The Pros and Cons of Male vs. Female Bengal Cats

All Bengal cats tend to share certain traits. But, at the same time, every kitty would have its own unique personality, and gender has practically nothing to do with that.

However, you might notice some differences between the sexes, if the cats have not been neutered/spayed. The females, in such a case, can become restless and vocal, while the males might try to escape to find a receptive lady.

Is it true that male Bengal cats are more affectionate than females? And what gender should you go for, if you already have a pet? Let’s find out!

Is It Better to Have a Male or Female Bengal Cat?

It is important to remember that even though the two genders can be generalized, there are still certain cats that will be breaking the stereotypes. Each kitty has its own personality, and you might end up with a girl or a boy who is the complete opposite of ‘what it is supposed to be’.

Regardless of whether it’s a female or a male, Bengal cats tend to be friendly, outgoing, active, and intelligent.

With that being said, there are a few features that the majority of males and females tend to share.

Read: The Unique Personality of the Bengal Cat: Do They Only Attach To One Person?

Bengal Cat Male vs Female Personality

Bengals are definitely instinctive cats. This means that their behavior would, in a lot of cases, be driven by their instincts that have been passed down from one generation to the other for years.

Female Personality

The personality of a female Bengal, for example, would usually be centered around motherhood (this will happen even if the lady has been spayed).

The females are always aware of what’s going on around them, and for this reason, the girls might seem to be a bit smarter. But it’s not the kitty’s intellect, it’s her instinct. In order to be a good mother, the cat has to know exactly what’s going on in its surroundings.

Read: The Fascinating Similarities and Differences Between Asian Leopard Cats and Bengal Cats

Male Personality

When it comes to the instincts of male Bengal cats, they have been ‘designed’ to make as many little kittens as possible. That’s exactly why they are used to roaming around and communicating with other cats.

For this reason, it would be easier for a male kitty to meet new people and pets. And the chances are high that he is not going to react as emotionally as a female would.

The boy might also like going out on walks more as he won’t get too stressed out by meeting other creatures. That doesn’t mean, however, that females cannot be trained to walk outside on a leash.

Are Female Bengal Cats Friendly?

Bengals are considered to be friendly and outgoing cats.

However, males might be a bit more affectionate with more people. The ladies tend to pick one favorite within a household, and they can be quite territorial. Some owners confess that females are also more likely to get jealous when their favorite person is around other people or animals.

Read: The Importance of Identifying the Cause of Your Bengal Cat’s Crying

Are Girl Cats Calmer?

Some owners say that female Bengal cats are a bit calmer.

But the truth is that you might not notice that. The Bengals are an incredibly energetic breed, and a ‘calm’ female might actually have a lot more energy than the majority of other domestic cat breeds.

Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Bengal Cats?

Physically, male and female cats are not that different. The ladies will be a bit smaller, in the majority of cases, but other than that, all the physical features would be pretty much the same.

When it comes to personality, the differences between males and females might become noticeable, in case you haven’t spayed or neutered the cats.

Are Male Bengals More Affectionate Than Females?

If you want to adopt an animal that is going to love you (and only you) with all its heart, then go for a girl. Female Bengal cats have a higher tendency of forming a stronger bond with a particular person within the household and becoming ‘their cat’.

The ladies are extremely devoted and loyal, but that does not make male kitties aloof.

The boys are very affectionate. In fact, they would be happy to interact with pretty much anyone, and the chances are high that they will not pick one person over the other. So, if you’re looking for an animal that would be happy to show affection to everyone, then you might want to adopt a male Bengal.

Read: Are Bengal Cats Stronger Than Maine Coons?

Do Female Bengal Cats Spray?

If a female Bengal has not been spayed, it might spray urine and become extremely vocal and restless, when she’s in heat.

Unspayed females are also more likely to develop various health issues (that is especially true for the girls that are used for breeding purposes). The possible conditions include uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and ovarian cancer.

By the way, if you do not neuter your male cat, it might try to escape in search of a receptive female. And such a boy will try to spray on the items in the house.

Ideally, you would want to get the kitten spayed or neutered once it turns 5-6 months old. Behavioral differences in males and females are most-obvious in unneutered cats, and these differences are mainly related to the animal’s sex drive.

Neutered and spayed cats are more relaxed and do not stress out as much. They are also less vocal and destructive.

Read: Is It Common for Bengal Cats to Be Overweight?

How Do I Choose a Bengal Kitten?

• You would want to make sure that the kitten has been left with its mother for at least 12 weeks after being born (regardless of gender). This will help ensure that the little guy has learned how to socialize with other cats.
• If you’re planning on adopting a female, then bear in mind that the line for ladies might be slower. Reputable breeders may save some females for breeding purposes. So, male Bengals can be easier to get, in some cases.
• If you’re not planning on breeding the cats, then you should bear in mind that spaying a female is a bit more complex than neutering a male. It would cost you more and the ladies have a higher risk of developing various complications.
  For example, if you haven’t managed to spay the Bengal girl before her first heat, she would be at higher risk of getting infections of the uterus and mammary cancer.

What Gender to Choose If You Have Other Pets?

The sex of the pet that you already have should not determine whether you’re going to adopt a female or a male Bengal cat. Both genders can become amazing companions for dogs, for example.

The main thing that you should pay attention to is the energy level of your pet. Ideally, you would want to have two animals that are quite alike personality-wise. Do bear in mind that the gender of the kitten is going to matter more if you already have another cat. If your pet is an adult lady, then you might not want to add another female – girls can get extremely territorial and hostile toward females that they are not related to.