Bengals As Pets

People are usually attracted to the  Bengal cat because of its beautiful leopard like coat.  However, Bengals also have a delightful, sweet, affectionate and inquisitive nature that  quickly captures your heart forever.  But if you are thinking of getting a  Bengal simply for decoration, think again!  The  Bengal is a high energy cat that requires a great deal of attention and affection and they need to be an integral part of the family.  They are very active, curious, smart and almost “dog like” in their nature.  The always want to be in the middle of whatever is going on.  They love people and are very sociable and affectionate with both humans and other pets--especially dogs.  They are not deliberately destructive or malicious but rather just love to have fun and be loved.  They are great pets for children because of their gentle nature and almost endless supply of energy.

The Asian Leopard Cat

To get a better understanding of your  Bengal cat, you must first learn a bit about its ancestor, the Asian Leopard Cat.  This small forest dwelling wild cat is approximately the same size as the average domestic house cat.  They live in a wide variety of environments and make their dens in small caves or hollow trees.  They are not aggressive and will usually flee rather than fight.  They spend much of their time in trees and are excellent climbers.  They often live along rivers are also accomplished fishers and swimmers.  They have been known to eliminate in water in order to cover their scent.  The Asian Leopard Cat is also extremely intelligent.

The  Bengal Cat

These same traits have been passed on to the domestic Bengals of today.  What that means is that your Bengal cat is very athletic and agile and enjoys running, leaping, jumping and climbing to the tallest heights.  That includes the tops of book cases, wall units, cupboards, refrigerators, ledges, shelves or anywhere else within its reach.  They are extremely curious and inquisitive and will  want to investigate everything such as the inside of your drawers, cupboards, dishwasher, grocery bags, purses, backpacks…..you get the idea.  They have very clever minds and learn very quickly how to get into all sorts of places.  Many  Bengal owners have had to put child locks on their kitchen or bathroom cupboards to keep kitty out.   They love to “help” you do all sorts of things such as sweep the floor, tie your shoes, fold the laundry, dust the furniture……  They love computers and will chase the cursor around the screen, play with your fingers as you type, walk across the keyboard under your nose, and run off with pens, pencils,  paper clips, post-it note pads or anything else that’s handy.  They love to watch the printer printing and try to catch the paper as it  feeds.  When they have finished "annoying" you, they will curl up on your lap or beside you on the chair and go to sleep. 

Bengals are also drawn to water--especially when it is running.  They have been known to jump right in the shower with their human family members or play in a tub of water.  Toilets are very attractive for Bengals and they are thrilled  by the rush of swirling water as it flushes.  Some have even figured out how to flush and will do so continuously if allowed.  Some Bengals will play happily in the toilet bowl splashing water everywhere and sometimes falling in.  In such a case, it is best to keep the lid down to avoid messes and a wet kitty running through the house.  They will walk around the edge of the bathtub while you are enjoying a soak and are fascinated by  bubbles. Care must be taken when running hot water in case kitty  gets burned trying to play in the water.  Since the Asian Leopard Cat has been known to eliminate in water, Bengals have sometimes trained themselves to use the toilet rather than the litter box.  So, if you have the time and are up to the challenge, you might want to try toilet training your Bengal.  Of course, if your Bengal likes to play in the toilet water, this may not be an option.  

Bengals love to play.  They love to play with everyone including children and other household pets.  But they can also amuse themselves and they will find all sorts of things around the house to play with.  Owning a Bengal will force you to keep your home tidy because they will play with anything that is left out. If we hang our coat on the wall or lay it on the hall bench rather than putting it in the closet, our cats will jump  at the laces, pull at the buttons or try to climb inside the sleeves.  They love to play with the laces on shoes and will even chew on lovely soft leather dress shoes (like a dog would).  They will pull crumpled papers out of the garbage and bat them around.  Bengals think that earrings or eyeglasses left on a coffee table are wonderful "toys".  It isn’t necessary to buy expensive toys for your Bengal.  Crumpled paper or foil balls are a favorite too and so are ping pong balls.  They also love to play in cardboard boxes and paper bags.  Many love to fetch and retrieve their toys. 

Something else that must be mentioned is their love of plants—whether live or imitation.   They will climb tall tree sized houseplants (tip them over) and play with smaller plants on tables or shelves.  They also love to eat plants and this can be a serious danger to Bengals since many common house plants are poisonous to cats. (Click this plants link for info)   They love to dig in the dirt of your plants and may even decide to us them instead of their litter box if able.  It is a good idea to put rocks on top of the soil to prevent digging.  We have found that if we want to have plants, it’s best to hang them out of kitty’s reach.

