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Playing with your cat is a responsibility not a choice

It’s not uncommon to hear that cats are less work than dogs.  Cats take care of themselves, they clean themselves, they don’t need to be walked, they are low maintenance pets.

It’s also not uncommon to hear people complain that their cats ignore them, are lazy or their cat won’t play.

Here’s the problem – just like dog owners have to walk their dog on a regular basis, cat owners have to play with their cat on a regular basis.  As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to play with your cat at least once a day.  Yes, I said at least once a day – ideally more.

Not only does it build a bond between you and your cat, it helps them adjust to living in a house (something they are not really used to), it helps them gain confidence in their environment and improve their overall behaviour.  You’d be amazed at how many issues with litter boxes, hiding under couches (caving) and cats who are “afraid” of their own shadow can be resolved with regular play time.

Bengal cats need play more than most – it’s basically built into their DNA; but, all cats need to play.  As they are younger they will play more vibrantly and more enthusiastically.  Older cats will play more mentally and it will take more effort from you to get them up and moving.

Stalking

Play doesn’t mean running around continuously.  The act of engaging mentally with stalking, eyes hunting, ears focussed, tail twitching – is an important part of it.  That alone is part of their confidence and building into the environment.  A session of play should involve stalking time – it’s important!

Killing

Catching and Killing is an important part of play too.  Make sure they are playing with something they can wrap their paws around and dig their teeth into!

Duration

20 – 30 minutes is usually enough time for a good play session.  Remember it’s not all running around.

Toys

Find a good toy that’s mouse-like or bird-like.  Get them into the action.  If you find they don’t like it; find another one.

Laser pointers are great for stalking but horrible for killing.  Make sure if you start with a laser pointer you move to something tactic for the kill part.

Your cat is your companion – make sure you take care of their needs.  Play with them regularly!

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Good Homes for Bengal Cats

Are you aware of and up to the responsibilities of being a cat owner?

  • This cat will be part of your family for 10-20 years.  There is a lot of work and commitment involved.  Are you ready for it?
  • Litter boxes, trimming nails, vomit, hair balls and diarrhea, visits to the veterinarian.  It’s not all fun and games.

Cost

  • The price of purchasing a Pure Bred Cat is just the beginning.  Food, litter, toys, treats, veterinarian visits, and insurance are just some of the things you have to be prepared to pay for.

Outdoor or Indoor Cat?

  • An indoor cat can live 17-20 years while an outdoor cat live on average 2-5 years.
  • Outdoor cats catch many more diseases (FeLV and FIV being common).
  • Outdoor cats can get into fights, hit by cars or killed when they drink poison like antifreeze.
  • Pure bred cats can easily be stolen – Your expensive exotic cat could easily end up as someone else’s exotic cat.
  • If you really want your cat to go outdoors, we recommend you build a secure outdoor enclosure or walk them on a harness and leash.

What will you feed your cat?

  • Dry food has been long suspected to cause urinary tract issues and diabetes.  This poor diet leads to dehydrated cats. More Info Here
  • We want to see our cats live long, happy and healthy lives and diet is a big part of this.

Does the Bengal breed fit your lifestyle?

  • Purebred cats tend to have personality traits that are inherent in the breed.
  • Bengals are active, human loving cats.  Their way of bonding is through play.
  • They want attention and are energetic.
  • They are not lap cats and don’t sit quietly on the sofa arm all evening.  If you want a placid cat, a Bengal is not for you.  That isn’t to say a Bengal won’t sit in your lap; just don’t expect them to sit all night!
  • If you plan to leave a single Bengal alone for long periods it’s going to make for a sad, problematic cat.
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Bengal Cat Personality

Bengals have a lot of personality and are lively, intelligent and interactive cats.  They, typically, don’t ignore you nor are they dull cats.  They will be an active part of your family.  They are outstanding athletes: running, climbing and jumping to huge heights.  They’ve been known to play fetch and can be trained.  They love attention too and will frequently nuzzle your face, flip on their backs and crave affection.  Don’t be surprised to see your Bengal jump on the bed and kneed the covers with their paws and sleep with you until morning.

Bengals are NOT wild animals.  Unless you specifically buy an early generation Bengal, then your Bengal will be many generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat and they have been domesticated with lots of skill and work from dedicated Bengal breeders.  They will be no more aggressive or wild than any other domestic cat.

How are Bengals With:

Kids: Great!  Bengals love kids and enjoy their high levels of energy.  All of our Bengals have been socialized with some very energetic, grabby and loud children so they will be familiar with most behaviours that children do. Just remember that children need to be coached on how to approach a kitten and how to be gentle.

Dogs: Great!  With all other pets make sure that they are gradually introduced and have an opportunity to get familiar with each other’s scents before they physically meet.  Bengals can actually bond with dogs and become great friends.

Water: You wouldn’t believe that a cat would like water so much.  Most Bengals love to splash and play with water.  Running water from a sink or a fountain is a blast to play with.  Watch your toilet (especially if you use cleaning agents like bleach) and running hot water.  It’s rare, but some Bengals have also been known to swim or to shower with their owners!

