Does anyone own a bengal cat as a pet?

Question

I am wondering how bengal cats are with children? I had a domestic cat once and when I woke up in the middle of the night to check on my daughter, the cat was laying on her neck. The vet said something about them needing the oxygen. It really scared me. I have heard that bengals are very different than regular domestic house cats. If any one can help it would be great. Thanks

Answer 1

I have a male, neutered bengal cat just over 1 year old. He is not a 'lap' cat and requires play-time type of attention - so they may be great for a child - mine loves his long plastic wand with a big feather at the end of it... also the small balls with the tennis-ball type covering on it; corks; small limbs from trees; will sit and push a toy back at you for a long time. He likes his own sleeping spot; on my computer chair; and is never agressive even when I am playing a bit rough. No biting or scratching from him. He is very affectionate at times wanting to clean my hands. He loves drinking water out of the tap in the bathroom - and will tell you so when he wants it.

Answer 2

My parents have two cats, one of which is a bengal (seventh generation) and I lived with him until I moved away for college. He meows A LOT, and demands a lot of attention. He also has a very sensitive stomach which comes with the breed. He sheds moderately so grooming is not too bad as long as you keep up with brushing weekly. HE IS VERY TERRITORIAL. Although he was fixed when he was a kitten, he will still mark his territory if a stray cat comes anywhere near the house that he knows of. My parents have a screened in patio and pool area that they allow the cats to go out on. If a stray cat comes anywhere near the house, he will begin spraying for at least a day. Also, when the other cat got sick, the bengal began attacking him. The two cats have lived together almost all their lives and yet as soon as the other cat showed signs of weakness, the bengal was ready to kill him. We had never seen the bengal exhibit such harsh behavior before and had to seperate them while the other cat got over his illness. After the other cat was all better the two resumed their close friendship of sleeping together and following each other around with no signs of hostility. Bengals are beautiful cats and can make great pets. If you have any other pets in the house though and they become ill, just be sure to keep an eye on the bengal. Good luck!

Answer 3

I actually found a bengal/savannah/domestic hybrid as a stray at one point.. I kept the cat after not finding the owner.. (I searched very hard)..

This cat was great with me.. great with my best friend, great with my best friend's daughter, and great with my roomate's daughter (one was a year old the other was 4) But, this cat choose who she liked, so there is NO guarantee. she hated everyone but those I mentioned.. including my roomate..

She was smart, she was sweet as can be to those she liked.. but could be a holy terror to those she didn't.

One day when I went to work my room mate sold her.. and lied about it.. ( I know for a fact she did it, but I didn't know who it was to.. )



And yeah.. that story about the cat needing the oxygen is garbage.. when I was a baby my mother had a tiny schnauzer (seeing the pics I'm tempted to call it a "toy".. but that is not a classification that is relevent to the breed) that would sit on my face as I slept. The dog wasn't trying to steal my breath, nor was she trying to kill me.. she wanted to be close.. and liked hearing people breathe. .. my mother could not break the habit so for my safety found a new home for her, but it's not something an animal needs to survive.

Answer 4

Bengal cats can take a great deal of interest in running water and often don't mind getting wet. Most Bengal owners have stories about their cat's affection for running water or even jumping in a sink or tub. Bengal cats commonly play games with their owners, such as "fetch" and "hide-and-seek." Bengals also vocalize to communicate with their humans.

Additionally, Bengal cats are very high-energy, intelligent, and curious, and so are particularly interactive with their human housemates, wanting to be in the middle of whatever the human is engaged in, and often following the human around the house as household chores are performed. However, while friendly and with very distinctive personalities, Bengals aren't really "lap cats." (There are exceptions, but most prefer being petted or played with to being held.) The best way to bond with a Bengal kitten is to play with it for at least half an hour every morning and every evening (and they need to be taught what is acceptable play behavior like any young animal).

As their activity and play requirements are high, this is not a cat best left to its own devices for long periods of time as they can be quite mischievous and destructive when bored. If an owner is likely to spend much of the day away from the cat, it is an excellent idea to have another high-energy feline companion to occupy the Bengal. Bengal cats are quite capable of jealousy and spitefulness if they feel that another feline is getting more attention, or if they are being ignored.

Answer 5

Bengals make the greatest pets. Yes they have high energy.and really love to play. I have a clouded snow leopard bengal,and she is my girl. She knows when I hurt, and she sleeps right next to me.
But I do advise when choosing a bengal, bring the kids with you. That way you will know if the mix is right. Also you want a
Bengal that comes to you.
I hope this helped you out.

Answer 6

Your vet never said anything like that!!! If they did, report them and find a new vet!!!
Of course cats need oxygen. So do you. Things that BREATHE AIR need oxygen. Cats lay on people because they are WARM.
And when people EXHALE, they give off CARBON DIXOIDE!!! NOT oxygen!!!! So unless the cat needed CO2, that is bunk. Just a myth.

I HAD a Bengal. It would attack anyone for ANY reason. Thank GOD we had it before we had kids, because it would not have lasted as long as it did. NASTY cat. They can be a LOT more agressive than your typical cat.

Answer 7

dont believe what other people say i own one myself and sure there not lap cats but they can and will make awesome pets mine is almost one year old and she loves being around people

Answer 8

think of them like cats on steroids. bigger, faster, more hyper. if it's well socialized as a kitten, then no problem. if you end up with one that's a little stand-off-ish, just be aware that a cat that is easily spooked is more likely to take a swipe at you.

also, bengals are more likely to shred your furniture.