Bengal Kittens - talk to me
Discussion
Mannginger said:
Big old bump!
I've long been a dog person but I'm away a bit too much during the day to make a dog work I think. My next door neighbours have recently got a couple of cats and, having spent time with them, I'm seeing the appeal of a cat!
We won't be able to have a cat flap (rented) but have a reasonably mature garden with shed and things to climb around so ideally looking for a cat who's happy in a home but also not going to wander off massively when we let them outside. I also don't want them to be too territorial as I don't want to banish the neighbours cats from my garden (they only have decking so like the idea of them exploring around ours)
I am looking for a low-shedding cat with "dog-like" behaviour and 2 breeds keep coming up on search - Bengal and Ocicats. Ocicats seem almost impossible to find so the Bengal looks to be the ideal little beastie.
A few questions from a cat noob:
I am open to having two - is this for best if so is it best to get from the same litter?
Females better than males? Would be neutered either way
I live in sunny Surbiton, is theft a real issue for "breed" cats? If so is it more from crap areas as normal or steal to order type?
Will Bengals be ok being left alone in the house for (vmax) 10 hours on a day? I'd be getting towers to climb and puzzle toys (and as mentioned maybe a second for company)
Are they up for being petted? I miss having a dog to fuss over and don't want a cat that fecks off all the time!
Are they mild-tempered? I'm also not up for a fight every time I need to care for it
How long / hard are they to train? Litter and ensuring my furniture isn't murder-death-killed when I'm away (Yes a scratching post would be on the list!)
How loud and vocal are they? The neighbours cat is a lovely little chap and chatters away but doesn't yowl all night - that's ideal for me (appreciate it's an individual thing but how's the breed generally?)
Cheers in advance
Phil
Think of it from the cat's point of view: you're an athletic and energetic breed. The cheetahs of the cat world.I've long been a dog person but I'm away a bit too much during the day to make a dog work I think. My next door neighbours have recently got a couple of cats and, having spent time with them, I'm seeing the appeal of a cat!
We won't be able to have a cat flap (rented) but have a reasonably mature garden with shed and things to climb around so ideally looking for a cat who's happy in a home but also not going to wander off massively when we let them outside. I also don't want them to be too territorial as I don't want to banish the neighbours cats from my garden (they only have decking so like the idea of them exploring around ours)
I am looking for a low-shedding cat with "dog-like" behaviour and 2 breeds keep coming up on search - Bengal and Ocicats. Ocicats seem almost impossible to find so the Bengal looks to be the ideal little beastie.
A few questions from a cat noob:
I am open to having two - is this for best if so is it best to get from the same litter?
Females better than males? Would be neutered either way
I live in sunny Surbiton, is theft a real issue for "breed" cats? If so is it more from crap areas as normal or steal to order type?
Will Bengals be ok being left alone in the house for (vmax) 10 hours on a day? I'd be getting towers to climb and puzzle toys (and as mentioned maybe a second for company)
Are they up for being petted? I miss having a dog to fuss over and don't want a cat that fecks off all the time!
Are they mild-tempered? I'm also not up for a fight every time I need to care for it
How long / hard are they to train? Litter and ensuring my furniture isn't murder-death-killed when I'm away (Yes a scratching post would be on the list!)
How loud and vocal are they? The neighbours cat is a lovely little chap and chatters away but doesn't yowl all night - that's ideal for me (appreciate it's an individual thing but how's the breed generally?)
Cheers in advance
Phil
Would you be happy to be cooped up in a (no doubt tiny) suburban apartment for 10+ hours a day without free access to a garden to hunt, kill, and scratch?
And what of this garden? Is it surrounded by open country to roam free, or hotly contested as territory by neighbourhood bullies?
Your litter mate (also bored s
tless) will be bugging you in this heat. You're going to relieve your frustrations on your intermittent butler's furniture, curtains and just about everything else. I have heard of cats who pissed in their staff's shoes and handbags, purely out of distress and frustration.
Of course, breeders will attempt to reassure you that all will be just fine. Naturally, since they're trying to sell you a £500+ cat!
I honestly don't think that if you're asking such asinine questions, that you're ready to have a cat. Think of the cat's needs rather than your own.
However if you absolutely must have a cat, contact a rescue centre about re-homing an older model that will mostly sleep all day and not wander too far.
They are not asinine questions.
I wish time and again people would ask questions before taking on some animals. If someone doesn't know the answer they are not stupid questions.
Personally I think Bengals just a fashionable cat to own (not for everyone obviously). Whilst they have character they can also develop some quite intense behavioural issues.
I have to say my heart sinks a bit when a Bengal comes in for treatment as 99% of the time they will become temperamental, difficult to handle, scratchy and extremely vocal. They seem to stress very quickly and easily.
Whilst I can understand wanting to keep them indoors, they really are a breed that likes space and the outdoors. If you are going to keep them in then you will need to invest time, money and imagination on entertaining them.
Two cats is better than one usually esp if you are out at work but Bengals do like human company.
I don't believe they shed any less than a normal cat btw, that is breeder talk!
