Frequently Asked Bengal Kittens and Cats Questions

Does a bengal kitten or cat make a good house pet? 

Is a Bengal Cat right for me??? Will a Bengal make a good house pet??? This is a very common question most people ask when thinking about a Bengal as a pet.  As with wanting any animal, whether it be a cat, dog or any other pet, it is always best to do a lot of research prior to that commitment. Sometimes people will simply be taken with the exotic look of the Bengal which is completely understandable. And without doing any bit of research first, they will then set out on an impulse buy simply based on the looks of this beautiful cat. But the truth of the matter is a Bengal cat may not be for everyone. Although many people that get a Bengal wind up being  very happy with their new addition, they also realize beforehand all the traits that come with their new family addition. I always urge everyone to do their homework prior to any commitment. This is only fair for all parties involved. Especially the kitty,  who would unfairly have to be re-homed simply because a new owner did not do their research prior to their commitment.

BENGAL PROS:

Yes, a Bengal can make a very good house pet. Bengals do have a lot of very good traits that people love about them. They are extremely intelligent and also very faithful companions once bonded to their owners.  They may follow you around from room to room just to be with you. Just to see what you are up to or doing, and to simply be by your side.  Bengals want to be a part of your world no matter what even if you are just simply folding the laundry. Bengals may even greet you at the door and some even wag their tails like a dog would. They have been known as the dog with a “cat face” simply because their personalities can be more canine in that respect. Some Bengals wind up becoming very chatty and will hold whole conversations with their owners. If you wind up with a chatty one just be prepared to be scolded in their cat language when you come home, simply for leaving them behind for so long.  Many do miss their owners when gone and they will let you know this as well with many head butts.  

Because they are so intelligent Bengal cats can be easily trained. They can quickly learn to play fetch and retrieve with their owners if you put time repeatedly into playing with them. Most Bengals also like water, so some may wish to even join you in the shower and jump in. Also, because they are intelligent it is easy for them to learn and modify behavior if you are consistent with them.  They can be very quick learners.  Once you realize that you will be getting a highly active cat that wants to be a part of your world like a dog would then a Bengal most definitely is the right choice for you or your family.  Those that know ahead of time what they are getting are very happy with their choice of a Bengal cat. Many have even said, “Once I got a Bengal I will never go back to a regular cat.”

BENGAL CONS:

A Bengal can be a very active cat and very playful sometimes wanting constant attention. They also can be very energetic as well and like to run, jump, and play. They are most definitely considered “high energy” cats and like a lot of stimulation and playtime.  And when they are in their “play mode” there is no off switch underneath. They also love being up high and jumping so you want to have a lot of high cat trees and posts for them to jump to. For those who have a home with a lot of fancy knick knacks or as some may call “gitchee-goos” on high shelves or fancy things, you may want to put them away. A Bengal may not be for you. If a person is expecting a kitty that is a laid back passive couch potato that will sit there looking pretty when company visits you may want to consider a different breed such as a Persian or Rag doll. This most definitely is not a Bengal.

Bengals also are very big “foodies”, they will want whatever it you are making for breakfast, lunch, or dinner no matter what that is. And being as intelligent as a Bengal is, you can almost see their wheels turning in their head as to how they can get what you have the minute you turn your back in the kitchen. Do not expect to take steps to the fridge for the pickle jar leaving that turkey sandwich you were making for lunch on the counter behind you, it just may grow fuzzy legs and run out the door in the 2.3 seconds it takes you at that fridge.  And if so, you will not get it back. Lol!  

Bengals do well with other pets in the home. If you have a home where the Bengal is the only pet just be aware when you are gone, and missed by them they may get you back by making their own fun. They may unfurl the toilet paper (hopefully when there is no shortage at the market), or pull out some pots and pans from lower cabinets in your home.  They may hide your clothing or underwear and carry it around with them, simply because it smells like you and “Heck you left me home”.  But in my mind, this would be no different that even a dog may do should you be gone for the day. If you are seeking a less energetic kitty that demands less attention from you, or will be more independent from you then perhaps a Bengal may not be the right choice.  

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Are Bengal cats/kittens hypoallergenic?

While it is a true statement to say that Bengals are “least likely” to cause allergies when compared to an ordinary house cat, there is actually no scientific studies done to date that can prove or conclusively claim this as fact.

Although it is a true statement to say that many people that have known allergies have ascertained that they do not seem to have any adverse reactions to the Bengal.

One reason for this is because a Bengal has what is called a “pelt” rather than the courser hair or fur of an ordinary kitty. Their pelt is very lush and has a low knap which is in most cases less than a quarter inch in length. To rub your hands through a Bengals coat feels like touching crushed velvet. It has a very luxurious feel to it. This type of coat does not create the same dander that a cat with regular coarser hair would.

Any reaction is actually to a small, lightweight protein called FEl d 1. This protein can be found not only in a cat’s dander, but also their urine, and saliva as well. Because of the Bengals diet intake and self grooming habits they are more likely to have less of this reactive protein. This may be the reason many people with known allergies find that they do not seem to react to the Bengal. Although this lack of reaction is not 100% fool proof in all cases.

My own personal opinion on this term “hypoallergenic”, is that no one should coin the term as a Bengal being exactly that. This sort of offers a promise to the potential new owner that they will in fact not have a reaction to a Bengal. So in short, there is no substantial proof to back up this claim.  Some people have even chosen to use this term right on their websites as pitch to entice visitors into considering a kitten. My personal thoughts are that this opens themselves up into a claim that may not be truthful in all cases.

