What Should One Know Before Getting a Bengal Cat?

Cropped view of bengal cat looking away while sitting on woman

Table of Contents

Bengal cats are a relatively new breed of domestic cat, created by crossing domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat. Bengals are known for their wild appearance and their unique patterns and colors.

While Bengal cats make great pets, there are a few things potential owners should know before getting one. 

Bengals are high-energy cats and require a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy. They also have a strong hunting instinct, so it is essential to keep them well-fed and provide them with plenty of toys and playtime.

In addition, Bengals can be vocal cats, so be prepared for some meowing!

Are Bengal Cats Good for Beginners?

Bengal cats are often described as being “good for beginners.” But what does that mean?

Before getting a Bengal cat, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. Bengal cats are unique and require special care.

Here are some things to consider before getting a Bengal cat:

  1. Do your research. Bengals are not like other cats. They require special care and attention. Be sure to do your research before bringing one home.
  2. Find a reputable breeder. Bengals come from specific lines, and it’s necessary to find a reputable breeder that can provide you with a healthy kitten.
  3. Be prepared for an active cat. Bengals are very active and require a lot of stimulation. Be sure you have the time and energy to give them the attention they need.
  4. Be prepared to spend extra money. Bengals can be expensive, both in the initial purchase price and ongoing care costs. So be sure you are prepared to budget for your new Bengal cat.
  5. Know your limits. Bengal cats require a lot of care and attention. If you’re not prepared to commit to that, then a Bengal cat is not the right pet for you.

Should Bengal Cats Be Kept Indoors?

Bengal cats are famous for their striking leopard-like markings. So what is the best way to care for a Bengal cat? Are they better off kept as indoor cats or wild? Let’s examine some pros and cons of both options to help you decide what’s best for your Bengal cat.

One of the great things about Bengal cats is that they are just as happy indoors as they are outdoors. They love to explore and will be just as content playing with their toys in your house as they would be chasing prey in the wild.

Bengal cats are also very social creatures and love attention from their humans, so if you’re looking for a cat that will be a lap cat and snuggle buddy, a Bengal cat is a good choice.

However, because Bengal cats are so curious and active, they can also be destructive if bored. If you don’t provide them with enough stimulation, they may start scratching furniture or climbing drapes.

They may even become aggressive. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure that your Bengal cat has plenty of toys and playtime to keep them occupied.

If you live in an apartment or other small space, keeping your Bengal cat indoors full-time may be the best option. They’ll still have plenty of room to roam and explore, but they will only be able to get into as much mischief as they would if they had access to the outdoors.

On the other hand, if you have a large home with a yard, your Bengal cat may be happier with some time outdoors. Just be sure to provide them with a safe space to explore, like a fenced-in area or catio.

And always supervise them when they’re outside, as they may need help to resist the temptation to chase after birds or small animals.

Ultimately, the best way to care for your Bengal cat is to provide them with plenty of love and attention, indoors or out. Then, they can be happy and healthy in either environment with proper care and stimulation.

Do Bengal Cats Scratch Furniture?

Cats like to scratch furniture. It’s an instinct for them and helps keep their claws healthy and sharp. Do Bengal cats scratch furniture more than other cats? Do they scratch furniture?

The answer is yes and no. Bengal cats tend to scratch furniture more than other cat breeds, but this isn’t necessarily bad. Many people who own Bengal cats find it quite amusing!

So why do Bengal cats scratch furniture more than other cats? There are a few reasons:

First of all, Bengal cats are very active. They love to play and run around, which means they have a lot of energy to burn off. Scratching furniture is one way for them to release all that energy.

Secondly, Bengal cats have very sharp claws. This is because their ancestors were wild cats and needed sharp claws to survive in the wild. As a result, their claws can do more damage to furniture than the average domestic cat’s claws.

Finally, Bengal cats are simply curious creatures. They like to explore their surroundings and mark their territory, and furniture is an easy target!

So should you be worried about your Bengal cat scratching your furniture? Not necessarily. If you provide your cat with plenty of toys and scratch posts, they’ll likely scratch those instead of your furniture.

And who knows? You might even find yourself enjoying it! After all, it’s one of the many quirks that make Bengal cats unique and lovable.

Are Bengal Cats High Maintenance?

No, Bengal cats are not high-maintenance. On the contrary, they are pretty low maintenance compared to other cat breeds. Bengals do not require a lot of grooming and can be left alone for long periods without getting bored or destructive. 

However, they need plenty of exercise and stimulation, so a good home environment for a Bengal provides plenty of opportunities to run, jump, and play. 

Bengals also have very strong hunting instincts and may try to catch small prey, so it is important to keep them indoors or in a secure outdoor area.

Do Bengal Cats Use Litter Box?

One of the first questions potential Bengal cat owners ask is whether or not these cats will use a litter box.

The good news is that Bengal cats are typically very good about using the litter box and do not have any problems with housetraining. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to litter training your Bengal cat.

First of all, it is important to choose the right type of litter for your cat. Bengals are known to be very particular about their litter and will often refuse to use a litter box if they do not like the type of litter that is inside of it. 

As such, it is important to experiment with different types of litter until you find one that your Bengal cat likes.

Another thing to remember is that Bengals are very active cats and will often play with their litter before actually using it.

This means that you need to make sure that the litter box is large enough for your Bengal cat to move around in and that there is plenty of litter inside of it. Otherwise, your Bengal cat may end up making a mess out of the litter box.

Finally, it is essential to remember that Bengal cats are very intelligent animals, and they will quickly figure out how to use the litter box if they are given a chance. 

However, if you do not allow them to learn how to use the litter box, they may never know how to use it properly. Therefore, it is important to give your Bengal cat plenty of time to explore the litter box and learn how to use it properly.

Bengal cats are beautiful and loving, but they require plenty of toys and scratch posts to keep them amused. They are intelligent and can be challenging to litter train. However, with proper care, Bengals make lovely pets that provide their owners with years of companionship.

More Of The Same Category​

Garry O'Donnell

Garry O'Donnell

Hi! My name is Garry O'Donnell, and I am a 53-year-old Bengal cat breeder.
I have 3 Bengal cats and know everything about them, which is why I decided to open this blog. To tell you all about Bengal cats and why they are such great pets.

About Me

Hi, I’m Jacqueline, mother of 2 + 1 cat named trigger. We all love this Bengal wild cat. The kids and me love to fool around with him when he doesn’t run off to the trees.
In this blog, I want to share my love for Bengal cats.

Recent Posts

How to take care of a Bengal cat