Anyone have experience with bengal cats?

[Heidi]

My husband and I know a bengal breeder near here, and we've met a couple of bengal cats who were very loving, intelligent and beautiful. But we'd like to know the experiences of some folks who live with bengals.

Some info about bengals: http://www.tibcs.com/home.php

I'd also be interested in hearing DUers' experiences with introducing a new cat into a household their households. Our Wiley and Excellent (Boy) Cat Named Ginger is a very spoiled (but sweet), four-year-old neutered male who has had dominion as an "only child" and if it would traumatize him to have a kitten in the house, it's unlikely we'd get another cat.

[demnan]

1. I don't have experience with Bengals

They are very pretty cats, though and I admire them as well. I believe they have an Oriental personality (Oriental cats being loving, needy, intelligent, energetic, vocal and destructive). Does Ginger have the personality that goes with his coat and face mask? If so another cat of a similar temperment should work well. I suggest too that you get another male, and do this while your cat is relatively young. Don't wait till he's old and grouchy like Lily.







Pad Thai just sat on the Enter key - for emphasis.

I'll shut up for now because I have been throughly incapable of getting Lily to like Pad Thai. Sometimes life is like that. Her will is stronger than mine. However I am comforted in the thought that even her hatred of Pad Thai has to make her life just a bit more interesting than not having another cat at all in her life.

[Heidi]

2. Thanks, demnan . . .

Ginger is a big lover: very mellow, married to his habits, and not at all aggressive (although he did recently try to kill my mother-in-law's cat, who had attacked Ginger's brother, but that was a fluke and I think the fight shocked Ginger as much as anyone else.) . . . He generally just does "nose kisses" with other cats and walks away.

We wouldn't adopt another cat just out of our selfish wish for two cats. I think it would be good for Ginger, too, but Ginger's the only cat I've ever had, so I'm a novice about how these "blended families" work out.

Thank you for your expertise, Demnan and Pad Thai!

[demnan]

3. Lily says she'd be glad to give you Pad Thai

if you want him but I told her no, I love my cats too much. :D

[Heidi]

4. That's funny.

One of my girlfriends here in Switzerland just called to tell me that her cat (whose name, unbelievably, is "Fluffer") is soon to give birth, and to remind me that I said a year ago that if Fluffer ever had kittens, we'd probably take one.

I didn't have the heart to tell her, "Well, we haven't really cleared this with Ginger yet." Also, I didn't have the heart to tell her what a "Fluffer" is.

[Zuni]

6. Siamese cats are some of the most fun cats ever

they are sooooo smart and communicative, but they are very needy, like you said. They constantly need your love or they cry and cry

that sounds like this Lynx Point Siamese:

[Zuni]

5. a lady i work with has a sister with a Bengal

boy, they sure are pretty


Once, I had to stay with my mom for a few months between apartments. My little sooty
and her Maggie
didn't get along. Her Maggie was almost always the attacker, and she was cruel. She became snarly and nasty all the time, and she would become uncontrollable whenever lil Sooty was around.
Sooty just hid. The situation was horrible. I was so glad whan Sooty and I moved into a new apartment.

[demnan]

7. I think it's difficult

to introduce a young adult male cat into a household with an older female cat.

Kittens are always so much more accepted. Alas, Pad Thai was a lovely 5 month ol cat who needed a home so Lily had to tolerate.

[bvar22]

8. Hi , Heidi.

Just recently adopted a 4 month old spayed female into a family ruled by a 1 1/2 year old very spoiled neutered male. It was a little trouble for the first month. We were afraid to leave the kitten alone with the older cat for about a month because he was so hostile.

It's been a few months now, and they are best buds. Playing together and grooming each other.

The story and pictures are here:
***When Worlds Collide***

For some recent pictures of them playing together:
***Bug on a Post***

Check out the links. You will enjoy them.


BUG


Maggie

[demnan]

10. Maggie looks like a Bengal

but is small and soft -- what a sweetie! I love Maggie!

One thing to note - it appears that Maggie and Bug have similar coloring. They are both greyish to brown tabbies.

It might work if you get a cat with a similar marking to your Ginger. I take what Lorien says to heart most times. Of course if you know a reputable breeder it might be different. As an alternative, you look into a Siamese rescue or mixed Siamese rescue in your country? We have a good one here:

http://meezer.com/

They have a branch here in Virginia, I send them the odd funds and buy from their store when I can.

Also, you could get a fluffer cat. :)

[Lorien]

9. I'd recommend talking to some Bengal owners

on www.Catster.com . Personally, I'd recommend against an F1 (first generation hybrid). Leopard cats-like many of the smaller wild cats-can be aggressive. While they are more intelligent than most domestic cats, have stronger constitutions and longer lifespans, personality is, after all, everything in a pet. A wild cat sanctuary that I visit from time to time, www.bigcatrescue.com , has a number of F1 Bengals living in enclosures. Those animals are more dangerous than many of their bobcats, lynx, caracals and servals. It's best to meet both parents of a Bengal if you can; if they are both gregarious, loving pets, then you'll be pretty safe with one of their offspring. Also, there are a number of Bengal rescue groups out there that are well worth looking into.

The key to introducing a new pet is lots of time, patience, and a separate room for the newcomer. Give the older cat lots of attention for the first few weeks, and keep them in separate areas for at least five days, swapping out their bedding so they get accustomed to one another's scent. Never scold either cat for hissing or swiping at the other; instead, lavishly praise them for getting closer without hisses. Let them play with a cracked door between them at first, then open it a little bit more the next time around. Also, check out the humane society's page on new pet introduction; I used their recommendations and they worked brilliantly for my three. :-)