To own a Bengal means to understand their unique behavior and may require making some changes in your home.  For example, if you have a lot of nick knacks and valuable collectables sitting on shelves and tables, you may have to relocate them behind glass doors to protect them. You have to expect that your  Bengal will be all over your furniture, coffee tables, beds,  bathroom counters…..  However, you can train them to avoid certain tables and counters for their own protection and yours.  For example, in our home, the kitchen table and counter surfaces where food is prepared or served is OFF LIMITS for kitties.  This is for both sanitary reasons and a protection to the cats.  Hot stoves and sharp knives can cause serious injury.  More information on how to train your cat to avoid certain areas is discussed below.

Bengals and Allergies

Some have said the Bengal cat is "hypoallergenic" since people who are allergic to cats are sometimes able to enjoy the Bengal without discomfort.  Bengals are less likely to cause allergic reactions in some people, but they most certainly can cause reactions in people who are very sensitive to cats.  The reason that some people are able to tolerate the Bengal is due to their short, tight, glittered pelt.  The nature of their fur prevents the build up of allergens on the skin.  The allergens are still there, but in lower levels.  Also, the presence of glitter, unique to the Bengal, appears to be a factor as well.  The more glittered the cat, the less allergenic it tends to be.  So depending on how sensitive a person is, some people with mild cat allergies can co-exist quite happily with the Bengal.  And if your are fortunate enough, you may find that your Bengal will even enjoy taking baths which will further reduce allergens.

The Ugly Fuzzies

Bengal kittens go through a stage called the "FUZZIES".   Some wild cat babies go through this stage since it serves as a camouflage and protection for them.  The fuzzy stage can begin as early as four weeks, and last until the kitten is over three months old.  While in the fuzzies, the kitten’s coat can become very coarse, dull in colour and markings may be less discernable.  Some kittens can be very ugly looking at this time.  Unfortunately this is also the time you will be looking at the kittens and deciding which one to buy.  That’s why it is always good to look at the parents to get an idea of how your cat might look later on.  If you see the kitten (or pictures of the kitten) before the fuzzies start, you can see the flow and type of pattern more clearly.  However, most very young kittens are born spotted and the two toned outlined rosettes “fall out” or develop as the weeks progress.  Some Bengals clear up very quickly and for others it can take several months.  Even then, their coat continues to change--some get lighter and some get darker-- and it may even be a full year before the true colours of their beautiful coat are fully developed.  Below, the 1st photo shows our lovely Janisa at 4 weeks with large black slightly fuzzy spots just starting to "fall out" into two toned rosettes.  Middle photo at 6 weeks shows a still mildly fuzzy Janisa with clearly discernable rosettes.  The last photo shows her at 16 weeks, crisp and clear. 

Care and Training

Since Bengals are such a high energy cats, they need a high quality food that will help them develop and maintain their muscles, bones teeth and coat.  Trying to cut costs by purchasing low quality food will only increase your veterinary bills in the long run.  Clean their food and water bowls daily.   We have found stainless steel bowls to be the easiest to sanitize and keep clean.  Plastic food and water bowls have been known to cause chin acne in cats.  If your cat is on dry food, make sure he is drinking plenty of water.  Bengals need fresh water at least twice a day since water that has been left standing too long will loose its oxygen.  This is one reason why Bengals often prefer to drink directly from a running tap.  Pet drinking fountains help to keep the water fresh longer, but they too need to be thoroughly cleaned and have the water changed regularly.

