To ask you to talk to me about Bengal cats?

[LokiBear]

I contacted my local animal sanctuary looking to adopt a cat. They have some 13 week old kittens whose mother is Bengal and father is a black domestic shorthair. The owners of the mum cat thought they would sell for a high price and handed them over to the sanctuary when they didnt. They have their fathers colouring so are obviously mix breed. The sanctuary have advised me to do my research, as Bengal cats can be a little needy and more 'dog like'. Ive had cats all of my life but always domestic moggies. Can anyone advise? Want to know what im letting myself in for!

I believe in OZ you are not allowed to let them out because they kill all the local wildlife. They can attack all local cats. I have a permanent scar on my leg from where mine jumped out to play attack me. Ours didn't want cuddles but did want to be near us at all times. We gave him away to a family who lived on a farm which backed onto some woods because he kept trying to get outside and didn't seem happy as a house cat.

I have a five month old Bengal. I have always wanted a Bengal, but the reality is way more intense than I ever expected..! Very vocal and needy. Follows me around the house, follows me and DS around the block for a walk. Shouts at me when we've left the house for too long.

He doesn't stay out on his own, but will pop in and hour briefly if I leave the front window open (we live in the country not close to any main roads).

In all honesty I am undecided on if I'm going to keep him  waiting to see if he'll calm down, it really is like having two toddlers in the house..!

I have a 5 year old male Bengal (5th generation) and he is the most loving affectionate lap cat, yet also the biggest dick head in equal measures. Everything is on his terms, and he gets bitey and scratchy when he doesn't get his way.

You'll need plenty of toys, scratching posts and climbing spots in the house to keep them stimulated otherwise they get quite destructive. And a word of warning they are very chatty and loud, often at 5 in the morning! Ours will keep going until someone responds to him so we end up having full on conversations several times a day

Bengals can be hard work but they're just so full of personality, my boy brings me so much joy and laughter. I wouldn't swap him for the world.

Want to uploud a picture but don't know how

Loved my Bengal boy, but think he caused all my grey hairs, forever off on adventures - always sitting in road until he got hit by car, gettin glocked in neighbours houses, stealing food, large dog bones, even a feather duster, gettign totally dipped in oil, climbing on top on disused warehouse a mile away and sitting there for a week until we rescued him. Hunting everything and anything up to adult pheasant size. Noisy noisy noisy miaow.

He lived fast and died young at 12 of a heart attack

I'd def get another Bengal though.

Pic of him

As a vet we fear them. I general they are the most difficult, dangerous group of cats we deal with. If you end up in hospital after a cat bite 9 times out of 10 it's a Bengal.
They are ferocious hunters and such often acquire injuries that due to their nature become expensive to treat.
I think they are gorgeous, but would not own one.

Aw these cats are gorgeous. The animal sanctuary have advertised the litter so im not sure ill get one as there seems to be a lot of intetest on facebook. I can't get there to put a deposit down on one until after next weekend, so I am telling myself what will be will be.

As my user name suggests I have owned them for 20+ years. And never had a problem, and I have owned many other breeds too. Problems encountered with britsh shorthairs, but not bengals. As for action, I also have a sphynx, now he makes the bengals look like they are playing at it. My bengals are chatty, but not mean or destructive, but they are more independent than my sphynx who is like velcro cat when to comes to fuss!

I thought my cats were just moggies but after reading your posts I'm wondering if their dad could have been Bengal. Their mum was black but my boy is a tabby and my girl a stripy grey. Neither of them are lap cats, boy is happy chasing his ball and girl is an amazing hunter, she got two squirrels this week and that's with hardly ever being allowed out!

Is there any way I can tell? Markings?

@Madbengalmum that photo is AMAZING. I love your sphinx, he looks so angry there

Thankyou, my sphynx always looks like he is plotting to take over the world!😂

It looks like he's ready to knife you in the back, I wouldn't turn your back on him he's absolutely beautiful though. What a stunner. Is it true they are quite oily (skin wise?)

My sister has a half Bengal. Beautiful cat but my goodness she’s a little Madame.

user1484, No really he is an absolute darling, the most loving cat I have ever known. Oily skin is only when they are dirty, you do have to bath them every few weeks. Here he is in snuggle mode!

Ohh he's just adorable! Thank you for sharing the pics x

So many beautiful cats...... I want another now, maybe a full Bengal this time

My kitties are part bengal, and the only difference is theyre more talkative really and also that they seem to be quite interested in water. Theyre beautiful and friendly.
Full bengals are very leopard like and apparently really prolific hunters. I wouldnt get a full bengal as id be afraid to let it out

I have a 4 yo full Bengal. She’s really gentle with the children and loves to follow us around. She loves being in the same room as us but never on a lap. She’s an outdoor cat and very independent. Quite quiet and not needy. The only downside is that she hunts ALL the time. I’m forever cleaning up the remains of mice and birds

My boycat has the exact heritage you describe - mother Bengal (though I didn’t see her) & father presumably cat as 2 of the kittens were.

He is 3 years old now & is a beautiful cat who is very attached to me, which is sometimes nice & sometimes a PITA because if he doesn’t get enough attention he bullies the other 2.

As a kitten he would lie up my chest & pat my face & kiss me Now he mostly licks my nose & grabs my wrist to make me scritch him.

He is talkative & clever & a hunter - lots of dead mice & the occasional bird plus live pigeon, duckling & bat (brought them in as toys apparently )

He is quite a big cat too, about 6kg - the other 2 are under 4 so he dwarfs them!

Will find a couple of pics, hang on

Our girl is half Bengal, half Egyptian Mau. She is honestly the soppiest cat I’ve ever met! She’s never ever scratched or bitten anyone, and has loved the kids carting her around and giving her attention. She is a bit of a snobby princess tbh doesn’t play with many toys and has a v loud meow, but all she wants is cuddles and love - she hates the dog though!

They are so gorgeous, and Arthur well I never what a sweetheart! I am so so insanely jealous, I would love another cat of any type!

Omg that sphynx 😍 he is just gorgeous, I would love one!!
I think friends made sphynx cats get a bad rep 😂

Arthur is beautiful

Here’s mine - first as a manageably-sized kitten next to tabby big sister, & now as a monstrous adult next to tiny tabby big sister (he demands to be groomed)

And annoying little black big sister by not-quite-touching her. She’s not happy

Just noticed I wrote father presumably cat

I think it’s safe to assume the father was a cat

I meant black 🙄