Contrary to the belief that cats prefer to live on their own, Bengals are very social felines and actually enjoy having companions. Being alone will lead them to become destructive or depressed, so you seriously need to consider getting another furry family member, and what better option than dogs!
Yes, Bengal cats and dogs get along! Bengals thrive on social interaction and physical activities, and because of their high intelligence, they need regular mental and physical stimulation, and having a dog friend gives them exactly that.
Most people get Bengal cats in pairs so they can keep each other company, but if you’d rather have a cat and a dog, or if you already own a dog, then getting another cat may not be necessary because many Bengals love dogs.
As long as your dog is cat-friendly and willing to play with cats, your Bengal will quickly warm up to them.
Most Bengals will find playing with dogs very enjoyable, but challenging at the same time – which is good, since they love challenges. Because of their differences, these felines always need to use their minds to figure out how to communicate to a species that uses different body language.
Bengals also enjoy the roughhousing part, since dogs are much more into that than most cats. In most cases, dogs will be thrilled to have another pack member because to them, more is better.
Do Bengal cats need companions?
With how friendly and social Bengal cats are, it’s not surprising to know that they need companions. Every Paw Health Care warns us that this breed can get depressed if you leave them alone for long periods.
If you have a busy life outside of home, consider getting them a companion, maybe one more cat or a dog.
When your Bengal cat has been an only child for most of its life, it can be tricky knowing its personality. Sometimes, they turn out to be horrible to their new housemate.
Especially with a Bengal cat of a dominant personality, a dog may be a better companion for them than a cat. Alpha cats can be a little harsh on their fellow felines and can even bully them.
Since dogs are of a different species, your cat won’t see them as competition and therefore won’t pick fights with them.
That doesn’t mean they won’t play with the dog, though. Bengals will still be happy to have fun and interact with them, releasing excess energy in the process.
Are male or female dogs better with cats?
Pets of the opposite gender get along better than of the same sex. Union Lake Veterinary Hospital observes that they would see each other as less of a threat, and spayed and neutered cats and dogs make this pairing work best.
Cats and dogs are pack animals, before and after they were domesticated by humans. In the case of canines, Nambour Veterinary Surgery states that same sex combinations will likely result in fights for dominance.
This behavior applies to cats as well, so it’s suggestible to adopt/buy a cat and a dog of different sex. Still, same sex pairing is not discouraged; it may or may not work out for you and your pets.
Of course, they’re not going to click together instantly. Do your part too and introduce them to each other to build a good relationship and make a happy home for you and your furry friends.
What dog breeds get along with Bengal cats?
You have a long list of friendly dog breeds for your Bengal cat, but I’m going to narrow it down for you.
Golden Retriever.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Goldies are one of the most popular pets in America, and are very playful and friendly to almost all animals.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
A very affectionate breed that will fit into your small family, both to the bare-skinned and the furry.
Beagle.
Once a pack animal that was trained for rabbit hunting, and still is if you so desire, Beagles will love to be acquainted with your Bengal cat.
Stephanie Gibeault, a certified pet trainer with a Master’s of Veterinary Science, includes these breeds in her list, as well as HillsVet.com.
How do I know if my cat and dog are playing or fighting?
It’s fun looking at your pets getting together, but sometimes they may cross the line and you have to learn how to tell if they’re fighting or just playing. You can distinguish between the two by their behavior during the act.
When they’re just having fun, neither of the two parties cause the other to whimper or growl menacingly. They may bat at each other, but with no claws and only do so playfully, and bite with jaws hanging open, without a snarl.
The dog may bark happily with a wagging tail, whereas the cat lifts its rear as it prepares to pounce. Another good sign is when one of them rolls on their back to invite play, and as you should know, that’s a sign of trust (or submission, only after there was an obvious fight to warrant this behavior).
When they’re fighting, you can usually tell by the sounds that they make and the positions of their ears. A cat may hiss and a dog may growl with its canines on full display, and both may have the fur on their back at ends.
If threatened, either of them will flatten their ears to the sides of their head. When these signs show, intervene while it’s safe and take away one of them from the situation, or distract them by whistling or calling their names.
How do I get my cat and dog to be friends?
There are two things you should keep in mind:
Make sure you have a dog with a stable temperament
Before you introduce your cat to your dog, make sure that your dog has a pleasant, stable temperament. As their owner, I’m sure you’ll be able to predict how your dog will act around a feline.
If your dog has expressed a strong distaste for the feline community, then you may need to train them and get them accustomed to being around cats. If they’re too violent, then getting them to share their territory with a cat may not be the best idea.
Even loud barking at first can sour your feline, so it is very important that both animals seem willing to compromise.
Get a kitten that has had positive interactions with dogs
Kittens that grow up with dogs will be less likely to get scared of them.
They will still react when first meeting your dog because your dog will smell different from their previous dog buddies, but the transition will be much smoother since they’re already familiar with what it’s like to share a living space with dogs
Steps To Take:
Give your cat a safe room
Allow your cat to adapt to their new environment first and give them a room where they can settle in until they feel comfortable. This can include a room with a puppy gate that has an open cat-sized door so that the animals can see each other, but the cat feels safe.
Do scent swapping
You can do this by using a clean cloth for the cat and a separate clean cloth for the dog. Rub the cloth on their scent glands.
For your cat, rub the cloth on their cheeks and on their forehead. For your dog, you can rub the cloth along their armpits and sides.
Then, give your cat the cloth with your dog’s scent on it and vice versa. Allow them to smell the cloth and you can observe how they react to it.
Do they willingly smell it or avoid it? This way, you’ll be able to gauge how the introduction is going to go.
Use a glass barrier
Introduce both of them for the first time with a glass barrier in between. You may do this using a glass door or French doors around your house that have glass.
Don’t force them to face each other, but observe if they approach or turn away from the other.
Use a grilled gate
Eventually, you can put both animals on either side of a grilled or mesh gate. This way they’ll be able to see and smell each other in close proximity, with the choice of whether or not to approach or avoid each other.
Leash your dog during the first face to face introduction
During their first face to face introduction, it’s important to give your cat the most control.
So, make sure to put your dog on a leash and let the cat roam free. Your cat should be able to approach or avoid your dog at all times.
Make sure there is somewhere high up for your Bengal cat
Bengal cats like high places; it makes them feel safe! All throughout the process of introducing your pets, make sure there are plenty of high places for your Bengal to jump where they can sit down and watch the dog for a minute.
They are naturally curious, so we might stare a long while before approaching our new companion!
Do these exercises every day until they become comfortable around each other. Make sure to reward them with treats for their progress.
Bengals are excellent dog companions, but it’s always best to take caution when first introducing them to each other.
Once you get through the hard part, your Bengal and your dog will easily form a bond and eventually see each other as family. You might even forget they’re of two different species!