Another extremely important item is the cat tree/scratching post.  Since Bengals love to jump and climb it is very important to provide them with proper climbing trees.  Make sure they are sturdy and will not tip.  A good cat tree may be expensive but they are worth every penny if they help keep your cat happy and off your wall units.  We have even installed special shelves just for our cats to jump and play on.  Cats need to scratch and require appropriate scratching posts if you want to prevent them from using your carpet or furniture.  (More info on scratching posts below)  Unfortunately, some people choose to have their kitten declawed thinking that this is a simple solution to scratching issues.  NEVER NEVER declaw!!!  It is totally unnecessary and declawing is a serious, extremely painful, surgery that involves amputating the last joint of your cat’s toes.  Bengals especially have large feet and toes and are more seriously affected by declawing than other breeds.  Cats that are declawed may develop secondary physical, emotional, and behavioural complications such as poor balance, insecurity, and biting.  Declawed cats may abandon the use of the litter box since digging can cause pain.  In fact, declawing is now banned in more than 20 countries around the world.  So if you are thinking of declawing your cat, please do your research before you deprive your cat of this very vital part of its anatomy.  (Click for more on declawing).   All of our cats and kittens are trained to use a scratching post and regularly have their claws trimmed.  We handle our kittens feet and extend their claws while cuddling and petting them so that they get used to having their feet handled.  A good time to trim your cats claws is when he is sleeping.  Usually they are too tired to care.  You don't have to trim all their claws in one session.  Break it up over a few hours or even a couple of days.  We find that using human nail clippers works best and gives a quick clean cut.  Another option is to use plastic claw covers called Soft Paws that can be glued to you cats claws.

Also, be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered between 5 - 6 months old.  Mature, unaltered cats may begin to spray (especially the males).  Female cats can also spray and if they go through repeated heat cycles without being bred they could develop serious health problems.  Also, cats that have not been spayed or neutered are often determined to escape through an open door in search of a mate.  Chances are you will not be able to catch him.  Waiting until your cat is mature before spaying or neutering will be more expensive and the surgery may be more difficult (especially in females).  Kittens recovery quickly from surgery with fewer complications.  A spayed or neutered cat makes the best pet.

Leash Training

It is best not to let your Bengal wander around outdoors unsupervised for their own protection.  Outdoor cats are more likely to be injured or killed by cars, or your beautiful Bengal could be stolen.  They are quite happy to be indoors with a sunny window ledge to sit on and watch the world go by.  However, Bengals can be trained to walk on a leash.  First start by putting a harness on your kitten for a short period of time each day while you play with him.  Then attach the leash and hold it while letting kitty wander around.  Don't pull or drag your cat but let him go where he wants so that he does not associate the leash with being dragged or pulled.  Then try standing a few feet in front of your cat with leash in hand and some treats.  Call your cat and reward him when he comes.  When you are ready to take your cat outside for the first time, remember he will be more interested in all the new smells than walking.  Hold the leash and let your cat explore.  Let your cat think he is the one taking you for a walk.  Follow him as he investigates his new surroundings.  Once he gets used to taking you for walks, you can slowly start to change who's walking who.  When kitty starts to wander in a direction you don't want him to go, simply stop and let him go until he is at the end of his leash.  Don't pull him back, but rather let him realize he is at the end of the line and that the only way he can go is back.  You may want to call him and offer treats at this point.  Give a couple gentle tugs at the leash and then wait for kitty to come on his own.  Be patient and give him time to think about it.  You may have to repeat the gentle tugs and calling a few more times.  If kitty still  won't come, pick him up and walk with him in your arms for a bit.  Then put him down and try again.  One word of caution.  Beware of dog owners walking their dogs off leash.  If you see someone coming with a dog off leash, call out to them to restrain their dog and explain why.  We had one unfortunate incident with our kitten Kayti where a dog owner did not restrain his dog and the dog attacked Kayti.  There was a scuffle and by the time we separated them, the dog had a huge bleeding scratch down its nose.  Thankfully, Kayti was not injured but she was terribly frightened by the whole ordeal.

Correcting Undesirable Behavior

Bengals are extremely intelligent and will find ways to communicate their wishes to you.  Sometimes this may result in behaviour that is not acceptable.  Therefore it is very important to try to understand what kitty is trying to tell you and then address the issue rather than punishing him.  Bengals are not malicious, or deliberately destructive.  You must never ever hit your cat!  It is completely ineffective since they do not understand physical punishment.  Rather, they will see this as an aggressive action and you will destroy the trust and security required for a good relationship.  Your cat will remember such an attack and may hold a serious grudge.  Instead, learn why your cat does certain things and then work with your cat to correct any problems.  Here are some common problems and ways to address them:

Scratching Carpet or Furniture:  First of all, it is important to understand that scratching is natural for cats and they do it for a variety of reasons.  Cat's paws have scent glands and scratching is one of the methods they use to mark their territory.  It also provides a much needed means for stretching and works the muscles of the cat's front quarters.  Also cat's scratch to shed the outer layer of their claws.  Finally, cats scratch because it feels good.  Just think how much better you feel after a good stretch first thing in the morning.  You will never be able to make your cat stop scratching, but you can re-direct his scratching to acceptable surfaces.  Here is where the need for an appropriate scratching post comes in.  Cats like rough surfaces and prefer to scratch vertically.  Sisal rope scratching posts are ideal for this purpose.  They love the smell and texture of the natural fibre and it is tough enough to stand up to repeated use.  Most cats are drawn to the sisal naturally and prefer it over carpet or other surfaces. 

