One of the hardest things about writing this blog is that many of the questions we seek to answer are “it depends” or “how long is a piece of string” in nature. There is simply no right or wrong answer, and in many cases all we can offer is our best advice, and all you can do is take it with a grain of salt. Today’s question is no different: “Are Bengal cats nice?”. However, we are going to answer it with more firm conviction than normal.
Bengal cats are nice. They are fantastic pets, and can be incredible companions to the old and young alike. Provided you go into Bengal cat ownership with the right mindset, then you are almost certain to enjoy it.
However, there are some caveats you need to be aware of:
- Bengal cat ownership is not a temporary affair. This applies to all pets (not just cats, and not just Bengal cats). A kitten might seem cute and cuddly and a little ball of joy for a while, but eventually you will run into frustrations and challenges. This is where animal ownership differs substantially from something like car ownership. If you get bored of your cat, well you can just buy a new car. If you get bored of your cat (or frustrated, or annoyed) it really isn’t fair to just get rid of him/her. While Bengal cats are nice, do not be fooled into thinking it will be 100% smooth sailing, and therefore be prepared for an occasionally “up and down” long-term relationship.
- Bengal cats can be rather aloof. Although they are affectionate for sure (read our guide on Bengal cat affection for more information on this) do not be under any false assumption that your Bengal will be affectionate all of the time. There will be times when you want affection from your Bengal, and they want you to leave them alone. Needless to say, there will also be times where you Bengal wants affection when you would rather them go away (naturally, this tends to happen at night when you are trying to sleep).
- Bengal cats can be rather crazy from time to time. Although it is a bit of a “meme” that Bengal cats are wild, there is some truth to this nonetheless. Compared to regular tabby/moggy cats, and even many other purebred breeds, Bengals have a tendency to go mad. It’s usually for short stretches of time, but when this happens you will know about it. Different cats exhibit this behaviour in different manners. For example, our Bengal used to jump from piece of furniture to piece of furniture, and this would always culminate in her climbing the curtains (much to our frustration).
Are Bengal cats nice?
Yes, they are. They have every bit as much capability of being nice as any other cat. However you do need to be aware of the potential pitfalls and challenges of Bengal cat ownership (hopefully this site gives you a good grounding on the subject).
Provided you have made yourself aware, and are happy with the potential consequences of your decision, then we think you will enjoy Bengal cat ownership!
Many thousands of people around the world enjoy the company and companionship of their Bengal cats.
