Bengal Cats and Kittens - A Checklist for New Owners
So, it's finally happened.
You're in the market for a Bengal cat or kitten and you've got enough cash to purchase the new (furry) member of your family.
We want to say that we're really happy you're making this decision. Bengals deserve great homes and we hope that you'll give your cat unconditional love and companionship throughout their life.
That said, Bengal cats can be a little higher maintenance than other breeds and our goal is to help you understand what you need to get for them before they arrive.
It's in your best interest to get all of the requirements below before introducing the Bengal cat to their new environment, otherwise you may have issues introducing them to new items down the road.
To make this process as easy as possible, we created the checklists below to help you understand what you'll need:
REQUIRED ITEMS
- Carrier: If you plan on getting a Bengal, you're going to need a carrier to put them in. This will be what you carry them around in when they aren't at home. Great for trips to the park, the vet, or even when you travel on airplanes. (Click here for our list of the Best Carriers for Bengals)
- Pet Insurance: Bengals are a very active breed and with their active personalities comes injuries and accidents. Considering you likely paid $1000+ for your Bengal Cat and you want to keep them healthy, you need to get pet insurance. (Click here for our list of the Best Pet Insurance for Bengals)
- Cat Tree: Though some would argue this isn't a "requirement" for the active Bengal cat, we believe it is. You must give them a place to jump and climb on as well as an area to sharpen their claws. Without this, your furniture is going to take a beating. (Click here for our list of the Best Cat Trees for Bengals)
- Scratching Post: If you don't have the space for a cat tree, then at the very least get a scratching post. Bengals cats will sharpen their claws and if you don't give them somewhere to do it, it's likely going to be on your furniture. (Click here for our list of the Best Scratching Posts for Bengals)
- Litter Box: You don't want your Bengal cat to have accidents on the rug or to use your bathtub as their personal toilet, so make sure to get them a quality litter box. (Click here for our list of the Best Litter Boxes For Bengals)
- Litter: Obviously you'll need litter to put into the litter box. Surprisingly, litter choices actually do matter for a variety of reasons, so make sure you get a good one. (Click here for our list of the Best Litter for Bengals)
- Flea and Tick Protection: If you have a Bengal, it's likely that they'll be outside....a lot. Make sure that you purchase flea and tick protection, otherwise your Bengal may get these bugs that carry serious diseases all over them and may have health issues. (Click here for our list of the Best Flea and Tick protection for Bengal Cats)
- Cat Toys: This is another thing that would be optional for most cats, but we believe that toys are a requirement for Bengals. They tend to be more active than other breeds and can be quite irritating if they're bored. Cat toys will help alleviate those problems. (Click here for our list of the Best Cat Toys for Bengals)
- Food Dish: You'll need a place to put food for feeding time and you'll need a dish that won't get your cat sick from germs. (Click here for our list of the Best Food Dishes for Bengals)
- Wet Food: Many experts say that Bengals should never be fed dry food. That being said, you'll need quality wet food to feed your Bengal. (Click here for our list of the Best Wet Food for Bengals)
- Dry Food: If you absolutely must buy dry food, make sure that you get a quality brand. Sometimes it's nice to mix dry with wet food to encourage eating if it becomes a problem. (Click here for our list of the Best Dry Food For Bengals)
- Water Dish: Like the food dish, you want to get a water dish that doesn't hold bacteria. Further, you may also want to consider getting an automatic water dish as well. (Click here for our list of the Best Water Dishes for Bengals)
- Brush: Bengals, just like any other cat, will shed sometimes. This is especially true when they are growing a new coat. The best way to deal with it is to brush them. (Click here for our list of the Best Brushes for Bengal Cats)
Highly Recommended Items
- Cat Bed: Giving your Bengal a specific place to sleep is a good idea. This will keep them (and their fur) out of your bed and in a designated area. (Click here for our list of the Best Cat Beds for Bengals)
- Litter Mat: Have you ever had the joy of walking barefoot on cat litter and brushing it off your feet throughout your house? If not, get ready. A way to avoid this problem is to get a litter mat. (Click here for our list of the Best Litter Mats for Bengals)
- Cat Harness: Bengals, unlike many other cat breeds, are able to go on walks and harness training is quite common. If you want to be able to do this, you'll need a cat harness. (Click here for our list of the Best Cat Harnesses for Bengals)
- Collar: If going on a walk with your Bengal isn't your thing, make sure to put a collar on them at least. Bengals tend to be a very sneaky breed and master escape artists. (Click here for our list of the Best Collars for Bengal Cats)
- Treats: Like any other cat, Bengals love treats. These are especially important if you intend on training your Bengal cat in some capacity. (Click here for our list of the Best Treats for Bengal Cats)
- Book: If you want to really study up on Bengals before you buy one, you can get a book that explains everything there is to know about their breed. (Click here for the Best Books on Bengal Cats)
- Vitamins: Human beings take vitamins to stay healthy, why would that be any different for animals? The answer is....it's not. (Click here for our list of the Best Vitamins for Bengal Cats)
- Nail Clippers: If you intend on clipping your Bengals nails once in awhile, you'll need some quality clippers to help. (Click here for the best nail clippers for Bengal cats)
If you have everything you need and you're ready to buy your own Bengal cat, great! Click here to find Bengal Breeders in your state that will be able to assist you in adopting a new Bengal cat.