Should I get a Bengal cat?

walwin

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I also believe strongly in rescue but love Bengals, it would be the only breed I'd seriously consider.

Believing in rescue doesn't preclude Bengals.

Not usually kittens but adults who are in need of a loving forever home.

Several rescues here http://www.catchat.org/adoption/pedigree.html

Fridaycat

Well.... I might be a bit biased but my answer to your question would be a resounding YES!!

I have Bengal twins, a brown and a snow (Spot and Lula) - thanks for sharing their FB page, walwin :j

We live in a rural area and they are allowed free rein outdoors, but they do wander further than most other cats if allowed outdoors, so we are considering trying to cat proof some of our garden, so if you can do that easily, I would recommend it.

I could talk about Bengals for pages and pages - mine have no ounce of aggression, they are talkative, intelligent, fun and of course beautiful. But they also demand your attention and although affectionate, enjoying a lovely tummy rub, very few are lap-cats. They can be destructive if they get bored.

If you want to know anything specific, please let me know :T

Fire_Fox

walwin wrote: »

Believing in rescue doesn't preclude Bengals.

Not usually kittens but adults who are in need of a loving forever home.

Several rescues here http://www.catchat.org/adoption/pedigree.html

Great minds or fools seldom? Read post 5! :rotfl:

Fridaycat

catkins wrote: »

Firstly, it seems that they are normally kept as indoor cats. This would be impossible as we have a cat flap and unless the weather is cold our patio door is always open so our dog can go in and out (dog is absolutely fine with cats). I thought the reason they are normally indoor cats is because of the fear of them being stolen but yesterday I was reading that they can be very vicious and have been known to badly hurt or kill other cats!!! Obviously I don't want anything to happen to my existing cats but also there are quite a few cats in my neighbourhood.

The Bengal that lives near me is allowed out so presumably his owners think or know he is fine. He is quite a smallish Bengal - does that make a difference? I have never spoken to his owners and am reluctant to go knocking on their door to ask about their cat.

Also I read that they often attack their humans and I am not sure I am happy to go down that route again.
Can anyone give me any advice? As much as I would love one I am not going to get one if it is not practical or if there is any chance it may hurt another cat. I realise if I get an older rescue it will most likely have been an indoor cat so that could be a problem and if it is likely to be vicious the owner may well not let on.

If we were to get a kitten it would learn to go out early on and should it show any signs of aggression we could deal with that more easily that with a fully grown cat. We do however feel guilty even thinking about buying a kitten when there are so many cats and kittens in rescue

It is complete tosh that Bengals are vicious, it is a falsehood spread by people who don't know the breed. I'm not saying you won't come across an aggressive bengal ever, if they've not been properly socialised etc., but this can also be said for moggies. One of my moggies often hisses at my Bengals and they just cower and submit.

My bengals have never shown any aggression towards humans either.

As with any cat, you need to ensure they have been socialised properly at a young age and you should not encounter any problems. The "problem' with bengals is that because of their intelligence and their strength, if you do get a bad apple, they can be much more destructive than many other breeds. They are also very vocal and loud. A very tiny minority have therefore managed to tarnish the entire breed's reputation to a lot of uninformed people.

Fridaycat

Just thought I'd share one of our Facebook photos of Spot, our aggressive and vicious Bengal cat :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
(sorry, but I get really sad by the misconception people have of such a beautiful breed )

Fridaycat

And here's his sister, Lula:

topsales

I have 2 Bengal cross males ( Dad is an indeterminate moggie, Mum is a gorgeous Bengal). Both are fab cats to own. I kept them in until they had been neutered at 6 months and, although they are a pair of killers, they love us and our 2 dogs. Wouldn't be without them...

heretolearn_2

My brother has owned one (who looks very like Lola) for quite a few years. Personality - all cats are different anyway. I used to own two moggie brothers from the same litter who were like chalk and cheese, one could be a little bit nasty at times, no reason for it, just their own personalities.

My brother's bengal is a sweet friendly little thing. Quite a lap cat. She goes out no problems.

dizziblonde

I would love one. I used to tutor a little boy who had a siamese and a bengal - and the bengal was a lovely cat, albeit very very clever - he'd sussed out how to open the cupboard containing the cat food when the vet had put him on a diet and I'd regularly end up tutoring with him wedged behind me trying to push me off the chair with his paws so he could have it for himself!

penny_pincha

Bengals have the reputation of being vocal, liking water and climbing (they like to be high apparently). They are a stunning looking breed.