F.A.Q's on Bengal cats and kittens

Frequently asked questions. These are my own views after 17 years of breeding cats,

Bengals love company and it would be unfair to have one if you are out to work all day. They would get lonely, bored and depressed. Either have 2 kittens (don't both have to be Bengals) or chose another breed. Bengals are active cats so if you want a lap cat a Bengal may not be the cat for you.

1. How do I look after my Bengal kitten? What do they eat?

Bengals are the same as any other domestic cat. I recommend a higher protein food for growing kittens, Hills, Royal Canin tined or dry biscuit, mine also like the Jameswellbeloved and Purina dry food as well. Tuna in spring water (not in brine) twice a week is a high source of protein (make sure it does not contain salt). Whiskas or Felix Junior in Jelly if your kitten won't eat dried. Fresh chicken or white fish is great too. No cows milk, but Goats milk is fine, fresh water must always be down. 4 small meals a day, then around 6 months 3 meals, and down to 2 meals at around a year. You should not change the food that the breeder has been feeding for at least a month. Then only do so very slowly if you must. Keep an eye on the litter tray and revert back if they become lose. It is easy to upset a Bengal kittens stomach.

Do not feed your kitten with adult cat food until they are a year old.

Tidy away or protect things like elec. leads that the kitten may chew on. Be careful about leaving things like chemical cleaners around. Chocolate is poisonous to cats, so are many houseplants. All types of Lilies cause the death of many cats each year.

Keep your kitten in one room to begin with, he/she is small and will need time to get used to you and the new smells and its new surrounding, reassure the kitten.

Litter tray and clean water must always be down.

Toys are fun but never leave feather toys around unless you are there, your kitten could choke on these.

Make sure you check the washing machine, tumble drier before you use them. Keep the bathroom door shut if you are running a bath, your Bengal could well jump in. Keep the loo seat down!

Non breeding Bengals should be spayed/neutered at 6 months or they may start to spray urine (like all other breeds) and females could get pregnant.

You may need to trim the kittens nails if they become too long. Just clip off the tips, if you go into the 'pink' of the nail it will bleed and be sore. The veterinary nurse can do this for you.

Don't over brush the coat of your Bengal, and never with a rubber brush the fur will start to come out as it is so fine. Use a soft brush or fine comb.

2. Do they get on with other cats and dogs? How to I introduce a new kitten?

In 15 years I have had no problems placing kittens with older cats, they very soon get used to each other. Bengals aren't usually worried by dogs they are very self assured and soon take over the household.

Introduce a new kitten (where there is another cat in the household) slowly into the house by first keeping it in one room for a few days to gain confidence and get used to its new owners and all the new smells, without any other animals. Make sure that anything dangerous, like glass jars are removed. Let the new kitten sleep on a blanket that your other cat has used as it will transfer a familiar smell onto the kitten which your cat will recognise. If the kitten is being left in a bedroom cover the bed in a plastic shower curtain and leave a towel on top, just to be on the safe side. Then when the kitten is confident and used to you let the cat in to meet the new kitten for just 30 mins. and try and leave them to it as much as you can. They will hiss at each other a bit for 3 or 4 days (ignore it, if you get stressed they will sense it). But if things get heated then separate them and try it again the following day. Once that is working then bring the new kitten in for a couple of hours and so on. Take your time, there is no hurry. Remember that there are so many new things for the new kitten to take in. Put them in separate rooms at night and when you go out. Only leave them together at night when you are quite sure they are happy with each other. The new kitten should also have his own litter box for the first few weeks, just slowly bring it closer to your other cats litter box until you find they are both using the same one. Make sure that you do not give the new kitten more attention then your other cat. Throw a ping pong ball for them BOTH to run after, feed them both tip bits and before you know it they will have bonded. Make sure any existing cat in your home is vaccinated and healthy before bringing in a new kitten.
If you have several cats or if things get too difficult introducing a kitten it might be advantageous to buy a kitten pen. So the kitten can be smelt by the other cats, and both will get used to seeing each other. Again keep the kitten in a separate room for a few day to get used to you and its surroundings. Then bring the new kitten out with its litter tray etc and put it in the pen, in the main living room, just for 30 mins, and again extend the time as the days go by. Patience will win out, don't be in too much of a hurry.

3. How big to they grow? What are their characteristics.

Males tend to be around 12lbs and females less at around 9lbs. Bengals are very active cats, they are always on the 'go' and want to join in everything from washing up to making beds. If you are looking for a passive cat don't choose a Bengal!