There is no way you can know how any knee cat will respond to other cats in the area or vice versa (ref the territory thing) but be prepared for some scraps at some point.
Please consider a rescue centre
.
I wish time and again people would ask questions before taking on some animals. If someone doesn't know the answer they are not stupid questions.
Personally I think Bengals just a fashionable cat to own (not for everyone obviously). Whilst they have character they can also develop some quite intense behavioural issues.
I have to say my heart sinks a bit when a Bengal comes in for treatment as 99% of the time they will become temperamental, difficult to handle, scratchy and extremely vocal. They seem to stress very quickly and easily.
Whilst I can understand wanting to keep them indoors, they really are a breed that likes space and the outdoors. If you are going to keep them in then you will need to invest time, money and imagination on entertaining them.
Two cats is better than one usually esp if you are out at work but Bengals do like human company.
I don't believe they shed any less than a normal cat btw, that is breeder talk!
There is no way you can know how any knee cat will respond to other cats in the area or vice versa (ref the territory thing) but be prepared for some scraps at some point.
Please consider a rescue centre
.Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 4th August 23:55
Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 4th August 23:59
Mobile Chicane said:
I honestly don't think that if you're asking such asinine questions, that you're ready to have a cat. Think of the cat's needs rather than your own.
Ugh, bit OTT no? I'm trying to educate myself precisely because I don't want to make a mistake for the animals' sake. Ultimately if the breed isn't right for me then I'll be looking elsewhere. I'm going to speak to some breeders this weekend to further educate myself.At what point does the information I get from folks like you or other on the board, or the people who breed the cats mean I'm not asking asinine questions but am putting myself in a position to make a decision. As I said at the beginning I've always had dogs, not cats so my info gathering has to start somewhere.
I have an Arabian Mau, he is partially blind with FIV but that doesn't stop him from doing anything (jumping up, on, under, over anything and everything).
And bloody hell is he vocal. He has an opinion on EVERYTHING, from my furniture, to the food I buy, to what I watch on TV, from what I do on the laptop, to when I go out, come back in, what I wear...you name it - its commented on.
He is a fast little bugger and tries to escape out of the door but then panics and runs back in.
He is bitey and scratchy when playing but most Mau's are. He also eats for fun, when I rescued him from the vets (that's a whole other story - bloody hate vets now) he was 2 Kg - he is now 7kg but no fat, just pure muscle.
Love him to bits and he sleeps on my head with a paw on my shoulder at night, a proper baby.
I love him even more when he shuts up
Claire
And bloody hell is he vocal. He has an opinion on EVERYTHING, from my furniture, to the food I buy, to what I watch on TV, from what I do on the laptop, to when I go out, come back in, what I wear...you name it - its commented on.
He is a fast little bugger and tries to escape out of the door but then panics and runs back in.
He is bitey and scratchy when playing but most Mau's are. He also eats for fun, when I rescued him from the vets (that's a whole other story - bloody hate vets now) he was 2 Kg - he is now 7kg but no fat, just pure muscle.
Love him to bits and he sleeps on my head with a paw on my shoulder at night, a proper baby.
I love him even more when he shuts up
Claire
I also don't think they were asinine questions
Ok, Bast & Chilli & Pepi are only part Bengal, but they were/are just as happy stuck in the flat (& house) as they were/are playing outside
I say were because Bast & Chilli are dead as a result of playing outside
Pepi is a very happy house cat. He sits & watches the garden & doesn't try to go outside when the door is open (that's Beauty, the blind one's habit!) he knows what's out there & although he enjoyed it, he chooses to stay inside.
But MC is right in that you don't need a 'breed' for personality, domestic shorthairs (the moggy you are most likely to find in a shelter) are just as playful & have as much personality as Bengals. They don't shed much either
As for the bulling if the neighbours cats, introduce them as part of the territory - they'll be fine as kittens coming into the existing cars place, it's the older cars that may be a problem. But introduce them as you would any other cats, so they get used to being in each other's space.
And if you believe that from anyone, more fool you. Cats shed. Cats pee & poo in inappropriate places from time to time (usually this is a sign something is wrong, litter box needs cleaning, they are unwell or as per my old Siamese because you've pissed them off!) Cats cough up hair balls too.
The shelters are full of kittens at the moment, and you will need 2.
But go see what they say
Ok, Bast & Chilli & Pepi are only part Bengal, but they were/are just as happy stuck in the flat (& house) as they were/are playing outside
I say were because Bast & Chilli are dead as a result of playing outside
Pepi is a very happy house cat. He sits & watches the garden & doesn't try to go outside when the door is open (that's Beauty, the blind one's habit!) he knows what's out there & although he enjoyed it, he chooses to stay inside.But MC is right in that you don't need a 'breed' for personality, domestic shorthairs (the moggy you are most likely to find in a shelter) are just as playful & have as much personality as Bengals. They don't shed much either
As for the bulling if the neighbours cats, introduce them as part of the territory - they'll be fine as kittens coming into the existing cars place, it's the older cars that may be a problem. But introduce them as you would any other cats, so they get used to being in each other's space.
