Do Bengal cats not get on very well with other cat species? Will our mixed breed mog hate a bengal x kitten?

Question

Is there any difference between cat species in the way they relate? Do cats of the same species get on better or doesn't it make any difference?

Answer 1

Hi there...actually, Bengal cats prefer the company of other cats and most do get along with cats IF/WHEN the introductions are done correctly as this applies to ANY cats who meet for the first time. However, there are some who are the exception to this rule.

Bengals are a very hyperactive breed of cat well as extremely vocal and loud cats much more than Siamese cats. They are very demanding for attention and interested in everything their owners are doing. They certainly enjoy affection however only on their own terms as they rarely like being held or are lap cats. However, some are an exception to this rule. Ideally, they may not be a good fit for young children, because children want to cuddle and Bengals are far from being such a cat who likes to be restrained. If they are left alone for long periods of time it's best to have the company of another cat or dog, which is preferable or they can be quite mischevious as well as destructive as a result of loneliness and/or from boredom.

Please consider speaking with Bengal breeders before purchasing one because these cats are very demanding in general. Some important information about Bengals. They should never be declawed as it leads to overcompensation with vicious biting since they have larger canine teeth than a typical domestic cat as well inappropriately soiling (urinating/defecating) around the home. Something we have witnessed too frequently with the rescues we take in.

Bengals should never be allowed to roam freely outdoors as they are apt to be stolen and later sold sometimes for profit. However, they will take to leash training easily and it is the safest way to give them some of the outdoor enjoyment.

Many Bengals require a healthier diet of closer to raw as many suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)--loose stools syndrome. Royal Canin 27 is generally what Bengal breeders use to feed their cats since this is highly endorsed with The Int'l Cat Assoc (TICA). There are premium brands such as Innova EVO or Nature's Variety Prairie (see other diets listed below) that help easy the problem with IBS. Any of the cat foods that contains the ingredient corn, corn meal causes severe bowel distresses so it's best to choose cat food products that steer clear of these ingredients.

To learn more about Bengals consider joining the Bengal Chat forum:http://www.chat24.oli.us/hdw/ or http://www.bengalcatforums.com/forums/ .

As a rescuer we always let new Bengal families know if in event there's a time in the future you are unable to keep your bengal perhaps to allergies, medical illness in the family or moving overseas, etc all responsible Bengal breeders WILL take their cats back (no questions asked) as it is their ethical agreement with TICA in the sale of the kittens. There are also Bengal rescuers located all over the world and we are also willing to help with rehoming if necessary. We try to keep Bengals from ending up in the shelters as many euthanize them quickly believing they are a wild cat and not safe as a pet, when in fact they are domesticated since they are four or more generations removed from their wild relative the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC).

Diets for Bengals:
Their diet should consist of very high protein rather than the usual commercial cat food, which contains corn, corn meal and preservative fillers... for example those would be: IAMS, Science Diet, Purina, Whiskas and many others...essentially, anything from the grocery store and pet stores. The reason being is that Bengals commonly suffer from lifelong Irritable Bowel Syndrome so if you live in a large metropolitan city look for a specialty pet store that carries any of the following products to help minimize his bowel distresses:
Innova EVO: http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=product-detail&pxsl=%2F%2Fproduct%5B%40id%3D%271255%27%5D
Nature's Variety Praire:http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1352
California Natural: http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=product-detail&pxsl=%2F%2Fproduct%5B%40id%3D%2772%27%5D
Wellness: http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/wellness/cat_wellness_dry_index.html
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul: http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/products/cats/
Life's Abundance: http://www.healthypetnet.com/HealthyPetNet/Products/ProductList.aspx?Ath=False&realname=&hdr=&cat=0&category=Cat_Food&MSCSProfile=983BB0CC620F5E6D12FBA82E235A475624577FCF75A8EEAA1E131E2B76562580B3553800B0CD9F7307B24B55EA7754EB1585AEC7F0E7343EC3386BFA70B031C35A651344BBA27824CF73B04C60DCC5F345A7B6FC945A92BF927545270ECE37389C4498BC6902DD5B9C2C11928EF59A7870CDF1746F864BA17B9A7BBC1B1DFB57.

Answer 2

Seattle is perfectly right. Properly introduced they should get along fine. Though of course it does depend on the cats concerned as well.

My Siamese were about four & two years old when I introduced a Bengal cat to the household. Things were fine really, a few hisses & raised fur at first (on the part of the Siamese - the Bengal was so laid back about everything) & they've got on fine ever since.

It's true though that Bengals are often noisier & naughtier than Siamese. Even a cross is likely to be the same - depending on what it's crossed with. I also have Serengeti cats - which is a cross Bengal - they are not quite such a handful as the Bengals can be - though they also follow me everywhere, hate to be left out of things & have learned to open the fridge. Hmm. So you have to be prepared that you are probably getting more than 'just a cat' when you adopt a Bengal.

As for getting along - mine get along fine most of the time but any argy bargy seems to be mostly between the Bengals ... except for Zo the Serengeti, who when he is in a particular mood, likes to play chase - which is fine unless one of the others doesn't want to be chased! But there is no hate at all involved, ten minutes later they're all curled up together, grooming each other.

Take your introductions slow, read up about it on the internet (there are loads of websites out there - see below) & make a fuss of your existing cat ... hope that things go well.

Answer 3

Its possible that he has some Bengal or Ocicat in the background. The markings are pretty dramatic. Usually tabby domestic shorthairs don't have those type of bold dark markings with the stripes and spots. The body/head don't look Bengal looking and almost look more Ocicat looking. But the markings are more of a Bengal then an Ocicat. You could call him a Bengal mix if you want. Technically he's a brown mackerel tabby domestic shorthair. You might consider showing him in the household pet classes in shows - I'm sure he would do well. He has to be neutered and not declaw to show him.

Answer 4

I have a Bengal female who is 4 yrs old and I got a tabby kitten when she was 2 yrs old. She was and still is a little wild with my male tabby but for the most part they get along. I believe it's in the Bengal's nature to be aggressive towards other cats.

Answer 5

Bengals are great cats, but don't tend to get along with other domesticated breeds. If you would like some more information on the check out: http://www.uniqueprintscattery.com/Bengalsanddogs.htm

Check out the bengals and dogs section! It's so cute!!

Answer 6

Not really, but my bengal is a little bit more agressive than my other cats. Maybe it's the leopard in her.

Answer 7

Bengal's tend to be aggressive with other animals...it should be the only pet in the house.

Answer 8

no they don't get along with DOMESTICATED CATS, they are not the same breed