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Ready to get a new cat, but should it be a Bengal? And then where does a potential adopter go to get a Bengal? There’s a lot that goes into getting a Bengal so let’s delve further into this with these topics:
First let’s make sure that this is the right cat for any potential adopter. Bengals are a rambunctious breed with lots of quirks.
A Bengal isn’t the kind of cat to spend most of its day sitting on a human’s lap or napping. Bengals love to get into trouble. They’ll climb window curtains, tear up people’s pants, dig holes in the yard, yell non-stop just to hear their own voice, terrorize the neighbor’s cat, use Christmas ornaments as punching bags, and knock pictures frames to the floor and watch them shatter.
The Bengal’s curiosity doesn’t stop there, they’ve been found inside of furniture, kitchen cabinets, and cars. They’ll combat their owner when trying to put away groceries, anything to be involved.
The personality of a Bengal can lead to a potential Bengal owner wondering ahead of time whether a Bengal is the right cat for them.
The Asian Leopard Cat that Bengals are bred down from are known for liking water, this trait is not lost in the Bengal. If a potential owner will have trouble dealing with their cat splashing around in their water bowl, batting at the fish in a tank, or joining their human(s) in the shower, then they should reconsider this breed.
Cats are known for bringing their owners dead bird, and this is definitely a trait of Bengals. But Bengals won’t stop at birds. Any small wild creature in the yard or being kept as another pet in the house is at danger of being a Bengals prey.
Bengals can’t just be given toys and expected to entertain themselves either. These smart and active cats will steal random objects and run off with them if they aren’t occupied. They may break something precious, expensive, or irreplaceable if they aren’t distracted by their human or a fellow Bengal.
Not to scare potential owners away from Bengals however, they are wonderfully affectionate cats who will love their humans unconditionally. They’ll love humans who play fetch with them (yes, like a dog) and follow them around like a curious toddler.
A unique breed, they are very special and adored as a breed by their owners.
Once decided on a Bengal, prospective owners must now set out to finding a reputable breeder. A Bengal can be purchased from any breeder, but finding one that fits certain categories can ensure a healthy kitten that will remain healthy throughout life. A reputable breeder will also have back-up plans in place in case something goes wrong with a purchased kitten.
A great start is by attending cat shows and meeting with breeders and owners who are showing their cats. These people can get a prospective owner on track to purchase a Bengal from them or put them in touch with breeders that will sell a Bengal at that point or soon.
Cat shows can be found on the TICA show calendar. TICA registration is also a great indicator of a good breeder. The International Cat Association, or TICA, describes themselves as “the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, the largest registry of household pet cats and kittens.”
A cat registered through TICA shows a pedigreed feline, a cared for housecat, and a breeder who is taking a titled and registered approach to caring for their cat(s). TICA provides its members with a system to work together to promote further pedigree cats while educating their owners about breed information and cat behavior. TICA registration shows that the owner or breeder is responsible with their cats and that the cats are cared for properly around the world.
There’s a lot more that makes a good breeder though, like reputation. A little research can give a prospective buyer a decent idea of the breeder’s interactions with buyers.
Visiting a breeder before doing business with them is highly advised. This should be done to make sure that the conditions, the cleanliness of the area and the safety of the cats, which the cats and kittens are kept is satisfactory at least. The better the conditions in which the cats are kept, the better the care for the cats likely is.
Talking with the breeder and asking questions about the space the cats are kept can be a big help. A breeder unwilling to talk about the living conditions, giving shady answers, or even being unwilling to give the potential buyer a tour of the space, can be big indicators of a cagey breeder possibly not caring for the cats and kittens in a proper way.
Good pointers of a good breeder are when they are willing and happy to show potential buyers around their cat space or their home. This shows that they have nothing to hide. If they are asking the potential buyer questions about their home and making sure that they are selling their kittens to a good home.
Once a qualified breeder has been found, the new owner buys this kitten and brings it home. Next comes caring for the new Bengal.
First, find a quality food to feed the kitten and the cat when it grows up. A dry or wet cat food heavy with meat and low in grains is very nutritionally beneficial for Bengals. Some owners decide to feed their Bengals raw meat, prepared specially for the cat at meal time.
Giving this new cat its own space is very important in making the cat feel at home. A cat tree, bed, and new toys can go a long way in making the new cat feel safe in its new home.
Bengals are a highly active breed, especially as kittens. There needs to be plenty for the new cat to do and keep its attention throughout the day, otherwise it will make sure it’s using up its energy with its new owner. This could mean breaking things, playing with people’s feet, or more.
Getting two kittens are the same time, especially littermates, can help to keep both kittens preoccupied and giving them something to constantly entertain themselves with. It may sound like a lot, but the benefit of giving a Bengal a friend is huge and extremely beneficial to the owner.
Bengals have a strong personality and love to be involved in their human’s lives. Determining that this is the right breed for a potential owner can be an in-depth decision with a wonderful, friendly, feline payout.
So, what do you think about getting a Bengal? Do you agree with what was stated here? Comment below to let us know!
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