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Why Choose a Bengal Cat?

Exotic Domesticated Cat

It’s an exotic domesticated cat – how cool is that?  You get all the look of a wild cat and all the affection of an adoring domestic cat.  A well bred Bengal will have all of the disposition of a loving house cat and the markings and pattern of a wild Leopard.  They are active, inquisitive and definitely each has their own personality.  Their look is such that it never fails to get attention, we can’t count the number of times people have stopped and marvelled at a Bengal Cat.

Athletic and Muscular

They are born athletics, very muscular; they are natural leapers and climbers.  They are able to climb higher and jump farther than most other domestic cats.  They love running, heights, climbing and jumping – so much so that Cat Wheels have become very popular just so that some Bengals have an opportunity to get more exercise.  Take a look at this great wheel that was developed for Bengals:  One Fast Cat.  (Yes, we own one!)

Their Amazing Coat

Their coat is extremely short and soft, it’s sleek and velvety (similar feel to a mink coat) with minimal shedding (yes Bengals still shed; but not nearly as much as a lot of other domestic cats).  They are sometimes referred to as Hypoallergenic (and this is true as some people who are allergic to cats are not allergic to Bengals, but not everyone!).  If you do have allergies to cats and want to see if you are allergic, we recommend a house visit to us or another Bengal only cattery.  It usually becomes obvious fairly quickly if you are or are not allergic.

All of our Bengals are brown spotted; however, Bengals come in all sorts of colours and patterns.  We find the brown spotted rosettes the most amazing colours, so that’s what we have; but take a look around for lots of different coats!

Family Oriented

Great for kids, dogs and other animals, they do very well with the whole family (I would probably avoid putting them together with a hamster though!).  They love to play and sleep with the children of the family and are naturally good at avoiding hurting children (that being said, if a child hugs too tight, they could get scratched!).  Our family spends hours playing and enjoying our Bengal cats, we are confident that you will too!

They are incredibly loving – following their owners around, greeting them at the door, communicating their needs and develop a strong bond with their owners.

Super Intelligent and Curious

Bengals are amazing intelligent cats.  They can be trained to do tricks, to play fetch, to walk on a leash.  They can learn how to open doors and drawers. We are constantly amazed at what our Bengals figure out.

If curiousity killed the cat, he got the Bengal first.  Bengals can entertain themselves for hours with a cardboard box, a straw or a piece of ice (well until it melts).

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What is a Bengal Cat?

Cats could be considered nature’s perfect hunter; stealthy, agile, graceful, high jumps, fast movement, incredible athletes capable of performing amazing feats.

Bengal cats are everything you would imagine that cat to be. Athletic, muscular, agile, high jumper, fast movement. Bengal not only look like they belong in the jungle; they look like they would rule there. Bengals are, on average, better climbers, jumpers and generally more athletic than other breeds of domestic cats.

Coat

The first thing that most people notice about the Bengal Cat is their amazing coat. It’s beautiful, soft, sleek, it can glitter – it’s a wonder! They shed less than most other domestic cats and some people allergic to cats are not allergic to Bengals.

Like most cats they do not need to be bathed (though Bengals have been known to play in water!)

Hypo-Allergenic

Are they Hypo-Allergenic?  This term comes around a lot with Bengals and there are definitely people who might be allergic to cats in general but are not allergic to Bengals.  As a breed, Bengals do not shed much, they have a different style of coat which is soft and silky and are often compared to mink.  Since Hypo-Allergenic means that they cause fewer allergic reactions the answer is yes; however, that doesn’t mean that no one is allergic to a Bengal.  Your best bet is to go and visit a house with Bengals and spend some time there.  Most Catteries will welcome visitors so test out any allergies for yourself.

Size

Male Bengals average 12-14 pounds; however, they can get to 16 or even 18 pounds.
Female Bengals average 8-12 pounds; however, you can see smaller females as low as 6 pounds.

Personality

Bengals have a lot of personality and are lively, intelligent and interactive cats. They, typically, don’t ignore you nor are they dull cats. They will be an active part of your family.
Read more here: Bengal Personality

Common Genetic Diseases

Bengals are generally healthier than most pure breed cats. This is due to them being a relatively newer breed with lots of new blood from other breeds and the wild Asian Leopard Cat. That being said – watch out for the following diseases:

HCM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This is a genetic heart disease. while there is no genetic test for it, a lot of breeders do regular testing of their breeding cats to ensure that if they show signs of HCM they stop breeding those cats.

PRA: Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a degenerative eye disease which causes blindness. There is a genetic test for this disease – ensure your breeder has a clean bill of health.

PKD: Polycystic Kidney Disease, a progressive kidney disease which, also can be tested for – ensure your breeder has a clean bill of health.

PK Def: Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, not to be confused with PKD, this impairs red blood cells and causes anemia. Once again this can be tested for – ensure your breeder has a clean bill of health.