Who can’t fall in love with Bengal cats, with those unique patterns and tiger-like prints, not to mention such fun personalities! Unfortunately, these cats are not for everybody, and let me tell you why.
Bengal cats are highly curious, always active, and intelligent felines that need stimulation physically and mentally. They are not for owners who have busy lives, unmanageable pets and children, are irritable, and unable to handle problematic behaviors and cost that come with caring for an animal.
Wild Ancestry
They can drive you crazy! Depending on what Bengal you’re going to get, what breed it was mixed with, how many generations removed it is from its ancestor, they need an outlet for their high reserve of energy.
Bengals are closely related to the Asian leopard cat. This species adapts to urban and rural areas, hunting at night and always prowling from ground to treetops, so it’s not a wonder why any breed mixed with them acts a tad bit wild.
First-generation Bengal cats can be less manageable than those who are distantly related to their ancestor. They are a result from cross breeding an Asian leopard queen and a domestic tom, after all.
When one does not bother to research about this wonderful breed, they’re in it for chaos. What’s worse, behavioral issues show up later on and not everyone is ready for that, so what then becomes of the poor feline?
High Energy, High Demand for Stimulation
They’re always on the go, watching the activities in your house with keen interest, playing with something. You can’t leave them alone for a full day especially when they don’t have a companion because they grow bored easily.
Bengals look wild and act a little wild, so they jump atop furniture and run around. When you don’t provide them and let them have exercise, then they’ll do it themselves, and it usually doesn’t end well for you.
It’s not recommended for a family or an individual who is often busy and absent most of the day, and those with children and pets that are difficult to manage. This Bengal won’t have it.
Boredom and Depression
With lack of time for your Bengal, it can lead to one of two things – boredom or depression. Boredom is the most effective factor in creating a problematic cat, and loneliness that develops into depression will impact your pet’s health.
Bengals are social cats, because then why else do they need your time and attention? Ideally, they should be with a fellow Bengal or another furry friend, like a dog or another cat.
Behavioral Issues
Bengals have three commonly observed behavioral problems and these are sudden biting and scratching, loud meowing, and litter issues. It requires patience and repetition to minimize these troubles.
When these issues emerge, you must conduct an investigation to answer the why. Unwarranted scratching and biting may be play aggression, and you may or may not have encouraged this.
Loud meowing is an indication that your cat needs something or it’s a cry for pain and relief. When your Bengal starts defecating and urinating but on the litter box, it could be because they’re picky with how clean they want it to be, and that they may be uncomfortable.
Health
Some breeds are more prone to certain diseases than others, just like the Bengal cat. TICA warns breeders, and owners too, for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that has been found to be hereditary in Bengal cats.
Cheap Price and Bad Breeders
Some people will settle for a cheap price just so they can bring home a cat of this breed. The poor Bengal might exhibit poor health or performance due to unethical practices from unlicensed breeders.
There are people out there who force the mating between two cats to produce a sizable litter for their business. This is a form of animal abuse that is yet to be seriously recognized.
Do Bengals Make Good House Pets?
Yes, this breed makes excellent house pets as they are athletic and curious and are great with an active family. They are willing to learn and be trained, to love and be loved, especially with a fellow pet (can be a cat or a dog).
With all these wonderful traits aside, Bengals are loud, can be tricky to train, scratch or bite, may be picky with litter and soil your house, and too energetic and demanding for you to keep up with. In the end, you are rewarded with a sweet and affectionate furry friend.
Another way of figuring out a good answer to this question is asking yourself this: Do you make a good Bengal cat owner?
Are Bengal Cats Annoying?
They can be rather talkative when it comes to their needs, much worse when they are bored. It is a must to set up a playtime for your Bengal so they’ll have less energy to bother you with by evening.
They may wake you up in the middle of the night meowing loudly for many reasons, because they tend to be more active during night time. When you leave home, you may come back to see quite a mess here and there.
Of course, there’s always a cause for this annoying behavior. Bengal cats are athletic and fun-loving felines that are always up and alert for an adventure, and by neglecting their needs for physical and mental stimulation, they can get rather annoying.
Are Bengal Cats More Aggressive?
Yes, Bengal cats can be more aggressive compared to your typical housecat. What makes Bengals a special case has something to do with their wild ancestry.
The Asian leopard cat, the Bengal’s ancestor, is a solitary mammal that dwells in forests and is territorial. During daytime, they rest in trees and use scent marks or scratches to establish their home in a particular area.
Sounds like an animal you know? Yes, Bengals take much from the beautiful wild leopard cat and are territorial and aggressive towards cats foreign to their territory.
Are Bengal Cats Clingy?
This breed isn’t defined to one character trait and each Bengal has a personality of their own. Generally, they aren’t clingy, although they can be needy for human interaction.
While young, pets can be trained to get used to physical affection and may grow to be clingy. Kittens that have been cuddled and constantly touched by their owners have tendencies to display clinginess in adulthood.
Are Bengal Cats Smarter than Normal Cats?
Bengals do show higher intelligence than normal cats due to their high curiosity that leads them to watch and interact with the object of their desire. Watch as your cat observes how you open and close the door, and in a matter of days or weeks, they may apply what they have learned and it might be a good (or bad) discovery for you and your Bengal.
For them to carry out what they see, it requires use of memory. Their intellect makes them ideal for easy training (though it can be tricky for some), and while this is a positive trait, it also means that they’re clever enough to get into mischief.
Are Bengal Cats Difficult?
Yes, they can be difficult as they may display behavioral problems when they’re not properly socialized and cared for. They need attention because of their level energy combined with their great curiosity.
It’s a must to invest your time on this breed, plus mentally challenging toys. When such demands are not met and some of their actions corrected, your Bengal may become bored, which might lead to constant meowing, playing with the wrong items in the house, peeing and pooping in the wrong areas, etc.
I am by no means discouraging you. On the other hand, Bengals are affectionate and intelligent creatures that can be a pleasure to have around, when you know what you’re doing.
Are Bengal Cats Worth the Money?
Bengal cats are worth the money for the right and mature owner! A good price may range between $1,000 to $2,000, depending on many factors, and it can go higher as well.
They are a unique breed, a mix of the Asian leopard cat and domestic felines, which makes it all the more appealing to people. Be aware that as with every pet, Bengals have issues of their own.
This breed needs space good enough to accommodate for their playtime (they can be trained for walks on a harness!), your time, and attention. At a young age, they have to be introduced to other pets and people, and be trained for basic manners.
Is It Bad to Buy a Bengal Cat?
Yes, it’s bad, especially when you don’t know what to do with them after you’re done adoring how unique and cute they are . They need constant exercise and interaction, properly trained and socialized (to avoid unwanted behaviors), visits to the vets, and most importantly they need you.
Make sure that you’re getting your Bengal from licensed breeders who adhere to TICA’s ethical standards. When you buy from unethical breeders, you are going to fuel the business of abuse.