Bengals are a dream breed for a lot of people as they have an exotic appearance and are very entertaining. But there are a few difficulties that the future Bengal owners would have to deal with.
Bengal cats are extremely active, demanding of your attention, vocal, and destructive (if you fail to keep them entertained). Moreover, there are a few conditions that Bengals are more prone to; those include cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What Are the Difficulties of Raising a Bengal Cat?
What difficulties you would have to face when raising a Bengal would fully depend on the kitty’s personality and its early upbringing.
With that being said, there are a few common things that you would most likely have to deal with:
- Bengals are extremely active – this means that you would have to provide the cat with plenty of toys and physically play with the kitty at least a few times per day
- Bengals are very demanding of your attention – these cats can follow you around the house because they are social kitties that like to participate in everything. This can become a problem, if you have to go away for a few days (Bengals should not be left alone for more than a typical workday).
- Bengals can be destructive – if you fail to provide the cat with enough exercise, the active and strong kitty might start destroying your house. Bengal cats are also very intelligent; to the point, that they can easily figure out how to open drawers and even doors.
- Bengals are among the most vocal cat breeds
- Bengals can play rough – such an athletic cat is quite strong which means that the Bengal can easily hurt another pet when trying to play with it.
What Are the Cons of Owning a Bengal Cat?
Bengal cats:
- Require plenty of attention
- Are not lap cats (in the majority of cases)
- Are extremely noisy
- Easily get lonely and bored
- Love scratching
Read: What Is the Average Size of a Bengal Cat?
Why Are Bengal Cats Hard to Take Care of?
It is easier to take care of Bengals when it comes to grooming, for example. But the most difficult part about owning such an exotic cat is the fact that it needs a lot of exercise and attention.
You would have to spend a small fortune on getting the right toys to keep the kitty entertained. Playing with the cat on a regular basis is definitely a must as well.
Ideally, you should also train the Bengal and that does take a lot of time, patience, and effort.
Do Bengal Cats Have Problems?
There are certain health conditions that Bengal cats are more prone to. These include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and some others.
Do Bengal Cats Scratch Furniture?
It is in the Bengal’s nature to climb, jump, scratch, and chew. But even though these behaviors are normal, they can certainly become an issue.
Bengals do have a habit of scratching and, in order to protect your furniture, you would have to make sure that they have their own toys that they can scratch. You can also use a deterrent spray or sticky tape to keep the kitty away from your favorite couch.
Read: Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
Can Bengal Cats Be Left Alone?
Bengals should not be left alone for longer than a day. Loneliness can trigger destructive behaviors, as well as depression and anxiety.
Do Bengal Cats Use Litter Boxes?
Just like any other cat, a Bengal should be trained to use a litter box.
Unfortunately, these kitties might face litter box problems more often than other breeds because they can easily get bored. Moreover, they may be particularly picky about their litter boxes.
How Do I Stop My Bengal From Peeing Everywhere?
- Get a bigger litter box
- Clean the tray at least once a day
- Give the Bengal at least 2.5 inches of litter to work with
- Find a more private spot for the tray
- Use one litter box per cat
Read: Do Bengal Cats Need Special Care?
Do Bengal Cats Spray?
Both females and males are capable of spraying, but the behavior is especially common in non-neutered males. By the way, Bengal cats can spray more than other breeds, in case they are an F1, F2, or F3.
Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
Your cat will be totally happy living indoors if you manage to provide it with enough mental and physical stimuli.
Are Bengals Good House Cats?
As long as Bengals have a stimulating environment and have been trained well, they can make amazing house pets. These kitties are smart, social, affectionate, fun to watch, and communicative – all fantastic traits for a new family member.
What Should I Know Before Buying a Bengal Cat?
- Bengals are noisy
- They love water
- They are very active
- The kitties are extremely intelligent
- Bengals grow up to be relatively large cats
Read: Is My Bengal Cat Depressed?
Are Bengal Cats Good for First Time Owners?
A Bengal might not be the perfect cat for a first-time owner because they demand a lot of attention.
With that being said, if you are willing to spend a few hours per day playing with the gorgeous kitty and training it, then a Bengal cat might be a good choice for you.
What’s It Like Living with a Bengal Cat?
Bengals require a healthy dose of play every single day and these creatures are very vocal, so do bear that in mind if you are a light sleeper.
The kitties are also highly intelligent and they can easily figure out how to open drawers. Moreover, the majority of Bengals are stalkers – they would be happy to follow you around the house wherever you go.
How to Discipline a Bengal Cat?
- You should never punish your kitty (this includes using a spray bottle) or shout at it.
- Try to ignore the cat when it’s misbehaving as one of the reasons why the Bengal might be doing that is in an attempt to get your attention.
- Remember that, in the majority of cases, the cat that is misbehaving is simply bored. So, enriching the little guy’s environment is usually the best solution.
Are Bengal Cats Dangerous?
Bengals are strong cats and they can sometimes play rough, but that doesn’t mean that these kitties are aggressive. In fact, they are very friendly and affectionate.
Are Bengal Cats Stronger Than Normal Cats?
In general, Bengals are a bit bigger than other domestic breeds and they have a longer, more muscular body. They also have bigger paws and strong predatory instincts.
Are Bengal Kittens Hyper?
Bengal cats are a high-energy cat breed and, usually, they are quite hyper.
When Do Bengal Cats Calm Down?
A Bengal might not mellow down as you expect it to. These cats will become a but calmer as they reach adulthood, but they’ll still remain hyperactive creatures.
Read: Bengal Cat Personality: Everything You Need To Know
Why Does My Bengal Kitten Bite Me?
When it comes to kittens, it is perfectly normal for the small furry balls to gently bite you if they’re happy or when they’re playing.
If you’re concerned about the biting, simply get a few toys to distract the kittens.
What Is the Lifespan of a Bengal Cat?
You can expect a Bengal cat to live for 12-20 years. The majority of kitties live for around 15 years.