Bengals are extremely active cats with strong hunting instincts. So, if you’re planning on getting another cat, you might be asking yourself whether having two Bengals in a house would be safe or not.
Having a pair of Bengal cats has a few benefits – the kitties will keep each other entertained, will learn from one another, and they’ll become more socialized. Bengals are friendly cats and they won’t be aggressive towards each other as long as you’re able to divide your attention.
Is It Safe to Get Two Bengal Cats?
Bengals are social cats. So, getting a second pet might actually be beneficial for the mental and physical health of the kitties.
Here are the main benefits of having two Bengal cats:
- They will have fewer behavioral issues – kitties that have a playmate tend to be more socially adjusted
- Two cats will keep each other company while you’re away – you wouldn’t have to worry about your Bengal getting lonely while you’re at work
- Kittens can learn from each other – the fluffy balls usually watch the behavior of other kittens and then copy it (if one kitten had learned to use the litter box, the other guy will quickly pick up that skill as well)
- The kitties help each other stay healthy – cats that have a companion remain more youthful and playful; moreover, they practically never have to deal with obesity as they have a playmate that helps burn off the excess energy
Can 2 Bengals Live Together?
Two Bengals can certainly live together and be happy and healthy. As long as you are able to allow each kitty to have its own territory and you are willing to divide your attention equally between the two, everything should be fine.
Do Bengal Cats Get Along?
Not every pair of cats will get along entirely. Ideally, you would want to get two kitties from the same litter – they already know each other and they are of the same age.
If that is not possible, then bear the following things in mind:
- The sex of the kitties
- Their age
- The importance of spaying and neutering
- The importance of taking things slowly
Read: Is a Bengal Cat Good for First-Time Cat Owners?
Do Male and Female Bengal Cats Get Along?
It looks like gender doesn’t really affect the amount of harmony present in the relationship. Especially, if you’re getting two Bengals at the same time.
Do bear in mind, however, that spaying and neutering the cats at an appropriate age is a must. Otherwise, the kitties might exhibit unwanted behavior.
One thing worth mentioning is the fact that plenty of Bengal owners have noticed that males are a bit more affectionate than females and they tend to get along with other cats better. So, if you already have a kitty and you’re willing to adopt another Bengal, a male might be a slightly better option.
Are Bengal Cats Ok with Other Cats?
If each cat has been properly trained and socialized, then you shouldn’t experience any problems. Bengals can do quite well with any other cat as long as they are correctly introduced to each other.
With that being said, remember that it is easier to integrate a second kitty into your home if the first one is still young. Ideally, you would want to make sure that the cat is between 3 and 5 months old as these little guys are able to adapt a lot better than the adults and seniors.
Read: Can Bengal Cats Live Without Going Outside?
How Do You Introduce Two Bengal Cats?
- Place the new cat in a ‘safe’ room. Continue to take care of your first cat just as you did before.
- Once the kitty is comfortable in the new environment, allow it to explore the rest of the house. During this ‘discovery’ phase, don’t let the two cats see each other.
- Have the kitties eat on the opposite sides of a door. In case the Bengals refuse to eat, move the bowls back a bit until they decide to start eating.
Introducing Bengal Cat to a New Kitten
A good way of introducing the two kitties to each other without them actually meeting is through smells. For example, you can take a cloth and gently rub it over the face of one of the cats and then leave the fabric in an area where the other kitty likes to spend its time and vice versa.
How Long Does It Take for a Cat to Get Used to a New Cat?
The way the two cats were introduced will, in a lot of ways, affect how the kitties are going to get along in the future. So, take your time and never force any cat into a situation that it doesn’t want to be in.
The introduction stage might take anywhere between a few days and a couple of weeks. However, to develop a friendship with a new cat, both kitties are going to need around 8-12 months.
Read: How to Start to Train a Bengal Cat to Walk on a Leash?
Do Bengal Cats Need Another Cat?
Bengals don’t exactly need a companion. They can be totally happy being the only animal in the house.
But having a companion can make keeping a Bengal entertained and healthy a lot easier for you.
Is It Better to Have 1 or 2 Bengal Cats?
There are a few benefits to having two Bengal cats – the kitties would help each other release the excess energy and learn a lot faster.
The main con of having two cats is the fact that they might team up and destroy your house. That will not happen if you have enough time and patience to train the kitties and if you have managed to create an environment that is full of mental and physical stimuli.
Do Bengal Cats Get Lonely?
If Bengals are constantly left alone for more than the typical 8-10 hours, then the cats can develop behavioral problems linked to loneliness.
That is one of the reasons why some owners decide to adopt a second kitty – the two would be able to keep each other company.
Are Cats Happier in Pairs?
If you manage to divide your attention between the kitties and if every cat is going to have its own territory (including bowls), then the Bengals are going to be very happy together. In fact, they might even become less prone to depression and anxiety associated with loneliness.
Read: 3 Ways How to Calm a Bengal Cat?
Should You Get Two Cats of the Same Gender?
Even though cats of the same gender are usually more likely to fight each other for dominance, the personality of the kitties is the main thing that you have to take into consideration (it should be roughly the same).
Is It Too Late to Get a Second Cat?
It would become a lot more challenging (but not impossible) to introduce a new kitty to a cat that is over 2 years old.
How Do You Know If Two Cats Are Bonded?
- The kitties are grooming each other
- They are sleeping or lying close to one another
- They greet each other regularly by meowing as they pass or rubbing noses
Can 2 Cats Share a Litter Box?
Cats should not share a litter box for behavioral and health reasons.
Read: Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
Can 2 Cats Share a Water Bowl?
Kitties might drink from the same water bowl throughout the day, but you have to make sure to have at least two around the house.
How Do You Know If Your Cat Will Accept Another Cat?
It is quite rare for a cat to reject another kitty altogether.