There may come a day when someone acquires a kitty simply based on this statement/promise simply because they believe it to be true and…  “Heck it was posted on their website” so it should be true.  Should this occur it would be very sad for all parties involved especially the kitty if the new owner realizes they do in fact have a reaction after acquiring one.

*How would all parties involved with the Bengal be affected should allergies exist?

• • The new family that by this time has now developed a bond with the new addition to the home and realizes they still have an existing allergy now would have to either return it or work with the party they got the kitty from to re-home it.
  • The breeder more than likely would in most cases offer to take it back or help with the re-homing. Should they offer to take it back, the breeder to exercise on the side of caution for infection control purposes (because all homes contain both good and bad bacteria) would now have to place the very confused kitty into an isolation area, simply because immediate socialization with the existing resident cats in the home could cause an issue health wise if they are not contained, monitored, and evaluated. Isolation is a proper infection control measure.

• The Bengal kitty sadly would be the most affected in this scenario. Not only did the Bengal go through the transition in getting use to a new home, a new family, and the stress of this in itself. Then only to have to be uprooted yet again to either another new home, or a return to the home they just left. Think of the confusion if you were this little kitty. All this simply because the new family could’ve taken some preventative measures prior to acquiring.

*What are preventative measures before acquiring a Bengal kitty if you have allergies?

My best advice I give before someone with allergies inquires on a Bengal kitty has always been to be proactive. Test yourself or your family member beforehand. How you would do this is to pick up a brand new pillow case at the store and visit someone that has a Bengal cat.  Should you not live within a close proximity to the breeder, you can always reach out on a free site to locate someone. Social media sites such as facebook within the cat or Bengal groups to locate someone near you that owns one.

What you would then want to do is to rub the new pillow case thoroughly all over the coat of the Bengal cat. Be sure to do this really well and drop it into a zip lock freezer bag until you return home. Then have the family member that has the allergies to test themselves by sleeping on the pillow case overnight. You will have a guaranteed answer by morning.

Personally I have found this method to be tried and true. Also a way to be proactive for anyone thinking of getting a Bengal that has suspected allergies. This being fair to all the parties involved in the placement especially the Bengal kitty.

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Is Declawing Bad??

This is a topic that should be addressed with all new kitten owners. There seems to be many misconceptions in itself with the surgery/procedure being offered by many vets. What many new cat owners do not realize about declawing is not only the severity of the surgery itself but also the risks that can come along with it. The information below will help with understanding and the reality and truths of this surgery. I urge all new pet owners to research this topic and understand it in full.

A Basic lack of knowledge:

Most new pet owners without having done any prior research about the declawing procedure being done seem to immediately opt for this surgery without any afterthought. Most think it is as a simple procedure in the nail being removed from the pet, when in reality it is anything but. All most pet owners know is that they are going to protect their homes, furniture and belongings no matter the cost from any damage a new kitty may cause them. Without having any prior knowledge, and fully understanding anything about this procedure. This lack of knowledge as to the level of pain their pet will endure. Nor, understanding the high risks of infection which could lead to septicemia in the blood stream. A kitty still needs to use their litter pan even while bandages are on during the healing stage and with unhealed open wounds underneath those bandages can allow bacteria to enter the blood stream. Should it lead to a septic infection it could fester in the blood stream for even a very long length of time before the pet owner may even know something is wrong and by then it could be too late. Septic infection just like in people, can also become fatal even in animals.

The misconception of the Declawing Surgery:

Addressing the surgery itself is important because as I mentioned above there is a great misconception of this procedure by many pet owners. In their mind they think it is simply removing the nail from the nail bed and that is simply not the case. Imagine having your finger placed into a guillotine (like one of those dime store magic tricks from the old days except this one is the real deal) and then allowing someone to remove the last digit on your hand. This is the part where the knuckle bends.

 

How painful would that be on a human? Now think of this being done to each of your cats paws and then how they would have to walk or support their weight to simply stand up, eat, or use their litter pan. The bacteria in a litter pan can seep into the fresh wound through the bandages and into the blood stream while it is still healing. This surgery not only brings with it great pain, but also the risk of septic infection. A septic infection if not discovered early on (and sometimes there may be no signs immediately) can result in death if left undiscovered and treated. A good article to read would be: https://www.globalanimal.org/2015/11/10/the-painful-truth-about-declawing-what-your-vets-arent-telling-you/

Why Cats claws are essential:

Many caring and ethical breeders do not want any of their babies or adults to go through this procedure or endure the torture of the pain that comes with it. This surgery not only takes away their only line of defense should heaven forbid they ever get outside by mistake through a ripped window screen or open door. They would not even be able to climb a tree to escape a large dog or wild animal chasing them. My thoughts are that no animal should go through this procedure when there are plenty of alternatives. To me, it says a lot and appears to be the heigth of laziness for any new owner feels compelled to resort immediately to the most cruel thing for their pet. Most especially given the fact that the Bengal breed is known for their intelligence and they are extremely smart. All it takes is repetition in a firm no, offering the kitty alternatives to what they are ALLOWED to go at like a sisal rope cat tree or scratchers, and even a squirt bottle may help in them learning very quickly. For someone to immediately have a preconceived idea that they MUST declaw their new addition without trying any alternative methods to teach a highly intelligent breed of cat is inconceivable. I am being honest and sincere when I say this. You could not have a better lump of clay metaphorically speaking to work with when it comes to training and intelligence in this wonderful breed. This surgery is not needed. Most breeders will have clauses as well in their agreements/contracts about declawing being prohibited and if it is done anyhow, there is no health guarantee, it becomes null and void.