Owning leopards or cheetahs is the dream of wild cat enthusiasts. But when you snap out of your daydream and reality comes crashing down, you know it won’t be possible. But don’t be sad just yet, we’re going to tell you about a mini-version wild cat you can keep. These are the Bengal Cats!
A great choice as pets, Bengal cats will give you the ultimate wild yet domesticated cat experience. These little furballs have the most amazing personality traits. They’re the most fun-loving, intelligent, and loyal cats. When they love you, they’ll do it with their whole heart.
Owning Bengal cats might seem fun, but you should consider all the pros and cons before adopting the fur-ball to ensure you can take proper care of them. Luckily, we have that covered for you. In this blog, we’ve put together Bengal cat pros and cons so you can make a more informed decision. Take a look!
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Owning Bengal Cats Pros and Cons
Owning Bengal cats is an adventurous experience. You’ll love having them around. They are the descendants of Wild Asian Leopard Cats. So when their wild genes kick in, they can get a little- well, Wild!
That’s why we’ve listed some of the pros and cons of owning Bengal cats. Take a look!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique and Exotic Appearance | High Energy Levels |
| Intelligent and Curious | Requires Mental Stimulation |
| Affectionate and Playful | Strong Prey Drive |
| Good with Children and Other Pets | Needs Space for Physical Activity |
| Interactive and Social | Potential for Destructive Behavior when Bored |
| Low Shedding Coat | Vocal and Communicative |
| Easily Trainable | May Be Too Active for Some Owners |
| Athletic and Agile |
Pros of Bengal Cat
Owning Bengal cats is like having a family member who is always up for adventures. They’re the most fun of them all. If you’re up for the adventure, here’s a list of pros to get you excited:
- Unique and Exotic Appearance: If you’re someone who loves to explore the wild, you’ll have the most unique and exotic experience with Bengal cats. Their wild cat genes coupled with the leopard look will make you wonder if you own a cat or a baby leopard!
- Intelligent and Curious: Bengal cats are pretty smart and curious. They are smarter than most cats and quickly learn the tricks you teach them. If you find them inside a drawer, they probably taught themselves to do so!
- Affectionate and Playful: These fun cats are a loving breed. They love spending time with their owners and having them around. Cuddling and being lap cats is their way of showing love.
- Good with Children and Other Pets: Unlike some pets, Bengal Cats love company. They’re pretty friendly with other cats, children, and even dogs. Playdates are one of their favorite times!
- Interactive and Social: Bengal cats are extroverts. They love interacting and making new friends. If you have guest pets, they will be a good host.
- Low Shedding Coat: One of the best things about Bengal cats is their short coat. It reduces the chances of hair shedding which is a big problem for some cats.
- Easily Trainable: You won’t have much trouble training Bengals. Their high IQ levels will make training a piece of cake.
- Athletic and Agile: While some cats prefer to lay around all day, most Bengal Cats don’t. They are very active and will tire you out with their energy.
Disadvantages of Bengal cat
Bengal Cats are one of the most fun cat breeds to have. But when their wild genes come into action, they might be too hard to handle. It’s important to note that individual cats have different personalities. The degree to which the following traits exist in Bengal Cats can vary from one cat to another. If you’re a person with a busy job or lifestyle, you should consider the following cons before owning Bengal cats:
- High Energy Levels: Bengal Cats have high energy levels. Sometimes they want to play with you every second. They can be pretty demanding if you take a bit of time for yourself.
- Requires Mental Stimulation: Bengal Cats are always looking for fun and challenges. They get bored if there aren’t things to use their big brains at. So, you’ll constantly need to plant challenges like finding treats, playing hide-and-seek, and getting them interactive toys like puzzle feeders.
- Strong Prey Drive: As a natural wild cat instinct, Bengals have a strong prey drive. Chinchillas, lizards, birds, and the like can become prey in their vicinity. If you own a hamster or other small animals, they need to be kept away from your Bengal.
- Needs Space for Physical Activity: Their athletic nature is part of their personality. They want to run around, jump up, and climb doors. You’ll need to have enough space for their activities.
- Potential for Destructive Behavior when Bored: Broken vases, dishes, and shredded tissue paper may become your new normal if you have a bored Bengal cat. Bengal cats tend to get destructive when they don’t receive attention.
- Vocal and Communicative: A talking cat is fun. But when your cat speaks too much, it isn’t fun anymore. Bengal cats are vocal cats. When they want something, they will keep meowing and annoying you until you get them what they want. People who want calm and quiet should consider this before getting a Bengal.
- May be Too Active for Some Owners: These cats are too active and require great attention. They get bored easily and become frustrated. When they’re frustrated, their tantrums will make you frustrated!
Who can Own Bengal Cat: Pet Advisor
Bengal Cats are great pets. They love you deeply and are an excellent companion. If you’re someone who lives alone and wants some company, Bengal Cats can be the pet for you. But, if you have a demanding job with longer work timings, you might not be able to spend enough time with them. So it’s better to opt for another breed that doesn’t require this amount of attention.
You can own a Bengal cat if
- Your work timings are not too long
- Can have interactive play sessions with them
- Always want to teach them new tricks
- Have enough space for them to run around
- Generally have enough time and energy to put towards your Bengal cat.
Bengal Cat Quiz: Is a Bengal Cat the Right Choice for You?
Now, you’re probably contemplating whether you should get a Bengal cat or not. If you’re not sure whether you meet the criteria or not, we’ve got a quiz to help you with that. Answer the following questions honestly to find out if a Bengal cat is the right pet for you:
Personal Experiences of Bengal Cat Owners
My Bengal is a very high energy cat, if I don’t play enough with her she will push stuff off. Becomes very fussy and hard to calm down. So my friend asked me to get her a playmate. And now I have two cute furballs and what’s interesting is that they keep each other entertained. I am just relieved my cat is not fussy anymore.
Paula Mane
I had a Bengal cat a few years ago. She was super clingy, and would always follow me around. She would always get her way with everything she wanted. They are hard to handle but very loving and affectionate. They may be difficult to handle if left alone for long hours but their love is worth the effort of having them!
Justin Welch