4. Can I let my Bengal out?

Bengals are often stolen as they are so beautiful. Also there are many diseases out there carried by other cats e.g FIP which is often fatal and there is no vaccine in the UK. I do not recommend that you let your Bengal out unless you have a very secure garden. Like most cats they have little road sense.
Another way is build a small area using 3'x 3' or 3' x 6' wire panels on paving or concrete (so it can be washed down with bleach solution every so often) This is extremely easy and can be attached to the house or free standing. You will also need to screw the base into the concrete/paving. The panels can be bought from larger pet shops (panels for bird aviaries) quite cheaply, if you are going to stain and treat them, make sure the material is suitable for pets. Then your kitten/cat can enjoy the fresh air safely and you can open the windows in the summer! There are also kits available to cat proof gdns to be found on the web.
If you are going to let your Bengal out, always call him/her in before dark (best to feed then as reward) and the kitten must be kept in for one month or he could get lost when let out.

5. What do I do if the kitten produces loose stools?

Feed boiled chicken (no skin) and rice or white fish (Coley) and rice (the cheap sticky rice). Live plain yoghurt is also good. If the problem is bad or does not clear within 24hrs consult a vet as you have probably got a bacterial infection. Also your vet can sell you 'Walthams Sensitivity Control' or Hills i/d food which is for upset stomachs. If your kitten is being sick and has diarrhoea you need to take it to the vet quickly as it will start to dehydrate.
Don't be too alarmed if you see a little blood in the cats stools, 90% of the time this is diet related, if you have changed the cats diet, then stop, as the food is too much for the Bengals often sensitive digestive tract to cope with. Seek your vets advice if this persists.

6. Will the pet males Spray?

This should not happen provided the male is neutered at 6 months of age. A neutered cat will be a much cleaner, happier pet and can be shown in Premiership classes if you wish to have a male Bengal for showing. Pet females should also be spayed at 6 month of age. Sometimes if a household has more than a couple of male cats, spraying does occur. Some vets and breeders now recommend that cats can be neutered/spayed from 3 months as they have been in other countries of the world for some time. If they do go on the carpet, there are many sprays which work, also bio washing powder. Then put a litter tray where the cat has made a mistake. Never smack a kitten - all you will end up with is a frightened timid kitten which will not become a true family pet.

7. How do I clean the litter tray?

I use a diluted bleach. It kills all germs in 15 mins. Clean tray with water first then put in the diluted bleach and wash round, empty, don't rinse but dry off with a kitchen paper towel. If you have a plastic bed that should be cleaned once a week in the same way. Make sure that the tray is cleaned like this at least twice a week, more often if necessary. Food bowls should also be washed after every meal, water bowls daily, and bedding once a week.

8. If the breeder says that the kitten is litter trained, but the kitten won't use the litter tray in its new home / litter tray problems.

This does happen. If the kitten is stressed or frightened it might well stop using its litter tray. It is important to re establish use of the tray in the first couple of weeks. Kittens should be kept in one room with litter tray where it is clearly in view. A new kitten might well not want to use a litter tray that is used by a cat already in residence, it should have its own tray, at least for the first couple of weeks. Let the new kitten get comfortable with its new surroundings and new owners before introducing a resident cat. (see 2). If you are going to leave your kitten or cat in your bedroom I recommend covering the bed with a 'plastic shower curtain' and then putting a towel on top of it. A bed is a very comfortable place for a cat to use as a litter tray, so best not to take chances.
Never get cross with your kitten as they will not understand, the best way to train a kitten is with kindness.

9. What litter shall I buy?

I use 'Cats Best 100% pure organic fibres' litter for kittens, (this can be put down the loo and flushed) and silicate litter for older kittens and adults. You will need to experiment to find what suits you and the cat. If you introduce a new litter mix it with the old one the first time. I find that the Silicate litter lasts longer, smells less and there is no dust, but it is a little more expensive, and not suitable for young kittens as they may try and eat it.

10. How are Bengals with children?

Bengals are the same as any other domestic cat. No young child should ever be left alone with a kitten, cat, puppy or dog. If a child corners an animal or pokes it in an eye, or makes a grab for it, the child could well get scratched or bitten, by the frightened animal. Children must be taught to respect animals. After a meal the kitten must be left in peace to have a sleep. Encourage the child not to carry the animal around but to sit on the floor and let the kitten come to it. A kitten which is constantly frightened does not make a good family pet when it is an adult.

11. Do they revert to the wild? Are they friendly? What do I look for?

In 13 years I have never known or heard of any Bengal to do so. All animals should be handled from birth to obtain a family orientated, trusting pet. Therefore be careful where you buy your pets. See the whole litter and judge whether the breeder has too many animals to care for properly. Check the litter tray for runny stools, the kittens nose and eyes that they are not running. That everywhere is clean.

12. How often should they be vaccinated?

A cat needs to be vaccinated every year against flu and enteritis. FeLv booster should be given each year if it goes outside, into a cattery or is going to be bred from or shown.
Kittens are vaccinated normally at 9 and 12 weeks, it then takes another 7 days for the vaccine to become effective.

