Thinking about adopting, buying, adding a Bengal to your family?
You should always do your research and know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before adopting any pet, or breed of cat in particular.
As a little introduction to Bengals and hopefully to teach something you didn’t know, here are 7 things you should know before buying a Bengal cat.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing that should change your opinion on this beautiful breed of cat.
Quite the opposite in fact! Take a read and see what you think.
7 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Bengal Cat
1. They Are Noisy!
Bengals are very vocal. Some people might say this is good thing, some people will say it’s can be annoying (especially in the middle of the night).
On s serious note, it’s not that bad, honestly. It’s really cute interacting with Bengals talking back and forth, most breeds have a really difficult time vocalizing when they want something – Bengals do not!
Just make sure you set some ground rules while bringing them up. If you give in to them everytime they meow they’ll end up nagging you all the time.
2. They Are Very Playful
They still sleep around 16 hours a day like most domestic cat breeds, but be warned, when they are awake they have lots of explosive energy to burn off.
My tip is to have a good cat tree designed for a Bengal, plenty of space they can call their own, and play with them loads (this is the fun part).
Interactive toys like laser pointers and feathers on wires are a must. They’ll slow down once they reach maturity, but still have plenty to give.
3. They Grow up to Be Big Cats
You should always know what you’re getting into before adopting any pet, so hopefully, this doesn’t come as a surprise – but Bengals are one of the largest domestic cat breeds.
Adult females are usually 8-12 lbs (4-5kg), and adult males are typically 10-15 lbs (5-7kg) when fully grown.
So, make sure you have plenty of space in your home, and be prepared to have a 10+lb cat jumping on you.
4. They Are Great Hunters
All cats love to hunt, it’s in their DNA. Regardless of how lazy they have become as domestic animals, it’s hard for them to resist chasing anything that moves quickly across their line of sight.
Bengals are better than your average breed at hunting. They are fast, agile, explosive, and very smart. The downside is that you will almost certainly find ‘presents’ left on the doorstep or worse in your home.
There isn’t much you can do other than putting a collar on them with a bell to warn the wildlife. Check out these bling cat collars, Bengals look smooth rocking some diamonds!
5. They Are Very Intelligent
Bengals are thinkers. They like to be challenged, stimulated, and it’s always surprising to new owners how smart they are
They will start figuring things out around the home. Learning your schedules, what you like, don’t like, dare I say how to manipulate you, and more.
It’s also fun teaching them little tricks. Playing fetch is one of the most common tricks. I’ve seen some owners teach them to sit or lay down on command, and they respond well to treats when doing as they are told.
6. Their Markings and Color Will Change as They Age
Another thing that takes a lot of owners by surprise is how much their Bengal kitten has changed in appearance and color as they’ve grown up.
Bengals come in browns, cinnamon, greys, beiges, and a lot of shades in-between. Kittens typically start out with light spots and markings, and their markings darken as they grow up.
Adult Bengals look distinctively different to younger ones. Every stage is an absolute joy and no one can deny they are stunningly beautiful looking cats.
7. They Love Fussing and Cuddles!
I had to end on the best point of all. Bengals love human interaction. They are very social, so when adopting one be prepared to give up some space on your sofa, bed, and a huge place in your heart.
I had a Bengal a few years ago that would stubbornly force himself onto my lap when I was chilling out. If I stood up he would cling on and rather try to hang on than jump off, it was funny.
Make sure you know how to pet Bengals the right way, and as often as they ask. It’s the least you can do to give back all the fun and love they’ll give you.
Have I missed anything that a new Bengal owner would/should need to know before adopting a beautiful Bengal?
What are your experiences with Bengals if you’ve owned any? I love to hear about it, just drop me a comment below. Thanks.
I live in south central Florida. Were can I adopt a bengal in my area.