original poster
twilightcafe · 16/05/2016 20:53

She came with a certificate showing her family tree. DD has taken a shine to her - the cat is dozing on her bed now. Smile

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Madbengalmum · 16/05/2016 21:03

Had bengals for twenty years now, never had anything but affection and,chat from them.
Here is my snow leopard bengal kitten, in his new favourite place on the top of the door, weirdo!!

Bengal cat: AIBU?