Answers to frequent questions
DO THEY NEED ANY SPECIAL CARE?
The bengal breed is very easy to keep and doesn't require special cares, as they have a such short pelted coat they maintain it extreemly well. But from time to time you can give them a bath, making sure that if it is in winter, they get dry quickly so they don't get a cold, or in summer, be careful of the air conditioning. If they are regularly combed, they don't leave as many hairs as other breeds, only in the time of shedding which is during summer months. The best comb is a "slicker brush", they usually have a rectangular or square shape, and with really thin teeth. It is good to use on the coat, except the area of the face or ears.
The most important thing is to keep their vaccinations up-to-date, and give hime a really healthy and varied diet (raw and dry), using always top quality dry food (Royal Canin, Hills, etc)
DO THEY GET ALONG WITH OTHER CATS OR PETS?
Bengal cats usually have a very inquisitive and open character, they love playing and interact with other members of the family, so they don't have many problems to adapt, the success depends on how well we manage the first days of the little kitten at home.
- If you have more cats, after a few days (usually 3 approximately), he will have adapted to his new friends. Sometimes, from day one they will be fully integrated, but it normally takes a few days.
- If you have a dog, the adaptation will range between 10 to 20 days, you have to do this bit by bit, first he must get used to the house, and when you see he is confident, you introduce bit by bit the dog, very carefully, and at first only for a short time, and each day you let them be together more, until you see he is confident with the dog friend. This process has to be overseen at all times, until the situation is fully normalized.
- If you have many cats and dogs, it is important not to put the cat with all the group of friends the first day, it is crucial that this be done gradually.
In the end, they will all make friends, eat together, sleep together and play together without a doubt.
We recommend the use of Feliway plugin during this process. You can purchase it in veterinary clinics or sometimes in pet shops, or on the internet.
HOW DO THEY GET ALONG WITH BABIES?
They get along very well with babies or small children, they go very carefully and they enjoy playing with them. As they both have plenty of energy, they blend in really well. It is very important to keep their nails short in order to avoid any undesireable sratch while in the playmood. Sometimes babies love catching the end of the tail, the bengals won't react aggressively, for sure they will check for a way out as soon as they can!
CAN A BENGAL LIVE HAPPILY IN A FLAT WITHOUT BALCONY OR TERRACE?
They live very happily in each house where they give them plenty of love and attention. Our bengals are used to live inside, so that is not a problem at all. If in the future you wish to take them for a walk on a leash to the park, you can do so using a cat harness and a leash. Cat harnesses are best for walks, as for them, it feels like a glove, and it really secures them, after they have adapted to it during the first days, they will look forward to the cat harness when they see it! .
I HAVE GOT A TERRACE/GARDEN, WILL IT ESCAPE ?
Bengal cats are very inquisitive, and they love investigating, specially in gardens, always looking for new paths, holes, etc. So it is very probable that they will just jump over or go through a hole, to keep enjoying their adventure. So it is advisable to supervise the bengal while he is out. Another option is to make sure all gaps are closed, and if you don't mind to protect the balcony with a net for cats (you can find some in Zooplus) to enclose big areas, it doesn't ruin the views, and the cat will be protected.
I HAVE GOT A BALCONY, WILL HE JUMP?
If you live in a block of flats or apartments, even if you are at the first level, you must enclose the balcony in such a way that the bengal won't walk on the rail. Because, for sure they will walk on it, and if they suddenly lose their balance, or they try to catch a bird or butterfly, they will surely fall. So, protect with a special net for this purpose.
CAN THEY REACT AGGRESSIVELY ?
When they feel threatened, the first reaction will be to hiss, and stay in a corner, or escape to a safe place. They act as the Asial Leopard Cat, which is mostly elusive under threat. As we also work with generations far from an original cross, they have a really friendly temperament, loving and playful. Some love receiving their cuddles while you hold them in your arms, others just prefer to be on the ground to receive their cuddles, each one has its own personality, just like people, but they all have a loving nature similar to that of a dog in which they tend to look for you and enjoy your company.