Are you considering adding a Bengal cat to your family, but you’re not sure if you have enough space in your home?
This is a common point of concern and consideration, especially if you are a diligent pet owner.
After all, if you care about animals, you don’t want to make one a family member in a house that is too small. For example, if you live in an apartment or townhouse, is that going to be too small for a Bengal cat to live comfortably?
In this article I’m going to explain whether or not you need to own a big house (or other type of property) to own and properly care for a Bengal cat.
You Don’t Need A Big Property To Properly Care For A Bengal Cat
Don’t worry – you don’t necessarily need a large house to own a Bengal cat. If you just wanted a quick answer, then you can click the back button on your browser right now.
However, you might also be interested to understand why it’s not necessary to own a great big mansion in order to own and properly care for a Bengal (or any cat, for that matter).
Bengal cats are known for their playful, energetic personalities and their striking appearance, with distinctive spotted or marbled patterns on their coats. They are a popular choice for cat lovers, but some people may hesitate to get a Bengal cat because they are not sure if their home is big enough.
The good news is that Bengal cats can adapt well to living in small spaces, as long as they have enough room to play and exercise. While a large house with plenty of space for your cat to roam and explore is ideal, it is not necessary for your Bengal cat to be happy and healthy.
Cats in general are well-suited to living in small spaces like apartments and houses.
They are relatively low-maintenance pets and can be happy living indoors, as long as they are provided with enough stimulation and exercise.
Cats can be trained to use a litter box (go here to read my guide to the best litter boxes for Bengal cats, as well as the best litters for Bengals) which makes it easy for them to live in smaller spaces without the need for regular outdoor access. Compare this to dogs, who are simply much harder to keep happy and healthy in smaller spaces.
Cats are typically quite adaptable and can adjust to living in a variety of environments, including small apartments and houses. As long as their basic needs are met, cats can be happy and healthy living in small spaces. In some respects, the most important considerations for your cat are not the size of the space but the fact that the cat can have his/her own space (i.e. territory) in which they don’t feel threatened, and also that they have access to fresh water, food, a clean litter box, and ample opportunities for mental and physical stimulation.
To ensure that your Bengal cat has enough space in your small home, it is important to provide plenty of toys and opportunities for play and exercise. This can include scratching posts, climbing trees, and interactive toys that encourage your cat to move and play. Regular play sessions with your cat can help them stay active and healthy, even in a small space. You can learn more here about the best toys for Bengal cats if you’d like some ideas on what toys to get for your Bengal.
In addition to providing plenty of toys and opportunities for play, it is important to keep your Bengal cat’s living space clean and free of clutter. This can help prevent accidents and ensure that your cat has a safe, comfortable environment to live in. Regular cleaning and maintaining a clutter-free space can also help reduce stress and promote your cat’s overall well-being. You don’t have to promote a completely “sterile” environment (like you might find in a modern, open-plan office) but too much junk and mess everywhere could be stressful and actually dangerous for your cat.
What if you want to get your Bengal outside for a bit?
The good news is that – if trained young – Bengals can be quite receptive to leash walking. They also tend to stay fairly close to their human owners when outside, so it might be possible to take your Bengal to a local park, communal garden etc (however, if you are going to do this off-leash it’s critical in my opinion to have your cat microchipped, have a collar with identifiable information e.g. a contact number, and also ensure there are no particular bylaws you need to comply with that relate to protecting local wildlife from roaming cats).
Recap
Overall, while a large house is not necessary to own a Bengal cat, it is important to provide your cat with enough space to play and exercise, and to keep their living space clean and safe.
By meeting your Bengal cat’s needs for play and exercise, and providing them with a clean, comfortable environment to live in, you can ensure that your cat is happy and healthy, no matter the size of your home.
What this means is that if you live in an apartment, or a town house or some other kind of small property, it’s entirely possible to own and properly care for a Bengal cat. In fact, I’d say that it’s better for a Bengal to live in a small property where it is loved and looked after, rather than being left to its own devices or not properly looked after in a big house.