And if you believe that from anyone, more fool you. Cats shed. Cats pee & poo in inappropriate places from time to time (usually this is a sign something is wrong, litter box needs cleaning, they are unwell or as per my old Siamese because you've pissed them off!) Cats cough up hair balls too.
The shelters are full of kittens at the moment, and you will need 2.
But go see what they say
Edited by ali_kat on Wednesday 5th August 09:21
OK in for a penny...
We've decided that we are going to go the Bengal route. We met with Barrie at Typhast yesterday who was really helpful and answered a load of our questions. Coupled with a lot of internet research etc has made us happy with that choice. Now we just need to see about finding a local breeder with a pair available. Typhast may but he's waiting on someone to decide if they're in or not. I've also chatted with a couple of others but not been round to see them yet.
I like the idea of Typhast as frankly they're only 7 miles away and their facilities are great but boy they're not at the cheap end! Will keep the thread updated as / when we get them but it won't be until early September at least
Cheers for your thoughts, comments and challenges which made us examine what we're looking for and why
Phil
We've decided that we are going to go the Bengal route. We met with Barrie at Typhast yesterday who was really helpful and answered a load of our questions. Coupled with a lot of internet research etc has made us happy with that choice. Now we just need to see about finding a local breeder with a pair available. Typhast may but he's waiting on someone to decide if they're in or not. I've also chatted with a couple of others but not been round to see them yet.
I like the idea of Typhast as frankly they're only 7 miles away and their facilities are great but boy they're not at the cheap end! Will keep the thread updated as / when we get them but it won't be until early September at least
Cheers for your thoughts, comments and challenges which made us examine what we're looking for and why
Phil
Pay good money, lot of Charlatans out there, claiming they have pure Bengals when they don't and still selling for high amounts.
Patience and being prepared to pay extra for a trusted line and breeder has to be worth it. At the very least ask if they know of anyone you can ask, breeders usually know fellow breeders.
Patience and being prepared to pay extra for a trusted line and breeder has to be worth it. At the very least ask if they know of anyone you can ask, breeders usually know fellow breeders.
OK so we'll be picking these little balls of energy up in early September once we're back from our hols:
A couple of sisters. The silver loves to climb on shoulders and the brown's got such a great face about her. Both really in their fuzzies at the moment but both parents (Silvers) have great markings and are huge!
No names yet, that can wait until we see them for a bit I think. We'll have 6 days to acclimatise them tot he house and us before work kicks in again which should be a decent little break and intro to us. They've been reared in a house already so really used to Hoovers / TVs etc and very happy being handled.
Can't wait but need to do proper shopping and house prep before they descend!
A couple of sisters. The silver loves to climb on shoulders and the brown's got such a great face about her. Both really in their fuzzies at the moment but both parents (Silvers) have great markings and are huge!
No names yet, that can wait until we see them for a bit I think. We'll have 6 days to acclimatise them tot he house and us before work kicks in again which should be a decent little break and intro to us. They've been reared in a house already so really used to Hoovers / TVs etc and very happy being handled.
Can't wait but need to do proper shopping and house prep before they descend!
They are beauitful, I hope they give you many years of love & amusement
Mobile Chicane said:
Great.
Another addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
That's a bit unfair Another addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
Mobile Chicane said:
Great.
Another addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
so how do you advise people to pick their ideal petfriends? We won't all agree on the choice as per the various dogs in my house but often it works well. If peeps are going to choose something, what would you suggest as a vague starting point whether it be shoes, cars or lifelong friends?Another addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
Mobile Chicane said:
Great.
Another addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
Oh give it a restAnother addition to the (sadly) huge number of pet-owners who acquire an animal on the basis of its looks or supposed traits with little or no understanding of its needs in practice.
I've got two and they live indoors too, in a flat, they're happy, they don't trash things, and they're great fun. Loads of them in Surbiton who go out and about, I've not seen any missing signs for bengals, all tabby cats.
I've known more cats run over when I lived in 30 acres in the middle of nowhere than now in suburban London.
Edited by okgo on Friday 21st August 22:40
Mobile Chicane said:
Mannginger was given appropriate advice, but has chosen to ignore it.
His call. His bill when they've either trashed his flat or been squished on the street outside since bengals have no road sense.
Well they look more like long-nosed tabbies to me His call. His bill when they've either trashed his flat or been squished on the street outside since bengals have no road sense.
I admire his enthusisam. At least he has a garden if not a catflap (maybe ask the landlord?)
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 21st August 22:44
We live with two Bengal males, both house cats and they couldn't be happier
They are both house cats because of our location. They don't seem to want to go outside at all, and believe me if they wanted to go outside they would most definitely let us know!!
We got Bengal(s) because SWMBO is allergic to 'cats' and Bengals were/are one of the only breeds that are hypoallergenic and don't seem to trigger any sort of reaction in her
They are both house cats because of our location. They don't seem to want to go outside at all, and believe me if they wanted to go outside they would most definitely let us know!!
We got Bengal(s) because SWMBO is allergic to 'cats' and Bengals were/are one of the only breeds that are hypoallergenic and don't seem to trigger any sort of reaction in her
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