Bengal Cat?

Question

Are bengal cats good pets?

will they fight if i get two Bengal kittens?

Is it true they can grow up to be 22 lbs? (if so,. good)

how are they around kids? 5-6 year olds)

Answer 1

Hi Aaron...actually, Bengal cats can be great house pets. They 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.

The average weight of a Bengal cat is 10-12 pounds for females and 15-18 pounds for males. 22 pounds is not common for a Bengal cat unless they are overweight which presents another host of health problems.

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. In some regions the Bengal cat is outlawed as a pet so be sure to check with your local humane society in your region to learn if they are legal. Georgia, Hawaii and a few other states have banned Bengal cat ownership.

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 and/or California Natural: http://www.naturapet.com/
Nature's Variety Praire: http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1352
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

Good Bengal breeders within the cat fancy have done a lot of work to create a wild looking cat that is actually very domesticated. As an exhibitor the main differences I've noticed about Bengals (compared to my own breed) is that they are very active and much more vocal. Whole boys (not neutered) are bad for spraying, too. Other than that, they are just very beautiful pets. Look for a registered breeder who has referrals. Do lots of research and I know you'll find a pet you will love. Yes, I've seen *some* children handle *some* Bengals at cat shows with no problems.

Check out www.tica.org for more information on the breed and links to breeder websites.

Answer 3

Ok lets get rid of the CFA stuff that is their rule and thats how its been for years. Tica and U.F.O. both allow Bengals in for showing. I'm sure there are others around the world that allow Bengals.

I have seven bengals not all are vocal I have 4 that are. They do fine with kids as long as the kids are nice to them. I have 3 sibilings one mother daughter pair and 2 non related bengals. Now I didn't get them all at the same time and in the begining there was fighting but it goes away. If you get 2 kitties at the same time there shouldn't a issue. My largest Bengal weighs 16 pounds. I have talked to breeders who have had 28 pound Bengals. IMHO Bengals make great pets they are very smart and full of energy.

Answer 4

I was just at a cat show this past weekend and they had a LOT of Bengals there. None looked like they were anywhere near the size of 22 pounds (Maine Coons get that big, so do Ragdolls, but very few other breeds do). I think 12-15 pounds is standard for Bengals.

One thing was very apparent though---Bengals are NOISY! The kittens yelled, the youngsters yelled, and the adults yelled at top volume. I've had a Siamese before for years, but these cats could beat him in a yelling contest, so you may want to be aware of their vocal tendencies!

Answer 5

I really dont think a Bengal would be the best breed for you! They can be quiet nasty towards other cats, they are VERY energetic and demand alot of time and attention. Alot of bengals suffer with dodgy tummys too. Why not pop along and get a cat from your local shelter ?

Answer 6

I chose to breed bengal because of they make the most amazing pets, if they are well bred and socialized.
Also, beauty and type are what draw people to bengals, but I would ask about personality. You probably want the one that just melts in your hands like a baby, lays on their back and enjoys all the attention you can dish out.

Because of their outgoing personalities, they are frequently placed as therapy pets. At night my four are so quiet, but they share their love around so that everyone thinks they slept in their bed. They let the kids hold them and rub their faces against them while they fall asleep. You can get them on a regular schedule of waking with your alarm clock. Mine bring toys to my bed when it goes off. Then they are ready for a couple mile walk on a leash or play time with jump toys. There are times when they are so friendly that I have to shut my study door to keep them off the keybaord, but mostly they curl up in the small of my back while I work. My bengals give my sheltie a run for her money when playing fetch.

As far kids go...bengals are so loving and attentive. It is funny how when my daughter skins her knee, her kitty hears her cry, and runs to her to make sure she is OK. She also comes when we snap. They like to jump and play and can usually last as long s the kids. One our last boys went to a home with children 2-11 years old. The baby pats him and likes to share her toys. They tell me he is doing really well and the perfect addition to their family.

Noise....Those that are not spayed or neutered can be quite loud, although they don't speak as frequently as a Simese. In a show setting the majority of the cats are not fixed and many of the girls are in heat. That makes all the boys extra loud.

For Size: You are more likely to see bengals ranging from 12-15 pounds for females and 15-18 pounds for a males. Some are smaller, most have more length to their bodies than other cats. From front paw to back a number of my girls will stretch 36 inches or more.

If you get 2: When a family tells me that they will have to have petsitters frequently, 2 is what I would recommend either that or a dog companion. They don't really like to be alone for long hours. They miss you, then they get board and get into things... a lot like a dog. They will roll and play fight some. Of the families that I have placed 2 with, one is usually more outgoing and they talk back and forth. Usually the husband likes one more and the wife the other...

I miss them playing if I don't have 2 around. Here is a link to some other Bengal Q&A in case you are interested: http://www.belrouge.com/q_and_a.htm I think it is really good if you can go to the breeder and meet the kitten. If you are in the Atlanta area, I would be happy for you to meet mine.

Answer 7

I have one. Hes about a year and a half old. Hes not too full size yet. But I'm not sure how big he will get.
I dont think they will fight each other if you get 2. Otherwise, how else would they breed?
Mine is generally a good cat. No different from my regular cat. He is a little more active, but hes young too.
He is great with my kids who are 3 and 5. He plays well with them. He is very tough. Meaning he wrestles with my dog. My dog will pick him up and throw him and he loves it. comes back for more. Of course, the dog is just playing, and would never hurt the cat.
Do your research on them. But in my experience, they are no different from regular cats.

Answer 8

A lot of people on here said they are wild and unfriendly, but bengals are very friendly and playful. Especially around kids. The Savannah however, (which is closely related to the bengal) is the one that's not very friendly and more wild.

Answer 9

there is someone that has a savannah which is very similar to the bengal...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_(cat)

he brings it into petsmart all the time.. he says it's kind of like a little tough dog in a cat body.. it is always good with kids in the store, but you can tell it is very much a one owner animal..

Answer 10

bengals are generally pretty wild cuz they were made by crossing asian leopard cat and domestic cat, they like water and are not lap cats. it matters if u want a quiet cat or more of a rowdy cat i think they grow pretty big and about the kids, it is the kids who have to make sure they treat them well. there wild lineage is the reason most cat fancies wont recognize them only T.I.C.A does