Considering adopting a Bengal - am I mad?

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I lost my boy a fortnight ago and I am emerging from the fog of grief.

This feels incredibly disloyal but I looked on a local cat rescue site and there's a neutered one year old Bengal. They have always intrigued me but I wouldn't buy from a breeder - have always had moggies.

I have two redoubtable middle aged ladies who have lived with a variety of dogs, hens and a large dominant, chatty, intelligent male cat sadly no longer with us. No dogs or children, just me.

Loads of experience introducing cats to each other. Large house, large garden. Decades of cat ownership but realise taking on a Bengal and the potential behavioural problems is another matter altogether.

Should I take the risk?

Have you owned a Bengal? What are the good and bad points?

He is Monty at Yorkshire Cat Rescue if you want to look. ( can't link, sorry)

What a cutie! We do. Although we got him from a family friend when she had accidental kittens so he wasn’t a rescue. Ours is incredibly people orientated, much more like a dog than a cat in behaviour terms, amazing with the kids and just wants to be with us all the time. We adore him.

Although be warned, they hunt!

Our neighbours had a rescue bengal. It killed a local cat, sent our elderly lady to the vet after it went for her and wouldn’t let go (had to get the hosepipe on them) It was fearless, aggressive, dominant, and ultimately was rehomed after we and many others complained.

My friend has Bengals. Loves them to bits but endless gut problems.

That's awful @NewNameNoelle :(

I wonder if that sort of horrific behaviour is more associated with those closer to the original cross?

There does seem to be a variety of experiences and I wonder if it is something to do with the genetics. Either way, it seems a bit pot luck ...

Don’t. Or at least foster for a short while.

They are not the best with other cats, very demanding, can be aggressive, the list goes on. We had one and it was the most irritating cat in the world, unfortunately. The only cat I (at some points) really actively disliked.

I would never rehome one to a house with cats already in the territory.

Pot luck, ours was a rescue.

I think they definitely do best as the only cat in a house! Or with another bengal.

Yes, they do like to be top cat.

Our next door neighbour had a bengal. It endlessly attacked our moggies. They need huge territories and are best miles from other cats. Be warned!

I have a Bengal, but an indoor cat. She has to be separated from my other cat. Lovely with people but an absolute terror with other eats.

Soo territorial. She would be a menace to the local cat and bird population.

Have had bengals for 25+ yrs, mine didn’t go-out laterly and have all been loving amazing cats. Last one that passed away was 22 yrs old!

The only one I knew completely terrorised local moggies, killed two pet rabbits belonging to a neighbour, and bit the owners' dog so badly he needed stitches, he was terrified in his own home. Many neighbours complained until he mysteriously disappeared. I hate to think what someone did to him, but everyone was glad he'd gone. I don't know why, after thousands of years domesticating cats, someone added vicious wild animals back into the mix.

My son has a Bengal cat. He got it from a work colleague who's marriage broke up and they both had to rent and neither allowed to keep the cat in rental. The cat is most likely older than me D's was told. It loves my son and his gf and will sit on them the whole weekend if allowed. He won't tolerate other cats though. A kitten of about 5 months made it's way through his cat flap and he trapped it and wouldn't let it leave. The kitten was terrified when my son got home from work and took it back to his neighbour. Kitten now runs away if Bengal goes out into son's back yard. Other local cats seem terrified of it. He's a neutered male and not even that big but very slick and lean. He hunts mice and occasional birds despite wearing a collar with a bell and having food available to him at all times. He is ultra territorial but doesn't go far from his own back yard or front door. He must be 9 or 10 by now because he's on meds for arthritis. DS was told he was 3 when he got him but I think he was more likely 7. My son loves him to bits and the cat is extremely loving and so vocal. He makes noises I've never heard a cat make before. Also son leaves a bit of water in his sink for him because he likes to play with the water and paddling.

Bengal cat owner here! Ours is allowed outdoors, but only because we live next to open fields, in a safe village cul-de-sac.

Temperament wise, ours is loving and gentle. He is very laid back with the children, takes a polite but discerning interest in guests, and enjoys playing but also appreciates his sleep.

Health is my only concern. Ours is four years old, and was diagnosed last year with a minor heart murmur (a common genetic problem with the bengal breed), so may require further investigations down the line. Otherwise, he's very happy and a much loved family member!

I wouldn’t. They are beautiful but so much work and not prone to getting along with other animals.

Having had multiple cats/pets doesn’t matter, they’re a total different experience.

A lady from work has a 3 year old Bengal and her older cat (10+). No amount of slow introductions, training, treats, bribes, crying could get the Bengal to adapt to the older cat. The poor old boy is relegated to upstairs while the Bengal has destroyed everything he can get his claws into on the ground floor. It’s not nice/fair for either cat.

My friend had one. It was quite fun to be around and hunted everything that moved! But a nightmare when left alone. Peed on anything new that came in the house. Also scared the crap out of all the cats in the neighborhood. So many complaints that they had to keep it inside which made it even madder.

I think they need very good training or something!

Only do it if you have a cat proofed garden because if it turns out to be like many Bengals your neighbours will hate you . Why is he in rescue anyway is it because his current owners can’t cope ?

We have a 3 year old bengal female. She is an outdoor Cat and a prolific hunter but we live rurally and have chickens so this isn't necessarily a bad thing as she helps control vermin. She doesn't like other cats and is certainly more dog -like than cat. She is pretty robust and doesn't wander far but likes to guard her territory.

If you have two resident cats already then no, I don't think this is a good she's.

Having scrutinised the pics I think it's unlikely he is pure Bengal which is a good thing. His coat is unusual and pretty but not trad Bengal and the colours dilute ( I think that is the right term)

I have made it clear to rescue he is going back if it doesn't work and they have agreed so I can look upon it as an extended foster I suppose.

He is about 12 months and was found wandering at a remote reservoir, having been dumped, I imagine.

I am going to see him tomorrow with a friend and NOT taking a cat basket.

I have made it clear if after extended intros and precautions he bullies or hurts my ladies that is a deal breaker.

I live in a country village also, and have about half an acre of ( mostly) secure garden. Should have mentioned that to start with.

Also a large pond. I will probably need to safeguard the fish somehow...

My neighbour has a half bengal.

I have a microchip cat flap, and have paid about £750 on vets bills since it started going out. I've now got a cat razor and hibiscrub, and frisk them for wounds on a regular basis which has cut down the vets bills but not the attacks.

I’ve known several bengals now, some of which existed happily with other cats.

they are amazing hunters (one cleared out the neighbours koi carp pond!)

I’d recommend ear plugs - they are bloody noisy.