At Authentic Bengal Cats, our number one aim is to give you the information and resources you need to make an informed decision on whether or not Bengal cat ownership is right for you and your family (and also to help you out if you have already brought a Bengal cat into your home).
In today’s article, we are answering the common question ‘are Bengal cats good house pets?’
Many people are tempted by the allure of a Bengal cat, but concerns remain for many about the suitability of owning a Bengal as a house pet.
It’s our aim to clarify a few key points you need to be aware of when determining if a Bengal cat is the right choice in house pet for you and your family.
Bengals Can Make Good House Pets
For starters, let’s answer the “core” of the question:
Bengal cats can definitely make great house pets.
There are many people all around the world who have invited Bengals into their homes and families, and enjoy their company and friendship as beloved house pets.
However, there are a few potential pitfalls you need to be aware of.
Our view is that if you can manage the following issues (and are happy to deal with them) then you could be a good candidate for having a Bengal cat in your home.
Be Wary Of Vocalisation
One part of the “Bengal experience” that can cause difficultly for new owners is the level of vocalisation.
As we discussed in our article on why Bengal cats meow/talk so much, they have a reputation for being a highly vocal breed.
If your idea of a good house pet is one that is better seen than heard (i.e. you want a quiet cat) then you may wish to consider another breed, as Bengals definitely have a tendency to be on the loud side of the equation.
More than a few owners have reported to us that vocalisation is the one part of the Bengal cat ownership experience that they struggle with the most of all! For example, take a look at the comments on this blog post about noisy Bengal cats – lots of trouble here for owners!
Your Property May Get Damaged
Another challenge that may arise with bringing a Bengal into your home is the potential for property damage.
One of the most common questions we get asked on this site is ‘will a Bengal cat destroy my house’, and sometimes the answer is an unfortunate yes.
You need to be prepared for some damage to soft furnishings, curtains etc. If you live an immaculate show home, for example, then a Bengal cat may not be a good house pet for your particular needs.
Make sure you read our guide here on how to minimise any property damage from your Bengal cat
Ensure You Have Plenty Of Toys And Stimulation For Your Bengal
Following on from our comment above, a key component of having a successful, enjoyable Bengal cat ownership experience is to ensure that you have plenty of toys and stimulation for your new pet.
This can help to alleviate potentially destructive tendencies, and gives you cat plenty of opportunity to burn off excess energy.
Check out our guide to the best toys for Bengal cats here. At the very least you’ll want to invest in a good scratching post for your Bengal.
Conclusion
Can Bengal cats be good house pets? The answer is a resounding YES.
However, you MUST go into this process with your eyes wide open, and you must take necessary and reasonable steps to ensure your Bengal is going to integrate into family life as easily and effectively as possible.
New Bengal owners can have bad experiences if they think the entire process is going to be “smooth sailing”, hence the importance of preparing early.
Provided you do this, there is no reason why a Bengal cat cannot make a great house pet.
