Bengal cats. Are they good to have around ?

Its been almost two weeks since Oskar the Bengal fell into feline unbridled luxury, aka Cat-Heaven-On-Earth. Everyone is in thrall to his slightest whim. My son is displaced as head of the household. Everyone and everything is subordinate to the King’s pleasure.

He is yet to inspect his Berkshire acres. The jungle of woodland, stream and mysterious creatures – Oskar is a city gent and brought up in urban circumstances – such as roe and munjac deer, badgers, foxes and buzzards are glimpsed thru’ a patio window as if in a theatre stage backdrop. Until he has been sufficiently seduced with bribes of breast of chicken, he must remain inside with the catflap blocked preventing any temptation to investigate his territory.

Oskar’s temperament is friendly, sociable and playful. He has very obviously been thru’ charm school because he treats everyone as an equal. He has immediately filled with happiness the void of sadness left by Harry’s death. Thanks to all the members who wrote so knowledgeably with words of advice about the nature and character of Bengals.

Nothing really to add to the discussion, except that I used to volunteer at the local cat rescue. Within a month or so, we had TWO Bengals come in – both eventually adopted.

A friend at work asked me if I fancied taking on two 7-month Bengals. It was tempting, but my current cat wouldn’t tolerate that kinda crap!

Alan, insurance is a gamble. For nearly 60 yrs I had cats that insurance would not cover let alone pay out. Did I save money by not having insurance? Who is to know?

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It is tricky I know. We have never actively gone out to get a cat, they decide they want to come and live with us.
People who used to live next door belonged to the CPL. They must have had about 20 cats in their place at one time,
some living in cages in the garden. Two of them decide they wanted to live with us.
Anyway the people split up and moved, leaving the two cats with us. We had them for a long time before one got ill and died fairly quickly. The other one had a thyroid problem and cost us a fortune at the vet. I eventually had to have him put to sleep,.
Just before that, another cat moved in, it was outside our back door in the freezing cold and snow. He’s been with us for about five years now.
Just before Easter this year he had an accident, a dislocated hip etc, which cost over £1,000 in vets fees. Then back in September he managed to break some bones in his lower leg. This time it cost over £2,000 🙁

Reading up on insurance, some companies are better than others. Best to avoid the ones offered by supermarkets apparently.

This is Phil, after his first mishap

Another cat who thinks he owns us

We is staff, like it, or lump it.:D
Cor bless them all.

Wokka Bob

Have never owned or been owned by a Bengal, but certainly agree totally with your description of a Maine Coon, to be fair never saw him involved in fisticuffs with any other felines, most just took one look and decided to be elsewhere, however one or two dogs got quite a surprise if they came too close , but that was only when some daft dog owner allowed their dog to wander into gardens etc.

He liked being around people and was amazingly tolerant of children, never ever scratched or bit a child, would just wander off if attention got too much.

The worst thing I can say about him is he followed the edict that “dogs have owners, cats have staff” to the letter.

Banupa, please do not think that all Bengals are aggressive. Many just want to play with an unwilling participant. I had a Black Smoke Persian that would see off any opposition no matter its race, creed, colour or size.

To those of you thinking of rehoming Bengals or for that matter Maine Coons; they are big fellars with gentle hearts and huge personalities. Very sociable animals that love feline as well as human company. (Hence my post saying 2 cats are preferable). Some are lap cats, others tolerate you. It is their home that they let you into, if you are lucky.

My Black Smoke Maine Coon lived with 4 dogs for a number of years until we took him on. Comes to a whistle, obeys commands (No, indoors, leave, food, biscuits etc. etc.) Trouble is, if he doesn’t get his way he sorts the other cats out in the household in short order. Other than that he is a gentle giant.

The one that we just lost was very much a lap cat. Come early morning, 8Kg of cat landed on your chest and a cold wet paw (been in the water bowl) hit you round the cheeks. No need for an alarm clock. Their chirping keeps you guessing but ensures you know that you are included in their lives. Apparently they do not vocalise with each other just to humans. Bull s!!!!t! Our youngster calls the old boy incessantly just to play. As my vet says ‘Cats do not read the book’.

