Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Aggressive Bengal constantly attacking cats

34 replies

littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 14:44

Anyone have any tips for dissuading a very large, very aggressive Bengal from my garden? Have tried super soaker but he really isn’t bothered, just turns and slowly walks away.

I have two cats who have basically rubbed along fine with the many neighbourhood cats for years. About 6 months ago a neighbour got two Bengal kittens. The male is now mature and basically spends his time spraying in my garden, lying around and attacking my two cats ( he’s even so confident he will vomit up his cat food).

He is absolutely huge. One of my cats was already nervous so is now even more so, but basically runs away. My other cat - who is a tiny Burmese (3.2kg) instead fights back. Just got back from the vets for the third time in 4 weeks with infected bites.

anyone got any ideas? I did explore cat proofing the garden but it’s a no go. My only other thought is I will have to keep my two in but I’m really reluctant to do this.

He is terrorising other cats as well. I’m generally an animal lover but have to admit this is one cat I’d really like to never see again!

OP posts:
Artichokeleaves · 20/05/2022 14:52

My neighbour got one during lockdown when her daughter wanted a pet. As well as being aggressive at home to them, it's broken into my garden through the cat proofing netting put up to keep my cats inside, come in through the catflap and tried to murder one of mine in the house. They're not really made to be pets. My poor neighbour is now trying to rehome it.

FluffMagnet · 20/05/2022 15:05

We had the same with a Bengal. We and our neighbours ended up building cat cages for our own cats so they could spend some time outside. Also attacked another neighbour's labradors and one neighbour herself. RSPCA said nothing can be done about vicious cats, sadly. Can you appeal to the owner's better nature?

Original poster
littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 15:08

Gosh that’s awful @FluffMagnet .

I don’t think the owner would agree to keep him in - he’s a very indulged cat and I suspect he’d be impossible to keep inside (sadly his sister was run over, she was actually relatively gentle and no problem)!

OP posts:
Tessasanderson · 20/05/2022 15:12

I dont know how to solve your problem but i think we have found a suggestion to stop other cats shitting in gardens. Get a Bengal. No other cats will risk shitting on his turf.

MidnightMeltdown · 20/05/2022 15:44

Firstly, make sure that he can't get in, but that your cats can. Get a microchip cat flap if you haven't already got one. If you are friendly with your neighbours, check whether he is neutered. If not, this is likely to be what is causing the problem.

Aside from that, I'm not sure what to suggest. A Tom will usually defend his turf, so maybe your cat needs an ally!

I used to get loads of cats in my garden, and when my cat first started going out, he was afraid of them. Now that he's bigger, I never, ever see other cats in my garden

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 20/05/2022 15:56

My mum/sister are going demented with a Bengal doing the same too, and the owner just shrugs and doesn't care

I had no idea they were such awful cats to have as pets

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/05/2022 16:13

Their very affectionate to their owners though.

You need a catio. He’s not going to give up.

Beamur · 20/05/2022 16:16

Bengals are only a few generations away from being wild cats. They're not all very domesticated!
Gorgeous but I wouldn't have one.
I think you are going to have to take steps to keep your cats safe rather than discourage this brute.

boudicca79 · 20/05/2022 16:17

Can you get a Chausie cat?

stargirl1701 · 20/05/2022 16:18

Lion dung dug in around your garden. Usually sold by safari parks if you have one nearby.

boudicca79 · 20/05/2022 16:32

stargirl1701 · 20/05/2022 16:18

Lion dung dug in around your garden. Usually sold by safari parks if you have one nearby.

Is that true? I e never heard of that!

AnnaMagnani · 20/05/2022 16:36

Get an Arabian/Egyptian Mau.

Mine is definitely bottom of the pecking order at home and dominated by a small weedy female who barely goes beyond the patio. He loves a cuddle and is no bother apart from being embarrassingly loud.

Outside he is a lean mean fighting machine.

He has to be on a time schedule though so he doesn't upset the neighbour's cat but his work beating up intruders is much appreciated.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 20/05/2022 16:42

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 20/05/2022 15:56

My mum/sister are going demented with a Bengal doing the same too, and the owner just shrugs and doesn't care

I had no idea they were such awful cats to have as pets

I can honestly say in 25 yrs of Bengal ownership i have never had a problematic one! I am shocked by the stories, my current two are 22yrs old and 8 yrs old and are really lovely boys!

Aggressive Bengal constantly attacking cats
Fluffycloudland77 · 20/05/2022 17:30

I don’t think lion dung will work, their highly intelligent cats.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/05/2022 17:32

AnnaMagnani · 20/05/2022 16:36

Get an Arabian/Egyptian Mau.

Mine is definitely bottom of the pecking order at home and dominated by a small weedy female who barely goes beyond the patio. He loves a cuddle and is no bother apart from being embarrassingly loud.

Outside he is a lean mean fighting machine.

He has to be on a time schedule though so he doesn't upset the neighbour's cat but his work beating up intruders is much appreciated.

So, SO loud aren't they? 🤣

caringcarer · 20/05/2022 17:38

We took in a male Bengal, been neutered and not particularly large but so aggressive to my other cats. He got one by throat and if I was not there I think he would have really hurt her. I had to keep.him separate upstairs. Now my son got his own place he took Bengal with him. Very happy being only cat and very affectionate to my son/feeder. My cats happier he is gone. He will have to be an indoor cat as he can't be trusted not to attack other cats.

Original poster
littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 18:17

Thanks all. I really resent having to get a catio tbh( and can’t afford atm). But can see how I may be forced to. This cat’s sister was no bother at all so I know it isn’t all Bengals.

My other cat is a large Siamese but he’s useless as such a scaredy. There are loads of other cats of various sizes and aggression ( who have generally bumbled along relatively peacefully) - they are all being attacked by this one cat. Why on earth Littlecat decides to be the one to fight back is beyond me! The size difference is ridiculous.

He is a particularly vicious cat - latest injury he’d pinned Littlecat on his back and he has two very deep bites on his stomach and under his front leg. Vet has said he needs to be kept indoors for a week.

OP posts:
Original poster
littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 18:19

@AnnaMagnani - I’d love an Arabian/Egyptian Mau 😁

OP posts:
Matchingcollarandcuffs · 20/05/2022 18:32

You're not zone 3 London are you @littlestpogo? My mum has spent over a grand on vets bills from injuries, if you are nearby wonder if you could all team up?

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 20/05/2022 18:37

www.inbrief.co.uk/animal-law/cats-fouling/

If you and your neighbours want to take action you can do it undet the Nuisance Laws

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a local authority has the power to prosecute a person where an animal is “kept in such a place or manner as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance”.

First stop your Local Authority. You have at least one vet's bill as proof

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/uk-could-ban-part-wild-hybrid-cats-after-social-media-fuels-boom-in-popularity

And a ban could be coming soon anyway

RandomMess · 20/05/2022 18:49

Have you asked your neighbour when they will be getting it neutered?

Original poster
littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 18:57

He is neutered - I know this because the female escaped before she was and mated with a local Tom. The owner mentioned how he’d had them both done post this!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 20/05/2022 19:02

Geez so he isn't going to calm at all is he Sad

I would start saving for a catio.

Restrict when your go out and supervise them.

I have house cats now after my previous one was killed by a dog 🥲

Original poster
littlestpogo · 20/05/2022 19:53

Oh I’m sorry to hear that Random.

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 20/05/2022 19:56

Looks like you can buy lion dung online these days!

https://thescaredycat.com/silent-roar-lion-manure-review/

Swipe left for the next trending thread