The key to getting kitty to use a scratching post is its location.  Cats always like to have a good stretch and scratch upon waking from a nap.  So keep a scratching post in areas where your cat likes to sleep.  If your cat has been scratching carpet or furniture, place a sisal scratching post as close as possible to this spot.  If your cat starts to scratch the sofa or carpet, scruff him at the back of his neck, say "no" firmly and place him at the scratching posts.  Praise him when he uses the post.  You may need to rub a bit of catnip in the scratching post to get his attention. Use a string or teaser toy and run it up the post to get kitty to chase it and climb the post.  Make sure that the post is tall enough for an adult cat to be able to reach up and have a good stretch.  It must be sturdy and not tip over as this will discourage your cat from using it.   Cat trees with sisal posts are a cats dream come true.  Also, try cleaning the area that you don't want him to scratch to remove his scent.  You may have to temporarily cover the area with foil, shelf paper, or special paper ( available in pet supply stores ) to discourage him from using this area.  As mentioned above you can also use Soft Paws to cover your kitties nails during the training period.

Jumping on Counters and Tables:  Bengals love food and they know that wonderful food smells come from counters and tables.  The moment your back is turned, your Bengal will try to jump up and taste what's cooking.  Not only is having a Bengal on the counter while you are cooking unsanitary, it could also be dangerous.  Many cats have been burned by a hot stove or hot steam and been cut by sharp knives.  There are several different ways of letting kitty know that this area (or some other area you choose) is off limits.  You could grab him by the scruff of his neck, like his mother would, and give a firm "no" in his face to let him know this is unacceptable behaviour.  Having a water bottle handy and giving your Bengal a good spraying is also effective.  It may take some time, but eventually your Bengal will learn that certain areas bring unpleasant consequences and will avoid them.  Each Bengal is unique and will respond differently to these methods.  It also helps to feed your cat just before you begin preparing or serving food so that they will be less interested in yours.  Also, when finished in the kitchen, keep your counter and table clean and do not leave out food for kitty to smell.

Litter Box Problems:  Bengals kittens are trained to use the litter box long before you bring them home.  However, the stress of being in a new home, and separation from mom and siblings may cause a minor set back.  When you first bring your kitten home, confine him to a small room with food and litter box until he us using it consistently.  Young kittens need to have the litter box nearby until they get their bearings.  Don't expect them to find a litter box tucked away under your basement steps.  Chances are, they were used to having a litter box in the same room with them before coming to your home.  Start by having the litter box nearby and then move it to a preferred location once your kitten knows it's way around your home. 

There are numerous reasons for litter box avoidance.  It could be due to a medical problem.  A veterinary examination may be necessary.   Bengals insist on a clean litter box and it should be scooped daily and cleaned and disinfected regularly.  Some cats hate covered litter boxes or scented litter.  Some are very picky about the type of litter used.   Some like to have more than one litter box.  If your cat has reached sexual maturity and is not spayed or neutered he or she could be spraying and marking its territory.  It could also be a territorial dispute with another pet.  Switching foods suddenly can cause diarrhea which can also result in "accidents".  Always introduce new food gradually and mix the new food with the old, increasing the ratio of new food, over a week or two, to allow the cats digestive system to adjust. 

If your cat should eliminate somewhere other than the litter box, he or she is trying to tell you something.  If failure to use the litter box persists, you many need to do some research to figure out what kitty is trying to tell you.  (click here for links to several articles on litter box problems)

Conclusion

There is so much more that can be said about Bengals as pets, but hopefully you will have read enough by now to know whether or not a Bengal is right for you.  If you are horrified by some of the things you have read here, please decide against purchasing a Bengal in the first place.  On the other hand if you have found this information amusing and think you might like to enjoy experiencing the antics of the Bengal for yourself, you will never regret your decision to own one of these amazing and unique cats.  In fact, many first time Bengal owners are so delighted with their cats antics and gentle nature, they decide to get another one.  If you think one Bengal is fun, just imagine what two together are like.  My husband always says, " You don't need TV when you have Bengals".

More information on Bengals as pets can be found at:  TIBCS Bengal Pet Corner

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