To those who worry that the gene pool is reducing. I am reliably informed that new blood from the USA or other UK breeders ensure incest & inherent diseases is kept to the absolute minimum. Unfortunately there are still some totally inconsiderate breeders around.

Bob

Alan, insurance is a gamble. For nearly 60 yrs I had cats that insurance would not cover let alone pay out. Did I save money by not having insurance? Who is to know?

I have just rehomed a cat that is about 4 yr old. Should I dip into my bank balance to cover unforeseen vet bills? Debateable!.

In the last 5 years I have spent in excess of £4K on cats that were over 9 yr old, (usually uninsurable). I did it to ensure quality of life. It concerns me that plans for insurance do not spell out what is insured or not. Just bland statements that allow you to claim to find out whether you are covered; usually not!

Thread is now open for debate:dev2:

Just to add.

From our experience this year, it’s worth taking out insurance for your feline friend. People will say don’t bother, but ours
has cost just over £3,000 in vets fees this year.

The problem with Bengals is that they are very aggressive and will attack other cats in the area, to a point of entering other cats’ houses to fight. They will actually kill other cats! My sister has a constant battle to stop a local bengal savaging her cats. Check the breed out on Google before getting one!

Re 7

O heartless one ! Are you without pity ? You sure know how to twang a heartstring or ten !

Go on, you know you want one!

Have no experience of Bengal cats, but our last cat was a very large neutered male Maine Coon, he was a large example of a large breed and yes as some have mentioned can be very energetic, fortunately he was a good cat to have around and didn’t attack furniture etc apart from a large sheepskin rug which he would beat into submission at least once a day.

A similarity between the two breeds has been mentioned, if that is the case from my experience welcome the cat in to your home, our Maine Coon was the most affectionate and friendly cat we have ever had, in some respects almost dog like in wanting to play and attention, at times daft as a brush and certainly always made his presence known.

We lost him to a cancer 5 years ago aged 21, sadly missed but not forgotten.

I have seen many breeders give up this year which can only be good for reducing the cat population.

That would be a good thing, but it will not help with inbreeding and casual cross breeds unless the vast majority of the feline population in Britain is sterilised. A neighbour of my parents had a fluffy female that gave birth to a bunch of kittens (probably from her own brother, who promptly disappeared) that (eventually) they got rid of; but she had another batch shortly after – then she ‘disappeared’ too! We joked that they’d dumped them in the woods, but I wouldn’t really have put it past them to have done that rather than got them snipped.

Bob,

Thank you for that advice. I’ll pass it on. The cat – if they adopt it – will have the benefit of almost two acres of Berkshire pasture to roam. I like your point of having two ! My wife and I both are something of cat freaks.

The Bengal breed is a very active and social breed. 2 or more is better if you can put up with their energy. Any cat, no matter their background or age can be coerced into living within your requirements. I have had cats for over 60 years of many breeds including moggies. Rehoming is the only way to go. No money should change hands. This will eventually reduce the commercial breeding. I have seen many breeders give up this year which can only be good for reducing the cat population.

I used to rescue laid back Persians and last year lost an old boy of some 19 yrs. He was with us for longer than the kids! We have since rehomed Maine Coons (very similar temperament to the Bengal). We have recently lost a 9yr year old red tabby to a nasty gastric virus so last month I found a 4 year old female Maine Coon on the internet who was up for rehoming cos she would not conceive. Poor lass, no name, no medical history let alone an accurate age. Very skittish, no social skills cos she had spent over 4 years in a cage. 6 weeks later she is inoculated, chipped and spayed. Our local vet was pleasantly surprised so see a semi calm feline that with percy verance will be a buddy for our 6 yr old boy Maine Coon. As with all females I believe she will be the dominant partner. Our 16 yr old Golden Persian (who has been with us for 6 years) looks on, hisses and goes back to sleep.

My advice John is find another Bengal as a buddy and give them free reign around the house with plenty of opportunities to climb and jump. You all will be rewarded. Remember you are providing the cat with their environment. If you are lucky they will allow you to enjoy their world.

God that sounds so sad. Enjoy!:D

Bob the cat luver