Bengal cat with 3 kids in a flat

[Scottishdreams1991]

I have been asked to take in someone's cat temporarily ( 3 months at the most) While the owner receives treatment. She doesn't want him going to someone she doesn't trust. We are experienced cat owners and our children have been taught how to behave with cats. We dont currently have a cat as we lost our boy to kidney disease last year 😢

Would i be crazy to say yes to this? Her cat hasn't been around kids and plays roughly and tbh bit of a dick at times. I want to help but cat can be a handful but its just temporary.

Also it is a very large flat

Does the cat currently go outside? If so I think a frustrated Bengal cat stuck inside a flat for three months could end up being very destructive.
In what way is the cat a bit of a dick?
I would be very wary of doing this wirh a Bengal tbh.

I think this is a recipe for disaster, personally.

Bengals are not your average cat - they need a lot of attention and stimulation and can be incredibly noisy. I think they would be utterly miserable stuck in a flat with children if that's not what they're used to.

If the cat usually goes outside, even with a catio usually, this will be unworkable.

Even if indoor raised I would hesitate. I have seen an indoor raised Bengal moved to a flat and it didn’t work. They need their own space, time spent playing with them, cat tower type place spaces etc.

If any of the kids are under 8 I would also be concerned about the cat feeling stressed by kids’ attention/scratching them etc. Has the cat had any exposure to children?

Have you had a Bengal before? They’re big, they’re strong, and when frustrated they can get very destructive. Will they have access to the outside?

The cat has near to zero exposure to children and normally goes outside in a enclosure. If it was ro rehome it would be a no for all the reasons above and we have Zero experience with bengals but its temporary thats why im not sure. The other option is cat stays at home while i go in to feed and spend time but i can only do hour max a day. Fine if just for a few day's but not for a few months. Space isn't an issue as we have more space then her despite us being in a flat.

The cats a bit of a dick cos it's destroyed so much of my friends stuff and carpets. Once it managed to break a ceiling light !!
I love my friend and she's going through something horrific i feel like it's the least i can do for her just now.

Cats are usually happier in their own environment. I'd be concerned about a potentially quite stressed cat, especially with kids, if it isn't used to the hustle and bustle of your average busy family home.

If you can visit for an hour a day to feed, do litter trays, play for a bit, is there another friend who can come over (even less regularly) for a bit more interaction? Or can your friend pay for a catsitter to visit too?

Maybe your friend can get some interactive toys too (you can get automatic laser pointers & spinning feathers etc). Plus maybe a pet cam for peace of mind (we got one from Anker for about £35 for our dog, & you can talk through it too).

Is there a cat equivalent of borrow my doggy ?

In your circumstances I wouldn't do it.

Listen it’s a really bad idea. A Bengal can seriously damage your home. If it gets frustrated enough it could hurt your children. My brother’s Bengal is taller than my 7 year old when it rears up on hind legs. He (the cat) has scratched several of the kids in the family.

Visit daily. Enlist other friends and neighbours to visit as well. Get a pet cam and some automatic toys. But don’t bring a Bengal that’s not used to children into a family home.

God no.
My brother’s widow is an experienced bengal cat owner and hand on heart, I’d strongly advise you to decline. Bengals can be destructive even when they’re not stressed. I can’t believe your friend thinks this is a good idea. It’s nice of you to even consider helping out but… nope!

That is a much, much better option than it coming to live with you.

I know you mean well but honestly, this has disaster written all over it. Bengals are nothing like your average domestic cat. They are territorial, aggressive, strong and determined - if this cat has never been around children and is used to going outside then it will be utterly miserable in your home.

Please don't do it.

Can they register with Trusted Housesitters and look for someone who will stay in their house the whole time? Leaving a house empty for 3 months isn't ideal, cat or not.

I know its a bad idea. Wish there was something to make it work. I need to talk dh later and actually see how often between us we can visit. There is someone else who could help but she is more of a dog person then cat.

Could you help fund a cattery instead?

Can your friend afford to pay a pet sitter to pop in once a day, and then you and DH do the other visits if possible? It would take some of the pressure off if you knew there was a professional going in and making sure the cat was fed etc.

Bengals don’t like being alone they need company. There are Bengal rescues in the uk who might have a foster used to bengals.

They are very loving cats who need a human around.

Get someone from the site trusted pet sitters to move in and care for it.

If you look at the pages of any Bengal rescue website you will see reason upon reason not to do this.

Agree with @FormerlyPathologicallyHappy contact the breed specific site and ask, they may have someone who is experienced with Bengals to foster. Lots of cats, and especially this breed, like company.

Pet sitter/catteries aren't a option due to cat's nature. I think she might actually have to rehome as when she's home she won't be ok enough to look after her cat.
She is going to talk to a local rescue as they dont always rehome but sometimes if appropriate suggest ways to put pets at home. She's heartbroken life is so unfair at times but it might be best for dcat

It really is but they’re a high maintenance breed. I’d love one again but I’m a widow now so I’d need a catproof garden and an older Bengal. I can’t burst into the lounge anymore shrieking “Bertie’s fighting” and have dh scramble to get his shoes on and rescue him.