The Bengal Cat is a fantastic breed of cat.
Here at Authentic Bengal Cats, we are massive fans of the breed (funny that!)
But are Bengal cats high energy?
And – more importantly – are they too high energy for you to deal with?
Perhaps you have heard from others that Bengals are basically wild and impossible to deal with (if you’re not sure on the origins of the Bengal cat, then you can learn more about this here).
Let’s find out the truth about Bengal cat energy levels and see whether or not Bengal cat energy is truly as “out there” as some people claim it is.
Are Bengal Cats Actually High Energy? What You Need To Know
In our experience, Bengal cats are generally quite “high energy” cats.
By high energy, we mean that Bengals have a tendency to be active, playful, and sometimes even difficult to control.
If you are after a cat that simply “chills out” all the time, then a Bengal might not be the best option for you. We have heard from a few owners who got Bengals hoping for relaxed, easy-going pets and were then a bit frustrated at the activity levels of their new family member.
While there is always variation in individuals (much like not all humans are the same) there is a definite tendency for Bengals to be on the more energetic side of the spectrum.
Age Is A Factor
Don’t forget that the age of your cat is also very important. All kittens tend to be much more energetic than when they become adult cats. Your Bengal should calm down over time, much like children or puppies do (or are at least supposed to do!)
You can’t expect a new kitten to behave well all of the time.
In fact, your new Bengal kitten is probably going to be a lot more energetic than you might like (at least from time to time).
However, this activity and energy should subside over time, and become more manageable.
This process will require patience (and probably more than you might have been expecting to give at the time you got your Bengal).
Provide Positive Outlets For Your Bengal’s High Energy
One of the most crucial things you can do is to provide positive outlets for your Bengal cat’s high energy levels – especially when he/she is a kitten.
This is massively important, and something that is overlooked by many Bengal owners as well. It is doubly important while your Bengal is a kitten, as allowing your kitten to be active and energetic in a constructive fashion will reduce the change of them damaging your furniture or performing other undesirable behaviours.
So how can you give your Bengal a positive outlet for his or her energy?
The best way in our experience is to provide your Bengal with plenty of quality toys, and also refresh the toys that you provide for your Bengal on a periodic basis in order to keep them engaged and entertained.
Read our guide here to the best toys for Bengal cats, for more information on what you should be giving your Bengal to play with. Getting the right mix of toys is vitally important for “taming” your Bengal.
Also ensure that you and your family/household members engage in regular play sessions with your cat, as this will help to relieve excessive energy and also promote good bonding.
Conclusion – Are Bengal Cats High Energy?
Yes, Bengal cats are generally high energy cats, especially when younger. You need to be prepare for this, as some people can find it challenging to deal with the “zoomies” that can come with your Bengal cat (read our guide here on Bengal cat zoomies for more information).
The most important thing to remember when it comes to dealing with your Bengal cat’s high energy is to provide them with suitable outlets for that energy.
This usually comes in the form of good toys (read our guide here to the best toys for Bengal cats) as well as regular “play time” with you and your other family/household members.
Finally, remember that patience is a virtue when it comes to dealing with an overly-energetic Bengal cat (especially a kitten). Over time, your Bengal should mellow out and become easier to deal with. This process won’t happen overnight, so make sure you give your cat the time that is required!