13. Do they like water?

Yes, but be careful your kitten/cat does not jump into the bath. Run the cold water first or close the door. Kittens/cats also often get into tumble driers so you need to be careful. The iron flex is another danger. Also some plants are deadly poisonous e.g lilies (the whole plant even the pollen dust). See my poisonous plants page.

14. What if they cry at night?

Put one of your old jumpers unwashed into their bed. Try a warm hot water bottle, some people find that the radio or TV left on also helps. They should settle in 3 to 4 days.

15. How often should I worm my kitten?

Your kitten should have been wormed before you have it (check this with the breeder), but I would worm again after 4 to 6 weeks. Even if your kitten doesn't go outside they can still get the odd flea or worms. Your vet will advise you best, but I recommend that you worm your kitten every 3 months. Buy the worming pills from your vet. Cats can get allergic reactions from flea collars so again take your vet's advise, that is what they are there for. (Pill poppers are useful here)

16. Can I use a harness on my cat? I would like it to be able to get some fresh air.

Yes, put the harness on and leave it for 30 mins. a day while your kitten is inside playing, until he is happy about it. (Make sure the kitten cannot back out of the harness and don't leave it alone). Then attach the lead and just walk around the house, until your kitten is happy about that. Then take the kitten into the garden, but never leave the kitten tied to a tree or unattended, it could strangle or another cat could attack it. You should also vaccinate for FeLv if you are going to do this. See also number 4.

17. Pet Passport: In my opinion it is unwise to take your pet on holiday abroad for a number of reasons.
a) Bengals get stressed easily, they don't like change. A stressed cat is more susceptible to disease.

b) If is does wanders off it is not likely to return.

c) If the cat becomes ill abroad it could be put into quarantine here on its return until the problem is solved.

d) There are other cat diseases/illnesses abroad that we don't have over here, speak to your vet about this.

Much better to leave the cat at home and get a friend to come into your home two or three times a day and spend a little time feeding etc. If you are placing your cat into a cattery, inspect it, make sure it is really clean and that there are sneeze barriers between pens. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date including FeLv.

18. Can I breed from my pet kitten?

You should not breed from it if it was sold to you as a pet. Pedigree kittens are registered; pets are registered on the 'non active' register so that no progeny will be registered by the GCCF or TICA. Many breeders insist that people buying pets also sign a contract that their pet will be neutered. If however you contact the breeder and ask if they would allow the cat to be bred from, the breeder may agree and sign the necessary 'transfer' from the 'non active' to the 'active' register, but they are likely to ask for the difference in price from pet to breeder. There may be a genetic reason why the breeder wants the kitten not to be bred from, or they are not of good enough quality/type to breed on from. A breeder is more likely to agree to transfer a female than a male to the 'active' register. Most breeders will take legal action for 'breach of contract' if they find that Bengals they have sold as pets are being bred from. It is fraudulent and a 'Breach of Contract' to breed from a 'pet' Bengal when you have a contract with the breeder that the Bengal has been sold to you as a pet and should be neutered at 6 months of age.

19. What are F2 and F3's?

These are foundation Bengals 2 or 3 generations removed from the ALC and used in some breeding programmes. These cats are generally shy and nervous and therefore not suitable as pets in families that have young children rushing around. The cat would not be happy in this kind of environment. F2's are not needed now as we have moved on, and most of them have old pedigrees.

20. What are the 'fuzzies?'
Bengal kittens develop guard hairs around the age of 4 weeks, which makes their spotted appearance 'fuzzy.' These are used in the wild for camouflage. These start to clear around 10 weeks of age.

21. Should I insure my kitten.
Vet fees can be very expensive and I do recommend that you insure your kitten or cat. Read the conditions carefully, some you will find only allow for only a set sum per illness per year. So look around. Make sure that if your cat does become ill that they will continue cover for that illness in forthcoming years.

22. Re-homing/Welfare
The Bengal Cat Club of Great Britain has an extremely good re-homing/welfare service Bengal cat club of GB just follow the links.

23. Hormone injections to take a girl off call
Don't do it. I know several breeders who have had their Bengal girl injected to stop them calling, they never successfully mated after it. If you want to use the hormone pill use only 1/4 of a tablet as soon as they start to call and 48 hrs later if they are still calling give them another 1/4 tablet. Talk to your vet about it before you use it.

24. There are several flowers/plants that are poisonous to cats, especially all types of 'Lilies; Cats and kittens die, all parts of the plant are poisonous (see my poisonous plants page). Be careful leaving things around that could cause problems e.g elastic bands, small items that could be swallowed. Such things can result in expensive vets fees for operations.