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Original poster

Adopting a retired Bengal stud??

136 replies

LittleGinBigGin · 09/08/2019 17:04

So tomorrow I’m off to see a retired Bengal stud who’s looking for his forever home?

I’m already in love with him, what questions do I need to ask??

Any help would be much appreciated I’ve always had cats from tiny kitten ages!

Many thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Vinorosso74 · 10/08/2019 00:17

There are a lot of good questions suggested above.
Our lad got scared in the cattery by a Bengal on his last stay. He's a noisy bugger at home bit this bengal apparently uosey quite a lot of the guests due to the noise it made. They are beautiful cats but are a lot higher maintenance than your average moggy.

TastingTheRainbow · 10/08/2019 00:41

Beware that retired stud males often continue to spray after they’ve been neutered. You may need to have a back up plan in case he can’t stay indoors.

RogersVideo · 10/08/2019 01:07

I have two 8 year old bengal boys. They each have quite different personalities. I think they're great cats.

With this boy your viewing, I would be wondering about spraying, as others have said.

LucheroTena · 10/08/2019 01:16

Not all studs spray but you do need to ask that question.

TheABC · 10/08/2019 01:31

Bengals are still a popular breed, so someone must love them (presumably machinists). I think its the intelligence that gets them into trouble: you may need to childproof your cupboard doors.

twilightcafe · 10/08/2019 07:15

Ours has worked out how to get into packets of dry cat food.
And forget about cat towers - ours climbs onto the house roof.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2019 08:19

Ours sprays if a new cat moves in on the street.

4 have moved in in the last 12 months 🤦🏻‍♀️

Wolfiefan · 10/08/2019 08:25

I honestly wouldn’t. A decent breeder wouldn’t rehome a stud (online?) to a stranger because he’d done his job.
This cat won’t have been treated like a pet. It’s doubtful he has lived indoors.
A male who’s been entire so long won’t act like a male who was neutered at a young age.
If you want a Bengal then find a good breeder. If you want a slightly older cat then rescue. There are breed specific rescues too. I doubt these people will tell you the truth about him.

Whitney168 · 10/08/2019 08:44

I have known various people who live with Bengals and never yet seen evidence of this thuggishness - they are obviously a lively and intelligent breed, but not an issue. One in particular had the breed many years ago, when they were far closer to the original generations and still not a problem, so I'm always a bit bemused by the threads that seem to suggest they are not far removed from wild.

(Now, an Abyssinian on the other hand was the most thuggish cat I've ever come across.)

I do think a retired stud is quite a big ask though, and you do need to make sure he has been neutered a while to have a good idea of what you're taking on.

Original poster
LittleGinBigGin · 10/08/2019 10:48

I’m armed with a list of questions.

Mainly about his living environment prior to being fixed. He was fixed over 6 months ago. And one of my questions will be about him spaying etc.

If I’m not happy with anything I will walk away. AS I’ve committed to going to see him I would feel bad about not going.

My dh is coming with me so my heart can’t rule my head. So if anything is untoward he will make me walk away.

I have also contacted a few rescues to ask about retired stud cats. Doing some more research.

Today is literally a meet and greet, I am aware I may have to walk away.

I really don’t want a kitten at the moment but I will have a think.

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/08/2019 10:50

Do let us know how you go OP.

Original poster
LittleGinBigGin · 10/08/2019 10:55

I will update later on.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2019 11:25

He’s interviewing you really.

barryfromclareisfit · 10/08/2019 11:26

Oh, right. A cat.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/08/2019 11:31

This is the fucking Litter Tray. What did you expect?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/08/2019 13:07

I’m already in love with him

This is in your opening post .
Yes , you'll have seen his details and I will bet my house he's gorgeous.

But go in with a really open mind (and closed wallet) if they are breeders passing him on because he is retired then they are doing you no favours . Don't look at it as "rescuing" him no matter how his living conditions appear or how sad he looks .
They'll have another young tom along to fill his shoes before you can say Flynn .

There are so many Bengals out there ( I looked on Gumtree .....just for research y'understand) so many Pure Breds but even more crosses (which to my untrained eye just look like fat tabbies)

And one where the litter was accidental, neighbours cat got in the house and the result was a litter of Bengal X

If the Breeder is serious , that shouldn't happen.

There's a Bengal Rescue site to look at too. If you are going to give up your house to a feline you are sharing with for 12-15 years , then wait for the right one .

Original poster
LittleGinBigGin · 10/08/2019 15:57

Well he was absolutely beautiful!! As I expected him to be.

And completely different to what I expected. He was openly friendly and didn’t mind being stroked or picked up. He likes his ears being rubbed and loved playing with toys and walked really well on a harness. Dh and I were with him for over an hour and then another 45 mins with his owner. He was so friendly almost like he was glad someone was spending time with him.

He was kept in the house until he was 6/7 months old then kept in a pen (not sure that is the right word).

I asked lots of questions and got lots of answers.

He has sprayed since he was fixed, however this has only been when he’s stressed (mainly on vets visits) I’m not 100% sure I am convinced on this.

I saw all his registration details, all his vets information, microchip details.

Dh was a lot more level headed about it and we are going to have a really long hard think, and go back and see him again next Wednesday.

If we decide to take him on we need to be home checked etc.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2019 16:05

Mine sprays when stressed, he’s not allowed in the lounge, and it’s a lot better now he takes cystease in his breakfast.

Neutered at 5 months, some of them just have abnormal stress reactions which inflames the bladder lining.

Allergictoironing · 10/08/2019 19:36

If we decide to take him on we need to be home checked etc

That's quite an encouraging thing to hear, suggests that the owner has some concern for what happens to him rather than just wanting to get rid.

twilightcafe · 10/08/2019 20:20

And we expect lots of photos when if you bring him home

EachandEveryone · 10/08/2019 20:29

Yes whats his name? He sounds lovely.

bluebluezoo · 10/08/2019 20:37

The big question for me is does the breeder have any conditions on him going out?

Many breeders insist on bengals being house cats. Ime it does not suit them, they need a very large territory. So unless you have a huge house, beware if you have to sign a house cat only contract.

The also generally need to be only cats. They are better suited to dog friends for company. As above, if he does go out spraying will be more of a problem if you have a lot of cats in your neighbourhood.

bluebluezoo · 10/08/2019 20:43

To add- in my experience bengals tend to come up for rehoming about 3-7 years old as this is when territory becomes a big issue. Many people now are multicat households and get two kittens, then you get the territorial behaviour as they mature.

I got my bengal aged 3 as he was causing absolute hell- noisy, spraying, aggression, despite sleeping, playing and cuddling up with his sister. Came to me as an only cat and was absolutely fine.

phenomenalcat · 10/08/2019 22:05

If you do go back take a blanket for him that has your smell on it - a small one that can go in the carrier or a cat bed is fine. It will start to mix your smells and will smell familiar when you get him home. We used to breed cats and would get all new owners to do this.
Also look into Pet Remedy. It's a great de-stressor and again should be used before he comes to you. You could take a small spray for use in their home and get a plug in for yours.
When he's coming home set him up a small room where he can feel safe and the plug in will give maximum benefit. He may like a place to hide and a cardboard box is ideal.
Good luck and I look forward to seeing a photo 😽

Original poster
LittleGinBigGin · 10/08/2019 22:47

No restrictions on him being a house cat, obviously he will be for a good few months. And he does walk well on a harness and lead.

Our garden is a reasonable size and our new garden will be even bigger, which I will have landscaped and will either have a run built for him or make it cat proofed.

I’m taking this very slowly, and I want to meet him again.

Will arrange for a home visit after our visit on Wednesday.

OP posts:
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